When Ronald arrived, the butler had sent Jaxon away. Apanying Ronald was Uriah, whose face was a storm cloud of emotions.


    The butler briefed Ronald about the Jaxon incident and added with a hint of guilt, "I apologize, sir. I might have been a bit too harsh."


    Jaxon had been trying to cozy up to Ste, so naturally, he didn''t receive a warm wee. But the butler was well aware that Ronald had been giving Jaxon the cold shoulder for some time now.


    Ronald quipped, "Aren''t both his arms broken?"


    The fact that Jaxon could still managed to tussle with the butler indicated a remarkable tolerance for pain.


    The butler nodded. "Indeed, they are. Perhaps I was a bit of a bully."


    Ronald chuckled, dismissing the butler''s self-reproach with a wave of his hand.


    Turning to Uriah, Ronald said, "You''ll have ten minutes to ensure she wants to stay here willingly. Otherwise..."


    He left the rest unsaid. If Uriah couldn''t persuade Tegan to remain in Portis City of her own ord, Ste would have to whisk her away.


    Uriah''s brow furrowed, a dark aura hanging around him. He was clearly displeased but knew better than to cross Ronald. That would be a losing battle.


    Ronald entered the hospital room to find Ste, still lost in her virtual world.


    The noise she was making was loud. This girl had certainly learned how to make her presence known in Portis City.


    Noticing Ronald''s return, Ste barely looked up from her phone. "Back so soon, Ronald?"


    Ronald nced at his wristwatch. "It''s been over two hours since I called you."


    "Oh, time flies when you''re gaming. I didn''t realize."


    Ronald said nothing, simply scooped Ste up from the bed.


    His sudden action startled her. "What are you doing? Put me down!"


    Ronald replied calmly, "Keep ying."


    Ste was shocked. "Wait, what about Tegan?"


    Ronald smiled. "Quiet."


    Ste pouted but said no more.


    As Ronald carried her out of the room, she spotted Uriah waiting by the door and understood everything at once. Losing interest in her game, she slipped her phone into her pocket and shot Ronald a


    re


    reproachful look.


    Ronald carried her to the adjoining room and ced her gently on the bed.


    Ste red at him. "What are you doing? Weren''t you supposed to handle this?"


    Tegan was thest person who wanted to be near Uriah.


    Ronald flicked her forehead lightly. "Silly girl."


    What?


    Ste blinked in confusion.


    Ronald continued, "How long has Tegan been with Uriah?"


    Ste paused, recalling it had been a long time. Tegan had been part of the Horner family since she was five, and Uriah had always her.


    She looked imploringly at Ronald. "But Tegan''s been through a lot recently, and today''s car crash it''s


    cleacsomeone close toget


    her gone."


    The crash showed that things had changed around Uriahtely.


    Ronald sat down on the bed, pulling Ste into hisp. He seemed to have a habit of doing this, always wanting to hold her whenever he sat.


    Ste wriggled a bit, but when she couldn''t break free, she resigned herself to her fate.


    Ronald said, "Whatever''s happening between Tegan and Uriah is something they need to work out themselves. Running away doesn''t solve anything."


    Ste considered his words. He had a point.


    But if Tegan wanted to run, Ste would have no qualms about helping her


    escape, even if it meant avoiding the problem.