Ste descended the stairs with a soft thud.


    Lottie shot a knowing nce at the butler. "Go on, make sure it''s done. Is the chicken broth ready for her?"


    "All set, ma''am," the butler responded with a respectful nod.


    Lottie turned her attention to Ste, catching sight of Ronald nearby, and cast him a disapproving nce.


    Clearly, she had caught wind of Ronald sneaking back into Ste''s roomst night.


    With just a nce, Lottie shifted her focus and gently pulled Ste closer. "Ste, darling,e here."


    "Hi, Mom," Ste chirped, her voice sweet as honey, melting Lottie''s heart.


    Lottie led her into the dining room. "You must be starving. I had the kitchen whip up your favorite pancakes and some snacks."


    "Thanks, Mom."


    The Quinn family kitchen was known for its delicious treats, and Ste adored them.


    Back when Lottie and Ronald were busy with work, Ste would often munch on a few cookies while waiting for them.


    As soon as the staff noticed she was up, they hurried to bring out the prepared dishes.


    The kitchen filled with the familiar aroma of freshly made pancakes and rich, creamy oatmeal.


    When they had been in Portis City, Ste struggled with the nd cuisine there. But now that she was home, everything tasted delightful.


    Lottie ced a sausage link on Ste''s te. "You should try to eat a bit more."


    "Her stomach isn''t great, so she can''t eat too much," Ronald calmly interjected, taking a seat beside Ste.


    It was the truth.


    Ste had a healthy appetite, but her stomach was sensitive, and overeating could make her ufortable.


    Lottie shot him a sharp look. "I don''t need you to remind me."


    "Don''t let her overdo it."


    Ste and Lottie exchanged a look.


    Lottie huffed. "She''s barely eaten these days. Let her enjoy her meal."


    "Precisely because she''s been eating less, she shouldn''t overindulge now."


    Lottie retorted, "Oh, will you give it a rest? What''s wrong with her having a bit more?"


    "Mom, I''m fine either way," Ste chimed in, trying to ease the tension.


    Ste''s calm voice seemed to soften Lottie''s mood, and she gave Ronald another warning nce.


    "It''s just oatmeal. A bit more won''t hurt," Lottie insisted, her voiceced with concern.


    Lottie


    worried about


    Stell-being, especially afferet


    hearing


    about her struggles in Portis


    City with her appetite. Cont belongs to


    Ronald remained unconvinced, but Ste was already savoring the oatmeal.


    "Star, have some more," Lottie encouraged as she added another slice of bacon to Ste''s te.


    As Ste took a sip of the oatmeal, she beamed. "This oatmeal is amazing."


    With herpliment, Ronald knew Ste wasn''t going to stop anytime soon.


    Just as he suspected, she went through three bowls in no time.


    Not to mention the snacks and sides.


    By the time Ste was on her second bowl, Ronald had already been on the verge of intervening, but his mother''s stern gaze kept him silent.


    Wr


    "Star really shouldn''t eat so much," he eventually murmured.


    "Zip it," Lottie snapped.


    Despite his protests, it was no use.


    For the past three years, Lottie had


    not


    well outside, fearing it


    worried about Ste not


    affect her health.