By now, the media bhad /bpainted Ste as a shallow, status–chasing, two–faced socialite.

    Ste didn’t believe for a second that Ethan wasn’t involved in orchestrating these attacks.

    Her eyes narrowed. “Ignore it.”

    “Won’t this affect your standing in the Dawson family?” Rianne asked, clearly concerned.

    Ste replied coolly, “What influence? Whatever damage they think they can do is nothing more than wishful thinking.”

    The Keene family really was pulling every dirty trick they had left.

    Ste didn’t care much for gossip herself. But the rumors would inevitably reach Falvaria- and that could potentially affect Abraham.

    Their wedding was just around the corner.

    Rianne sighed. They’ve always thought too highly of themselves.”

    Ethan and Jonathan had been pressuring Ste nonstop during the Lillian incident too- convinced their tactics would bring her down.

    But they’d been sorely mistaken.

    After a few more words, Ste ended the call with Rianne and dialed Jonathan.

    He picked up quickly, his voice hoarse and weary. “Hello?b” /b

    “It’s me.”

    “I figured. My dearest sister.”

    He dragged out thest words, dripping with sarcasm.

    Clearly, he still resented her for how harshly she’d treated the Reed family.

    Ste cut straight to the point. “What’s happening in Rivermount–are you involved?”

    Jonathan’s breath hitched before he replied coldly, “No.”

    “You’d better not be.” Ste’s voice sharpened. “The Reed family ended up like this because of

    your choices.”

    So many of the things bthat /bhad happened had nothing to do with her at ball/b.

    Yet somehow, the Reed family always med her.

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    Like with Patrick and the mistress–that mess had been orchestrated by Lillian, yet they pinned it on Ste simply because it happened after she returned.

    Finished

    Jonathan shot back, “What more do you want from us? Things are already ruined. Don’t tell me you still think you’re the one being wronged.”

    Ste gave a short, coldugh. “What do I want?”

    This man really didn’t know when to shut up..

    “I just hope, she said darkly, “that you truly had nothing to do with this. Because if you did-”

    She didn’t finish the threat, but her tone made it crystal clear.

    Jonathan flinched.

    Right before she hung up, he asked softly, “You really won’t forgive Mother?”

    Ste’s response was ice–cold. “Her crimes–and the legal consequences–aren’t for me to decide.

    Still asking about forgiveness?

    Clearly, these people had never truly understood her.

    She had no patience for it anymore. She ended the call without another word.

    In that moment, the sweetness she showed around Abraham vanished entirely. Her eyes darkened as she sipped her tea.

    Then Ethan called.

    She answered. “Hellob?/bb” /b

    “Star”

    Ste lowered her gaze, staring at the floating petals in her ss. “Ethan. You really dare?”

    Her voice was calm–but sharp with danger.

    Ethan paused, caught off guard.

    Ste bdidn’t /bwait. “What’s your goal?”

    There was bnothing /bbetween them. Even after being in Falvaria this long, she had barely spoken to bhim/b.

    Now suddenly, he was letting rumors spread that she’d abandoned him?

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    Please

    Ethan replied, “Back off from the Keene family. It’s time you stopped.”

    Ste raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t Felix the one managing the Keene family now?”

    Felix.

    Ethan’s half–brother.

    S.53%

    Finished

    With all the recent power shifts, Madeline and Horgan had been fighting over control behind. the scenes.

    Ever since Horgan returned to the Keene family, the ce had been in nonstop turmoil.

    But from what Ethan just said–it almost sounded like they’d reconciled. United fronts now? Against her?

    Or maybe…

    “Don’t tell me, now that you’ve cleaned up the Keene mess, you think you can go back to managing Keene Group?”

    So that was the y.

    Abraham had shown no mercy to the Keene family recently. He’d kept his grip tight, not letting them breathe.

    Even Horgan couldn’t pacify him.

    In Abraham’s eyes, Ste’s three years in Rivermount had been a time of humiliation- crushed under both the Keene and Reed families.

    Ethan tried again. “Back off. I’ll make a public statement for you. Once those rumors reach. Falvaria, are you sure the Dawson family won’t be affected?”

    Ste said nothing.

    Ethan pressed on. “Even if the damage is small–people will still look at Abraham differently.”

    “You think anyone dares look at Abraham that way?”

    Her voice was ice.

    Yes, she knew the rumors could cause problems.

    But right now–with Ethan?

    She showed no fear, no weakness.

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    Nothing about her presence hinted that the Dawson family could be touched. Not even slightly.

    Finishe

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