Chapter 501
If it were Susanna back in Portis City, she’d definitely have had a few choice words for Hull. But here, she didn’t dare.
After some contemplation, she told Stella on the phone, “You should head back to Ferrowland.”
Dealing with Hull was becoming unbearable, yet she had no choice but to endure. It was infuriating.
After hanging up, Susanna opened the door, only to find Hull had already disappeared.
Susanna tiptoed downstairs, but Hull was nowhere to be seen. He must have returned to his room. Those other folks had left too, it seemed.
With no one around, Susanna quickly grabbed a glass of water. Her throat felt parched, feeling like it was going to catch fire.
Once rehydrated, she went to Hull’s room. She had learned her lesson. She knocked on the door and pressed her ear against it,
straining to hear any sounds from inside.
Too many unexpected things had happened around Hull, and she was thoroughly spooked.
Finally, Hull’s voice came through, “Come in.”
Cautiously, Susanna pushed the door open. She kept her eyes low, gradually settling them on the man inside.
And there he was, shirtless.
Susanna’s heart did a little flip. Why on earth wasn’t this man wearing a shirt?
Her gaze fell on his well-defined chest, and that wolf tattoo-fierce, almost alive-looked like it was ready to leap off his skin and tear her to shreds.
It was only then that Susanna could fully appreciate the entirety of the tattoo, which had snaked from Hull’s neck down. The wolf’s eyes were intense, glaring with a wild ferocity. Just looking at it gave her a shiver.
“What are you standing there for? Come here,” Hull’s voice was cold and commanding, snapping her thoughts back to the moment.
Susanna tightened her grip on the doorframe, stammering, “C-can you, um, put on a shirt?”
Did this guy not realize how good his physique was?
Hull raised an eyebrow, “Hmm?”
Susanna persisted, “When a man and a woman are alone in a room, you should consider the implications.”
Hull’s lips curled into a teasing smile. “You? Want me to consider the implications?”
Susanna blinked. “W-what do you mean?”
Even under these circumstances, she could have some expectations, right?
Hull chuckled softly, “You didn’t seem too concerned about
implications before.”
Susanna’s eyes widened. What was that supposed to mean? Before she could figure out what Hull was implying, he continued, “Remember what you did back at Mist Bay?”
Susanna’s mouth twitched. She recalled how she had steadied herself and realized where her hands had landed back then. Even though it had been days since then, the memory still tingled her skin. Upon seeing her dumbstruck expression, Hull’s smile widened, “And when you took my towel…”
“Stop.”
Susanna rushed forward and clamped her hand over Hull’s mouth. No way was she letting him continue.
What was he even talking about? If this continued, they’d never be able to look each other in the eye again.
They were so close now, their breaths mingling in the air between them.
Hull wrapped an arm around Susanna’s waist, pulling her closer. She looked small, but there was a comforting roundness to her figure. Feeling the soft curves under his hand, Hull instinctively gave a gentle squeeze.
Realizing she’d leaped into Hull’s arms, Susanna was stunned.
“Oh god, I’ve done something foolish again. Why do I always act like this around him? I am not usually this clumsy!” she screamed inside herself.
“You, you need to let me go,” Susanna stammered, freezing on the spot.
When Hull didn’t release her, Susanna got frantic, “Where do you think you’re touching? Let go of me.”
Chapter 502
Despite the fear gnawing at her insides, Susanna couldn’t help but grit her teeth in frustration.
Hull watched her, his eyes twinkling with amusement like she were a startled little bunny.
His smirk widened. “You jumped into my arms yourself, so why the fuss now, huh?”
Susanna was at a loss for words. Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red as she stammered, “Just… let go of me first.”
She was genuinely worried about how things might escalate if it continued.
Wait a minute. Something was off. Her eyes darted down to her own legs, her breath catching as she felt an unfamiliar tingle.
Like a jolt of electricity, she sprang away from him, her mind a blank. “You, you…”
“What?” Hull asked.
