As Ronald stepped into the room, his eyesnded on Ste, who was engrossed in a phone call. Her leg was peeking out from under the quilt, a clear sign that the moment he left, she had kicked the covers off again.


    Without a word, Ronald walked up and tucked the covers around her.


    Ste nced up, smiling yfully. "I''ll talk to youter," she said into the phone before hanging up.


    "The Larkins causing trouble again?" Ronald asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.


    "Yeah," Ste replied with a grin. "Tegan sold them some ridiculously overpriced medication, and now they''re probably in chaos."


    Without L, they''d be running around like headless chickens worrying about money. With L, they''d be scrambling over who got the money.


    Basically, the whole Larkin family was in a delightful uproar.


    Ronald, hisrge hand cradling the back of Ste''s head, pressed his forehead against hers. "You''re still too kind-hearted, Star."


    In his opinion, the Larkins deserved nothing less than a good reckoning. But since they were Ste''s blood rtives, he refrained from taking drastic action without her go-ahead. Still, knowing the Larkins were trapped in their own mess brought a simr satisfaction. Ste shrugged, "With Urs''s health as it is, I didn''t even need to lift a finger."


    If Tegan hadn''t mentioned Urs''s deteriorating health, Ste might have intervened herself. But knowing the truth, she figured there was no need to take any action.


    "True, no need to dirty your hands," Ronald agreed.


    "Exactly," Ste nodded.


    Watching her lovable face, Ronald couldn''t resist leaning in for a quick kiss. "How''s that ointment working? Feeling better?"


    "What are you up to?"


    "Rx, nothing at all."


    The doctor had advised that Ste needed to rest and fully recover before doing anything strenuous.


    Still skeptical, Ste held onto Ronald''s shirt. "Swear it."


    He captured her warm hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I swear."


    ...


    Meanwhile, in Ferrond, Susanna stepped off the ne, her hands free of luggage, with Tania by her side. As they walked towards the exit, Tania''s eyes darted around, ever watchful.  en


    Susanna leaned in, whispering, "We''re in Ferrond. Why are you still on high alert?"


    From the moment Tania had picked her up in Portis City, Susanna had noticed her heightened vignce, like they were about to encounter some danger.


    Tania replied, "We need to get to the estate quickly."


    tone


    "And then what? Are you nning to keep me locked up inside?"


    Judging by Tania''s serious


    demeanor, that seemed entirely possible. Sure enough, Tania nodded. "Your mom instructed us to keep you at Crimson Estate until we get her call."


    Susanna''s lips twitched with difort. Something was definitely amiss.


    "What''s going on with my mom?"


    Tania nced around, "Let''s move."


    The bustling airport wasn''t the ce for exnations. Tania, with one hand gripping a bag and the other steering Susanna, hastened their pace. Yet, the very thing Tania feared came to pass.


    As they passed by a restroom, two men with their caps pulled low over their eyes locked onto them with menacing stares.


    Tania''s instincts kicked in immediately. She met their gaze, her breath catching.


    "Run," shemanded, shoving Susanna ahead.


    Susanna stumbled, her mind racing with questions about her mother''s predicament, barely catching herself from hitting the ground.