Chapter 351
Stella was starving, and her cravings were almost unbearable.
But ice cream? Ronald would never allow it, worried it might upset her stomach.
The last thing he needed was her complaining about a tummy ache.
In the end, someone brewed her a pot of herbal soup. Stella clutched a mug larger than her face, sipping until she finally felt full.
“When are we taking off?” she asked, glancing over at Ronald.
Just then, Idris walked in. “Sir.”
Ronald checked his watch. “What’s the ETA for takeoff?”
“There’s been a bit of a situation at the airport. An unknown group has managed to cause quite a ruckus.”
Hearing this, Stella’s eyebrows shot up.
“A ruckus? What do you mean?” she asked, turning to Idris, disbelief etched on her face.
“The police are dealing with them as we speak. We might be delayed for a bit,” Idris explained.
Stella’s mouth twitched in disbelief.
Seriously?
She’d been in this city for so long, and it was always so safe. How could something like this happen?
A thought crossed her mind, and she turned to Ronald. “You think it could be that conniving Xander?”
“Do you really think he’d dare come here and stir up trouble?” Ronald asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I don’t know… he might not be what you expect,” Stella said hesitantly.
Ever since Ronald came to Portis City, Stella had picked up bits and pieces from Finley about Xander’s situation. From what she’d heard, it sounded like Xander was in dire straits, almost as if he were on the run.
But the last time she saw him in Patrina, it didn’t seem that way at all. On the contrary, he looked like he had the whole place under his thumb.
Finley chimed in,” So, what’s his motive for coming here to stir up trouble? Could it be because he failed to steal you away and now intends to just take you by force?”
Stella was at a loss for words. She wanted to tear his mouth off.
Finley continued, “If he really wanted to take you, he would’ve started in Patrina. Why bother coming to Portis City and causing such a huge mess?”
Portis City was a tangled web of power struggles. If Xander really was here stirring up problems, he’d only be inviting more trouble.
Stella sighed. “Finley, do you only think in terms of movie-style heroics?”
Finley was probably too obsessed with some romantic notion from the movies.
“Doesn’t that sound thrilling?” Finley shrugged.
Stella shot him a look that made it clear she had no patience for his nonsense and opted to stay silent.
Seeing her expression, Finley knew she was mentally labeling him as a fool.
With a tap of his long fingers on the table, Ronald finally said to Idris, “Let’s just take off.”
“Take off? Without clearance from air traffic control? Are you out of your mind?” Finley yelped, practically jumping out of his seat.
The chaos at the airport wasn’t just on the ground; it might have affected the skies too.
Idris gave him a reassuring look. “Mr. Yoder, don’t worry. We’ve got cutting-edge systems on our side.”
Finley let out a nervous laugh. “I wanna get off this plane.”
Hull smacked him lightly on the back of the head. “You wanna go out and face the chaos?”
Finley sighed, feeling a mix of disbelief and resignation. Ronald might be reckless, but he’d never risk Stella’s safety. That calmed Finley down a bit.
Idris nodded to the flight attendant. “Seal the doors. We’re taking off.”
The flight attendant nodded respectfully. “Understood.”
As they turned to prepare for departure, a commotion broke out.
The flight attendant stumbled back, alarmed. “Hey, who are you? You can’t be here. Get off the plane.”
A panicked voice cried out, “Help! They’re out to kill me!”
Stella’s attention snapped to the source. Standing at the cabin door, trying to avoid being ushered off, was Susanna. “Susie?” Stella called out, standing up abruptly.
Susanna was pleading for refuge, the chaos outside was too terrifying to face. At the sound of Stella’s voice, she froze, turning to face her with wide eyes.
Stella set down her oversized mug and hurried over to her friend.
Chapter 352
“Why are you at the airport? Didn’t you just call saying you were at the Larkin family’s villa for an interview? Weren’t you just gossiping?”
Susanna’s eyes widened as she recognized Stella. Tears began to roll down her cheeks. She rushed forward, wrapping her arms around Stella. “Star, oh my gosh, I was so scared. That bullet almost hit me; I nearly met my maker.”
Susanna, who usually feared nothing, was visibly shaken. Walking through that hail of bullets had been terrifying.
Stella gently patted her back, trying to comfort her. “What kind of luck is that? Is there some gossip you need to catch at the airport?”
Susanna shook her head vigorously. “No, no, I was here to pick up some documents for my mom.”
She had just managed to grab them when her life nearly flashed before her eyes.
