Finley couldn''t help but snicker before bursting intoughter.


    "Pfft. Yvonne, you do realize Star will be your sister-inw, right? You know what that means? It''s like she''s your brother''s future wife. Show her some respect."


    Ste just rolled her eyes. She had half a mind to tell him to shut his mouth.


    Yvonne''s brain seemed to freeze momentarily, and her face turned a shade of blue as she red at Finley.


    The news about Ste and Ronald together wasn''t new to her, but the "show her some respect" notion was a bit too much.


    Finley''s words hit a nerve, and Yvonne exploded.


    "Shut your damn mouth, you dolt."


    After saying that, she aimed a swift kick at Finley.


    Yvonne never had much patience for the Yoder siblings. Finley had an annoying personality, and Skye, well, she had a knack for getting on Yvonne''s nerves.


    Finley dodged quickly, and Yvonne''s kicknded squarely on Finley''s suitcase, sending it flying a good thirty feet before it crashed onto the floor with a resounding ''thud.''


    The bustling airport crowd barely knew how to react, ncing over briefly before deciding to mind their own business.


    Finley stared at his suitcase, wide open with his belongings scattered everywhere, and he was livid.


    "Yvonne, you crazy woman! Why don''t you run off with Skye and live miserably ever after?"


    The mention of Skye was like fuel on a fire. Yvonne''s temper red as she recalled all the trouble Skye had caused her, especially when trying to bring Ste back.


    "You dare mention Skye? Come on then, pay me back what she owes me!"


    Yvonne was still smarting over the things Skye had taken before disappearing. She''d been on a relentless quest to track her down.


    Seeing Finley now, she wasn''t about to let it slide. In her mind, a sibling could pay another''s debts.


    Known for his stinginess, Finley wasn''t having any of it. "Why should I pay you back? That''s a pipe dream."


    "How about I beat it out of you? The Yoder family is nothing but a bunch of con artists. Today, you''re not getting away."


    "Skye''s the one who swindled you. What''s it got to do with me? Hey, what are you doing? Don''te any closer-"


    Ste watched the scene unfold, ncing at Ronald.


    Ronald took her hand and started leading her away. "Let''s head home."


    "But Star, wait. I haven''t finished yet!" Yvonne''s shout came from behind.


    However, she was quickly distracted, chasing after Finley again. It was evident that Skye had really done a number on her this time.


    Finley shouted after them, "Ronald, control your sister. It is ridiculous!"


    But neither Ste nor Ronald paid any heed, slipping into the car as if they hadn''t heard a thing.


    The long procession of cars slowly pulled away from the airport.


    The family butler handed Ste a small lunchbox with a warm smile. "Miss, your mother heard you''ve not been eating welltely, so she prepared something for you,


    swnavel.n


    knowing airne food isn''t the best."


    When mentioning her mother, Ste felt a lump in her throat. "Is Mom at home?"


    The butler shook his head. "She had


    u;


    to step out early but will be back tonight. She asked me to tell you to


    wait for her patiently at homeynd


    not to wander off."


    That familiar instruction, "Don''t wander off," transported Ste back to her childhood.


    Every weekend, before her mother left the house, she''d say the same thing-stay


    at home, and friends woulde over to y, just don''t wander off.


    The Lugar and Quinn families held a unique position in Ferrond, with plenty of rivals lurking around. Even with the Quinn family''s formidable reputation, they preferred to avoid any mishaps.


    So, young Ste, even when she made friends, wasn''t allowed to go out with


    them. Instead, her friends woulde over to the house.


    Ronald opened the lunchbox, and the familiar aroma wafted out,forting Ste deeply.