Chapter 301
Yvonne was getting a bit anxious.
She dreaded Ronald’s silence because when he clammed up, it meant he was plotting something big.
“You know, I miss Star too,” she said.
Hearing this stirred a wave of unexpected emotion within Stella.
Ronald snorted. “You were in cahoots with Skye, and now you claim you can’t reach her?”
Yvonne replied, “I really don’t know. She gave me a number, but now she’s unreachable.”
Yvonne was on the brink of losing it.
What on earth was Skye up to? It was bad enough if others couldn’t get hold of her, but Yvonne was her boss, for crying out loud.
Skye had taken so much from her, and now, when Yvonne had instructions, Skye was nowhere to be found. What was she playing at?
“Hey, maybe you could have Idris intercept her or something? Umm… where is he?”
Yvonne asked the last question with a note of trepidation. For years, she had avoided speaking of him, and no one had dared to touch the scar on her heart.
In her mind, she had even accepted his death, holding a solemn vigil for him in the corners of her memory.
Yet, now Ronald was saying he’d seen him.
The long-buried emotions in Yvonne’s heart seemed to spring to life, sudden and overwhelming, like a desert blooming after an unexpected rain.
Ronald furrowed his brow, “This is your mess…”
“Come on, I’m your sister. Can you really bear to see me live like a widow forever?”
That had been Yvonne’s plan. The person who mattered most to her was gone, and she had decided to live her life in mourning for him.
Ronald’s breath hitched.
Stella, hearing Ronald’s words, didn’t fully grasp the conversation between him and Yvonne, but she caught the careful tone in Yvonne’s voice.
Stella cautiously tugged on Ronald’s sweater.
He glanced down at her, meeting her wide, watery eyes, and instantly understood what she was asking.
He spoke into the phone, “You really can’t get in touch with Skye?”
“I really can’t. Believe me. I wouldn’t joke about him.”
By “him,” Yvonne meant that man.
Ronald considered this. Yvonne wasn’t the type to joke about something like that.
Finally, meeting Stella’s pleading gaze, Ronald reached out and gently pinched her cheek, then spoke into the phone, “Sands City.”
Sands City? That isolated place in the middle of a desert, two hundred miles from any other city?
Why would he be there?
Yvonne had once visited that godforsaken place but hadn’t been impressed. It wasn’t just the location but the people there.
Silence fell over the call.
From the records, the man resembled him.
“He died right in front of you back then.”
Both Ronald and Stella were left speechless.
That was five years ago, the man who had made Yvonne swap her androgynous wardrobe for dresses.
He had left a deep mark on her, disappearing just when Yvonne had fallen for him the hardest.
Ronald sighed. “I’ll send a few people with you. That place is dangerous.”
Sands City, isolated and remote, had become a haven for all sorts of shady characters.
Yvonne replied, “No need.”
“Yvonne,” Ronald’s tone was firm.
Even since the Schultz family incident, he had been overly cautious with the people closest to him. Especially those who mattered the most.
Yvonne insisted, “I have someone.”
She wasn’t foolish enough to go to Sands City alone, fully aware of the dangers lurking there.
Hearing her assurance, Ronald simply grunted in agreement.
The call ended in silence.
Stella looked at Ronald. “Is Mr. Murray still alive?”
Dan Murray? The name conjured a vivid memory. Stella could still recall the day Yvonne had first introduced him to her.
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The man had a neat crop of short hair, his lips pressed into a thin line, and his eyes seemed to speak volumes.
His rebellious and proud demeanor was a stark contrast to Ronald’s stern nature, making him a memorable figure in Stella’s mind.
She had only met him three times, and the fourth encounter was the devastating news of his death, that shattered Yvonne’s heart.
Ronald said, “It might not be him.”
Stella replied, “I hope for a miracle.”
Her heart ached for Yvonne, for the deep emotions she had poured into that man.
Ronald fiddled with her slightly cold hands. “Are you cold?”
“I’m not cold,” she insisted.
Without another word, Ronald fetched a fuzzy cardigan. Knowing Stella disliked heavy layers in winter, preferring her arms free, her wardrobe was full of various cozy cardigans.