Susanna was too flustered to form a coherent response. The rumors she’d heard from Star, were they true or not? Her mind spun as she bolted from the room, locking herself in her own room, her heart racing.
Meanwhile, Stella was at the hospital when her phone buzzed with a call from Susanna. “What’s up, Susie?”
“Star, your info’s all wrong. Who gave you this stuff, anyway?”
Stella was puzzled. “Huh? What info?”
Susanna hadn’t heard about Tegan’s accident yet. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be grilling Stella on this.
“About Hull,” Susanna clarified.
Stella still didn’t get it. “Uh, could you be more specific?”
Susanna sighed. “You know, the whole ‘he’s not… functional’ thing.”
Stella nearly dropped her phone. “Wait, what? So, he is?”
“Obviously,” Susanna replied, exasperated.
“You tested it?” Stella asked, lowering her voice as she glanced at the room where Finley was checking on Tegan.
Everyone said the same thing about Hull, including his friends.
Barnaby had tried to test it by setting him up with a woman, and Hull had kicked her out within minutes. So why was Susanna saying otherwise?
“Don’t get any ideas,” Susanna cut off Stella’s train of thought. “Uh, how did you know then?” Stella pressed.
Susanna hesitated. “I was in his arms. That’s how I knew.”
Stella was stunned, thinking it was getting harder to get Susanna’s point.
“Why were you in his arms? Aren’t you scared of him?”
Susanna fell silent, the air between them thick with unspoken words.
“Oh, it’s too complicated to explain right now.”
Stella sighed. “Okay, I’ll just imagine the rest.”
“Don’t you dare!” Susanna snapped. “I can’t even begin to explain it.”
Undoubtedly, Stella found it hard to understand the whole thing. And Susanna had no idea how to explain it, either.
Meanwhile, Hull lounged in his room, a devilish grin playing on his lips. The lingering scent of Susanna’s perfume only fueled the intrigue in his eyes.
Chapter 503
The conversation quickly turned to the accident that landed Tegan in the hospital today.
Susanna was shocked. “Tegan was in a car accident? What happened? And now she wants to head over to Ferrowland with you?”
What on earth was going on? She fired off three questions, hitting Stella like a ton of bricks.
Susanna pressed, “Is something going on between them?”
At this point, it was hard not to let the mind wander.
Stella sighed, “It’s a long story.”
Susanna said, “Can you make it back to Ferrowland tonight? If not, no worries. Tegan’s health is more important than my little anxieties.”
Stella replied, “As it stands, I can.”
Tegan was acting like she couldn’t wait to leave Portis City behind.
Susanna remained silent, but she was sure something had happened between Tegan and Uriah. Would Tegan be so eager to leave if everything was okay?
“Okay then, just keep an eye on her.” There wasn’t much Susanna could do from afar, and a phone call wouldn’t unravel the whole story.
Stella acknowledged, “Yeah, I know.”
With that, they ended the call.
Susanna still felt unsettled, and just then, there was a knock at the door.
Susanna’s heart skipped. It was Hull.
“Susanna.” His voice carried through the closed door.
Just hearing Hull’s voice made Susanna feel like she was overheating. There was a warm sensation under her nose.
She reached up and wiped.
Oh no, a nosebleed again?
Glancing down at her smoke-gray loungewear, she noticed a red stain spreading across her chest. The nosebleed had started a while ago, and she hadn’t even realized it.
I’m coming. I’m coming”
Darn it, why did it have to be now?
Snatching up some tissues, Susanna quickly dabbed at her nose until the bleeding stopped and opened the door
Hull stood there, frowning. “Didn’t you say you’d change my dressing?”
Susanna nodded. “Oh, right. Sure, I’ll do it.”
Was he turning into her personal nurse or something?
Well, considering he saved her, she supposed changing his bandages wasn’t too much to ask.
Besides, she’d be out of Hull’s life once Star returned
She expected Hull to return to his room to wait for her, but instead, he suddenly reached out toward her.
