"Haynes O''Brien seems like such a charming young man, and yet he''s the type to keep a mistress on the side, despite all the affection Ste has for him. Humph, this time I''ll make sure they know that with the Burtons backing her up, no one dares to bully that young girl."


    ...


    As soon as Ste got her hands on the medicine, she went straight to find


    Haynes.


    "I''ve brought you the medicine. Now, will you let Abby go?"


    Haynes eyed the inconspicuous bottle with suspicion.


    "Are you sure this isn''t fake?"


    Ste instinctively clenched her fists. No matter what she did, he always doubted her unconditionally. Yet, no matter how many wrongs Rachelmitted, he trusted her blindly.


    "Of course, it''s real," Ste replied, her expression impassive. "If you don''t believe me, you can show it to Deanna. She''s been taking this for two years and can tell if it''s genuine at a nce."


    Haynes''s tone was indifferent. "In that case,e back to the family estate with me for a bit."


    Ste didn''t feel any sadness at Haynes''sck of trust. She nodded, "Alright."


    At the O''Brien Mansion, Deanna was banging on the table, her face flushed with anger.


    "What?! Ste hasn''te home in forever? She''s not just ignoring you-she''s out there raising some stranger''s kid?!"


    Keen nodded, remembering the whole thing. His voice trembled with tears, like he''d been treated unfairly all over again.


    "When I asked Mom to choose between us, she picked that other kid. That kid''s dad said taking care of me brings no money, but taking care of his kid does."


    "That troublemaker Marvines over every day bragging about how nice Mom is to him, picking him up from school and making him all sorts of snacks and tasty treats."


    Deanna wanted to scold Ste, but seeing Keen''s pitiful expression, her heart softened.


    Sheforted him, "Don''t listen to that brat''s nonsense. He''s lying to you." "No, he''s telling the truth!"


    Keen pulled out his phone. "He''s sent me pictures of all the meals Mom makes for him every day."


    Callie leaned over and gasped at the sight of the food in the photos. "Wow, those are definitely Ste''s snacks... Only Ste makes treats with those designs and shapes."


    She flipped through a few more pictures. "Isn''t that Ste''s specialty dish?"


    "And this ting style—no one else does it like Ste."


    "Oh! Isn''t that the herbal dish Ste makes just for Keen? You can''t even buy this in stores..."


    With each word Callie spoke, Keen''s eyes grew redder, filled with hurt, anger, and jealousy.


    Deanna, frowning, cut Callie off, "Alright, enough of that. Keen, don''t worry, when your momes home, Grandma will make sure to give her a good talking-to."


    Keen rolled up his sleeve to show a bruise on his arm from a pinch. "That kid at preschool always picks on me. He starts it, but when the teacher walks over, he acts like I shoved him! Now the teacher and everyone else thinks I''m the problem and makes me apologize!"


    Though the marks on his delicate skin weren''t severe, they looked rming.


    Deanna was on the verge of tears, her voice filled with anger. "This is outrageous! Tomorrow, I will go with you and deal with that troublemaker."


    Before she could finish, a servant hurriedly entered. "Ma''am, Mr. and Mrs. O''Brien are here."