Stella protested, “I’m really not cold.”
“Just be good,” Ronald said with a tender voice, and Stella reluctantly slipped it on.
…
As the snow piled up outside, Stella indulged in her favorite winter pastime: cooking a hearty meal. The pot on the table bubbled merrily. Even without the usual spicy kick, Stella found the meal thoroughly satisfying.
Ronald busied himself with the cooking.
“You should eat too,” Stella urged.
“Why do you like eating this way?” Ronald asked, not quite fond of soupy dishes.
“It’s warm,” Stella replied.
“Are you cold?”
“Not really. But with the snow outside, eating like this just feels right.”
Ronald chuckled. “You and your feelings.”
“Where are Finley and Hull?” Stella asked, noticing their absence.
“Finley went to find Skye,” Ronald replied. “As for Hull, I have no idea.”
She was startled too.
“Scared? I only asked Idris to kick her out of Portis City,” Ronald shrugged.
Kick her out of Portis City? For a girl?
Stella twitched the corner of her mouth. No, wait! That’s not right. Are you planning to have Idris beat up Skye? I’m telling you, Skye’s just a girl. This isn’t right.
People always say you should be gentler with girls.
Stella paused, remembering Skye’s tomboyish style. Truth be told, standing next to Yvonne, Skye did seem like they made an interesting pair.
“At most, a few bruises,” Ronald assured.
Stella hesitated, picturing Skye’s sun-kissed complexion. “Isn’t it a bit hard to bruise her, given her skin tone?”
Skye was a sun worshiper, always soaking up rays at the beach during summer, and on the balcony in winter. Her tan was deep, not quite tropical but still enough to make bruises less visible.
Just then, Idris returned. “Sir,” he greeted.
“What’s the situation?” Ronald inquired.
Idris reported, “We’ve located all our people, but Skye wasn’t with them.”
Ronald raised an eyebrow and exchanged a glance with Idris.
“They said she ditched them right after getting off the plane.”
Finley burst in from the cold, catching Idris’s words and feeling a chill run through him again.
Wait, she’d ditched Yvonne’s crew? What was she up to?
Finley felt a wave of panic wash over him, cursing Skye’s ancestors in his mind.
Wait… he sensed something was off but unable to put a finger on it.
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Ronald’s long, slender fingers tapped rhythmically on the dining table, creating a tension that made Finley glance nervously at Stella.
Stella sat still, focused on nothing but the task of not drawing attention to herself.
Why was Finley looking at her? There was no way she could defend Skye. Ronald had drilled into her the importance of being ruthless with anyone who posed a threat. And Skye? Speaking in her defense would only invite one of Ronald’s scathing lectures later.
Finley was on the verge of panic. “I really don’t think that girl has the brains to pull off whatever you’re suggesting.”
“Oh, really?” Ronald’s voice was dripping with sarcasm. “Then why did she ditch Yvonne’s people? What game is she playing?”
Finley was at a loss for words, feeling like he was on the brink of tears. Why on earth did Skye dump Yvonne’s crew? What was she up to?
Ronald, clearly done with Finley’s faltering, shifted his attention to Stella. “You’ll stay by my side for the next few days.”
Skye was proving to be a difficult opponent, and Ronald didn’t want to risk her taking Stella away. If Skye could leave Yvonne’s people behind, who knew where she might take Stella?
Stella nodded obediently. “Okay.”
But then she hesitated. “I have to go to the studio tomorrow.”
“No need to go to the studio, Miss,” Idris chimed in unexpectedly.
“What?” Stella was taken aback, her mind reeling. What did he mean by that? It sounded like her studio was done for.
Just as Stella was about to question Idris further, her phone buzzed. It was Tabitha calling.
Stella answered, “Tabitha?”
“Boss, we’ve got a problem. StarRiver Corp. has pulled out of our contract,” Tabitha’s voice was filled with urgency.
Stella was shocked. This was bad news. A client bringing in hundreds of thousands annually was about to walk away?
To her surprise, Stella jumped up from her chair, knocking it over with a loud thud.
