Haynes''s face darkened as he snapped, "Ste, don''t push it!"


    Ste remained calm and resolute, her gaze unwavering.


    "Your mom used me of kidnapping the kid. Is that not crossing the line? If you were worried about people crossing lines, you should''ve stopped your mom from doing something stupid in the first ce, instead of standing there like a mama''s boy, ying mute!"


    She was determined to get an apology from Deanna.


    No longer would she allow Deanna to humiliate her repeatedly.


    Deanna might look down on her, but she would have to apologize to someone she considered beneath her.


    No matter how hard it was to swallow, Deanna would have to ept it.


    Escting this situation wouldn''t benefit the O''Brien family or the O''Brien Corporation in any way.


    Despite Deanna''s overbearing nature, she knew how to weigh the pros and cons.


    Today, she had no choice but to bite the bullet.


    Deanna''s face twisted with a mix of emotions.


    Even now, she realized that Ste was no longer the person who would take insults in silence and let herself be pushed around.


    From now on, Deanna had to be cautious with every word and action around Ste.


    Her heart burned with resentment!


    Callie saw the anger on Deanna''s face and quickly intervened, worried she might act impulsively. "Mom, you can''t let my brother apologize on your behalf. If word gets out, both your reputations will be ruined. Besides..."


    She nced at Ste, "Ste is Keen''s mom, after all. No matter how you spin it, you''re in the wrong here."


    Deanna knew this too, though she desperately wanted to teach Ste a lesson.


    She couldn''t stand Ste''s defiant attitude!


    She had thought about denying Ste''s im as Keen''s mother when the police arrived, making Ste panic and beg for forgiveness.


    She imagined if Ste apologized sincerely, she might grudgingly put in a good word for her.


    Yet, in the end, Ste had turned the tables, making Deanna shoot herself in the foot!


    Oh, how much she loathed the idea of apologizing to Ste!


    Once, Ste woulde at her beck and call. Now, Ste was no pushover. If pushed, Ste would blow things out of proportion.


    While causing trouble might not affect Ste much, it could have serious repercussions for the O''Brien Corporation and the O''Brien family.


    Deanna bit her lip, finally lowering her proud head.


    "Ste, I''m sorry. I... misunderstood you."


    Ste didn''t linger on the matter, simply saying, "Let''s end it here. I hope, Deanna, that you''ll think twice in the future to avoid embarrassing the O''Brien family and the O''Brien Corporation."


    Though Deanna had apologized, Ste had no intention of forgiving her.


    She wasn''t one to forgive easily.


    ...


    Marvin and Keen had both woken up.


    Keen had been pretending to be unconscious but eventually fell asleep for real.


    He woke up shortly after being taken to the hospital.


    The doctor did a thorough check-up, and he was fine.


    Marvin woke up a bitter, looking a bit pale, but thankfully, he was okay.


    In the hospital room, Ste saw Marvin awake and asked, "Marvin, what happened? How did you end up in the water?"


    A hint of panic shed in Marvin''s eyes.


    He quickly looked down, trying to cover up. "I... I identally fell in. It wasn''t Keen''s fault."


    Ste''s eyes were serious. "Marvin, we''ve already reviewed the security footage. It shows you and Keen having an argument, and during the scuffle... you fell into theke."


    She softened her voice, "Marvin, don''t be afraid. Tell me what really happened." Marvin hung his head, looking like a child caught in wrongdoing.


    "When I came out of the restroom, I saw Keen... I rushed over to ask him why he was at the amusement park. Ste and Mr. O''Brien were worried sick looking for him."