Susanna’s voice was tinged with frustration, “Why is my luck so terrible? Everything keeps going wrong this year. I must be cursed. Bad luck is bad enough, and now I’m staring death in the face. Does it really have to be this harsh?”
Stella gave her a reassuring pat. “It’s okay now.”
After calming her down, Stella returned to Ronald. “Can we take Susie with us?”
“Cyris Isle is complicated and unsafe,” Ronald replied, his expression serious.
Stella’s lips twitched. “Complicated and unsafe” meant they were bound to run into some unexpected trouble. Susanna, who had always lived in the peaceful comfort of Portis City, couldn’t handle that.
“She definitely won’t want to go back alone now.”
Stella had seen Susanna’s legs shaking, a perfect round hole in her pant leg. It didn’t take a detective to figure out a bullet had grazed her leg.
Just then, as Ronald was about to instruct Idris to have a couple of people escort Susanna back, Hull put down his wine glass and stood up.
“You go ahead. I’ll take her back and then head straight to Cyris Isle.”
Several pairs of eyes turned to Hull.
Finley blinked. “You? You’re taking her?”
There was something unspoken in the air, but before Finley could voice it, Hull shot him a warning glance, signaling him to zip it.
Finley closed his mouth, feeling a little sheepish. He wanted to say, “Susanna’s probably more afraid of Hull than of going to Cyris Isle.”
After all, back at Mist Bay, Susanna had fainted at the sight of Hull wielding a gun.
Susanna was still waiting for Stella when she noticed Hull approaching. Memories of him at Mist Bay flashed in her mind, making her instinctively take a step back.
Hull walked past her. “Let’s go.”
“To take you home.”
“I don’t want to get off the plane,” Susanna blurted out, without thinking.
She had just fled the airport terminal, where those menacing figures had made her feel trapped. Even though she often felt unloved and her mom rarely contacted her, one thing was certain—she wasn’t ready to die yet.
Hull looked at her. “If you don’t get off the plane now, those guys might come for you.”
Susanna gasped. “I don’t want to put Star in danger.”
Stella, overhearing, felt a pang of emotion.
Hull raised an eyebrow. “Then what are you waiting for?”
Seeing Susanna so frightened, Stella figured the airport situation must be truly dire.
She briefly considered taking Susanna to Cyris Isle with them, but before she could suggest it, Susanna turned to her. “Star, I’m leaving now.”
Without waiting for Stella’s response, Susanna hurriedly followed Hull. She trusted this man, whose toughness rivaled that of the thugs, to get her safely out of the airport.
Watching her leave, Stella felt a pang of guilt. “Maybe I should…”
Before she could finish, a firm grip on her wrist pulled her into Ronald’s embrace.
“What are you doing?” Stella protested, glaring at him.
Ronald tilted her chin up. “Star, you seem very fond of Susanna, don’t you?”
Stella blinked, speechless.
Finley, standing nearby, was baffled.
What did that mean? Was it a problem if she liked a girl too?
It suddenly dawned on Finley, why he’d been getting into trouble so often. Ronald’s possessiveness over the little princess was something fierce.
Chapter 353
The airport was still a chaotic mess.
As Susanna made her way through the terminal, she could hear the distant shouts echoing through the halls, making her whole body tense up. Her eyes were wide with fear.
Hull glanced back and saw her stumbling, her legs shaking so much she could hardly walk straight.
“Scared?” he asked, his voice low and steady, though there was a hint of something intense in his eyes.
Susanna nodded, her voice trembling. “Terrified.”
No kidding, she thought. Sure, she loved a good action movie, but this was nothing like watching from the safely of her couch. This was real- one wrong move could cost her everything.
She trailed Hull closely, keeping a strict three-foot distance, terrified to lose sight of him for even a second. His long strides forced her into a near jog, her breathing growing labored as she struggled to keep up.
Hearing her panting, Hull slowed his pace slightly.
Suddenly, as they rounded a corner, two masked figures appeared out of nowhere, weapons raised. The gunfire erupted almost instantly.
Hull reacted with lightning speed, pulling Susanna close as the attackers crumpled to the ground.
It all happened so fast that Susanna barely had time to process. Her pupils dilated in shock, and before she knew it, she was clinging to Hull’s neck, her legs tightly wrapped around his waist.
Hull pressed her against the cold wall, feeling the weight around his waist and said in a clipped tone, “Get down.”
“No! I won’t! I want to go home- I want to go home,” she whimpered, shaking her head frantically, eyes squeezed shut, refusing to let go.
Hull’s cool, dangerous presence loomed over her, amplifying her panic. Susanna silently prayed to her grandma, hoping for protection to get through this ordeal.