She didn’t care that Ronald and Finley were watching. Moving to a corner, she spoke into the phone, feeling frustrated. “What happened? We were doing fine, weren’t we? And hadn’t they already paid the design fee?”
Why would they back out now, after being satisfied with the designs so far?
Tabitha replied, “I don’t know. We just got a call from their business department. They said the contract is terminated.”
“Did they give a reason?”
“No.”
Stella groaned. “Do they think our drafts are too slow? Tell them we’ll finish in three days. Just three days.”
This was all Ronald’s fault. If he hadn’t gotten her injured, none of these would’ve happened. Now they were on the brink of losing the most important client they’d ever had.
She couldn’t afford to let that happen. Too many designers depended on her to keep the studio running.
“They don’t need us?” Stella repeated, baffled.
“Does this mean we have to return the design fee?”
Stella’s jaw dropped. “Huh?”
StarRiver Corp. was indeed a big player. Dismissing tens of thousands in upfront fees without a second thought? Were their funds just blowing in the wind?
Stella bit her lip. “Is there no way to negotiate?”
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Thinking about how hard Tabitha has worked these past two years, along with the other designers, really struck a chord with Stella.
Honestly, even without StarRiver Corp., their little studio gigs could sustain them well enough.
“Why don’t you come down to Mist Bay tomorrow?” Stella suggested after a moment’s thought.
Tabitha raised an eyebrow. “Mist Bay? You mean that Mist Bay?”
Stella nodded. “Yeah. Bring along some of the company’s business documents too.”
Getting out of the house tomorrow seemed unlikely for Stella, especially with Skye having just ditched Yvonne’s crew. God knows what kind of trouble could follow. Best to just lay low at Mist Bay.
After hanging up on Tabitha, Stella returned to the dining room just as Ronald was saying to Idris, “Find her tonight.”
“Okay,” Idris replied.
Since Skye was in Portis City, tracking her down wouldn’t be too difficult.
Seeing Idris making a move, Finley hurried to tag along. “I’m coming with you.”
That morning, Idris had gone off on his own, leaving Finley on edge ever since. He worried Idris might actually find Skye and give her a black eye. Their mom still clung to the hope that her daughter could somehow reclaim her flawless complexion; he couldn’t afford to ruin her face.
As Finley and Idris headed out, Ronald’s stern expression softened. He turned to Stella. “Come here.”
Stella shuffled over, and as soon as she was close enough, Ronald pulled her onto his lap.
Stella instinctively squirmed. “What are you doing? There are people around.”
Finley and Idris might have left, but there were still plenty of staff around Mist Bay.
Ronald chuckled softly. “I told you, no need to hide, remember?”
Stella blushed slightly.
Ronald pinched her cheek gently, “Still sore?”
Stella’s face, already turning pink, seemed to catch fire at Ronald’s words.
“How long has it been? You can’t be serious…”
Ronald wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head on her shoulder, “Yes, very much.”
Stella stared at him, speechless.
This guy really…
“Let go of me,” she demanded, trying to focus on the studio’s issues instead of his antics.
Ronald senses her distraction. Who was on the phone?
Stella replied, “Someone from the studio.”
Ronald asked, what got you upset?
“My biggest client backed out,” Stella admitted.
They’d been working together since the studio’s opening last year. To suddenly stop without any explanation left Stella feeling uneasy.
Ronald straightened up and gently pressed her head against his chest. “The biggest client?”
StarRiver Corp was a big deal to us. Their decision to work with a small studio like ours brought us credibility and more clients.
Without them, who else would work with a fledgling studio?
Hearing StarRiver Corp.’s name, a faint smile curved Ronald’s lips. We’re heading back to Ferrowland soon. If they don’t want to continue, so be it.
Chapter 305
The next morning, Idris climbed the stairs, planning to wait for Ronald in the study. But as he reached the hallway, he froze.
Ronald was emerging from Stella’s room.
Oh boy…
Idris instinctively considered turning back, pretending he hadn’t seen anything. But it was too late.
With no choice but to face the moment, Idris straightened and greeted respectfully, “Sir.”
