Back then, Ste was filled with rage from Xander''s threats involving her mother and sister. Without a second thought, she pped him hard across the face. Tears streaming down her cheeks, she turned to leave, but Xander''s cold voice lingered behind her. "Remember, no contact with Ronald, or else..." Or else what?


    Xander never finished that sentence, but Ste knew the Quinn family''s situation was precarious at that time. She couldn''t risk making another enemy for Ronald. So, sheplied, avoiding all contact with him.


    Now, hearing Xander bring it up again, Ste looked up, her eyes brimming with both tears and anger.


    Xander grabbed a fistful of her hair, pulling her closer. "Seems like you didn''t take my words seriously, or maybe you forgot the most important part?" "Forgot what?"


    "You''re my fiancée, damn it. So tell me, what''s this mark on your neck?"


    His eyes were bloodshot, and his voice carried an ominous storm.


    Ste let out a dryugh. "What kind of fantasy are you living in?"


    With that, Xander''s grip tightened, making Ste wince in pain.


    She tried to bite him, but he was just out of reach, so she wed at his stomach, only to find rock-hard abs beneath her fingers.


    Xander nced down at her hand, his expression icy before he chuckled.


    "This is what Yvonne taught you? Such childish moves?"


    Just as he finished speaking, Xander grunted in pain.


    "You little brat, trying to ruin me for life? Or do you n on being a widow for the rest of yours?"


    Ste''s sudden kick had caught him off guard, almost making him double over.


    Reflexively, he released her.


    Seizing the moment, Ste backed away, keeping a wary eye on Xander, who was hunched over, ring at her with a look that could kill.


    Frightened by his gaze, she grabbed a nearby ashtray. "Stay back, or I''ll smash your head in."


    Her baby-faced features made her threats seem almost endearing despite the anger in her voice. Xander sneered. "Go ahead, hit me. If you don''t kill me today, I''ll make sure you regret it." "You..."


    When someone is ready to risk it all, everyone else tends to step aside That was the first lesson Yvonne taught Ste when she took her under her wing.


    In a panic, Ste raised the ashtray, ready to bring it down on her own head.


    "Ste!"


    The furious shout echoed through the room, and at the same time, her wrist was caught in a vise-like grip.


    Xander''s grasp was so tight it felt like her bones might shatter.


    Ste''s hand went limp, and the ashtray ttered to the floor.


    Xander flung her away, his face twisted with anger, pointing a finger at her with clenched teeth. "You... you''ve got guts."


    Ste bit her lip, tears pooling in her eyes.


    Xander took onest nce at the mark on her neck, seething, before storming toward the door.


    Ste, watching him go, finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    At the door, Xander paused and turned to face her. "You really think you and Ronald can end up together?" "What do you mean?"


    Xander smirked coldly. "You''re my fiancée."


    With that, he strode out without looking back.


    "Crazy bastard," Ste muttered under her breath.


    Whether she and Ronald could be


    together wasn''t for Xander to decide Ronald had promised they''d figure it out, and she trusted him to handle things.


    "Pfft, even my mom doesn''t oppose it, so what business does that ck-hearted jerk have?" Ste grumbled to herself, relieved he was finally gone.


    She nced at the ashtray on the floor, her heart still racing. At least


    that ck-hearted jerk wasn''t,


    sharing a room with herhylke