Susanna instinctively flinched, feeling her temperature spike again. “What are you doing?”
“You’re bleeding again.”
Susanna froze. That warm sensation was back under her nose. Since when did she become so useless around Hull? Did she really have no resistance to him?
“I can handle it myself. Don’t touch me.”
Her eyes caught sight of Hull’s half-open shirt and the muscles beneath, and she couldn’t help but recall how he’d looked just moments ago.
This man was truly something else. And with that thought, more blood started flowing.
Hull frowned. “Do you need me to call a doctor?”
Susanna waved her hands frantically. “No, there’s no need. Just head back to your room.”
What would she even say to the doctor? That she was bleeding because she’d been ogling a handsome man?
Hull gave her a long look before turning back to his room.
Susanna called after him, “Wait for me. I’ll be right there.”
How she said “wait for me” seemed to carry a different weight to Hull’s ears.
Meanwhile, back in Portis City, Finley completed a thorough check-up on Tegan and informed Stella, “She’s good to go.”
Stella nodded, feeling somewhat relieved.
After Uriah left, Tegan’s whole demeanor seemed a bit off. To Stella, Tegan had always been a bright, cheerful spirit, but the whole situation now…
Chapter 504
Finley glanced at Stella, frowning with concern. “You seriously plan. on taking Tegan to Ferrowland? Uriah Horner won’t let her go without a fuss.”
Something would come up when they left Portis City tonight if Uriah disagreed.
Stella shrugged it off with a confident smile. “Ronald said he’d handle it.”
Finley nodded, reassured. “Yeah, there’s nothing he can’t sort out.”
Yet, he couldn’t help but worry. Tegan was Uriah’s girl, and taking her along would stir up some trouble.
“Ronald said he’d come pick you up soon.”
“Okay,” Stella replied, returning to Tegan’s hospital room.
As she stepped inside, her phone buzzed. It was Ronald.
“Hey, Ronald,” Stella greeted Ronald.
“Do you need to pack anything special to bring back?” Ronald asked.
“Nothing much,” Stella replied. “Just have someone gather the things I left in the study. They’re gifts for Mom and Yvonne.”
As for her own belongings, Stella had already decided she wanted nothing from Portis City, not a single piece.
Ronald hummed in acknowledgment. “Ensure Tegan’s ready. I’ll be there soon to take you both to the airport.”
“Are we leaving straight away?” Stella asked, glancing out the window at the dimming sky.
“Yeah,” Ronald confirmed, his voice gentle. “Have you been tired at the hospital? If you need a break, we can stop by home first.”
Stella shook her head. “No need. I’ll wait for you here.”
With Tegan’s current condition, she couldn’t bear to leave her side.
“Okay,” Ronald said warmly.
After a few more words, Stella ended the call.
Soon, a nurse came in, followed by a few staff wheeling a bed into the room.
Stella was puzzled. “What’s this?”
It was a VIP room, after all. They weren’t supposed to add extra beds. The nurse gave Stella a respectful nod. “Our director arranged this, Ms. Quinn. If you get tired, you can rest here.”
“But there’s a sofa right here,” Stella pointed out, confused. It must be Ronald’s doing.
The nurse chuckled. “A sofa isn’t as comfortable for resting.”
They swiftly set up the bed, tucking in fresh sheets and a warm blanket.
Stella stood there, somewhat speechless. Ronald was always so considerate.
Once the bed was ready, the nurse turned to Stella. “If you need anything else, use the call button.”
“Thank you,” Stella replied graciously.
“It’s no trouble,” the nurse said with a smile, then left the room.
Stella eyed the neatly made bed, a small smile playing on her lips. Did Ronald think she needed that much care?
Observing the scene, Tegan remarked, “I didn’t realize Mr. Quinn was so attentive.”
Stella thought of responding, mentioning how Uriah was just as
considerate with Tegan, but the words stayed locked in her throat. If Tegan felt the need to escape, there had to be a significant issue between them.