Ronald, dressed in a loosely tied bathrobe, stepped fully into the hallway. His chest was partially exposed, and Idris’s eyes unwillingly caught sight of faint scratch marks trailing down his skin.
Fresh ones, by the look of them.
Idris tensed up immediately, wishing he’d come a bit later. But it was already nine in the morning.
Ronald simply said, “Wait for me in the study.”
“Yes, sir.”
Without missing a beat, Idris turned and made his way to the study, feeling as though he’d narrowly escaped an interrogation.
About ten minutes later, Ronald entered the study. He had changed into a sleek gray loungewear set, exuding a calm and refined aura.
Behind him trailed Finley, looking utterly exhausted, clearly from a sleepless night.
Finley had tried to chase after Idris, but his lack of stamina nearly sent him sprawling to the floor. By the time he picked himself up, Idris was gone.
For the all night, Finley had been consumed by worry. Ronald’s men weren’t exactly gentle, and he couldn’t shake the thought that Skye might have faced something worse than a scolding.
Ronald settled into a nearby armchair, pulled out a cigarette, and in a chilly voice asked Idris, “Well?”
That question was obviously about whether Skye had been found.
Finley, too, looked anxiously at Idris.
Idris replied, “Ms. Skye has left Portis City.”
Ronald raised an eyebrow.
Finley blurted out, “What the heck?”
His nerves jolted awake. What did that mean? She left Portis City? How’d she manage that? Was she forced out?
“Did your guys send her away?”
Finley’s mind was racing. Had she been found and then sent packing after a beating? His heart clenched at the thought.
“How was she sent off? Did you rough her up?”
Finley’s voice was rising now, clearly agitated.
Idris interjected, “Mr. Yoder…”
Finley was genuinely upset. Despite all their squabbles, Skye was his sister, and no one was allowed to mistreat her.
Finley snapped, “I’m serious. I’m angry now.”
The room went quiet.
Ronald’s gaze fixed on Idris as well.
Finley’s jaw dropped. What on earth?
Skye shook off Yvonne’s people and left Portis City just like that?
Chapter 306
She took Yvonne’s favor and then just disappeared?
Finley mused, shaking his head in disbelief.
His sister truly hadn’t changed a bit. She just grabbed whatever she could from Yvonne and bolts.
He chuckled wryly, knowing full well that Yvonne wasn’t someone whose favors you could just take and run. Skye clearly hadn’t learned her lesson after all these years.
Ronald lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag.
“So, where’s Yvonne now?” Finley asked, a hint of concern in his voice. He was worried about Skye’s whereabouts after leaving Portis City. Heading back to Ferrowland was like asking for trouble with Yvonne on her tail.
Ronald replied, “She’s probably in Sands City by now.”
“Thank goodness,” Finley exhaled, relieved to know Yvonne wasn’t in Ferrowland, “Don’t tell her anything for now.”
He didn’t want Yvonne to know that Skye had duped her again. If Yvonne found out, all hell would break loose between them.
Yvonne’s truly unbelievable. Star is right there beside her brother; there’s no way Star could flee this time! And yet, she still managed to partner up with Skye.
“Ms. Yvonne will find out sooner or later,” Idris interjected.
“Please, Idris, just… don’t,” Finley sighed, knowing Idris’s words only ever added to his anxiety.
His sister was quite the handful, and Yvonne was just as stubborn. The two of them were like cats and dogs.
He wondered what Yvonne had given Skye that was worth the trip. It certainly wasn’t just a trifle if Skye was willing to make the effort.
…
Meanwhile, Stella woke up around ten, reaching for the glass of water on the nightstand.
The bed was empty, Ronald’s warmth long gone. Clearly, he had gotten up early.
She sat there, feeling disoriented. Growing up, she’d been close to Ronald, but sharing a bed with him now felt entirely different with the way her body responded when he held her.
Awake? Ronald’s deep, charismatic voice cut through her thoughts.
She looked up to see him standing in the doorway, dressed casually in a sleek gray lounge set. Even in such relaxed attire, his presence was commanding, his innate elegance unmistakable.
Still half-asleep, Stella mumbled, hey, Ronald!
