15:40 

Chapter 345 

The Larkin family was in a real mess. 

Yorick and Jaxon had been discussing their next move, but it felt like they were up against a brick wall. The whole situation was infuriating and utterly exhausting. 

Ronald had them cornered. He had blocked every possible avenue for the Larkin family, and even Cloudia’s efforts to rally the support of her social circle had hit a dead end. 

As Yorick approached Ursula’s room, he noticed the door was shut, but he could hear Ursula having a heated argument with someone inside. Her voice was loud and filled with anger. 

Normally, Yorick would have barged in without a second thought, but this time he hesitated, pressing his ear to the door. 

Inside, Ursula was completely unaware of his presence. 

He could hear her seething. “Oh, you think I’m scared now? I’m practically at death’s door. Go ahead and spill the beans, let’s just get it over with.” 

She was on the brink of madness. Caught between Stella’s relentless pressure and the threats from this killer, she was also dealing with the agony of her illness. 

What had she done to deserve this kind of punishment? All she wanted was to hold on to what she had. Was that so wrong? 

“The Larkin family has been so good to you, and this is how you repay them? Cut the crap. I want two million,” the killer demanded, clearly doubting Ursula’s words. Everyone in Portis City knew she was the most cherished adopted daughter in town. 

Hearing the demand for two million, Ursula’s heart sank even deeper. 

“Two million? You’ve got some nerve. All the costs from that car accident were settled. This is just blackmail. And don’t forget, I wanted Stella dead. Did you manage to get that done?” 

Ursula’s rage flared up, and she screamed in frustration. 

It was all because Stella was still alive. If Stella had died in that car accident, she wouldn’t be facing this nightmare now. 

“I wanted Stella dead, and you failed to deliver. I paid you all those fees, and now you’re blackmailing me?” 

Just as she finished, the door flew open with a violent crash, slamming hard against the wall. 

Ursula, who was still on the phone, froze at the sudden noise. 

Her eyes met Yorick’s – deep, stormy, filled with fury. Her mind went blank, as if the very air around her had exploded. 

Yorick’s eyes narrowed, filled with anger that spread across his entire face. 

Ursula’s breath caught, her blood ran cold, and everything else seemed to fade into silence. 

The killer was still on the phone, saying, “I don’t care. I want two million. If you don’t pay up, I’ll send all the evidence of your attempt to murder Stella. Oh, and wasn’t Mr. Yorick Quarry Stella’s fiancé once? Imagine how he’ll react when he finds out you tried to kill his fiancée. Let’s see if he still wants you after that…” 

Before the killer could finish, Ursula hurriedly hung up the phone. 

She looked at Yorick, trembling, her lips quivering as she tried to form words. “Rick, I, I…” 

What was she even trying to say? Her thoughts spun wildly, a chaotic storm she couldn’t control. 

Yorick’s face was unreadable, but his eyes told her everything she needed to know. He’d heard it all. 

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15.40 

over. The thought crashed through Ursula’s mind like thunder, leaving her hollow. 

She took a deep, shaky breath. “You… you have to let me explain. It’s not what you think. I…” 

Yorick’s eyes were icy as he stared at her and he didn’t wait for her to finish. Without a word, he turned sharply and walked out, the door slamming shut behind him. 

Ursula felt the coldness in his footsteps as he walked away, and her heart suddenly felt empty. 

Downstairs, Cloudia had been trying to calm herself and think of a plan when she saw Yorick coming down. She instinctively stood up and called out, “Rick.” 

But Yorick ignored her completely, heading straight for the door with a chilling demeanor. 

Cloudia was taken aback, glancing toward the staircase, hesitating for a moment before rushing upstairs to check on Ursula. 

She found Ursula sitting on the bed, sobbing uncontrollably. 

Cloudia’s heart clenched as she approached. “Why are you crying? What happened with Rick?” 

Ursula collapsed into Cloudia’s arms. “Mom, Rick’s left me. He’s left me.” 

“What happened?” 

“He’s gone. He’s never coming back,” Ursula said in despair.