Hull tried to pry her off, but as soon as he did, she collapsed to the ground, her legs too weak from fear to hold her up.
“I want Star,” she cried, “I need to get back to the plane, and find Star.”
So much for not being a burden right now, Susanna was beyond terrified, and all she could think of was the safety she felt with Stella.
Hull looked down at her trembling form, his expression unreadable but clearly exasperated. With a resigned sigh, he crouched down, lifting her effortlessly off the floor. Her body hung limp in his grip, swaying slightly with each step he took.
Susanna felt like a ragdoll, her head spinning and her fear rendering her speechless. Even so, the man carrying her felt more dangerous than the chaos surrounding them.
……
Meanwhile, Finley was reconsidering his approach. If Idris hadn’t warned him, he’d have walked right into a beating.
Stella nestled in Ronald’s arms, looking up at him with a puzzled expression. “Why are you upset?”
She couldn’t figure out what had triggered his brooding mood. They had been rather… engaged on their trip back from Patrina.
Ronald tilted her chin up, capturing her lips in a kiss that was both tender and commanding.
“Next time, don’t stare at someone for more than five seconds.”
Stella blinked, confused. “Who was I looking at? Susanna?”
“She counts,” Ronald replied without missing a beat.
“Oh…” Stella trailed off, unsure how to respond.
As the plane took off, Stella found herself breathless from Ronald’s kisses.
“Are we really leaving without Hull?” she asked, worry flickering in her eyes.
She was worried about Susanna, anxious to know she’d made it out of the airport safely. Who had the audacity to cause such a scene here, of all places?
Ronald scooped her up, heading to the private lounge. “You need more sleep. Once we reach Cyris Isle, your schedule will be all over the place.”
Stella sighed. More sleep?
Ronald was already shedding his suit jacket, followed by his shirt and then his trousers. Stella hesitated, unsure whether to move or not.
He turned back, a mischievous grin playing on his lips that made her heart skip. When he reached for her clothes, Stella caught his wrist.
“I don’t feel like sleeping right now.”
She remembered the journey back, how he had kept her occupied.
Chapter 354
Even though she really wanted to sleep right now, Stella knew she couldn’t just doze off with Ronald next to her. She had this sneaking suspicion that Ronald’s definition of “sleep” wasn’t quite the same as hers.
His hand paused on the buttons of her vest, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“How about something else then?” he suggested with a smirk.
Stella’s eyes widened in shock. There it was, the proof that they were definitely not on the same page.
Ronald chuckled softly. “Relax, it’s just sleeping.”
“I don’t believe you,” she replied, narrowing her eyes.
He raised an eyebrow, his tone playful. “Oh?”
She gave him a timid glance. “We can sleep, but I get the bed to myself.”
The corner of Ronald’s mouth curled up into an even more mischievous grin.
Stella quickly scrambled into bed, cocooning herself in the blanket as if it were armor. But barely a moment later, she felt the mattress dip beside her. Ronald was right there, slipping under the covers and pulling her into his embrace.
Outside the room, Finley listened to the sounds coming from the resting area and couldn’t help but chuckle. “Ronald’s been waiting for Stella to grow up for ages. Can’t blame him.”
Idris glanced at him. “Even if you understand, keep it to yourself.”
“Oh, I’m keeping it quiet. But once we’re back in Ferrowland, Stella’s gonna have a tough time.”
Idris remained silent, assuming Finley was referring to Stella’s mother.
“Well, her mother’s already planning the wedding,” Idris finally said.
Finley stared at him in disbelief. “What did you just say?”
Planning a wedding? Lottie was okay with this? She’s not even going to try and break them up?
Well, in the end, they’re both her own, one by birth, one raised by her. Guess it worked out perfectly for her to dote on them both equally.
……
After an exhausting eight-hour flight, they finally landed on Cyris Isle.
Stella felt as though her ears were still ringing from the flight and was desperate for some fresh air, but she was too drained, nestled in Ronald’s arms.
“You’re mean,” she mumbled. “Really mean.
She couldn’t wrap her head around how someone who used to keep women at arm’s length suddenly knew all these tricks.
Ronald was helping her change clothes, “Yeah, mean.”
“I’m so tired,” she whined, feeling as limp as a noodle, letting him dress her.
He picked out a white T-shirt and paired it with a pink skirt.
Stella glanced at the fluffy skirt, pouting. “I’m grown up now, you know.”