Ronald walked over, pulling her close against his chest. “Say my name again,” he urged softly, a flutter rising in his chest.
Hmmmm…? Stella blinked at him.
“Go on, say it.”
Now? She was baffled.
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“What exactly did you say?” Stella asked, her heart pounding in her chest.
Please, not what she was thinking.
Ronald chuckled, giving her a playful tweak on the nose before grabbing her coat to help her put it on. “What do you think I said?”
Stella felt a flutter of panic. “Did you tell Mom?”
Ronald just grinned, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
“How did you tell her?”
Oh boy… How on earth did he break the news to her mom?
“Just like that. Hurry up and get dressed, I’ll take you out for a meal,” he said, already helping her out of her pajamas. His casualness left Stella momentarily speechless.
“What did Mom say?” she pressed, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Ronald was still sticking to his nonchalant response. “Just like that.”
Stella was baffled.
Just like that? What did that even mean?
She was getting anxious. “So, what was her reaction?”
Ever since the other night, she had been stressing over how to tell her mom about this whole situation.
While she was lost in thought, Ronald had already dressed her and gotten her ready to go. Throughout the whole process, he did something, but Stella was too preoccupied to notice. He seemed quite pleased with himself, though.
“Come on, spill it!” Stella urged, feeling a mix of frustration and nerves.
Ronald squeezed her cheek affectionately. “Relax, she won’t bite your head off.”
Stella’s lips twitched in disbelief. What did that mean? Her mom had no reaction?
That was impossible.
Absolutely impossible!
“Let’s go,” Ronald said, grabbing his keys.
Stella hesitated. “Where are we going for food? It’s freezing out, and Susanna’s coming over soon.”
Susanna and Tabitha were both expected to drop by.
Ronald raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure you don’t want to go?”
I have a lot to do.
Ever since Ronald came to Portis City, her schedule at the studio had gotten pretty unpredictable. She was planning to head back to Ferrowland soon and wanted to wrap things up at the studio quickly.
And hey, did you talk to the CEO of StarRiver Corp. for me, yet?
Even though she was leaving, she wanted to secure her team’s future. They’d all worked so hard over the years.
Ronald teased her. You’re heading back to Ferrowland, right? Are you sure you don’t want to close the studio?
Stella shook her head. “Close it? No way. There are too many people depending on it. I’m asking Susanna to take over.”
Her departure didn’t mean the end of the road for everyone else. Her studio had barely seen any staff turnover, not even at the receptionist level.
Ronald ruffled her hair affectionately. “Got it.”
Make sure to tell them that even though I’m leaving my designers are top notch. They won’t be disappointed. Stella insisted.
“Of course,” Ronald assured her with a smile.
It baffled him how the Larkin family had missed seeing this kind-hearted side of her, putting themselves in such a tough spot.
During his time in Portis City, Ronald noticed that Stella had little intention of maintaining ties with the Larkin family.
…
Because Stella didn’t want to go out, Ronald left after taking a phone call.
He had promised not to leave her side, yet here she was, eating alone when she found out that Skye had left.
Finley, who shared the news, was full of sighs.
Stella bit into her burger, surprised. “She left right after landing?”
Finley nodded, sounding exhausted. “Yep.”
Stella shrugged. “Isn’t that a good thing? You know, if my brother’s angry, no one can save her.”
Ronald spoiled Stella, sure, but even she couldn’t always sway him with just a few words.
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After all, he absolutely hated it when people tried to pull strings, even if it was Stella trying to do it.
Finley sighed. “But she’s gone and ticked off your sister, and you know how she is.”
Talking about it made Finley’s head throb.
Stella was puzzled, “What did she do to my sister now?”
Finley explained, “She took Yvonne’s favors and then bolted.”
Stella could only imagine.
Skye sure had some nerve. Taking Yvonne’s favors and not following through, then disappearing? That was a bold move.
Sure, angering Ronald might have worse consequences, but Yvonne wasn’t someone you wanted to mess with either.
“Is Skye planning on leaving Ferrowland for good?”
Stella thought, shaking her head. She remembered how every time Skye tried to play games with Yvonne, it always ended with Skye getting the short end of the stick.
