"I don''t know if it''s true or not," Ste said, voice low. "It was all so sudden-right now, we''re just guessing. So I''ve already had the butler quietly arrange for someone to look into it."


    Ronald arched his brow. "Melissa?"


    Ste nodded. "Yep."


    Ronald''s eyes widened. "!"


    "She''s insisted all along the pregnancy test wasn''t her doing. With Mom cracking down on everyely, the Norton family''s really taken a hit-she hasn''t had it any easier at home, either," Ste exined. “So, she cut a deal with me: if Mom leaves her family alone, she''ll tell me what she knows."


    Ronald listened closely, his gaze turning thoughtful and deep-impossible to read.


    Melissa...


    He finally spoke. “Stay out of this. I''ll have Idris take care of it.”


    "Xander doesn''t know about any of this yet," Ste added.


    Everyone in Ferrond knew Xander and his stepmother couldn''t stand each other. Plus, he and Yale Schultz were always at each other''s throats—there was no way Xander could be in on this.


    Ronald let out a brittleugh under his breath.


    He picked up the phone and called Idris, ordering him toe immediately.


    When Idris arrived, Finley Yoder had tagged along. Ronald led Idris straight to the study, leaving Finley with Ste in the hall.


    Ste watched Ronald''s imposing form as he vanished around the corner. Only then did Finley look over at her. "Okay, what''s going on? The boss looks seriously pissed! And it wasn''t me I haven''t done anything to set him off."


    Ste just looked at him.


    Finley prodded, "You didn''t do anything, did you? Nah... even if you did, he wouldn''t be in that kind of mood."


    "Just shut up already," she sighed.


    As for Berry, Ste didn''t bother bringing it up-she trusted Ronald to get to the bottom of it.


    Finley made a face. "So, did you call Skye?"


    Ste shot him a sideways nce. "If you''re so desperate for news about Tegan James, you call her yourself."


    He spluttered, “Hey, who said anything about me wanting to know? Don''t go making things up!"


    “Sure, sure,” Ste shot back. "You don''t care, I don''t care—nobody cares."


    Finley muttered under his breath, "Whatever."


    Ste folded her arms, clearly done with the topic.


    1.She


    But Finley pressed on, a hint of concern creeping into his voice is your best friend, you know Aren'' you even a little bit worried?"


    He leaned closer. "Word is, Uriah Horner''s sister isn''t exactly an angel. She''s been bribing one of the gangs overn Yornd. You know what that could mean, right?


    Ste''s expression stiffened. "She''s really bought off a gang?"


    Finley nodded, all seriousness now. "So, why don''t you call Skye? Telkher to stick close to Tegan-like, don''t let her out of your sight, not even for a minute."


    Ste muttered something unprintable under her breath.


    What was Uriah even doing? After all the warnings, did he really not see what his


    own sister was up to?


    "And Uriah? What''s he saying about all this?"


    Finley snorted. "He''s been glued topany meetings, day in, day out.”


    Ste could only stare at him. Typical.


    Wait a second....... “How do you even know all this, Finley? Did you have someone dig into Uriah and his sister?"


    Finley scoffed. “Investigate him? Please. Who does that guy think he is?"


    "Then how do you know?"


    He shrugged, feigning innocence. "Just picked it up. You know, on the side."


    Ste rolled her eyes. Like that''s something you just happen to overhear.


    Finley shook his head. “Look, things are gettingplicated for your bestie. You might want to actually call Skye and give her a heads-up.”


    "I''m not calling her. If you want to know so badly, you call."


    "What—why is this on me? I''m just being a good friend here. Look it up, good intentions-ever heard of those?"


    Ste huffed dismissively and turned away.


    Finley called after her, "Hey,e on! Don''t treat my concern like it''s worth nothing!"