The Larkin family was in turmoil, and the only person Urs felt she could rely on was Yorick.


    But Yorick had just walked out the door, leaving her behind. He had heard everything every word and didn''t even give her a chance to exin.


    "What on earth happened?" Cloudia asked, her voice tinged with rm.


    Hearing Urs say this, Cloudia was also deeply shocked. If Yorick didn''t want Urs anymore, this wasn''t good news at all, especially with their family in its current state.


    Thedies of high society were all two-faced; not a single one of them had stepped forward to help this time.


    At this moment, Urs didn''t even know what to say. She could only mutter, "It''s Star, always Star. She took Rick away, Mom. She already has Mr. Quinn. Why does she have to take Rick, too? I have nothing left. Why does she treat me like this?" Tears streamed down Urs''s face, dropping like a broken string of pearls.


    Hearing Ste''s name made Cloudia''s face harden with an anger she hadn''t shown before.


    It was her again. Always her! That wretched girl. Why hadn''t she dealt with her back when she had the chance?


    Cloudia was fuming, practically shaking with rage.


    Urs cried, "I feel like I''m dying, Mom. I really can''t hold on much longer."


    She could feel her body deteriorating, her time running out. Without treatment, she was genuinely on the brink.


    "Why won''t she leave me alone now that I''m like this? Why did she have to take Rick away?"


    Despair and hatred welled up in Urs, threatening to consume her entirely.


    After an eight-hour flight, Ste had been nestled in Ronald''s arms, sleeping like a contented kitten. Her peaceful demeanor was irresistible.


    At one point, Ronald couldn''t help himself and teased her a bit more. Ste, yful yet annoyed, had bitten his shoulder in protest, though Ronald barely felt it.


    As the nended, the jolt woke them both.


    Ste opened her bleary eyes, catching sight of Ronald. For a moment, she was dazed, her mind foggy from sleep. Then, as if on instinct, she snuggled closer to him, rubbing her cheek against his chest. "I''m hungry," she murmured.


    She hadn''t eaten much since Xander had whisked her away, and exhaustion had kept her from thinking about food. But now, the hunger pangs made themselves known.


    "Hungry, huh?" Ronald asked, his voice yful with a hint of mischief.


    Ste immediately caught on to his teasing tone, recognizing his cheekiness. Annoyed but amused, she pinched his side. "I mean my stomach''s hungry."


    Ronald captured her wandering hand, bringing it to his lips for a gentle kiss.


    Her fair skin contrasted with the slight blush on her palm, and he couldn''t help but smile, his eyes sparkling with mischief.


    Ste pulled her hand back quickly, hiding it away. "You..."


    Watching her flustered expression, Ronald kissed her forehead. "What do you want to eat? I''ll take you out for something." "Hot wings."


    Ever sinceing to Portis City, hot wings had be Ste''s new favorite.


    Ronald paused, then chuckled. "You''re getting easier to please."


    Back in Ferrond, the pampered little princess had never settled for anything so simple.


    Ste snuggled closer, her voice taking on a pleading tone. "Please?"


    She was exhausted and in need of a treat.


    "Alright." Ronald''s voice was deep, his throat tightening slightly. He gently pushed her off him, standing up.


    s get going." Conte


    If they didn''t hurry, they''d end up stuck on the ne for several more hours...


    Ste pouted, reluctantly getting up.


    Ronald handed her a fresh set of clothes, helping her into a sweater, her small hands slipping into the sleeves.


    Worried she might be cold, he added a vest underneath before helping her into a coat.


    "I can dress myself, you know," Ste mumbled.


    Ronald paused, his hands lingering on the coat''s cor. A teasing smile spread across his face as he ruffled her hair. "I keep forgetting you''ve grown up."


    Ste''s cheeks flushed. How could he forget something like that?


    Her mind wandered briefly to the past, to when she was a child. Back then, Ronald used to dress her for school every morning while she mumbled sleepily, too groggy to do it herself. Despite always beingte, she could never fully wake up on her own.


    A


    Just as Ronald finished helping her, Idris knocked on the door. "Sir, are you up?" Throughout the entire flight, Idris and the others had kept their distance, knowing better than to interrupt.