Stella decided not to pry. If Tegan wanted to talk, she would. That was the best way to support her.
Thinking back to how Tegan’s eyes lit up when she mentioned Uriah, Stella couldn’t help but ask, “Are you sure you’re coming with me to Ferrowland?”
In Stella’s mind, Tegan leaving Portis City could only mean two things. Either something serious happened with Uriah, or she was acting on impulse. Stella hoped it was the latter, wishing nothing but the best for her friend.
Tegan nodded firmly. “Of course. I can’t thank you enough for your help.”
“Don’t mention it,” Stella said, smiling with reassurance.
Chapter 505
Jaxon had somehow caught wind of Stella’s arrival at the hospital and wasted no time in making his way over.
As Stella was about to lay down for a much-needed rest, he showed up.
The butler was quick to block Jaxon at the door. “Mr. Larkin, Ms. Quinn isn’t interested in seeing you right now. I must ask you to leave.”
“Step aside,” Jaxon barked, his voice thick with frustration.
He had been waiting too long in the freezing winds of Mist Bay, which only stoked his fiery temper. Learning that Stella had left Mist Bay nearly drove him mad with the need to see her.
Seeing Jaxon’s demeanor, the butler’s tone turned firm. “Mr. Larkin, if you can’t conduct yourself properly, don’t be surprised if I have to insist you leave.”
Jaxon exploded at the butler’s words. “Conduct myself? I’m here to see my sister, and you think you can stand in my way?”
The butler’s expression turned steely as he reminded Jaxon, “Mind your words, Mr. Larkin. Ms. Quinn is not your sister. You might want to double-check whose doorstep you’re at.”
Jaxon was stunned. “Double-check? She’s Stella…”
“She is the darling daughter of the Lugar family,” the butler interrupted. “Are you sure you want to make such claims in front of the Lugar family?”
The warning in the butler’s voice was unmistakable.
Jaxon felt a lump in his throat. In front of the Lugar family? That was a risk no one would dare take. But Stella…
Remembering Stella had grown up with the Lugar family made Jaxon more desperate. The Lugar family was not to be trifled with, but then thoughts of Cloudia, currently detained, flashed through his mind. He had to bite back his anger.
“At least let me see her for a moment.”
He had heard she was flying back to Ferrowland that evening. The Larkin family had urgent matters that couldn’t wait for Stella’s return from Ferrowland.
The butler replied, “She has no ties to your family. Why should she see you?”
A meeting requires a relationship. Without a connection, there was no need to meet.
“But I have something important to discuss,” Jaxon insisted. “I know she’s with the Lugar family now, but you can’t just refuse to let me see her.”
Though he couldn’t overstep with the Lugar family, he had to see Stella. Frustrated by the unyielding butler, Jaxon pushed forward. “Move aside. You don’t have the right to stop me.”
He wouldn’t tangle with the Lugar family, but this old butler? He was only an employee. Jaxon wasn’t used to being treated like this.
“Mr. Larkin,” the butler began.
“Out of my way,” Jaxon roared.
Suddenly, there was a loud crash, followed by the sound of something breaking.
Jaxon’s scream echoed through the hallway, “Ah, ouch…”
Inside the room, Stella exchanged a glance with Tegan.
Unfazed, Stella said, “Get some sleep.”
Once she woke up, they would be on a plane to Ferrowland, leaving all these troublesome people behind.
Tegan glanced between Stella and the closed door, unsure of what was unfolding outside. All they could hear was Jaxon’s muffled groans. It sounded like he was getting a good beating.
He continued to groan and call out Stella’s name, but she merely pulled out her phone and started playing a game. The room filled with the sound of virtual gunfire, drowning out the commotion outside.
Tegan was amazed.
What a move. If Jaxon could see Stella nonchalantly gaming while he got beaten up, he’d probably explode with rage.
Chapter 506
When Ronald arrived, the butler had sent Jaxon away. Accompanying Ronald was Uriah, whose face was a storm cloud of emotions.
