Hull watched as Susanna''s head tipped to the side, and suddenly her tear-streaked face was nestled right against his knee, leaving a damp spot on his jeans.


    At that moment, he seriously considered kicking her out of the car.


    "Women are such a hassle," he grumbled, unable to hide his irritation.


    He thought of Ste, who was also prone to tears, and wondered how Ronald managed to deal with it all.


    Hull hoisted Susanna back onto the seat, noticing how disheveled her clothes were and his frustration only grew. He shrugged off his own jacket and draped it over her.


    ...


    Over in Portis City, Ste had finally been coaxed into bed by Ronald.


    The night was particrly cold in Portis City, with the warmth of the house sharply contrasting the snowyndscape outside.


    Ste had been resisting, sitting on the window sill, but Ronald eventually carried her to bed.


    "You won''t let me go out and y, and now I can''t even look outside?" sheined.


    Ste loved the snow, absolutely adored it.


    "You need to sleep more," Ronald insisted. Both Finley and the female doctor had emphasized the importance of rest for her recovery.


    Ste pouted. "But I slept so much during the day, I''m not tired now."


    "I know."


    Ste was puzzled. He knew? Then why is he making her go to bed?


    Ronald''s eyes met Ste''s baffled ones as he gazed down, a sly grin spreading across his face. Ste recognized that smile and felt a wave of apprehension.


    "No way, I''m not doing that."


    Ronald looked at her rmed reaction and flicked her forehead lightly. "Silly girl, what are you imagining?"


    Ste was confused. It was not what she thought? Then why did he smile to her like that? Terrifying!


    Ronald, ever since they had crossed that line in their rtionship, had be much bolder. To Ste, he used to seem like such a gentleman - kind and serene. Andter on, Ste had seen other sides of him, including a ruthlessly determined one. Recently, she''d discovered just how far a gentleman''s charm could stretch.


    Ronald ced her gently on the bed and turned to get some medication. "I''m just going to apply this for you."


    Ste groaned inwardly. Again with the medicine?


    "And you''ll need to take the pills once more."


    Ste protested, "I don''t want to. They were too bitter."


    Ronald nced back with a softened smile. "How about I give you some orange-vored candy afterwards?"


    Ste conceded, "Alright then."


    She loved orange candy, but Ronald was strict about sweets, only allowing her some as a reward for taking her medicine. Any other time, he''d warn her about cavities.


    The atmosphere was unusually tense in the Larkin household ever since Ronald had ordered a crackdown. The once-opulent mansion now felt drained of its former grandeur.


    Tegan''s visit earlier that day had left


    everyone on edge. L had


    Qu


    overheard that Urs''s medical bills were astronomical, over three million a week, and in a fit of fury, she seized Jaxon''s credit card and phone, demanding he transfer the money to her ount.


    Of course, Jaxon refused, and it had turned into a massive argument. L, cradling their child, perched herself precariously on the window ledge.


    Jaxon, already weakened and unable to exert much physical strength, was frantic.


    "What are you doing up there? Get the hell down right now!"


    L yelled back, "I won''t! You have to transfer all the money to me today, or I''ll jump with the baby."


    More than three million! Cloudia had actually approached Jaxon to pool together money for Urs''s treatment. L was stunned that Urs seemed to wield such influence.


    "Get down."


    Jaxon''s head pounded with stress. Despite his feelings towards L, he couldn''t ignore his responsibility for his son.


    Cloudia, witnessing L''s stunt, was furious. "You won''t be happy until you tear this family apart, is that what you want? Get down this instant!"


    L''s anger ring as she saw the


    irritated Cloudía. She shot back, "Me,


    tearing this family apart? What a


    joke. You must see Urs''s true


    colors by now. Yet, you''re still.


    o help


    bending over backwards to


    her?"


    Even if Cloudia had been blind to Urs''s nature before, the recent ne incident should have been eye-opening. Yet, despite everything, Cloudia remainedmitted to helping Urs.


    "At this point, if you told me Urs wasn''t your secret child, I wouldn''t believe it."


    L was incredulous at Cloudia''s selfless dedication. What foster mother would go to such lengths, nearly exerting the entire family''s resources, just for an adopted daughter?