After all, Yorick had run into Ronald a few times before, memorably so due to the rather extreme circumstances of their encounters.


    Now it was time to reveal to him that Ronald was the heir to the Lugar estate.


    Ste looked at Ronald, stars in her eyes. "Are you going to meet Thane Quarry?"


    Ronald replied, "Do you want me to meet him?"


    Ste nodded. "He''s a good man."


    Indeed, from Ste''s perspective, Thane stood out as a paragon of integrity within the Quarry family. Especially after hearing about his youthful exploits, she couldn''t help but hold him in high esteem. Moreover, when her engagement to Yorick had been abruptly announced two years ago without her consent, Thane had been livid, criticizing Imogen and the Larkin family for their improper conduct. Ronald chuckled softly, tenderly ruffling Ste''s hair. "You go on with Finley."


    At the mention of leaving with Finley, Ste''s heart skipped a beat, knowing all too well what that implied. She cautiously hooked her finger around Ronald''s.


    Ronald let out a softugh. "Scared?"


    Ste shook her head. "No. You go ahead."


    Though she imed not to be frightened, deep down, she was terrified. This fear stemmed from her aversion to needles, a phobia more intense than most children''s, possibly due to the numerous injections she endured as a child because of her frail health, especially during the winter months.


    One particrly vivid memory was of Ronald returning from school wanting to embrace her, only for it to end in an injection while she was feverish.


    However, generally speaking, children who were physically weak tend to have particrly strong bodies as they grow up. If it weren''t for that kidnapping incident, her legs wouldn''t be in such condition now.


    Ronald, full of affection, took her hand and squeezed it gently. "Go ahead, I''ll be right there."


    "Okay."


    So, the dreaded injection was inevitable.


    Ste gave Ronald a longing look until his figure disappeared from sight, then she went to the dressing room to grab her phone before seeking out Finley.


    Finley was already preparing. Upon seeing her, he reassured, "Rx, I''ve gotten pretty good over the years. It won''t hurt."


    But Ste remained skeptical.


    "Where''s Ronald?" Finley asked, surprised to see her alone.


    Given Ste''s well-known fear of needles, it was unusual for Ronald not to apany her. And since moving to Portis City, Ronald had been practically inseparable from Ste.


    "Thane came to see him; he''s gone to meet him," Ste exined.


    Finley paused. "Thane? Came to see him in person?"


    "Yeah."


    Thinking it over, Finley realized it


    made sense; after all, Ronald had et


    never been one to adjust for


    others-it was always the other way around.


    But with Thane''s visit...


    Finley asked, "What about Yorick?"


    Ste confirmed, "He''s definitely around!"


    Having spent so much time in the hot springs without locating Ronald, Thane must have grown impatient.


    Finley whistled, "So Yorick''s met your brother before?"


    "Yeah, he''s been beaten up a few times already."


    The corners of Finley''s mouth twitched at the thought.


    Beaten up a few times meant there was a saga worth recounting.


    "This is going to be interesting!"


    The past confrontations had clearly left an impression, and Finley mused about how Yorick would react upon tering Ronald a


    Ste, sounding disinterested, said, "Interesting, sure, but it''ll also be a real ordeal."


    belongs to en.kikisto


    She had seen enough of the Quarry and Larkin families'' antics and didn''t need to witness thistest drama. Besides, if she and Ronald were together, who knew how Yorick might react?