The butler briefed Ronald about the Jaxon incident and added with a hint of guilt, “I apologize, sir. I might have been a bit too harsh.”
Jaxon had been trying to cozy up to Stella, so naturally, he didn’t receive a warm welcome. But the butler was well aware that Ronald had been giving Jaxon the cold shoulder for some time now.
Ronald quipped, “Aren’t both his arms broken?”
The fact that Jaxon could still managed to tussle with the butler indicated a remarkable tolerance for pain.
The butler nodded. “Indeed, they are. Perhaps I was a bit of a bully.”
Ronald chuckled, dismissing the butler’s self-reproach with a wave of his hand.
Turning to Uriah, Ronald said, “You’ll have ten minutes to ensure she wants to stay here willingly. Otherwise…”
He left the rest unsaid. If Uriah couldn’t persuade Tegan to remain in Portis City of her own accord, Stella would have to whisk her away.
Uriah’s brow furrowed, a dark aura hanging around him. He was clearly displeased but knew better than to cross Ronald. That would be a losing battle.
Ronald entered the hospital room to find Stella, still lost in her virtual world.
The noise she was making was loud. This girl had certainly learned how to make her presence known in Portis City.
Noticing Ronald’s return, Stella barely looked up from her phone. “Back so soon, Ronald?”
Ronald glanced at his wristwatch. “It’s been over two hours since 1 called you.”
“Oh, time flies when you’re gaming. I didn’t realize.”
Ronald said nothing, and simply scooped Stella up from the bed.
His sudden action startled her. “What are you doing? Put me down!”
Ronald replied calmly, “Keep playing.”
Stella was shocked. “Wait, what about Tegan?”
Ronald smiled. “Quiet.”
Stella pouted but said no more.
As Ronald carried her out of the room, she spotted Uriah waiting by the door and understood everything at once. Losing interest in her game, she slipped her phone into her pocket and shot Ronald a reproachful look.
Ronald carried her to the adjoining room and placed her gently on the bed.
Stella glared at him. “What are you doing? Weren’t you supposed to handle this?”
Tegan was the last person who wanted to be near Uriah.
Ronald flicked her forehead lightly. “Silly girl.”
What?
Stella blinked in confusion.
Ronald continued, “How long has Tegan been with Uriah?”
Stella paused, recalling it had been a long time. Tegan had been part of the Horner family since she was five, and Uriah had always protected her.
She looked imploringly at Ronald. “But Tegan’s been through a lot recently, and today’s car crash-it’s clear someone close to Uriah wants her gone.”
The crash showed that things had changed around Uriah lately.
Ronald sat down on the bed, pulling Stella into his lap. He seemed to have a habit of doing this, always wanting to hold her whenever he sat.
Stella wriggled a bit, but when she couldn’t break free, she resigned herself to her fate.
Ronald said, “Whatever’s happening between Tegan and Uriah is something they need to work out themselves. Running away doesn’t solve anything.”
Stella considered his words. He had a point.
But if Tegan wanted to run, Stella would have no qualms about helping her escape, even if it meant avoiding the problem.
Chapter 507
No one really knew what Uriah had told Tegan, but in the end, Tegan decided not to go with Stella.
When Stella heard about Tegan’s decision, she just nodded. “If you ever need anything, call me. I’ll come get you.”
Respecting her choices and offering a shoulder to lean on was all that Stella could do for Tegan.
Tegan was touched, nodding and hugging Stella tightly. “Thanks, Star.”
Stella gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
Tegan smiled. “With you saying that, I feel like I can face anything.”
At that moment, Tegan felt Stella’s warmth and support, a reminder that she had more than Uriah in her life.
Tegan closed her eyes. “There are some things I need to settle.”
Stella’s eyes widened. “Settle?”
Hearing Tegan’s words, Stella realized that whatever had happened between Tegan and Uriah was likely more serious than she’d imagined. Nobody knew what Tegan had gone through.
“Need my help?” Stella offered.
“No, I can handle it myself.”
