Seriously? After all his promises, this was what she got?


    Why? Just why?


    Breathing heavily, Urs mustered the courage to call Yorick, only for the call to be abruptly dropped after a single ring.


    The cold shoulder from Yorick was nothing short of torturous.


    Yet, at that moment, she couldn''t bring herself to dial his number again.


    And then there was Ste....


    Had she known something all along? That darn Ste!


    The more Urs thought about it, the angrier she became.


    ...


    In the Spring Hill Clinic.


    "Ah! It hurts, it really hurts! Go easy on me!" Ste screamed in terror.


    Ronald, standing right beside her, smirked, the corners of his lips curling up. "Haven''t even started yet."


    Ste''s eyes widened. "What?"


    Not started? What in the world was Finley doing?


    The needle hovered over her knee. When she dared to peek at Finley, she realized the truth - the needle was still in his hand, untouched.


    Finley rolled his eyes.


    "I haven''t even started. What''s hurting you? Spit it out, because I''m not taking the fall for this."


    If that needle had actually pricked Ste''s knee and she cried out, Ronald might have kicked him across the room. Talk about being wrongly used!


    Ste was bbergasted. "If you''re not going to prick, then why point that thing at my knee?"


    Finley replied, "Well, I need to find the right spot, don''t I? To see where it''ll have the best effect?"


    "Then find it, but keep that needle away from me."


    Just the sight of a needle hovering aimlessly near her knee was enough to drive anyone mad.


    "Found it, found it. Don''t yell- it won''t hurt."


    "Ah!"


    Finley froze.


    Was it really that painful? That terrifying?


    Ronald sighed. "Alright, enough screaming. It''s over."


    Ste blinked in confusion.


    Over? She hadn''t even felt anything.


    She nced at Finley, who was already preparing another needle. This was exactly why Ste detested acupuncture.


    With an IV, it''s just one needle- maybe two if they draw blood.


    But this? An uncountable number of needles jabbing into her.


    Even though Finley''s first attempt hadn''t hurt at all, Ste couldn''t shake her fear.


    "Don''t be scared. Close your eyes."


    A warm, broad palm gently covered her eyes, turning her head and pressing it against a firm chest.


    Ste''s muffled voice emerged from Ronald''s embrace. "Isn''t there another way? Medication, medication works too, right?"


    Her fear of needles was evident, and she was desperate for an alternative.


    Ronald tried to reassure her. "It''ll be over soon. You''ve already gotten through quite a few."


    But instead of calming her, his words left Ste stiff with dread. "Don''t move," Finley warned, his tone firm.


    It was almostical-Ste,


    who


    could stand up to men and even throw a punch or two, was now trembling at the sight of acupuncture needles.


    Just then, Idris entered the room. "Sir."


    "Is it done?" Ronald inquired.


    "Yes, all signed."


    Jeremy turned out to be a straightforward coborator. He addressed all the issues immediately.


    Ste nced at Ronald. "What did you say to Thane just now?"


    Though she hadn''t been there to witness the drama firsthand, she was dying to know how spectacr Yorick''s downfall had been!


    Ronald could easily read between


    the lines, yfully tugging at her ear.


    "Yorick''s probably cora


    backdoor right now."


    Ste froze.


    Backdoor? Was he referring to her?


    That must be it!


    He knew already Ronald''s position as the heir of the Lugar family and owner of Wave Residence, so he clearly understood how much he had offended Ronald with his previous actions.  en


    "So, Thane''s aware of the beef between you and Yorick?"


    Ronald smirked. "As a father, he ought to know what his kid''s been up to."


    Ste sighed.


    Great. Now Thane''s definitely pressuring Yorick to smooth things over!