Outside the airport, the air was crisp with a hint of fall.


    The Lugar family''s butler hade in person, and he wasn''t alone. Yvonne was there too. When Ste saw her, she wriggled out of Ronald''s embrace.


    Yvonne gave Ste a re that could melt an iceberg. It was the kind of look that said, "I could eat you alive right now."


    Ste caught her fierce gaze and clung tighter to Ronald''s arm with a pout. She was petite, and her size only emphasized her vulnerability.


    Yvonne watched from a short distance, and for a moment, she felt like being transported back to childhood. In her mind, Ste had always been this tiny figure beside Ronald.


    As she approached, Yvonne scoffed, "When you were under Ronald''s watch, you couldn''t eat this or that. You were small then, fine. But now, with two years on your own, you could''ve eaten anything. Why haven''t you grown an inch?"


    Ste was speechless, her mind racing. Hadn''t she grown at all?


    "I have grown taller," she mumbled instinctively.


    Yvonne raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Really? Then why are you still only up to his chest?"


    Ste blinked, ncing up at Ronald. It was true. Despite her growth, she still barely reached his chest.


    Yvonne reached out to grab Ste. "Come on. You''ve got a lot to exin. Don''t think you can dodge me now that you''re back in Ferrond."


    In other ces, Yvonne might have had no power over her, but in Ferrond, Ste couldn''t escape. Yvonne had held a grudge ever since Ste left Ferrond and was determined to have her say.


    Instinctively, Ste tried to hide behind Ronald, but Yvonne was quicker, already clutching her arm. "You left because Xander said so? You listen to him, huh? Do you think the Quinn family is nothing? What about Grandpa''s family?"


    Yvonne was fuming, recalling how easily Xander had scared Ste away. Their grandparents were furious when they heard.


    "I made a mistake. I know," Ste said, her eyes wide and pleading.


    "Knowing isn''t enough. What did Xander say to you? I''ll give that jerk a piece of my mind."


    No one bullied her Star and got away with it. She''d rushed back from Sands City when she heard Xander was back in Ferrond. She''d even had a verbal spar with him that morning beforeing to fetch Ste.


    "Let go, and I''ll tell you," Ste negotiated.


    "Oh, you''ve got some nerve."


    "Enough." Ronald intervened, his voice calm but firm. He loosened Yvonne''s grip on Ste. "Let her go."


    "You''re going to let her off the hook like this?" Yvonne was incredulous. "It''s been three years, Ronald. She needs a good talking to. Otherwise, who knows who she''ll be scared off by next."


    Ste squirmed, tugging her hand free. "I''m not a child anymore," she protested.


    Yvonne shot back, "Oh? Shut it, kiddo."


    Turning back to Ronald, she added, "Leave her to me. I''ll ensure she gets a proper talking-to."


    Ste shivered at the thought. Yvonne''s ''talking-to'' was notorious, and she wasn''t eager to experience it.


    Sensing Ste''s resistance, Yvonne''s brow arched, meaning she was already plotting something in her mind.


    Ste swallowed hard. "I''m your sister-inw now."


    Yvonne froze. "What?"


    Ronald looked equally surprised.


    Every Raine


    of eyes in the entourageet


    the


    turned to Ste, waiting for following exnation.Cent belongs to


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