Ronald nced down and noticed her cute little nose, turning a bit pink from the cold. Her cheeks, always a tad chubby in a charming way, were now rosy and warm.


    Ste, already tired, leaned against him as he gently tousled her hair, and soon sleep began to tug at her.


    His gaze wandered, and he noticed her towel was slipping. She had matured well over the years, and seeing what was half-hidden made Ronald''s lips curl into a smile. No one knew what new thoughts were stirring in his mind at that moment. Ste seemedpletely oblivious, her voicezy as she spoke, "The situation Idris mentioned earlier- was Xander causing trouble again?"


    "He wouldn''t dare right now."


    There was a situation with Mervin Burton that needed handling urgently, so Xander was too busy to cause trouble.


    Ste opened her eyes slightly. "So, what''s going on?"


    "We need to head back to Portis City for a bit."


    At that, Ste''s brow furrowed. "Aren''t we going back to Ferrond? I miss Mom."


    Since Mrs. Lugar had been so supportive on the phone, Ste had felt much more at ease.


    Ronald finished drying her hair, tossing the towel aside. "Want me to take you back first?" "Huh?"


    Ronald proposed, "I''ve got some things to handle. It won''t take long."


    "I''ll just go with you," Ste replied, her soft voice full of affection as she wrapped her arms around his lean waist. She truly missed her mom but couldn''t bear to be apart from Ronald.


    Listening to her mumble and grumble, Ronald couldn''t help but smile mischievously. He scooped her up and yfully tossed her onto the small bed, following her quickly.


    Meanwhile, over in Portis City, Yorick had heard about the intense skirmish at Mist Bay the previous night. He rushed over as soon as he got the news, but by the time he arrived, everything seemed back to normal.


    Susanna happened to being out of the ce. Yorick hurried to intercept her. "Where''s Ste? Is she okay?"


    Susanna was still a bit dazed. She had intended to leave the previous night but ended up fainting from fright and had to crash at Mist Bay. By morning, everything was back to normal as if nothing had happened. Seeing Yorick, Susanna scoffed, "Why are you acting all concerned about Ste now?"


    Yorick caring about Ste''s wellbeing? Susanna would never buy it.


    Yorick''s expression hardened, and he gritted his teeth. "I just need to know if she''s alright."


    His eyes were cold as ice.


    Susanna''s patience was wearing thin. "What business is it of yours, Yorick? Your heart''s big enough for Urs; spare some room for Ste, but she doesn''t need it. She never needed you." Yorick''s breath came in ragged gasps, his fists clenched. "I just want to know how she is."


    Susanna replied, "People only realize what they had after they lose it. But Ste was never yours to lose."


    Without another word, she turned


    and walked away, unwilling to engage any further. Susanna had seen enough when Ronald showed up in Portis City. Even if Urs hadn''t returned, there was no way Ste would end up with Yorick.


    As she walked, Susanna recalled the wedding dress Ste had tried on. She had overheard something about it being designed by a particrpany but hadn''t thought much of it at the time. Now, looking back


    now, it seemed like the wasn''t


    about Yorick at all. Could thepany designing the dress be connected to Ronald?


    Yorick, the fool, had never truly cared for Ste. Susanna had been upset on Ste''s behalf for a long time, but now it seemed clear - Ste had never been invested in him either. "Ste''s reallye a long way," Susanna muttered to herself as she drove away.