That simple phrase revealed Tegan’s unyielding strength. She had always seemed like a fragile girl with Uriah around, but now…
“Don’t push yourself too hard,” Stella cautioned.
Tegan shook her head. “It’s not about pushing myself. With you behind me, I’m not afraid.”
Truth be told, she never had been afraid. In the past, she didn’t worry about the small stuff, but it was different this time. They were after her life now. If that were the case, she would reclaim everything owed to her and her family.
They chatted for a bit longer before Stella left.
Once she was alone, Tegan pulled out her phone and dialed a number.
The line picked up quickly, “Ms. James?”
“I want Helena’s leg,” Tegan said coldly, closing her eyes.
She didn’t doubt Helena had orchestrated the accident. That woman was cunning. Whether it was Mrs. Horner or Helena calling the shots, they needed to pay for it.
“Understood, Ms. James.”
Tegan hung up, her once-soft eyes now hardened.
When Uriah walked in, he caught a glimpse of that cold fire in her eyes. Their gazes met, and Uriah stood at the door, his expression stern.
From his look, Tegan knew he had overheard her phone conversation. She turned her face away, saying nothing.
Uriah approached, sitting down on the bed, and taking a deep breath.
The air was thick with tension.
He turned her to face him again, their eyes locking.
Tegan blinked. “This time, I’m not counting on you.” She spoke firmly, enunciating each word.
All these years, Uriah had been her protector. She had always believed he was shielding her.
But if people dared to act even with Uriah’s protection, what did that mean?
It meant no one could always be your rock. Only you could be your own support. When you stand strong, those people wouldn’t dare come near.
Uriah squeezed her shoulders a bit tighter, not responding to her words. He merely said, “I’ll handle Helena.”
“No.” Tegan’s lips curled into a thin line as she icily rejected his offer, her voice firmer than ever.
Uriah had cleared so many obstacles for her over the years. Each time something happened, he would clean up the mess. But what was the result? More problems would always arise.
“This time, let me.” She didn’t want Uriah to clear the way for her this time. She needed to do it herself.
Uriah gripped her shoulders even tighter, his voice low, “Why do it yourself?”
Tegan winced slightly, gripped his wrist, and replied resolutely, “Because doing it myself is more effective.”
This time was different from any previous challenge or threat. This time, it involved his mother’s distant niece. With her protection, what could Uriah do?
Chapter 508
It was high time, after all. She had put up with the Horner family for years for the sake of Uriah, and it was the perfect opportunity to make them pay.
Ronald escorted Stella directly to the airport. As they lounged in the VIP waiting room, Ronald asked if she wanted anything to eat. Stella shook her head, her appetite seemed to be dwindling for reasons unknown, and nothing seemed to appeal to her.
“Idris prepared some chicken soup for you. You want a bit?” Ronald suggested gently.
Stella shook her head again, snuggling closer to Ronald. “I just don’t feel like eating,” she mumbled.
Ronald stroked the top of her head softly. “Fine, maybe later,” he said. He used to worry about her overeating and upsetting her stomach, but now it was the opposite -concerned that she’d eat too little.
When Finley rushed into the airport, looking a bit disheveled, he spotted Ronald holding Stella close.
“I got the meds! Finally!” he exclaimed, breathless. The traffic was so horrendous that he almost got stuck in Portis City getting those meds.
Handing the medicine to an attendant, Finley instructed, “One of this, and another of that. Thank you.”
The attendant nodded politely. “Of course, sir.”
Finley plopped down on a sofa opposite Ronald, unscrewed a bottle of water, and took a long drink. The day had been a whirlwind, and he was exhausted from the mad dash to the airport.
After a moment, he noticed Ronald staring at him.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Finley asked, feeling a bit uneasy under the intense gaze.
Ronald smirked. “You know that project at the Muliba Desert? You’re
going to oversee it. I don’t trust anyone else with it.”
Finley was stunned, his expression frozen before twisting into disbelief.
