Quickly, Finley had someone fetch the medication and handed it over to Ronald with a word of caution.


    "Maybey off her for a while, huh?"


    The moment he said it, the room went as quiet as a church on Monday.


    Ronald shot Finley a cial look.


    Finley persisted, "Seriously, though. And she can''t even enjoy the hot springs now with how she''s feeling. Spring Hill is pretty chilly these days. Better take her back to Wave Residence."


    They had initiallye to enjoy the healing waters of the hot springs because of Ste''s injured leg. Now, injured, their ns had to change. It was too cold up in the mountains with the snow and all. Ronald grunted, "Got it."


    "Just make sure you apply this ointment on her."


    Ronald fell silent.


    "Oh, and ise showed up again early this morning."


    Ronald squinted. "Didn''t he stayst night?"


    "He left, but now he''s back, been hounding Idris about seeing you."


    Ronald''s gaze narrowed slightly.


    Idris hadn''t passed the message, probably knowing Ronald wouldn''t agree to meet.


    Finley clicked his tongue. "Blood is thicker than water, huh? The Larkin folks must''ve lost their minds. And Urs, frolicking around Ferrond, switching boyfriends like she changes clothes. Yorick must have the stomach of a champion." Ronald''s icy re was his only response.


    "You enjoy gossip much?"


    Finley defended, "No, just thought you should know, is all."


    He knew Ronald didn''t care about any other woman''s affairs, except Ste''s. And this, after all, involved her.


    Not wanting to continue the conversation, Ronald turned and left.


    Watching him go, Finley clicked his tongue again.


    No wonder he was unhappy, having just started engaging in his sexual endeavors when he was suddenly given restrictions; it would be absurd if he was in a good mood.


    Meanwhile, ise had rushed back to hispany for a meeting, only to find the situation more dire than before.


    Desperate, he hurried back to Spring Hill.


    Idris wasn''t too friendly. "Mr. Larkin, this persistence is fruitless."


    ise was frantic. He had managed to find out where Ste and Ronald were staying, but the ce was swarming with bodyguards. He tried calling Ste, only to remember he was blocked.  en


    The old ise would never have believed that the mighty Larkin Group could be brought to its knees over Ste. "Idris, please, just this once."


    ise looked around nervously before slipping an envelope into Idris''s hand.


    "Could you... just mention it to Mr. Quinn, please?"


    Ronald''s ruthless moves had left them no hope. If things continued like this, the Larkin Group wouldn''tst a week.


    Idris nced at the envelope and frowned. "Do you know what our boss hates the most?"


    "Wh-what?"


    ise, anxious, failed to catch the warning in Idris''s tone and asked reflexively.


    Idris replied, "He despises bribery and corruption. Hates anyone looking for backdoors. You dugy own grave; now you''re looking for a way out?"


    With Ronald, no shortcuts.


    ise stammered, "But, but..."


    He was cut off by his phone ringing. It was Cloudia.


    Seeing Cloudia''s name only added to ise''s irritation, especially with Idris standing right there.


    He was about to hang up, but Idris had already turned away.


    Desperate, ise answered, "What now?" His tone was outright hostile.


    Cloudia blurted out, "Ste- she... she was raised by the Lugar family."


    "What do you mean?"


    "She''s Ronald''s sister, like Urs and Jaxon."


    "You''re saying... Star was raised by the Lugar family?"


    Cloudia confirmed, "Exactly. We''re done for if she can''t clear up Ronald''s misunderstanding about us. The Larkin Group is toast this time."