Especially the white T-shirt with a Peter Pan collar-it looked like something straight out of a little girl’s wardrobe. And the straw sunhat on the side? It sealed the deal.
Ronald slipped the skirt on her, “Idris had these prepared based on your style back in Ferrowland.”
Ronald could see how much her style had evolved over the years. Her wardrobe in Portis City was definitely more mature- probably thanks to the influence of the Larkin family, who had forced her to grow up fast.
Thinking of the Larkin family, Ronald’s eyes deepened slightly as he held Stella close.
“Okay,” Stella sighed. It was all Ronald’s doing anyway; he’d always seen her as his little princess.
“Is the sun strong outside? I need sunscreen,” Stella said.
“Sure, let me help,” Ronald replied, carrying her to the bathroom. He washed her face, applied a special cream, and sprayed some sunscreen.
“Now?” he asked.
Stella stretched out her arm. “This too.”
He chuckled. “Vain, aren’t we?”
Once they were ready Ronald led Stella out to where Finley was waiting.
Looking at Stella’s outfit and then at Ronald in his black pants and white shirt, Finley remarked, “Looks like you’re taking your daughter out instead of your wife.
Stella sighed internally. Finley had a knack for speaking before thinking.
Idris turned away, feeling like all warnings to Finley had been for nothing.
Realizing his slip, Finley ducked behind Idris, seeking refuge.
Chapter 355
As Ronald and Stella stepped off the plane, a welcoming committee was already in place.
Idris approached them, respectfully opening the car door for Ronald. Stella climbed in first, followed by Ronald, who settled beside her.
Finley took the front seat.
As the car roared to life, Finley turned to Ronald and asked, “Should we head to the hotel first?”
Ronald glanced down. “Let’s go straight there.”
“Huh?” Finley blinked in surprise. He shot a quick glance at Stella sitting beside Ronald, wondering if she was really going along with them.
Ronald had always shielded Stella from those kinds of scenes before. What had changed now?
“Are you sure she won’t be scared speechless?” Finley quipped.
Stella, puzzled, asked, “Where are we going?”
Ronald met her eyes, and the memory of the time he had scared her so badly she fell seriously ill flashed through his mind.
In that instant, he hesitated.
Before he could respond, Idris’s phone rang. He answered with his Bluetooth earpiece, “Hello.”
Whatever was said on the other end made Idris’s expression turn serious.
“Got it,” he replied tersely.
He ended the call and turned to Ronald. “Sir, Xander is also here on Cyris Isle.
Stella’s eyebrows shot up. “That heartless scoundrel?”
Finley couldn’t hold back and burst into a fit of coughing, choking on his own amusement at Stella’s nickname for Xander.
With Xander’s presence confirmed on Cyris Isle, Ronald was more determined than ever not to leave Stella alone at the hotel.
Ignoring Finley’s reaction, Ronald gently ruffled Stella’s soft hair. “Are you scared, Star?”
Stella’s mind drifted back to the first time she witnessed Ronald’s ruthless side. It was a stormy day in Ferrowland, and she had seen Ronald brutally dispatch someone, his usually gentle eyes filled with a bloodlust that terrified her. She had run away from home in fear that day.
Later, when Ronald found her between the two cars and extended his hand to her, he gently said, “Come out.”
To be honest, at that moment, Stella was really scared. Back then, she was just a child, and seeing the brother she had always thought of as kind turn so vicious was terrifying. For quite some time afterward, Stella had been obedient and docile, scared that Ronald might harm her.
But years had passed since then. Looking into Ronald’s gentle eyes now, Stella understood the fierce, dangerous nature hidden beneath that calm exterior.
She shook her head. “Not scared.”
Those simple words dissolved the hesitation in Ronald’s eyes. He pulled her into his lap, planting a tender kiss on her cheek. “That’s my brave girl.”
Stella leaned against him, feeling safe.
“What’s Xander up to here? Does it have to do with what you’re handling?” she asked, concerned.
Stella preferred Ronald and Xander to keep their distance from each other. Their stay in Patrina had been brief, but Stella was convinced Xander wasn’t as down-and-out as Finley made him out to be.
Ronald replied, “It’s unclear right now. Idris will dig into it.”
“I’m telling you, Xander’s got serious clout in Patrina. You saw it last night, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, I noticed.
Ronald had indeed seen the signs. In the past few years, Xander had been lurking in Patrina, and Ronald had suspected as much. After all these years, Ronald knew well enough what Xander had been up to back then.
Stella added, “You should be on guard against him. It might be wise to check his international ties too.”
Chapter 356
Ronald looked down, a playful smile in his eyes.
