Ste thought everything was over when Xander left.


    But no - he''d sent a maid to stay with her.


    From what Ste could gather, the maid even knew some self-defense techniques.


    After the whole ordeal with Xander, Ste took a long shower. When she came out, she saw the maid setting up a nket on the sofa.


    "Miss, sorry for the intrusion," the maid said respectfully.


    Ste was fuming. Damn Xander! He was really determined to keep an eye on her, not letting her have any time alone.


    "I''m not used to sharing a room," Ste protested.


    The maid replied, "Sorry, but you''ll have to take that up with Mr. Schultz."


    Ste was incredulous. No way was she going to talk it out with him.


    She dried her hair, tossed the towel aside, and climbed into bed.


    Seeing her settle down, the maid rxed a bit. This youngdy had caused quite themotion at the vi earlier, almost setting the ce on fire. At least now she seemed calm.


    The maid quietly reported back to Xander and theny down to rest herself.


    ...


    Meanwhile, in another room, Xander lounged in his robe, holding a ss of wine. He nced at a photo sent by the maid. It showed Ste, or at least a small lump under the covers, clearly sulking at his arrangements. A smirk yed on his lips. "Still so stubborn, even now."


    Shawn Schultz, standing nearby, leaned over to look at Xander''s phone. "Are you sure you brought back the princess of the Quinn family?"


    Shawn was genuinely concerned. He knew how much Ronald cherished his sister. When Xander had set off, Shawn thought it was for another business deal - not to kidnap Ronald''s long-lost sister.


    This was like kicking a ho''s nest.


    "You could''ve gone for Yvonne if you had to kidnap someone!" Shawn eximed. "Don''t tell me you''re actually taking that old marriage promise seriously?"


    Years ago, Ronald''s father had joked about marrying Ste to Xander when she grew up. Ronald had been furious at the idea, treating Ste like his own and refusing to let anyone else making decisions about her future. Xander chuckled dismissively, finishing his wine. "Are the words of an elder just a joke?"


    Shawn countered, "Ronald said it was just a joketer on, didn''t he?"


    Xander retorted, "Is Ronald her elder?"


    Shawn was at a loss for words. Xander''s confidence was unsettling.


    "Listen, you can''t just provoke Ronald like this. He''d gouge out someone''s eyes for just looking at her too long."


    And now Xander had gone and kidnapped her.


    "You''re doing this to get that document from Ronald, right? Once you have it, you''ll let her go, won''t you?"


    Shawn hoped that was the case. Xander''s n, however, seemed moreplex.


    With a raised eyebrow, Xander looked at Shawn. "Let her go?"


    Shawn was baffled. "What do you mean? You can''t seriously be thinking of keeping her. Xander, I''m warning you..."


    ??


    He was at a loss. Everyone in Ferrond knew Ste was Ronald''s Achilles'' heel. Once exposed, no one dared to touch it. Xander had been the first to do so.


    en


    "Have you forgotten how Ronald chased you relentlessly for years?"


    Xander had been unable to find peace for years, with Ronald


    ovel


    meddling in all his affairs, all


    because he had once dared


    involve Ste.


    If he secured the document but didn''t return her, wouldn''t he just be digging his own grave?


    Xander''s expression hardened. "How could I forget? If not for him, how would the Schultz family havee to its end." Shawn felt a chill run down his spine. The topic of the Schultz family was always sensitive.


    "Your father was really harsh on you," Shawn said sympathetically, watching as Xander set down his ss in silence. Just as Xander reached for his phone, a faint thud caught his attention.


    He ignored it.


    Shawn continued to ramble, "I''m telling you, don''t mess with Ronald. You''re at a crucial point right now. Keep your cool."


    It was hard to tell whether Xander


    was even listening. He kept pouring himself more wine, his thoughts drifting back to the marks on Ste''s neck. Thinking about the information he had gathered, Xander''s eyes grew cofeer.


    ...


    Meanwhile, Ste had knocked out the maid, taken her phone, and donned her clothes.


    She was sneaking toward the study.


    Earlier that day, she had discreetly observed theyout of the mansion and had seen Xander enter the study.


    Her room was right next to Xander''s, so she moved as quietly as possible.


    Once inside the study, she searched for the document she had seen on the helicopter, finally finding it in a drawer.