Chapter 208
just can’t, okay? I’ve been swamped! You’re the one at home, raising the kids, nurturing them. But when she came back, did you ever eally sit down and patiently teach her?”
Cloudia was at a loss for words.
Patience? She wanted to be patient, but was she ever given the chance?
Blaise was visibly frustrated. “Forget it. You handle the home front for now. The company’s in a real mess.”
“How bad is it?”
The moment Cloudia heard the company was in trouble, her concern grew.
Blaise sighed. “We’re on the brink of bankruptcy- that’s how bad.”
“Is it really that serious?”
Cloudia felt her heart skip a beat.
Blaise continued, “We’ve hit a major snag. Looks like someone’s got it in for us.”
At this point, Blaise was convinced this wasn’t just a stroke of bad luck.
“Someone’s targeting Larkin Group? Could it be Quarry Group?”
“It doesn’t look like it.”
Blaise was exasperated; some of their partners had no ties to Quarry Group at all.
Hearing it wasn’t Quarry Group made Cloudia even more anxious. “Could it be something to do with Stella?”
Blaise was taken aback. “What did you say?”
Cloudia speculated, “She must have some powerful figure behind her. You know her studio made over seven hundred thousand last year. How could she pull that off without some big shot backing her?”
Blaise frowned deeply at the suggestion.
Could Stella really be involved?
Meanwhile, Stella had just arrived at her studio when her phone rang. It was Ronald, his voice as gentle as ever.
“Get ready, I’m coming to pick you up.”
Stella was puzzled. “Where are we going?”
“To the hot springs.”
Stella glanced outside at the foggy, overcast sky. The idea was tempting- Spring Hill’s hot springs‘ in Portis City were famous for their comfort. But they were quite a distance from the city center, and she couldn’t afford to delay the design project for StarRiver Corp.
“I’m busy. Are you trying to distract me?”
The thought of soaking in the hot springs lingered in her mind. It was especially appealing since her leg had started acting up again last night, a recurring issue every winter.
Ronald chuckled. “Busy with what?”
“Didn’t I tell you last night? I’m handling a big client’s design.”
“What client?”
“StarRiver Corp.”
Stella was taking this project very seriously, especially since the fee was several times the market rate, not to mention the reasonable demands.
Ronald sounded intrigued. “StarRiver Corp.? I’m pretty tight with their CEO. Want me to ask for an extension for you?”
Stella was surprised. “You know the CEO of StarRiver Corp.?”
It seemed Ronald had connections she hadn’t anticipated.
Ronald confirmed, “Yeah, we’re close.”
Stella opened her mouth to object, but he cut her short. “Just get ready:”
Stella sighed. “Okay, fine.”
13:00
She closed her laptop, packing it and preparing to leave.
Considering the distance to Spring Hill, if they went today, they probably wouldn’t be back anytime soon.
In the car, Idris looked over at Ronald. “Ms. Quinn’s leg should be much better by now.”
After the accident years ago, doctors had recommended regular hot spring baths to alleviate the pain, especially during winter. When they were in Ferrowland, Ronald made sure to take her several times each season.
Ronald gazed out the window. “She had trouble sleeping last night; her leg was hurting again. The bad weather often made her pain
worse.”
Aldris sighed, realizing the severity of lingering injuries.