Stella noticed and asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Ronald chuckled, “Figured out how to use your brain now, have you?”
Stella’s mouth twitched. What was that supposed to mean? Was he implying she was dumb before?
“Hey, I’ll have you know I’ve been making a cool seven hundred grand a year without you,” she retorted, a bit miffed.
The moment she mentioned “seven hundred grand,” the car fell into an eerie silence. It was the kind of quiet that felt off.
Stella, feeling the tension, nudged. “What? You don’t believe me?”
Ronald gave a light laugh. “I believe you.”
Three simple words, yet they carried a hidden meaning- especially when Idris coughed awkwardly, and even Finley, who usually couldn’t keep his mouth shut, stayed silent.
Something was definitely off, Stella thought. “Are you hiding something from me?”
Ronald replied, “Nothing at all.”
“Come on, there has to be,” she insisted.
Every time she mentioned her hefty earnings, Ronald never seemed to give her the praise she expected. Instead, there was always this… silence.
Finley couldn’t hold it in anymore and burst into laughter. His laughter was infectious, almost wickedly so.
Stella was bewildered. “What? Is my seven hundred grand that funny?”
Finley laughed even harder, clutching his stomach as he doubled over.
Stella was not amused, “What’s wrong with you?”
Was she not allowed to earn her keep?
Finley caught his breath long enough to say, “I don’t know if I’m the crazy one, but you’re definitely a bit clueless.”
Stella fumed, wanting to smack that grin off his face.
With Finley’s uncontrollable laughter echoing in the car, Stella couldn’t hold it together any longer. She grabbed Ronald by the collar. “You’ve been hiding something, haven’t you?”
“You’re actually asking him?” Finley continued laughing.
Stella warned, “I’m seriously getting angry now.”
“Your seven hundred grand,” Finley gasped between laughs, “it’s really your brother here making sure you didn’t starve out there. He let you win, big time.”
Stella was at a loss for words.
“Did you seriously think you were making it on your own? Our little sheltered flower, thinking she could take on the storm!”
Stella was stunned, her mind blank. She looked up at Ronald. “You knew all along where I was?”
Ronald pulled her close, resting her head against his chest, but remained silent.
Stella tried to pull away. “Talk to me.”
She was genuinely upset now. She had thought he had no idea where she was, that she’d managed to stay hidden. As soon as she swiped that card, he appeared. She thought he…
Ronald held her tighter. “I had things to deal with.”
“And the Larkin family? Did you know about them too?”
Otherwise, how could he have funneled her so much money?
Ronald shrugged. “I knew a bit, not much.”
Not much? How much was “not much”?
Stella tried to pull back again, but Ronald wouldn’t let her, keeping her close.
Idris finally spoke up from the front. “Miss, as soon as you had that dust-up with the Larkin family’s adopted daughter, he knew exactly where you were.”
Stella was floored.
He knew back then?
She looked up at Ronald, her eyes misty with unshed tears.
Idris continued, he wasn’t worried you’d suspect something, he would’ve given you a few billion in design fees.”
Stella was speechless.
Finley erupted into laughter again. “Yeah, yeah, I had to stop him from giving you a billion, afraid you’d starve otherwise.”
Chapter 357
Listening to Finley’s infectious laughter and his words, Stella was completely taken aback. She looked at Ronald, sniffled a bit, and stammered, “You, you, you…”
Ronald, seeing her pouty and wronged expression, leaned down to peck her softly on the lips. “What’s wrong? Are you upset?”
Stella wriggled a bit in his arms, showing her displeasure.
Ronald chuckled softly. “There, there.”
Stella huffed indignantly. She had honestly thought she was making a cool seven hundred grand a year through her own efforts, but what a joke! Turns out, it was nothing like that at all.
“So, StarRiver Corp. is…” she asked.
Finley chimed in, “It’s your brother’s.”
“Don’t you speak! I wasn’t asking you,” Stella snapped, clearly annoyed.
At this point, not only did Ronald want to throttle Finley, but Stella was also tempted to do the same.
“You tell me,” she insisted.
Ronald nodded, confirming her suspicions.
Stella snuggled deeper into his embrace, and Ronald gazed down at her tousled head. Her sunhat had been knocked askew from all her wriggling.
Seeing her all puffed up and sulking, Ronald felt a sudden wave of affection, mixed with a hint of helplessness.
This little rascal, always so infuriatingly adorable.
“Alright, alright, don’t be mad, okay?”
Stella’s voice was filled with unprecedented grievance. “I’ve been working so hard to support myself.”