Finley groaned. “Don’t even start.”
Thinking about his sister’s antics gave him a headache too.
Stella couldn’t help but question, “Why does she have to stir things up?”
When they said that she brought Yvonne’s people over to Portis City, she thought Skye was set on partying in Ronald’s danger zones.
This unexpected twist was just… mind-boggling. Ferrowland was bound to be in chaos again.
“Yeah,” Finley agreed. “Why does she have to provoke others? Wait, what’s your relationship with Ronald now?”
Stella’s expression stiffened.
Seriously? Is that what he’s focusing on right now?
She shot Finley a glare. “Worry about your sister instead.”
Finley shrugged. “Just asking! So, how’s Ronald in bed? His stamina? He hasn’t been with anyone in years, so I’m guessing his skills are…”
Ronald had forgotten something and walked back in just in time to hear Finley’s brazen comments. Seeing Stella choking, his expression hardened.
Caught off guard, Finley nearly toppled off his chair. “What the heck…”
He was about to lash out until he saw it was Ronald, instantly, he swallowed his words and rubbed his sore side. Did I say something wrong?
Ronald narrowed his eyes. “You curious about how I am in bed? Is that it?”
Finley stammered, “I, uh…”
But she wasn’t one to sit back. Then she shot Finley a sharp look. “Didn’t he ask you for some ointment?”
Ronald was too.
Finley’s mouth twitched as he glanced between Ronald and Stella. “Wow, Star, you’re something else.”
Stella buried her face into Ronald’s side, realizing she’d said more than intended. It was like a contagious embarrassment, spreading rapidly.
Finley, being clueless, had pushed Stella to retaliate in her own direct way.
Ronald gave Finley a withering stare, and he gulped. “My bad.”
Realizing it wasn’t the time to provoke this ticking time bomb, he quickly made himself scarce.
Stella reached out and pinched Ronald hard. “This is all your fault.”
Now everyone was teasing her, and she couldn’t escape the jibes.
Ronald winced, sucking in air from the pain, as he caught her playful but vengeful hand.
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When Ronald left, he practically dragged Finley out with him. Honestly, sometimes Ronald felt like stitching Finley’s mouth shut and sealing it with super glue.
After lunch, Stella was waiting for Susanna in the cozy warmth of the sunroom. The sunroom was toasty, with three walls made of floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the fluffy white snow outside, and the tree branches wrapped in glistening icicles.
The butler entered the sunroom. “Miss.”
“What’s up?”
“There’s a lady with the surname Lawson at the security gate asking to see you.”
Lawson? Could it be Cloudia Lawson?
Stella raised an eyebrow. “Cloudia?”
“Yes.”
The butler nodded.
Stella’s eyebrows arched.
She’s here now? It was obvious she was here because of Jaxon.
Or maybe she came because of Jaxon and Ursula.
Stella dismissed it with a wave. “I’m not seeing her.”
She had changed her phone number, so no matter how many phones Cloudia borrowed, none would reach her. After changing her number last night, only Tabitha and Susanna had it. And those two would never share it with anyone from the Larkin family.
“Understood,” said the butler.
Hearing Stella’s refusal, the butler was about to call security when Stella’s phone rang. It was Susanna.
“Star, Cloudia is literally on her knees in front of my car.”
Stella was taken aback. “What?”
Susanna continued, “She kept crying and making a fuss. My goodness! Before this, she always said you were raised in the countryside and were shrew.”
“Looking at it now, who’s the real shrew, then?”
Stella could already hear Cloudia’s wailing from the phone, a grating sound that made her eyes narrow.
“Bring her in,” Stella sighed.
Before hanging up, Stella heard Susanna disdainfully tell Cloudia, “Only a mother like you would have to beg to see her own daughter. Honestly, it’s your own doing.”
A short while later, Susanna and Tabitha arrived with Cloudia in tow.
Susanna nodded. “Sure.”
The Butler instructed the staff to lead them to the conservatory, not intending to leave himself. Ronald had strictly instructed him to be present if Stella met anyone from the Larkin family.
