Ste nced over at Rachel with a cool, measured gaze.


    Rachel put on her best innocent face and said, "Keen is in such a serious


    condition, and you''re treating the kid who bullied him like he''s your own son? Isn''t that a bit much?"


    Ste replied calmly, "The kid didn''t bully Keen, and besides, it was Marvin who saved his life just now."


    Ste''s lips curled. "Funny-you''re the one who organized a mob to stop me. If Keen hadn''t made it, that blood would''ve been on your hands."


    Rachel''s face froze for a moment before she quickly dropped her eyes, feigning sadness. "I saw that guy was a doctor and thought he''d be more professional. I didn''t want to waste any time getting Keen treated, so I held you back, Ms. Cameron."


    Tears glistened in her eyes as she turned to Haynes. "Haynie, I''m so sorry. I almost put Keen in danger."


    Haynes replied coolly, "It''s not your fault. You were just concerned."


    Ste''s inner voice scoffed. Of course, Haynes would stand up for Rachel. He had been there, siding with her, getting in Ste''s way. Defending Rachel meant defending himself.


    Turning away from them, Ste looked at Keen, who was finally calm. A wave of fear still lingered within her.


    This was the special medication Mr. Burton had prepared for Keen, meant as an emergency remedy. Luckily, she had brought it along, or else...


    A thought struck Ste, and she asked Hayne, "He always carries an emergency spray with him. Today, when I asked someone to check, it was missing. Did you throw it away?"


    Haynes frowned slightly. "No, Keen usually changes his own clothes. Maisie takes care of theundry. Maybe she took it out while doing the wash."


    Ste shook her head. "That''s impossible. I''ve talked to Maisie about this many times. She''s been with us long enough not to make such a basic mistake."


    A shadow of guilt crossed Rachel''s face, gone before Haynes could see it.


    "Maybe Keen misced it?" he suggested.


    Ste rubbed her weary temples. "I''ve reminded Keen countless times his life depends on that medication. He shouldn''t forget it or throw it away... Never mind, we''ll ask him when he wakes up."


    Since Rachel had returned, her rtionship with Keen had deteriorated. After she stoppeding home, it had hit rock bottom.


    Perhaps Keen was rebelling and decided to toss it away.


    Ste turned back to the pair and asked, "How did he have an allergic reaction?"


    Haynes frowned again, ncing at Rachel. "What happened?"


    Rachel''s eyes darted around nervously. "I... I''m not sure."


    Ste fixed Rachel with a look that could cut ss. "You''re the one who gave Keen nuts."


    It wasn''t a question. The way she said it left no room for doubt - she already knew. Keen was only allergic to nuts.


    Even though Haynes didn''t spend much time taking care of Keen, he knew about the nut allergy.


    He looked at Ste. "I checked everything Rachel ordered; there weren''t any nuts. Are you sure you''re not mistaken?"


    A hint of irony danced in Ste''s eyes. No matter the mess, if Rachel was


    involved, Haynes would defend her every time.


    Even if his own son nearly died due to Rachel''s neglect.


    Meanwhile, for any small issue, Haynes was always suspicious of Ste.


    Marvin''s voice cut through the tension, "But, Ste and I just ordered a nut cake."