She had nothing.


    When she was just a child, her mother ran off with someone else, leaving because her father was poor. She was left to live with her father, and they depended on each other for everything. Eventually, the only person who ever loved her and protected her, her father, was gone too.


    Ste ced her hand over Tegan''s cold one. "Don''t say that. You''ve got Uriah."


    Everyone saw how Uriah treated her. With him around, nobody dared mess with Tegan.


    Tegan just nodded, not saying a word. Ste knew Mrs. Horner was always up to something, causing trouble, and that was probably why Tegan was feeling so down.


    She was about to say somethingforting, but Susanna''s call interrupted.


    Ste answered, "Susie."


    "Star, when are youing back? Oh my God..."


    Just after saying one sentence, Susanna burst into tears on the other end of the line.


    Ste''s brow twitched. "What''s wrong?"


    Trying to keep her voice steady, Susanna said, "I can''t keep being around this man, it''s going to kill me. I almost died today, really."


    She was crying so hard she could barely breathe.


    Ste''s lips twitched. "What did Hull do this time?"


    Almost died?


    In Ferrond... well, given that they ran the underworld, run-ins with danger were almost a given. So


    being with Hull, Susie might frequently find herself in those situations.


    Susanna continued, "He-he said he was taking me to meet someone, but instead, I almost got killed! Star,e back soon. I''m really afraid I won''t get to see you again. I''m terrified."


    Susanna tried to muffle her sobs, but she couldn''t help it. She was on the verge of panic.


    She never imagined she''d encounter someone like Hull, and now that she had, she was genuinely scared. She t want this kindn life. belongs to


    Meanwhile, Hull was lounging on the couch, a cigarette between his fingers.


    Barnaby brought some documents from the study. As he handed the file to Hull, he whispered, "Boss, she''s crying pretty badly."


    He''d heard it when passing Susanna''s door.


    Hearing this, Ss, sitting on a nearby armchair, raised an eyebrow.


    It was just a quick file retrieval task, how did Barnaby end up hearing Susanna sob?


    Hull nced at Barnaby, his gaze deep and unreadable.


    But Barnaby, oblivious to the tension, added, "She doesn''t trust you to keep her safe. Look how scared she is.''


    Both Ss and Enzo were rendered


    speechless they could sense the chill emanating from Hull. They hurriedly shot Barnaby warning looks but he seemed heedless like a stubborn mule stuck in his ways.


    Hull tossed the file onto the table and strode upstairs.


    Barnaby called out, "Boss..."


    Before he could finish, Ss rushed over and mped a hand over Barnaby''s mouth. "You fool, do you have a death wish? Prying into what you shouldn''t."


    Barnaby was confused. He didn''t pry into, he just heard.


    Hull reached Susanna''s door


    upstairs. He could hear her crying inside, and her muffled usations against him. "He''s a total


    ve


    psychopath. I''m afraid he''ll kill me if


    he gets upset!"


    Her voice was filled with tears andint.


    Hull''s face darkened. He turned the knob and pushed the door open.