When she first opened her studio, she slowly started getting orders, even if the fees weren’t that high. But it was enough to keep her afloat.
And StarRiver Corp. had paid her such a high design fee, without her suspecting a thing.
She had genuinely believed it was because the boss admired her work. But in the end, it was all just smoke and mirrors.
Ronald reassured her, “You’ve done well. It’s impressive you sought your own way.”
When Ronald first learned about Stella’s studio, he already had a pretty good idea about the financial situation within the Larkin family.
So, when she suddenly used the black card he had given her, Ronald’s heart skipped a beat. He thought she was in some kind of trouble. Despite having a lot on his plate, Ronald couldn’t ignore it.
Finley added, “Yep, our little princess here is pretty awesome, knowing how to earn her keep.”
Stella shot him a glare. “You keep quiet.
Ronald echoed her sentiment, “Zip it.”
Both spoke in unison, leaving Finley speechless.
Great, he’s the bad guy again.
Stella continued to grumble in Ronald’s arms, while he listened patiently.
As they passed by a supermarket, Ronald said to Idris, “Go grab some snacks.”
“On it,” Idris replied.
It was obvious who the snacks were for – Stella.
She hadn’t eaten much on the plane, and with several hours gone by, she was probably starving.
Idris got out of the car. Seeing Finley still sitting there, he asked, “Mr. Yoder, want to pick up some of your favorites?”
Finley shook his head. “Nah, I’m a grown man. I don’t need snacks.”
His stomach was still aching from laughing so hard earlier.
“Hopeless.” Idris simply sighed. Eventually, he went off by himself.
Finley suddenly realized how out of place he was.
“Guess I’ll go see what I can eat,” he said, quickly getting out of the car.
This left just Stella and Ronald.
The man looked down at the little one still nestled in his arms.
“Are you really angry?”
Stella confessed, “I always thought I was pretty accomplished.”
Ronald nodded. “You are accomplished, even knowing how to keep yourself hidden.”
But honestly, what difference did it make whether she hid or not?
Stella lifted her head to look at him.
“Why didn’t you come for me sooner?” she asked.
“Things weren’t settled,” Ronald replied.
Xander had forced her out of Ferrowland in such a way, that it was a stark reminder to Ronald. Without their father, the Quinn family was in a precarious position, with many circling like vultures.
Chapter 358
So many people had their eyes on the Quinn family, especially those who came with wolfish ambitions, hoping to form alliances through marriage. Seeing those people, Ronald knew that the Quinn family was surrounded by wolves.
Even though they had the support of the Lugar family through their mother, things still got somewhat out of control at that time.
Ronald kissed her gently.
“You’ve done well,” he whispered.
When she left Ferrowland without a trace, Ronald nearly lost his mind. It wasn’t until he discovered she was in Portis City that he could finally breathe a little easier.
About ten minutes passed…
Idris and Finley returned, carrying a big bag of snacks for Stella.
Stella rummaged through it, pulling out a box of Jell-O and struggling to open a packet of instant coffee.
Ronald took the packet from her and tore it open easily.
He watched as she poured the coffee powder into a cup and then dump the Jell-O in.
“Jell-O can be eaten like this?” Ronald asked, skepticism lacing his tone.
“Yeah, it’s really good,” Stella replied with a grin.
Back in Ferrowland, Ronald wouldn’t have let her eat such things. But now, it was a different story.
Stella speared a piece with a fork and held it out to Ronald.
He frowned. “What’s this?”
“Try it.”
He eyed the white powder coating the Jell-O with some distaste. “Is this even edible?”
Up front, Idris shivered at Ronald’s doubtful tone. Had he bought the wrong snacks? He’d tried to pick the sweetest things, knowing Stella’s preferences.
“Of course it’s edible. Try it, it’s delicious.”
Ronald was left speechless. These past few years in Portis City, she really tried everything. Hot wings, all sorts of junk food -everything she never got to try when she was with him, she tried them all this time.
Ronald hesitated before reluctantly taking a bite. It was far too sweet for his liking.
“Idris,” he called to the front, “give Thane Quarry a call when you get a chance.”
Stella raised an eyebrow. “Why are we calling Mr. Quarry?”
Speaking of the Quarry family, the only one Stella considered somewhat normal was probably Thane.
“To get some parenting advice,” Ronald replied.
Stella blinked.
Finley was equally puzzled.
Parenting advice? For Whom? Yorick Quarry, the man child?
