Susanna was in a pickle.


    Hull, the stern-faced authority figure, was as unyielding as a rock, and Barnaby''s sharp tongue was annoying.


    Feeling the heat of the moment, Ste flopped right down on the sofa, arms crossed. Susanna, clearly rattled, clung to Ste''s arm like a lifeline, her eyes


    wide with worry.


    Arms crossed in an authoritative stance, Barnaby said, "Ms. Tucker, cuddling up to Princess Ste won''t help. The investigation will proceed as nned."


    Seeing Susanna being treated this way lit a fire under Ste. "You know Finley''s off in the Muliba Desert, right?" she retorted.


    Barnaby''s eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean by that, Princess Ste?"


    Ste smirked, "It means if you keep running that mouth of yours, I''ll have Ronald send you along with him."


    Barnaby gulped. The Muliba Desert was thest ce he wanted to go.


    Still anxious, Susanna felt a bit of relief seeing Ste hold her ground in this strange ce.


    "Star, you can''t leave me," Susanna pleaded, her voice quivering with fear. She believed without Ste, she''d be helpless in this intimidating foreignnd, where one wrong move could spell disaster.


    Ste nodded, her voice soothing. "Don''t worry, Susanna. I''m not going anywhere."


    Barnaby attempted to regain control. "Princess Ste, Mr. Miguel insisted I escort you back. Perhaps you''d like to get in the car?"


    Ste shook her head defiantly. "I''m not leaving."


    Barnaby sighed, "Staying here won''t help Ms. Tucker. You can''t take her with you."


    Susanna clung tighter to Ste, determined not to let go. If she couldn''t leave, then neither should Ste.


    Seeing Susanna''s desperation, Barnaby tried again, "Ms. Tucker, let go of Princess Ste."


    "No way. Star, you''re not leaving," Susanna insisted.


    "Okay, okay. I''m not leaving," Ste reassured her.


    Barnaby was getting exasperated. "Mr. Miguel''s orders are clear. I have to take you back."


    The room was tense, with Susanna


    scared, Ste refusing to budge, and Barnaby insisting she leave. The


    situation was getting awkward.


    "I said I''m not leaving," Ste dered, her voice firm.


    Rubbing his temples frustratedly, Barnaby relented, "Fine, we''ll wait for Mr. Quinn toe and fetch you."


    He knew better than to force Ste. Ronald wouldn''t take kindly to anyone treating her harshly.


    Barnaby trudged upstairs to report back to Hull.


    Left alone, Susanna''s eyes were brimming with tears, half gratitude, half fear. "Star, you can''t leave me."


    Ste nodded. "I won''t. You''re stuck with me."


    all I''ve


    "I love you much for this. You''re sing her eyes on Ste''s


    t now," Susanna


    ein


    of emotion.


    Ste, not bothered by the tears and sniffles, handed her a tissue. "Alright, stop crying already."


    Taking the tissue, Susanna dabbed


    at her eyes. "I didn''t mean to


    all this


    trouble. Those


    looked so simr." as


    Ste nodded, her voice filled with understanding. "I believe you."


    Susanna sighed, "You''re the only one who does. Last night, those people around


    him looked like they wanted to eat me alive."


    Especially Barnaby''s words, which had hit Susanna like a ton of bricks, making her feelpletely trapped.


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


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!