Susanna was still teary-eyed, her face stained with fresh tears.


    Barnaby took one look at her and couldn''t help but warn, "Come on, quit the waterworks. Boss doesn''t like it when women cry. You might just lose him if you keep it up."


    Susanna was taken aback, her eyes widening in disbelief. And just like that, the tears flowed harder. Barnaby, not wanting to witness the scene any longer, added, "Hurry up. His patience isn''t unlimited, and he''s not going to wait forever."


    With that, Barnaby headed downstairs.


    Susanna managed to stop crying, but her resolve quickly crumbled, and tears began to fall again.


    Hull had even sent another person to fetch her. It seemed like there was no avoiding it; she was going out whether she liked it or not. Oh heavens, she really didn''t want to leave the house today.


    In the end, Susanna hurried to wash up and change into fresh clothes, still wearing Hull''s oversized shirt. Before stepping out the door, she shot off a quick text to Ste Quinn.


    Subject line: Last Will and Testament!


    The content? Needless to say, it was one hell of an essay.


    Meanwhile, over at Ste''s ce, she was having meal with Tegan.


    Seeing the words st will", Ste uncontrobly spit out her coffee. Seriously?


    Tegan looked over. "What happened?"


    "Susie''s really lost it this time," Ste sighed.


    She had actually prepared a will. What did Hull do to her? Scare her half to death?


    Tegan asked, "So, is Hull really trustworthy?"


    Susanna''s earlier tearful phone call had left Tegan with some serious doubts.


    Ste reassured her, "Hull''s reliable. Susie just isn''t used to his style."


    Tegan snorted, "Who could get used to that?"


    Certainly not her. Living on the edge, worrying every moment if her life might suddenly change.


    Ste countered, "And yet, you stick around with Uriah, don''t you?"


    Uriah was no ordinary person. Officially, he headed a healthcare monopoly, but there were more than that. She''d heard Ronald mention it once. While the details were scarce, it was clear Uriah wasn''t just the charming, upstanding man he appeared to be.


    Tegan was confused. "Him? He''s nothing like Mr. Quinn."


    Hearing her reply, Ste realized Tegan probably didn''t know the half of it. Just then, Ste''s phone buzzed, interrupting their conversation.


    She nced at the number - unfamiliar, which was odd since very few people had this number. "Hello?" she answered.


    "It''s me."


    The voice on the other end was unmistakable-Xander Schultz.


    Ste was taken aback. "Xander?!"


    How had he managed to get her number?


    Her mood soured instantly. "What do you want?"


    "When are youing back to Ferrond?"


    Ste was puzzled. What was with this sudden interest in her ns? She could understand Susanna asking out of fear, but Xander? What business did he have in Ferrond anymore?


    en


    Xander continued, "I''ll be waiting for you in Ferrond, darling."


    Ste shivered at the endearment. It made her skin crawl.


    She snapped, "Are you crazy?"


    Had he really gone back to Ferrond? How did he manage that? The Schultz family had been dismantled by Ronald, leaving Xander on the run.


    "Yeah, I''m crazy. Crazy that my fiancée is out gallivanting with other men."


    Ste scoffed, "I''m not your damn fiancée."


    The word "fiancée" was enough to set her off. She''d had two ridiculous engagements in her life.


    The first was with Yorick, a deal


    made without her knowledge. The second was with Xander, another family arrangement she wasn''t. aware of until it was toote. And now Xander refused to let it go.


    Xanderughed softly. "Your sharp tongue is going to get you in trouble. Just you wait."


    Ste retorted, "I''d like to see you try."


    Xander teased, "Oh, I''ll be waiting for you toe and find me, my lovely fiancée."


    The way he said "lovely" made her blood boil. Fuming, Ste hung up.


    Damn it, Xander was really back in Ferrond. Did Ronald know? Did he allow this?


    Across the table, Tegan noticed Ste''s distress.


    "What happened?"


    "Nothing, let''s just eat."


    Xander, that bastard, kicking


    someone when they''re down, ande


    now he dared to return to


    b


    Ferrond after running for his life these past two years.


    He clearly hadn''t learned his lesson.


    ...


    Just as they finished dinner, Ste''s phone rang again. This time, it was Ronald.


    "The driver''s outside the restaurant, waiting for you," he said.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!