The Larkin family was in a real mess.


    Yorick and Jaxon had been discussing their next move, but it felt like they were up against a brick wall. The whole situation was infuriating and utterly exhausting.


    Ronald had them cornered. He had blocked every possible avenue for the Larkin family, and even Cloudia''s efforts to rally the support of her social circle had hit a dead end.


    As Yorick approached Urs''s room, he noticed the door was shut, but he could hear Urs having a heated argument with someone inside. Her voice was loud and filled with anger.


    Normally, Yorick would have barged in without a second thought, but this time he hesitated, pressing his ear to the door.


    Inside, Urs waspletely unaware of his presence.


    He could hear her seething. "Oh, you think I''m scared now? I''m practically at death''s door. Go ahead and spill the beans, let''s just get it over with."


    She was on the brink of madness. Caught between Ste''s relentless pressure and the threats from this killer, she was also dealing with the agony of her illness.


    What had she done to deserve this kind of punishment? All she wanted was to hold on to what she had. Was that so wrong?


    "The Larkin family has been so good to you, and this is how you repay them? Cut the crap. I want two million," the killer demanded, clearly doubting Urs''s words. Everyone in Portis City knew she was the most cherished adopted daughter in town. Hearing the demand for two million, Urs''s heart sank even deeper.


    "Two million? You''ve got some nerve. All the costs from that car ident were settled. This is just ckmail. And don''t forget, I wanted Ste dead. Did you manage to get that done?"


    Urs''s rage red up, and she screamed in frustration.


    It was all because Ste was still alive. If Ste had died in that car ident, she wouldn''t be facing this nightmare now.


    "I wanted Ste dead, and you failed to deliver. I paid you all those fees, and now you''re ckmailing me?"


    Just as she finished, the door flew open with a violent crash, mming hard against the wall.


    Urs, who was still on the phone, froze at the sudden noise.


    Her eyes met Yorick''s - deep, stormy, filled with fury. Her mind went nk, as if the very air around her had exploded.


    Yorick''s eyes narrowed, filled with anger that spread across his entire face.


    Urs''s breath caught, her blood ran cold, and everything else seemed to fade into silence.


    The killer was still on the phone, saying, "I don''t care. I want two million. If you don''t pay up, I''ll send all the evidence of your attempt murder Ste. Oh, and wasn''t Mr. Yorick Quarry Ste''s fiancé once? Imagine how he''ll react when he finds out you tried to kill his fiancée. Let''s see if he still wants you after that..."


    Before the killer could finish, Urs hurriedly hung up the phone.


    She looked at Yorick, trembling, her lips quivering as she tried to form words. "Rick, I, I..."


    What was she even trying to say? Her thoughts spun wildly, a chaotic storm she couldn''t control.


    Yorick''s face was unreadable, but his eyes told her everything she needed to know. He''d heard it all.


    It''s over. The thought crashed through Urs''s mind like thunder, leaving her hollow.


    She took a deep, shaky breath. "You... you have to let me exin. It''s not what you think. I..."


    Yorick''s eyes were icy as he stared at her and he didn''t wait for her to finish. Without a word, he turned sharply and walked out, the door mming shut behind him.


    Urs felt the coldness in his footsteps as he walked away, and her heart suddenly felt empty.


    ...


    Downstairs, Cloudia had been trying to calm herself and think of a n when she saw Yoricking down. She instinctively stood up and called out, "Rick."


    But Yorick ignored herpletely, heading straight for the door with a chilling demeanor.


    Cloudia was taken aback, ncing toward the staircase, hesitating for a moment before rushing upstairs to check on Urs.


    She found Urs sitting on the bed, sobbing uncontrobly.


    Cloudia''s heart clenched as she approached. "Why are you crying? What happened with Rick?"


    Urs copsed into Cloudia''s arms. "Mom, Rick''s left me. He''s left me."


    "What happened?"


    "He''s gone. He''s nevering back," Urs said in despair.