Thinking about how hard Tabitha has worked these past two years, along with the other designers, really struck a chord with Ste.


    Honestly, even without StarRiver Corp., their little studio gigs could sustain them well enough.


    "Why don''t youe down to Mist Bay tomorrow?" Ste suggested after a moment''s thought.


    Tabitha raised an eyebrow. "Mist Bay? You mean that Mist Bay?"


    Ste nodded. "Yeah. Bring along some of thepany''s business documents too."


    Getting out of the house tomorrow seemed unlikely for Ste, especially with Skye having just ditched Yvonne''s crew. God knows what kind of trouble could follow. Best to justy low at Mist Bay.


    After hanging up on Tabitha, Ste returned to the dining room just as Ronald was saying to Idris, "Find her tonight."


    "Okay," Idris replied.


    Since Skye was in Portis City, tracking her down wouldn''t be too difficult.


    Seeing Idris making a move, Finley hurried to tag along. "I''ming with you."


    That morning, Idris had gone off on his own, leaving Finley on edge ever since. He worried Idris might actually find Skye and give her a ck eye. Their mom still clung to the hope that her daughter could somehow reim her wlessplexion; he couldn''t afford to ruin her face.


    As Finley and Idris headed out, Ronald''s stern expression softened. He turned to Ste. "Come here."


    Ste shuffled over, and as soon as she was close enough, Ronald pulled her onto hisp.


    Ste instinctively squirmed. "What are you doing? There are people around."


    Finley and Idris might have left, but there were still plenty of staff around Mist Bay.


    Ronald chuckled softly. "I told you, no need to hide, remember?"


    Ste blushed slightly.


    Ronald pinched her cheek gently, "Still sore?"


    Ste''s face, already turning pink, seemed to catch fire at Ronald''s words.


    "How long has it been? You can''t be serious..."


    Ronald wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head on her shoulder, "Yes, very much."


    Ste stared at him, speechless.


    This guy really...


    "Let go of me," she demanded, trying to focus on the studio''s issues instead of his antics.


    Ronald sensed her distraction. "Who was on the phone?"


    Ste replied, "Someone from the studio."


    Ronald asked, "What''s got you upset?"


    "My biggest client backed out," Ste admitted.


    They''d been working together since the studio''s openingst year. To suddenly stop without any exnation left Ste feeling uneasy. Ronald straightened up and gently pressed her head against his chest. "The biggest client?"


    "StarRiver Corp were a big deal for us. Their decision to work with a small studio like ours brought us credibility and more clients." Without them, who else would work with a fledgling studio?


    ??


    Hearing StarRiver Corp.''s name, a faint smile curved Ronald''s lips. "We''re heading back to Ferrond soon if they don''t want to continue, so be it."


    Ste shook her head. "No, the studio has so many designers depending on it. I should probably head to StarRiver Corp. myself."


    Her mind raced. Maybe she needed to meet them directly?


    Looking up suddenly, she remembered something. "Didn''t you say you know the CEO of StarRiver Corp.?"


    "Yeah, I know him," Ronald confirmed.


    "Then... could you ask him for me?"


    Ste''s tone softened, almost hesitant, She didn''t want to push,


    because she was aware that Ronald despised those who used O


    backdoors.  en


    Ronald tilted her chin up, his thumb brushing tightly against her cheek as their eyes met. There was a


    mischievous glint in his gaze. can ask. But how will you thank me?"


    Ste was taken aback. "Thank you? With what? Everything I have is already yours."


    Ronald smirked, "You, how about that?"


    Ste''s breath hitched.


    Before she could protest, Ronald leaned in, and as their breaths mingled, the chill of winter seemed to melt away.