Finley was clueless, but Stella immediately understood the reason behind Ronald’s request. When Yorick had called back then, Ronald was preparing to indulge in a wild night with Stella. She knew things wouldn’t end so simply.
Idris, still not fully grasping the situation, asked, “Should we tell Mr. Quarry to apply some special discipline?”
Stella was baffled. Special discipline? What did that even mean? Surely, they weren’t suggesting Yorick needed a spanking at his age?
She stayed silent, focusing on her Jell-O.
Ronald merely nodded, wiping away the white residue from Stella’s lips with his thumb.
“Is my face a mess?” she asked.
“Yep,” he replied, cleaning her face with a wet wipe.
The car arrived at the seaside dock.
As they stepped out, a wave of heat hit Stella, and she quickly pulled her sunhat down lower, determined not to get sunburned.
“Hey, do I have a sun shirt?” she asked, her tone worried.
Finley chuckled. “A sun shirt? We’re getting on a yacht, not sunbathing. You’re being dramatic.”
Stella pouted.
The next moment, Finley got a swift kick from Ronald, nearly knocking him into the water.
“What? What did I say?”
Ronald was always quick to use his feet.
Idris leaned over and whispered to Finley, “You called her dramatic.”
Finley often didn’t know why he was getting kicked, and Idris couldn’t help but pity his lack of awareness.
Stella, meanwhile, was worried about Susanna. As Ronald led her towards the yacht, she dialed Susanna’s number.
One connected, she immediately asked, “Susie, are you safe?”
Susanna’s voice was a wail. “Oh, Star, I’m so upset!”
“Why are you crying?”
“I lost my first kiss!”
Star, I’m so upset!”
Stella was stunned. “What???”
Chapter 359
Stella’s mouth twitched in disbelief.
Seriously, what was this? She instinctively tried to pull her hand away from Ronald’s grip, but he held on tightly.
Seeing she couldn’t break free, Stella whispered to Susanna, “What’s going on? How did your first kiss just vanish into thin air?”
Weren’t airports supposed to be chaotic? And wasn’t Hull the one who was supposed to see her home? With Hull’s fierce demeanor, who would dare to steal a kiss from Susanna in his presence?
Yeah, it must have been a forced kiss! Otherwise, why else would Susanna be crying over the phone?
Stella was completely baffled.
Susanna sniffled. “It was Hull. He kissed me, Star. Seriously, ask your brother, are all the people around him is this shameless?”
Stella was stunned.
Hull? Really? Wasn’t it supposed to be dangerous? Why on earth would Hull kiss her in such a dangerous situation? Sure, Hull had his unpredictable moments, but this? This was something else.
Before she could respond, Susanna asked again, “Is everyone around him like that, or does your brother have some decency?”
Stella threw a glance at Ronald, whose face had darkened considerably. Clearly, the speakerphone was loud enough for him to hear everything.
Susanna pressed, “I’m asking you!”
The poor girl was clearly flustered and had started rambling.
Idris, trailing behind Stella and Ronald, overheard Susanna’s words and instinctively glanced at Finley. Quick-tongued people weren’t as rare as he’d thought.
Stella was embarrassed. “Come on, my brother’s a good guy. A really good guy.”
Though, at that moment, even she didn’t sound convinced. Her mind was flooded with all the explicit signals he’d given her. When he was good, he was really good. But once that thin layer of pretense between them was pierced, he could be really bad too.
Stella sighed. “Look, if we’re talking about Hull, let’s stick to Hull. What’s really going on?”
Hull wasn’t exactly a good person, but Susanna was her best friend. Wasn’t his behavior crossing the line?
Stella smacked her forehead. “I knew I shouldn’t have let him see you home.”
Darn it, how could she forget? Hull was notorious for being a player, always surrounded by all sorts of women.
But… wait a minute. Susanna didn’t exactly fit the mold of the tall, leggy types Hull usually went for. What was Hull thinking?
Something didn’t add up.
Yvonne had mentioned before that Hull’s flings were mostly for show. He barely touched those women, brushing past their lives without getting involved.
To put it simply, Hull had high standards. Not just anyone caught his eye. even if they did, he’d only spare them a glance, never actually make a move.
When Yvonne brought it up, they’d even speculated if Hull had some kind of issue. Why else would he just look and not touch those women?
But for Hull to even look, the woman had to be absolutely stunning. And Susanna, well…
Susanna sniffled again. “It was a complicated situation.”
Stella asked, “Oh, so maybe he didn’t mean it?”
Susanna retorted, “He definitely meant it.”
Stella was speechless.