“Are you serious?” he exclaimed.
The Muliba Desert was the kind of place where even the toughest guys
would break a sweat. Was he serious?
Ronald gently set Stella aside and handed her a piece of fruit from the table. His action was tender, but his words were anything but soft for Finley. “When have you ever known me to joke around?”
Finley’s voice rose a pitch in shock. “But you have a team of the best of the best. Why can’t they handle it?”
Ronald fell silent.
Finley shouted, “Look, I’m not going, okay? There’s no way I’m going there. Are you kidding me? The Muliba Desert?”
Ronald just gave him that look, not saying a word.
Finley felt a chill. “You’re not joking, huh?”
Ronald nodded once, confirming it.
Finley’s face fell again. He had thought Ronald was kidding about the Mojave Desert gig. Apparently not.
“Come on, buddy! I just went through hell and high water to fetch meds for your girl. You can’t do me like this!” Finley protested.
Stella, who had been holding the fruit indecisively, looked over at Finley, confused. “Do you need to go through all that just to get some medicine?”
Finley paused, unsure how to respond. “Well, not exactly,” he admitted. He was just trying to milk a bit of sympathy from Ronald, but clearly, Stella wasn’t clued in on his tactic.
The attendant returned with the medicine.
Finley glanced at Stella and told the attendant, “She’s sick. Give it to her.”
The attendant nodded respectfully and brought the medicine and water to Stella. “Miss, here’s your medicine. Please take it.”
Stella nodded and thanked the attendant politely before lifting the glass. As she was about to drink, Ronald suddenly caught her wrist. “Hold on,” he said.
Stella looked puzzled. “What’s wrong?”
Finley was equally confused. “Yeah, what’s up? Isn’t she supposed to take her meds?”
Ronald looked at Finley sharply. “Are you sure she needs to take this medicine?”
Chapter 509
Stella looked at Ronald, utterly puzzled.
Finley raised an eyebrow, just as confused. “What on earth do you mean?”
Ronald pressed, “How did you check on her?”
Finley was stunned. What was Ronald getting at here? Was there some secret technique he was unaware of?
Finley stared at Ronald with a bewildered expression, not grasping his meaning.
“Um, with my eyes,” Finley muttered, trying to make sense of Ronald’s cryptic question.
Ronald’s face darkened, and he stared at Finley like a clueless fool. “And if she gets sick for this, will you take responsibility?”
Finley was speechless. “Uh, what? How could she get sick? It’s just some digestive enzyme. You know that.”
She had taken it before, after all.
Equally confused, Stella interrupted, “Yeah, it’s just a digestive enzyme.”
Ronald glanced between the glass in Stella’s hand and her face, then snatched it away.
Finley was still lost. “What on earth is going on?”
A little stomach discomfort didn’t warrant a thorough medical exam before taking the over-the-counter remedies. It wasn’t that big of a deal.
Ronald’s intense concern for Stella was baffling to Finley. “You’re going overboard with this.
There was a limit to being attentive and caring. Ronald’s
protectiveness of Stella was suffocating to Finley, though whether Stella felt the same was unclear.
Ronald glared at Finley coldly. “She might be pregnant, and you give her random meds?”
Finley was dumbfounded, his eyes wide as he looked between Ronald and Stella.
Then it hit him. “Oh, heck! Stella, you might be pregnant!”
How had he not considered that possibility? Thinking back, Finley realized that Stella’s recent symptoms were indeed reminiscent of early pregnancy: lack of appetite, fatigue, and even sudden cravings for foods she used to dislike.
Stella was equally shocked by Ronald’s words.
“I’m pregnant?” she asked uncertainly.
Finley scoffed, “You’re the one who’s pregnant, and you’re asking him?”
Stella was at a loss. Was she really pregnant?
Ronald gently ruffled Stella’s soft hair, giving Finley a stern look. “You’re going to the Muliba Desert, Finley.”
Finley protested, “I just forgot. Don’t be so harsh.”
Ronald was pissed. “Forgot something this important?”
