Finally, Xander and Yvonne stormed out, clearly fuming.


    Ste nced at Ronald with concern. "Why on earth did you let Sis marry Xander?"


    The butler had already sent people to haul in all the stuff they''d just brought back. There was a mountain of it—some belonging to Ste, some to Yvonne.


    Every time they visited the old family estate, they''d return with armfuls of goodies. Lydia, the housekeeper, was especially fond of the two sisters and always saved the best treats for them-homemade pies, imported choctes, even rare cheeses.


    Ronald wrapped an arm around Ste''s shoulders, pulling her close. “Well, obviously, to get rid of any potential rivals."


    Ste blinked. "Huh?"


    Rivals? Xander?


    She''d never even thought of Xander like that. Did that even count as a rival?


    "No way. You mean you''d sacrifice your own sister just to get rid of someone who isn''t even a rival? Nope, not happening. I''m calling her right now to tell her to ditch the whole wedding."


    What a joke-like Yvonne''s entire future was something to trade just for Ronald''s so-called "strategy."


    She dug out her phone, ready to call Yvonne, but Ronald smoothly snatched it out of her hand. "Rx, I was just messing with you."


    Ste gave him a look. "..."


    "Honestly, both Xander and Yvonne are dealing with some mess of their own. This wedding might actually help sort things out for them. It''s just... a weird bit of fate."


    Ste''s eyes widened. She already knew Xander was in some trouble-her mom had mentioned it.


    But Yvonne too?


    "What kind of trouble is Sis in?" Ste asked, genuinely confused.


    Ronald ruffled her hair affectionately. "Don''t worry your pretty little head about it, kiddo."


    She rolled her eyes. "I''m not a kid anymore, you know."


    They headed further inside together. Just then, Ste''s phone vibrated this time, she checked the caller ID.


    It was the private investigator she''d hired to look into the former head of the ck Gate Society.


    She stepped aside to take the call. "Talk to me."


    "Miss, it''s confirmed. The previous leader of ck Gate is Ms. Tucker''s mother."


    Ste''s heart skipped a beat. "You''re sure?"


    "Yes, absolutely. I''ve just sent you the photos as proof."


    Ste inhaled, her mind racing. The photos arrived momentster-one nce


    was all she needed to recognize Susanna''s mother.


    "Is she... in any danger?" Ste asked quietly.


    That was the real issue. Whether Susanna''s mother used to be in charge didn''t matter as much


    whether she was safe now,


    as


    especially with the ck Gate''s


    current chaos.


    On the other end of the call, the PI hesitated. Ste caught the subtle change in


    their breathing.


    "What is it?" she pressed.


    "It''s hard to say for sure," came the careful reply.


    Ste frowned. If even her best source couldn''t guarantee Susanna''s mother''s safety, things were bad.


    "Alright. Just send me everything you''ve got." She hung up.


    A momentter, Ronald came over, arms draping gently over her shoulders. "Who was that?"


    Ste turned her head, and her lips brushed his jaw by ident—a soft, fleeting touch that made her pause.


    "I, uh—"


    Ronald cut her off with a grin. "Come on, no need to get all shy."


    He spun her gently to face him, his hands warm around her waist. In that instant, a strange feeling stirred in him-this petite woman, already nurturing a tiny life inside her.


    Ste shook herself out of her thoughts. "My PI just called. It''s confirmed-Susie''s


    mom used to run ck Gate."


    Ronald''s expression darkened. "Confirmed for real?"


    Ste nodded. “Yeah. So what do we do? I can''t just sit back and do nothing if Susie''s in trouble."


    The former head of ck Gate.


    Rumor had it, the current leader had


    fought tooth and nail for that


    iel


    position, and things between them had gotten ugly.