Finley''s eyes widened in terror as he looked up at the top of the stairs. His grip on Ste''s legs tightened even more.


    Ste was at her wits'' end.


    Ronald''s eyes narrowed dangerously. "I suggest you let go of her right now, unless you want to lose those hands."


    Each word was a chilling threat. Under his menacing gaze, Finley instinctively started to let go, but then hetched on again, even tighter this time.


    Ste sighed.


    Ronald''s patience was wearing thin.


    Finley frantically clung to Ste. "Star, you promised! You said you''d save your Finley!" he cried out desperately. Heaven was his witness, he had been utterly disgusted by the conditions in the Muliba Desert. The water they drank was from mud puddles. Water for showering? That was a luxury that didn''t exist.


    Ronald''s eyes narrowed further. "Finley!"


    "Honey, don''t be like that," Ste interjected. "He''s really pitiful. He definitely hasn''t showered in months." As soon as Finley had loosened his grip, the foul odor had assaulted her senses again, nearly making her vomit.


    Seeing Ste''s difort, Ronald strode down the stairs, his foot raised to kick Finley away. But Finley was quick and scrambled out of the way. In that split second, the stench intensified, spreading through the air.


    "Gag..." Ste doubled over.


    Even Ronald, who was usually impablyposed, winced at the smell.


    Finley looked at Ronald. The stench was giving Ronald a headache. "Get the hell out and take a shower!"


    "So you''ll let me off the hook?"


    Ronald just red.


    "If you let me off the hook, I''ll go wash right now!"


    Ronald and Ste both stared at Finley, their expressions shifting. Ste, in particr, looked suspicious. Were you doing this on purpose? She noticed the dark, grimy substance smeared albover his clothes. What was that?


    Finley remained silent, just looking between them.


    Ste gave up. She tugged on Ronald''s sleeve. "Honey, just let him go. I''m really going to be sick!" Especially seeing the gunk smeared on Finley, she was convinced he''d done it deliberately. And he had been clinging to her legs.... Ste''s eyes drifted down and she saw the stains on her own clothes. At that moment, she wanted to personally strangle Finley.


    Ronald shot Finley onest dangerous look. "Are you going to get lost or not?"


    "I''m going, I''m going! It''s a deal! You''ll let me off, and I never have to go back to the Muliba Desert!" With that, Finley bolted. He was gone faster than a rabbit.


    Ronald was speechless. Ste looked at him pitifully.


    Ronald gently stroked her head. "Couldn''t you have just kicked him away?"


    "I think I can still smell him on me," Ste whimpered.


    Ronald froze.


    Leaving the Quinn family estate, Finley was gloating. As he walked, he started stripping off his filthy clothes. He had to admit, the n had worked like a charm. But man, that stench was almost enough to make him puke.


    Just then, Tegan got out of her car. She was greeted by the sight of a nearly naked Finley. She froze.


    Finley froze too. Their eyes met for a silent moment before Finley, without a word, scrambled into his own car.


    Tegan stood there, stunned, staring


    at the pile of clothes Finley had left


    on the ground. A foul smell hit her "Gag..." What was that horrible odor? Tegar fought down the urge to


    from


    vomit and quickly hurried away from


    the scene.


    Inside the mansion, a maid was frantically spraying air freshener and fanning the air.