Over the years, the Lugar family''s relentless search for Ste had only proven how much they treasured her.
Cloudia was livid, her heart pounding with rage. "Why did I ever bring her into this world? I should have never brought her back. Growing up with the Lugars, she''s brought us nothing but trouble." The thought of all thepany issues Ste had stirred up made Cloudia''s anger boil over.
Jaxon opened his mouth, about to respond, when his phone rang. He answered curtly, "Hello?"
"Sir," came the assistant''s voice, heavy with unease.
Jaxon, cold as ice, spat out, "Speak."
"Miss Urs can''t leave the country."
Jaxon''s eyes widened at the words. He instinctively nced at Cloudia before pressing on with a strained voice, "What do you mean by that?"
"No country is epting her. Her passport has been gged, and she can''t buy a ticket."
Jaxon''s heart pounded. He wasn''t naive; with everything happening around Ste, it was clear who was behind this. Was she really trying to trap Urs?
"Then go to another city," Jaxon growled through gritted teeth.
If leaving the country wasn''t possible, at least they could move Urs to another city-anywhere but Portis City. They''d figure something out once they were out of there. "That''s impossible too. She''s restricted to Portis City. I''ve tried everythingnd, sea, air-there''s no way out."
Jaxon felt a sinking weight in his chest.
No way out? Even hospitals were refusing to admit Urs, and no doctor would make a house call. Ste was truly pushing them to the brink.
His face turned ashen as he ended the call.
Cloudia had overheard the conversation.
"Urs can''t leave the country, or even the city?" she asked, her voice tinged with desperation.
Jaxon closed his eyes, anger simmering beneath the surface, and gave a stiff nod.
"Yes."
"How could she do this to Urs? She''s practically killing her!" Cloudia eximed. "I need to call your father."
She dialed ise, but after just two rings, the call was cut off. Frustrated, she tried again, only for the same thing to happen.
Just then, Jaxon''s phone buzzed again. It was someone from thepany.
As soon as he picked up, a project manager''s tense voice came through. "Mr. Larkin, our partnership on the Windmere project is being terminated." "What?"
"They''re adamant, sir. They''re not even willing to pay the penalty and are threatening legal action."
For a moment, Jaxon was speechless. Windmere was one of the few valuable projects they had left. Were they trying to drive them out of business?
"Where''s my father? He should be at thepany by now, right?" "He''s not here," the manager replied, his voice heavy with anxiety.
Jaxon''s breath quickened. He nced at Cloudia, who was t consumed by her worry over.
to notice the conversation
Jaxon felt like his head was about to explode. "I''ll be there soon."
His father had mentioned workingte before he left- so why wasn''t he at thepany now?
...
Meanwhile, in Mist Bay, Ste was sulking, her re fixed on Ronald.
He chuckled, giving her cheek a yful pinch, clearly amused.
Ste huffed and turned her face away, her expression as stubborn as ever.
Ronald, unfazed, wrapped an arm around her and pulled her closer. "Come on, let''s get some sleep."
Ste pouted. "I''m not talking to you."
He had the nerve to make her do something like that.
Ugh!
Ronald smirked. "You don''t really have a choice."
Frustrated, Ste rubbed her head against his chest. Ronald''s low
alright. Let''s not start"
Ste grumbled, "No more of that next time."
Ronald didn''t respond. Instead, he ced a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Ste narrowed her eyes. "Did you hear me?"
What was with his silence? Did he n on doing it again?
Ronald warned, "If you don''t sleep, I mighte up with something even more mischievous."
Ste blinked in surprise. What could be worse than what he''d already done?
Though thoroughly annoyed, she decided not to challenge him further, fearing he might actually follow through on his threat.