Cloudia protested, "I... my son is here. I''m not leaving."
"From today onwards, he''s no longer your son. You only have Urs as your daughter."
ise didn''t care that Yorick was standing right there.
With no hope left, ise had just learned that the Quarry Group had missed their chance to secure a backup mining source from Mr. Quinn. Theirpany was in chaos, and the Quarry family was no longer reliable anyway. Sure enough, Yorick''s brow furrowed at ise''s words.
Cloudia was incredulous. "What do you mean? Are you cutting ties with me? ise, you''re unbelievable..."
"The Larkin family really drew the short straw marrying a woman like you. Get out. Out!"
Cloudia was at a loss for words.
"Chad, escort her out."
Cloudia didn''t want to leave, but Chad eventually had to forcibly escort her out. ise didn''t even nce her way again.
Once she was gone, ise immediately summoned the head doctor, instructing him to assemble the best team of specialists for Jaxon. No matter what, Jaxon''s hand couldn''t be left useless. Throughout themotion, isepletely ignored Yorick.
Yorick and Jaxon had gone to Mist Bay together, but only Jaxon returned injured, leaving ise simmering with resentment toward Yorick.
...
It had snowed all day, nketing Mist Bay in a pristineyer of white. Ste sat by the bay window, watching snowkes dance in the air.
Though the world outside was frozen, the cozy warmth inside wrapped around her like a soft embrace.
When Ronald walked in, he found her gazing outside, her eyes sparkling with longing.
She had been pestering him earlier to go out and y, but Ronald had refused.
Finley had warned her to be cautious, reminding her that her current injuries made catching a cold even riskier.
Without a word, Ronald wrapped his arms around her from behind.
Ste leaned into his warmth, turning her head.
Their breaths mingled, and Ronald brushed a soft kiss across her lips. "What are you thinking about?"
"Building a snowman," Ste replied.
"Childish," Ronald chuckled, nting a kiss on her forehead.
Ste squirmed in his arms, trying to break free. He seemed especially mischievous today, and with him so close who knew what he might do next?
"What''s all the fidgeting about? Let me hold you for a moment," Ronald teased.
"Finley says I should learn to take care of myself. Men, in that regard, often aren''t even human," Ste quipped. Ronald paused, taken aback. "Did he really say that?"
This little minx was calling him inhuman?
Ste nodded earnestly. "That''s what I think too."
Ronald chuckled, a low, amused sound, and nibbled gently on her earlobe, making Ste squeal and duck away. "Hey, stop that..."
Ronald''s grin widened, clearly enjoying himself. "Getting bold now, are we? Insulting me to my face?"
"I''m just telling the truth," Ste pouted.
She couldn''t help but remember how she had shouted herself hoarse pleading with him.
Honestly, Finley was right-sometimes Ronald didn''t seem human.
Ronald tightened his embrace slightly, and Ste quickly changed the subject. "Have you found Skye yet?" Ronald shook his head. "No."
"What?" Ste was worried. Skye
was out there, trying to take her
away they didn''t find her, h
could she possibly go out
tomorrow?
??
Though, given the blizzard raging outside, tomorrow didn''t look promising for any outings anyway.
Before Ronald could respond, his phone buzzed.
It was Yvonne calling.
On the line, Yvonne sounded frantic. "Ronald, you''ve got to send someone to find her. I can''t get in touch with Skye either."
Ronald was silent for a moment, his expression hardening.
Ste couldn''t help but wince at Yvonne''s words. She and Skye had concocted a n, but now Yvonne imed she couldn''t reach Skye?
Yvonne seemed to sense Ronald''s
silence and hurriedly added, "I really
can''t reach her. Don''t get the wrong
idead just wanted her to bring my Star back, not to harm Star