After Lottie finished her call, she sat down for a private chat with Ste to discuss the situation.
Ste shared her thoughts openly.
Lottie''s gaze was thoughtful and deep. She patted Ste''s hand, "Star, you''re still too much of an open book."
Ste blinked. "Huh?"
Lottie gave a small sigh. "People are the greatest masters at hiding what''s really on their minds."
Ste''s eyes widened. "Wait, what do you mean?"
"So, Mom, what are you getting at?"
"If you ask me," Lottie said, "Melissa is the most likely."
Ste realized she''d guessed right.
As for Regina, honestly, she probably didn''t have it in her. She''d spent years in prison, and not a single member of the Schultz family had visited her.
That was something Lottie just couldn''t figure out.
Especially Mona Haig''s attitude! That was her own daughter, after all. Last time Mona came to the Quinns, it seemed like she was there to ask if Regina could see Ste.
But really, Lottie could see straight through it. Mona was there because of Yale Schultz.
With Yvonne Quinn suddenly getting married to Xander, Yale''s interests were definitely threatened.
All those years Mona spent scheming in the Schultz family... it all seemed to be for Yale in the end.
As for Regina, it was as if she''d never really been on her mother''s mind at all.
Taking all these little things together, it was pretty clear-Regina didn''t have it in her to go up against Ste like this.
"Melissa?" Ste repeated.
Lottie nodded. "She''s the only one who''s made her feelings for Ronald obvious, and she''s got the guts for something like this."
Ste remembered the way Melissa had acted toward her at thest dinner party. She nced at Lottie. "You''re right, she really does fit..."<fn1889> Checktest chapters at find·novel</fn1889>
"It''s not just that she fits," Lottie said with certainty. "It''s her."
Ste stared, a little stunned. "But... she really doesn''t seem the type!"
Ste frowned. "So what do I do?"
Lottie didn''t let her finish. "Star, I want you to handle this. Don''t let me down, okay?"
It was clear Lottie hoped to see Ste step up as the Quinn family''s leadingdy.
"Mom..."
"Star, your brother became your husband, and he''s protected you all these years. But marriage isn''t just about letting the man shield you."
Ste was quiet.
Lottie continued, her voice steady and serious. "You need to stand by his side- for better or for worse."
Her words hit home, and Ste was reminded of three years ago-when she hadn''t handled things well. If she had, she and Ronald wouldn''t have been separated for those three long years. s
Lottie went on, "Three years ago, Xander was pulling strings behind the scenes, so you were lucky enough to dodge Regina''s traps. But you can''t count on luck forever. Next time..." s
"I understand, Mom," Ste interjected before Lottie could finish.
Lottie smiled softly, clearly satisfied.
She stood up to leave. The butler personally saw her out.
When she reached her car, Lottie turned to the butler and said, "Stay close to
Star. If she runs into trouble, help her out."
After all, she''d raised Ste
herself-Lottie knew her daughter''s
kindness ran deep. Ste would
never show mercy to someone
who''d hurt her, but she would never hurt someone without cause. s
The butler nodded. "Of course, Mrs. Quinn. You can count on me."
Meanwhile, at ck Gate, things had descended into utter chaos thanks to Lacey and Susanna.
Yvonne had tried everything short of setting the ce on fire to force ck Gate
to hand over Susanna Tucker.
A whole day passed in a blur.
Loutan Lake, tepeak Mines, Westonville, Pigeon Peak-one after another,
their people struck these ces.
Still, ck Gate refused to give up Susanna.
Yvonne was exasperated.
"What the hell do they want? And what''s with Adelle Nelson? She said three days, but does she really mean exactly three days? What''s she even nning?"
With all those ces under attack, ck Gate was in total disarray, fighting back against their team.
At this point, the only way to stop the madness was to hand over Susanna and Lacey Tucker.