Cloudia had been waiting outside the Horner residence.


    She hade here the moment she heard Tegan returned home two hours ago, determined to wait as long as it took.


    Whether it was because of the Larkin family''s recent misfortunes or some other reason, she couldn''t even get past the front gate.


    The doorman had been firm, insisting she leave, saying Tegan wouldn''t see her. But leaving wasn''t an option. The thought of Urs''s suffering weighed heavily on her heart, urging her to persist. Finally, Tegan emerged.


    Cloudia rushed forward, her voice trembling with desperation, "Ms. James, please, I beg you, help my daughter."


    Tegan crossed her arms, her expression indifferent as she asked. "Which daughter are you talking about?"


    Cloudia''s face froze at her question, her voice caught in her throat. "My... my adopted daughter, Urs."


    "Oh, adopted daughter, huh? The way you were acting, I thought it was your own flesh and blood, Ste, who was in trouble."


    Cloudia was momentarily speechless at the mention of Ste, her lips twitching as she struggled to respond.


    "Could you at leaste by the Larkin''s ce, please?"


    Tegan shrugged, "Alright, but let me be clear, I wasn''t nning on making this trip. It was your actual daughter who called me, asking me to check in."


    "You say Star called you? Asked you to see Urs?" Cloudia was astonished, disbelief etched on her face.


    Ste, being kind to Urs? It seemed impossible. She could hardly believe that Ste would want anything but Urs''s decease.


    "Ms. James, you must have misheard. Star would never..."


    "Are you implying I can''t hear straight? If that''s the case, how can you trust me to check on Urs?"


    "I..." Cloudia hesitated, then relented. "Thank you then."


    Tegan''s disdain grew as she


    watched Cloudia''s reluctance at the mention of Ste. She scoffed, "Save your gratitude, and maybe start appreciating your own daughter more."


    Cloudia went silent, feeling her chest tighten with frustration at Tegan''s words, a surge of anger barely contained.


    Ste was thest person she wanted to think about right now. The Larkin family''s downfall was Ste''s doing. What good could possiblye from remembering her?


    But at the moment, Urs''s situation was pressing. She had to stay calm. "You''re right, Ms. James."


    Tegan''s smirk widened, and she turned to head to her car.


    Cloudia hurried after her. "Ms. James, I drove here myself."


    "No thanks, the Larkin family has a


    sketchy track record with mechanics. I''ll stick with my own


    wheels," Tegan replied, a thinly veiled reference to the crash that had been pinned on Urs


    Even with all the evidence pointing to Urs, the Larkin family had chosen to believe in her innocence.


    bet


    Tegan drove off without another word, leaving Cloudia standing there, her body tense with frustration and her anger towards Ste simmering just beneath the surface.


    With a final exasperated breath, she jumped into her car, determined to keep pace with Tegan.


    Meanwhile, Ste had already been carried into Ronald''s car when Tegan called her. "Honestly, this feels like a waste of time." "Oh?"


    Tegan continued, "The Larkin family dotes on her so much, Urs would never leave them willingly."


    Ste remained silent.


    "Plus, you should''ve seen Mrs. Larkin''s face. What kind of spell has Urs cast over her?"


    Tegan had clearly noticed Cloudia''s deep-seated bias against Ste during their encounter. Ste sighed, "Whatever spell it is, just make sure you give them hope."