Susanna then explained over the phone about the chaotic situation at the airport. Apparently, there were too many thugs around. She and Hull had been hiding, and eventually found themselves in a storage room, only to be confronted by about twenty or so people.
Hull, seeing the situation, had pushed her down beneath him. The situation was intense, and those thugs, seeing what appeared to be a couple in the heat of the moment, decided to leave them be.
“My clothes got all ripped, and that kiss was definitely a real one,” Susanna complained.
“A real one?” Stella echoed.
Susanna exclaimed, “Ugh! I’m so mad.”
Stella tried to calm her. “Well, you guys were just trying to get out of a dangerous situation. It wasn’t real.”
“What do you mean it wasn’t real? Do you know where he was touching me?” Susanna snapped.
“Where?” Stella asked, hesitant to hear the answer.
Susanna fell silent, leaving the sound of her heavy breathing over the phone, clearly fuming.
Stella could guess just how convincing Hull’s little act must have been for those thugs watching.
Chapter 360
Stella asked, “So, are you safe now?”
“Yeah, he’s gone.”
“Did you at least try to get some kind of promise out of him?”
“I didn’t dare.”
When she saw Hull with that murderous, fierce look, it was terrifying enough to stay silent. Even if Hull had offered to make a promise, Susanna wouldn’t have dared to accept it.
So, regarding the loss of her first kiss, Susanna could only grumble about it in private.
“My first kiss… gone just like that, for no reason.”
“So what do you want now?”
“When you see him, slap him for me.”
Stella’s mouth twitched, “Why don’t you slap him yourself?”
“I’m too scared.”
Stella quipped, “I’m scared too.”
Truthfully, hitting Hull? She wouldn’t dare. Not unless she didn’t want her hand anymore.
Susanna continued to complain on the phone for a while before finally letting Stella off the hook. After hanging up the phone, Ronald and the others had already boarded the yacht.
Stella sidled up to him. “Hey, has Hull changed his taste or something?”
“This thing with Susanna isn’t serious.”
Stella frowned. “But that was Susie’s first kiss.”
Ronald shrugged. “There are plenty of people willing to give their first kiss to Hull.”
Stella fell silent. What was that supposed to mean? Was he implying Susanna should feel honored? Hardly!
But still, with Hull’s cold demeanor, why on earth were so many women interested in him?
As they passed a doorway, soft, intimate sounds drifted out from inside.
Stella froze mid-step, her body stiffening.
Ronald, still holding her hand, noticed the tension in her fingers and looked down at her.
“Want to sneak a peek?” he teased.
Already feeling awkward, Stella’s face turned beet red at his remark. She shook her head vigorously. “No, definitely not.
In the past, she might not have understood what those sounds meant. But thanks to Ronald’s three ‘lessons’, she was no longer clueless.
Ronald chuckled softly and whispered in her ear, “Not as good as us, anyway.”
Just then, Finley, who had been trailing them, chimed in. “What are you whispering about? Is it about that couple? I want to hear
Stella’s eyes widened in horror. He was everywhere!
Ronald shot Finley a cold glare.
Finley wisely shut his mouth, realizing it was best to steer clear of anything involving Stella.
Ignoring him, Ronald led Stella away.
As Stella glanced back, she noticed Finley trying to peer through the door where the noises had come from.
Stella was at a loss for words. Seriously, Finley…
Idris doubled back and dragged Finley away.
Entering another room, Stella was hit with a wave of heat and the sound of waves crashing.
Looking up, she saw a man in a black robe playing golf.
Sea golf Ronald was a pro.
At the far end of the deck stood a row of bikini-clad women. The moment the man swung and sent the golf ball flying, one of the women dove into the sea, swimming after it.
The ball had been hit ridiculously far. Were these beauties really expected to catch it?
Stella was left speechless. She glanced at Ronald, her discomfort evident.
Even though she’d grown up surrounded by the Lugar family’s wealth, Ronald rarely exposed her to the more extravagant and bizarre ways the rich entertained themselves.
Seeing it now, she couldn’t help but marvel at their antics.
Ronald looked down, meeting her gaze. “What’s up?”
Stella muttered, “Those ladies sure are fit.”
Swimming out to fetch a golf ball… it was clear that money really could make the impossible happen.
Ronald laughed, leaning closer to whisper, “When we get back to Ferrowland, if you run two hours every day, you’ll have that stamina too.”
Stella’s hand landed on his waist, expressing her dissatisfaction.
Ronald caught her small hand. “There’s plenty of strength in this little grip.”
Stella was at a loss for words.
Why did that sound so… suggestive?
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