Ronald was right; the Larkin family would stop at nothing to see Stella. The current situation showed no signs of them reflecting on their actions, instead, they seemed desperate.
Stella sipped her coffee, not sparing Cloudia a glance.
After Jaxon’s injury, Cloudia looked visibly older and more worn. She sat opposite her, seething at Stella’s indifference.
Unable to bear oppressive silence, she spoke first. I know what happened.
Stella remained nonchalant. “Oh? And?”
Her casual response only fueled Cloudia’s anger. Her voice trembled with suppressed rage. He’s your brother, no matter his mistakes. And you let an outsider hurt him? Do you even know? His hands are ruined, he might never regain their strength.
As she spoke, Cloudia’s voice rose, despite her earlier resolve to stay calm.
Ursula urgently needed medical resources, Jaxon was injured, their company was in turmoil, and her marriage to Blaise was on the rocks.
And the common denominator in all this chaos? Stella.
No matter what, Cloudia needed to talk to Stella- the only one who could calm the storm. But seeing Stella’s unbothered demeanor ignited Cloudia’s frustration beyond control.
Her choice of the word ‘outsider’ struck a nerve with Stella.
With a loud thud, Stella slammed her cup onto the wooden table.
Coffee splashed across the surface as her icy gaze locked onto Cloudia’s. “Are you here to lecture me, Mrs. Larkin? Or to interrogate me?”
Her tone matched her frosty stare.
Cloudia’s pent-up frustration finally erupted. “Stella, tell me, what do you want?”
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Stella’s silence alone had Cloudia fuming, but now that she’d spoken, it only fueled her anger further.
Stella’s eyes were cold, and a sardonic chuckle escaped her lips. Ignoring Cloudia entirely, she turned to the butler standing nearby. “Make the arrangements to discharge Jaxon.”
The butler nodded dutifully. “Yes, Miss.”
Cloudia’s breath hitched, and she shot to her feet. “Are you out of your mind? He’s your own brother!
You’ve already pushed Ursula to the brink, and now you’re going to do this to him?”
Stella lifted her gaze to meet Cloudia’s. “Mrs. Larkin, have you forgotten? There’s nothing between us anymore.”
The color drained from Cloudia’s face. “You, you…”
Stella picked up the coffee pot and poured herself a cup of coffee, her movements unhurried and deliberate.
“You guys are very fond of throwing your weight around, aren’t you?”
She couldn’t forget how they’d treated her- trying to bury her, both literally and metaphorically.
Stella continued, “You’ve used that power to oppress others for years, haven’t you? The Larkin family has been running rampant in this town for ages.”
Especially Cloudia, whose infamous reputation among the society ladies was all too well-known.
Cloudia’s breath came in short, angry gasps. “You can’t do this. You’ve already made Ursula incurable. Do you want to…”
“Swallow those words about ‘brother,’ will you?” Stella cut her off sharply, her gaze cold and piercing, like daggers.
Cloudia froze, her words dying on her lips.
Stella couldn’t stand the Larkin family’s use of words about family.
Growing up, she’d known what true familial love was- the kind the Quinn family had taught her to cherish deeply. But the Larkins had given her a new understanding of the word “blood.”
“Do you know why I didn’t save Jaxon yesterday?” Stella asked.
Cloudia hesitated. “Why?”
“Because he accused me of not knowing the difference between close and distant, claiming he was my brother.” Stella spat the word “brother” with disdain.
“Still don’t get it?” Stella asked, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.
“I despise your pretentious faces and your so-called family ties. ‘Brother’? What a joke.”
If there had ever been genuine affection, things might have been different. But Larkin’s family version of “family” was nothing more than a weapon sharp-cutting, edge, designed to harm.
Luckily it was me who ended up as your daughter. If it had been anyone else, they’d either be dead from one of Ursula’s “accidents” or driven to death by you, their so-called mother.
Cloudia felt a chill run through her as a question ran through her mind.
Had she really been this monstrous to Stella?
Was her idea of discipline so warped it had bred this hatred in her daughter?
Stella laughed, a cold, harsh sound. Her eyes were mocking. “I thought you might have learned something by now. Maybe reflected a little. But…”
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