Finley sighed. “Fine, fine, I messed up. My bad.”
He hadn’t realized just how meticulous Ronald was about everything concerning Stella. Yet the thought of going to the Muliba Desert was not appealing to Finley.
Desperate, Finley turned to Stella for help. “Stella, my dear, please say something.”
Only Stella’s words could possibly sway Ronald. No one else stood a chance against him.
Stella looked to Ronald, about to speak, but Ronald preempted her with a chilling warning. “I’ll add another six months if you plead for him.”
“Say no more. Stella, don’t say a word,” Finley quickly interrupted. “I can handle it.”
He couldn’t afford to have Ronald any more riled up.
Finley gave Ronald a pleading look. “This is brutal, just brutal.”
Ronald smirked. “Want me to add even more?”
Chapter 510
Finley had been grumbling, but when Ronald mentioned “even more,” he snapped to attention as if jolted by a cold splash of water.
Before Ronald could say more, Finley cut him off, “No, no, it’s fine. Really.”
Stella glanced over at Ronald, thinking to herself that he was being a bit too harsh.
Finley was a neat freak, not to the point of obsession, but the man did love his daily showers. And the thought of him going to the Muliba Desert, where water is as precious as gold, seemed cruel. Finley would have a tough time adjusting to such a place.
But Ronald was a man of his word, and Stella knew better than to intervene. If she wasn’t careful, she might inadvertently extend Finley’s stay by another half year, and she feared he’d have a fit right there.
“Seriously, it’s all good, but I need a moment to chill,” Finley muttered, heading out the door.
Once he was gone, it was just Stella and Ronald in the room.
Stella finally said, “Ronald, don’t you think that was a bit much? He’s going to hold a grudge.”
Ronald shrugged. “An important task there that needs him.”
Stella was puzzled. “Wait, it isn’t a punishment?”
Ronald raised an eyebrow at her and ruffled her hair, “Do you think I’m that ruthless?”
Stella snuggled into the comfort of his embrace, not saying a word. If there was a ruthless side to Ronald, it was one she wasn’t familiar with.
Seeing her quiet, Ronald knew what was going through her mind. He gently pinched her earlobe, teasing, “Are you still afraid of me?”
“Afraid? Of course not!” Stella replied. Though she remembered the old stories of Ronald’s wild side, she no longer felt any fear.
“Am I really pregnant?” Stella looked up at him, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Was she going to be a mom? Being a mom was something she had never imagined. When Ronald first mentioned she might be pregnant, it felt surreal.
Ronald leaned down, brushing his warm lips across her forehead; sending an unexpected thrill through her.
“Possibly,” he said.
Though Ronald wasn’t an expert on pregnancy, he’d read a thing or two online. Stella’s symptoms lined up pretty well with what he’d seen.
“Not sure yet?” Stella’s voice carried a hint of disappointment.
Ronald chuckled when he picked up on her mood, “Eager to be a mom?”
Stella gave him a look, her cheeks flushing. “You, you need to let go of me. Someone might walk in.”
They were so close that Stella could feel Ronald’s warmth enveloping her.
“Still so shy?” he teased.
She wriggled in his embrace, trying to escape his grasp, but she seemed to forget that she never could escape Ronald’s hold.
Whether it was dodging homework as a kid or her teenage rebellious streak, she was right where he wanted her to be.
“Let go,” she huffed, when he didn’t release her.
Ronald smirked, “You haven’t told me yet if you want to be the mother of our child.”
“Who else would I be the mother for?” she replied, her voice full of mocking exasperation. “Who else would dare, or who else would I want?”
Her words made him laugh, a deep, warm sound. He tilted her chin up, his eyes twinkling with amusement, “Getting bold, aren’t you?”
Stella just glared at him. She knew she got stuck with him and wouldn’t have it any other way.
お金金
SEND GIFT or GCASH: +63.936.139.8714
COMMENT
Subscribe
Daisy Novels 
Wonderful ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person