The phone buzzed.


    It was a call from Idris.


    Ronald stood, ncing at Ste. She had already closed her eyes, sumbing to the warmth of her wine-induced slumber like a kitten too weary to keep awake. He answered with a curt, "Speak."


    "Boss, just as you predicted, Lancelot is hiding out in Portis City."


    "Did you find him?"


    "Not yet, but we spotted Kaku, his right-hand man, around town today."


    In the dimly lit room, a sharper glint flickered in Ronald''s normally stoic eyes.


    "Keep a tight watch on him," hemanded, his voice icy.


    "Understood!"


    "And..." Ronald''s tone softened slightly as his gaze fell on Ste, who was sound asleep on the bed. "Assign a few more people to keep a discreet watch over her." He was, of course, referring to Ste.


    Idris hesitated. "Should we tell Ms. Quinn to avoid going to her studio for a while?"


    "No need," came Ronald''s reply.


    Idris understood Ronald''s intent- he didn''t want Ste to sense even a whisper of danger. He wished for her world to remain peaceful and ordinary, free from constant vignce. That year, after Ste witnessed Ronald taking a life, she had nearly retreated into herself.


    Since then, Ronald made sure she stayed blissfully unaware of the family''s darker dealings. That was, until Regina and Xander stirred the pot.


    After ending the call with Idris, Ronald stepped out onto the balcony, lighting a cigarette and taking a deep drag.


    His phone vibrated again.


    "Mother," he answered.


    "Do you know Xander and Mervin Burton are now in cahoots? They''ve got designs on Star," his mother informed him.


    "I''m aware."


    "She''s skittish, you know that. Make sure Star is protected."


    Ronald couldn''t help but smirk at his mother''s description.


    Skittish?


    ncing through the ss door at the sleeping Ste, he saw no trace of the timid girl his mother spoke of. Yet, he assured her, "Understood." "I''ve heard Xander is headed towards Portis City. Do you have enough people with you?"


    "Of course."


    "Should I send Yvonne to stay with Star?"


    The memory of Ste being forced to leave the Quinn family due to a past oversight still haunted Mrs. Lugar.


    "No need," Ronald asserted.


    He couldn''t risk Yvonne''s


    interference, not now. Her knack for stirring trouble and hiding people had caused chaos before. Thest time Yvonne took Ste under her wing Ste returned after enduring a grueling ordeal.


    "Yes, that girl can be a handful," Mrs. Lugar agreed with a sigh. Her rebellious daughter, who preferred trousers to dresses, had always been a source of frustration. Unlike the demure and dress-wearing Star, Yvonne''s defiance still grated on her nerves.


    .n


    "You just make sure to keep Star safe. Once everything is settled, bring her back. Portis City has. nothing for her, especially given what we know about her parents."


    IMS


    Mrs. Lugar had ensured a thorough investigation into the Larkin family.


    By the way, the trouble the Larkin Group faced wasn''t just caused by Ronald-it also had Mrs. Lugar''s handiwork behind it. "Understood," Ronald affirmed before ending the call.


    Returning inside, Ronald noticed Ste had kicked off her nkets, her cheeks flushed with warmth.