"What did you just say?" Finley blinked at Ste, almost incredulous. Was she using him of trying to guilt-trip her? Did he look like that kind of person?


    "Besides," Ste went on, perfectly unfazed, "there''s really nothing for you to take responsibility for. It was just a hug, that''s all."


    Finley nearly choked on his own disbelief. Just a hug? That''s all? He was starting to see it now-Ste was very clearly on Tegan''s side.


    “Star, haven''t I always treated you well?" Finley said, sounding genuinely wounded.


    Ste fell silent for a moment. "You have." She meant it, too. Everyone around Ronald had always been good to her.


    “Then tell me honestly—do I really seem like that kind of guy to you?" Finley pressed.


    "Then what exactly are you up to?"


    Hearing that Finley had no hidden motives, Ste finally let out a breath of relief for Tegan. Honestly, thest thing Tegan needed right now was drama. She already had her hands full with Uriah—just thinking about it dampened Ste''s mood. For years, Tegan and Uriah had been so good together. How had things gone so wrong?


    And then there was Leslie... Tegan had barely mentioned her before, so Ste had always assumed the real issue was Helena—after all, Mrs. Horner adored Helena. But Leslie? That was Uriah''s own sister.


    "How about I just take responsibility for her, then?" Finley interjected suddenly.


    “Huh?” Ste could only gape at him, her mind nking out. "Wait-what do you mean? Tegan-!"


    Did that one hug really lead to something so serious?


    Watching Ste''s stunned, wide-eyed expression, Finley let out augh. “Rx, I''m just messing with you."


    Ste''s entire body sagged with relief. "God! You nearly scared me to death... Is there any joke you won''t make?”


    "As a fellow doctor, I''m just trying to do her a favor," Finley said, shifting back to his usual nonchnce.


    "Hm?" Ste said warily.


    "Yornd''s a tricky ce, and your people spend most of their time here in Ferrond," Finley exined. "If you want backup, you should call Skye. She''s already over there."


    Ste had to admit he was right. Her


    team was as solid as theye in Ferrond, but outside their territory, things often went sideways hence why she always gent extra backup. She''d promise Tegan help, and she was determined to deliver. In fact, she''d even been considering asking Idris for a hand in Yornd just in case her team couldn''t handle it.


    But now Finley was saying Skye Yoder was in Yornd.


    And Skye was legendary for getting the job done. Ste''s own sister kad tried to outmaneuver her a number of times, only to fall short. With Skye involved fegan would be the one with the upper hand.


    Still, Ste didn''t exactly have a close rtionship with Skye.


    "How about you give Skye a call for me?" Ste turned to Finley with a hopeful look.


    "You really want me to get involved in your business?" Finley eyed her skeptically.


    "Well, you''re the one who brought it up," Ste shot back. If he was going to suggest it, couldn''t he at least help?


    "I''m not making that call," Finley


    replied tly. He wasn''t stupid. If he phoned Skye, asking her to keep an


    eye on some woman in Yornd, she''d interrogate him six ways to Sunday to figure out what was really going on.


    "Finley, pleaaase—”


    Just then, Ronald walked in and saw Ste clinging to Finley''s sleeve, her voice soft


    and coaxing. Ronald''s face darkened instantly.


    Finley, oblivious to the brewing storm, nced down at Ste tugging on his arm


    and smirked. "So you''re not worried about my stinky coat anymore, huh?”


    He had no idea trouble was about three seconds away.


    "Come on, just one phone call to Skye?" Ste pleaded.


    "And you want me to tell her it''s you who''s asking?" Finley shot back.