Ste was momentarily speechless.


    Well, alright then.


    Susanna''s mom was a force to be reckoned with in Portis City. She''d carved out a niche for herself despite the odds, not just with a soft heart and a kind word. It had taken more than that to build a ce like Night-T Group. "So, who are we taking down this time?"


    "We''re not taking anyone down."


    "Oh, really? Then what''s up?"


    Ste sighed. "I''m heading back to Ferrond. Are you interested in taking over my studio?"


    Susanna''s eyes widened. "What? You''re leaving Portis City? When?"


    "In about two weeks, I think."


    Ste had been mulling it over. She didn''t trust just anyone with the studio, but she also knew she couldn''t keep it if she wasn''t going to be around much. Susanna looked taken aback. "This is so sudden!"


    "Not really," Ste replied. The moment Ronald had reached out, her return to Ferrond was set in motion.


    "But I have no experience with this kind of thing," Susanna hesitated.


    "Stick with the original team, pay them on time, and you won''t have much to worry about."


    So far, every project had been handled with care, and clients came to them by reputation.


    Susanna considered it for a moment. "How about this-I''ll manage it for you. You stay the biggest shareholder, and when you want it back, it''s yours." Ste paused, surprised. "But I don''t need..."


    Susanna pressed on. "Look, you''re just an adopted daughter in the Lugar family. Who knows what the future holds?"


    Ste''s protest was cut short by Susanna''s earnest interruption. Susanna wasn''t trying to jinx her situation with the Lugar family-she genuinely cared.


    "When you secretly started this studio, it was like a safety, right? I can tell your brother''s got an agenda."


    The rest of Susanna''s words remained unsaid. Because she didn''t fully understand Ronald''s standing in the Quinn family, she worried he might not be able to protect Ste. After all, the Lugar family was exactly what one would expect of such an old and prestigious lineage, a family with deep roots and strict traditions. They valued many things.


    And on top of that, Susanna wasn''t sure how Ste''s adoptive mother truly felt about her. Susanna was nning ahead for Ste''s sake.


    Listening to Susanna''s words, Ste felt a jolt in her chest, and then warmth filled her heart. "Sweetheart, you''re the one who truly cares about me."


    She was the first person in Portis City who genuinely cared for Ste. It was ironic, really-this person had nothing to do with the Larkin family. Susanna said, "So, are we doing it my way?"


    "It''s really not necessary, Susanna.


    My mom''s not asplicated as you think. I have my ways," Ste reassured, recalling the strategies her mom had taught her-cry a little, act cute, ask for hugs.


    Susanna was relentless. "Just trust me on this."


    She was genuinely worried about what might happen when Ste returned to Ferrond, especially with Ronald''s urgency.


    Ste relented, touched by Susanna''s concern. "Alright, I''ll listen to you."


    Her heart felt warm from the kindness.


    ...


    Ste had spent the morning sleeping in. When she came downstairs, she found Ronald on the phone, looking a bit agitated.


    Finley was trailing behind him nervously, looking guilty as sin.


    Seeing Ste, Finley rushed over as if she were hisst hope. "Star, you''ve gotta put in a good word for Skye!"


    Ste raised an eyebrow. "Idris''s people didn''t catch her?"


    Finley looked like he was about to lose it. "That girl is slippery as an eel, impossible to pin down."


    Ste blinked in surprise.


    On the couch, Ronald had just ended his call. A cigarette rested casually between his lips. "Didn''t you say you were going to handle her?"


    Finley had been bragging earlier


    about taking care of Skye himself to keep Ronald from stepping in. But now, with even Idris''s team failing to track her down, he was at his wit''s end. Desperately, he gestured at Ste for help.


    Ste had no idea what to say, after all, Skye was working with Yvonne''s people Wasn''t it obvious they were


    here to take her away? Speaking up for Skye would be ridiculous


    en


    "Say something, will you?" Finley pleaded.


    Ste muttered, "Did you forget Skye came to take me away?"


    Finley''s mind nked. Right. That girl was after Ste, and here he was, asking Ste to defend her.


    But if Skye ended up in Ronald''s hands, Finley knew she''d be toast.