Ste gently reassured Susanna. "It''s okay, Susie. Everything''s going to be fine."


    No matter what, if Hull refused to let her take Susanna today, Ste decided not to leave without her.


    Upstairs, when Hull learned that Ste had decided to stay put because of Susanna, his expression darkened even further. He narrowed his eyes. "Call Mr. Quinn. Tell him toe and get her himself."


    Barnaby raised an eyebrow at the suggestion of having Ronalde over personally.


    "If Mr. Quinn shows up, he''ll also take your girl away. You know that, right?"


    Hull''s eyes widened in surprise. The mention of "your girl" made him pause. He shot an icy re at Barnaby, though it seemed a bit less frosty than before. Confused by Hull''s reaction, Barnaby asked, "Did I say something wrong?"


    If Ronald came to fetch Ste, he would take Susanna along, too. Everyone knew how much Ronald doted on Ste. If she wanted the moon, he would probably find a way to bring back a piece of it. And she only wanted to take Susanna with her. Wouldn''t Ronald agree without a second thought?


    Hull asked, "My girl?"


    Barnaby stammered, "Uh, well, isn''t she?"


    They lived under the same roof without help or staff around. How much more could they be alone together? Wasn''t she his girl, then?


    Barnaby thought he might have misunderstood, but Hull didn''t correct him.


    Barnaby scratched his head awkwardly. "So should I call Mr. Quinn?"


    Whatever Hull was thinking, calling Ronald to resolve this seemed the right move. Otherwise, things could get awkward if Ste insisted on staying.


    Hull nodded. "Go ahead."


    "So, should he take one or both?" Barnaby asked, still a bit confused.


    He hadn''t fully grasped Hull''s earlier statement.


    Hull looked at him with an expression that suggested Barnaby was missing the obvious.


    "Does it make sense for Mr. Quinn toe to take two?" Hull replied, raising an eyebrow.


    Barnaby smirked, "Right, so just one."


    That meant Hull wasn''t allowing Susanna to be taken away. If he Ronald wouldn''t need toe all the


    way here.


    ...


    Downstairs, Ste received Ronald''s call. His calm and gentle voice came through. "Did you pick up Susanna?"


    It was clear from Ronald''s tone that he wasn''t yet aware of what was going on with Hull.


    Ste replied, "I''ve seen her but haven''t been able to take her yet."


    "What happened?" Ronald asked, his voice bing slightly more serious.


    Ste exined, "They''re saying Susie''s connected to ck Gate and won''t let her leave."


    "If they don''t let me take Susie, I''m not leaving either. I''ll camp out here if I have to," Ste said defiantly.


    After that, there was a noticeable chill in Ronald''s voice.


    Hearing


    always, Susanna was touched


    back in Portis City. Conte


    Ste really was her shining always standing up for her,


    like


    Ste continued, firm in her resolve, "If Susie can''t leave, neither will I."


    She spoke with determination, remembering how Susanna always had her back against the Larkin family, even when Susanna didn''t know@bout Ronald''s influence and thought she was on her own Susanna even begged her mom


    Lacey to help her out.


    Hearing Ste''s passionate words, Ronald offered a reassuring promise. "I''m on


    my way. Hang in there."