Yorick snapped, "Don''te to me about her anymore."


    "What?"


    Before Cloudia could respond, Yorick hung up.


    Hearing the dial tone, Cloudia instinctively gripped her phone tighter. Her eyes narrowed as she looked over at Urs.


    Urs''s breath hitched, and her face turned pale after hearing Yorick''s words.


    Almost breathless with disbelief, Cloudia demanded, "What''s going on between you and Rick?"


    "What happened that day?" Cloudia practically shouted, her voice echoing with anger.


    Tears welled up in Urs''s eyes, spilling over. "Mom, I... I..."


    "You, you... What am I supposed to say to you? Tell me the truth, what happened?"


    With Yorick backing out, Cloudia felt a wave of panic.


    Good heavens, the Larkin family had already gone through so much recently. Was thest lifeline with Yorick now cut too?


    Why was Yorick treating Urs like that? Could Ste''s ident really be connected to her? Cloudia''s thoughts spiraled, the confirmation she dreaded seeming all too likely now.


    With a tight-lipped expression, she looked sternly at Urs.


    Meeting her gaze, Urs shook her head, tears streaming down. "Mom, I, I..."


    Cloudia''s chest heaved with emotion. "Was it you who caused Star''s ident?"


    "It wasn''t me. It wasn''t! You have to believe me. I''m not that kind of person."


    "Then why has Yorick turned his back on you?" Cloudia couldn''t hold back her frustration any longer.


    At a time when they desperately needed help, every avenue seemed blocked. Even Yorick, who had always been there for Urs, was pulling away. How could anyone believe nothing had happened? Outside the room, L stood with her arms crossed, smirking at the scene inside.


    "Can''t you see? He must have overheard her plotting against his ex-fiancée. That wicked attitude of hers, only the Larkin family would be blind to it.


    No matter how much he loves her, no man would want to marry someone so scheming and spiteful, especially when his ex-fiancée is involved." L chuckled.


    Urs snapped, "You..."


    This wretched woman, stirring trouble when things were bad enough already?


    "Mom." Urs anxiously turned to Cloudia.


    Cloudia''s breathing was uneven, her gaze sharp as she looked at Urs. "Is what she''s saying true?" Urs paled. "Mom."


    "Is it true?" Cloudia shouted, trembling with anger. Her face turned ashen, her breathing in short, panicked bursts.


    She didn''t want to believe L, but with Yorick distancing himself so obviously, what else could it mean? Yorick''s cold demeanor as he left that day and during the phone call earlier screamed he was moving away.


    Urs''s tears fell like rain. "It''s not me! I didn''t do it."


    "Then exin why Yorick is ignoring you!" Cloudia yelled.


    Yorick had always cherished Urs. Even when engaged to Ste, he couldn''t let go of her.


    How could he walk away like that unless something serious had happened?


    While looking at Urs''s tear-streaked face, Cloudia''s heart hardened, her gaze more piercing than ever.


    ...


    Meanwhile, Ste and Ronald returned to Mist Bay.


    As they got out of the car, Ronald adjusted Ste''s coat.


    "It''s just a few steps."


    "The doctor said you shouldn''t catch a chill."


    Ste sighed. "I know."


    Winters in Portis City were indeed bitter cold. The chilly wind made Ste instinctively snuggle closer to Ronald as they made their way inside.


    Noticing her instinctive movement, Ronald felt a wave of tenderness. He wrapped his arm around her, guiding her inside.


    As they walked, Ste mentioned, "Ronald, I''m craving some cinnamon rolls today."


    "Cinnamon rolls?"


    Ronald hadn''t heard of them before.


    Ste exined, "It''s a local treat here in Portis City. Sweet andforting."


    "Sweet, huh?"


    Ste nodded. "Yeah, just felt like having some."


    Ronald chuckled. "We''ll have some for lunch then." Ste beamed.


    As they entered the house, the rich


    aroma from the kitchen wafted over, making Ste''s stomach turn. She instinctively covered her mouth, feeling a bit queasy.


    Noticing her difort, Ronald asked, "Are you okay? Feeling sick?" Ste grimaced. "What''s cooking today? The smell seems stronger than usual."


    Ronald nced at the butler, who quickly stepped up, bowing


    respectfully to Ste. "Today, hol


    have your favorite, the grilled salmon."


    "Really? It smells different, kind of too strong."


    The butler hesitated. "It''s the same recipe. I assure you. The salmon was fresh."


    Yet the scent seemed off.


    Ronald frowned. "Cancel the grilled salmon for lunch."


    The butler''s eyes widened.


    Any slight indication of Ste''s displeasure was enough for Ronald to make it disappear.