When Ethan first saw the necklace, he had unconsciously pictured Lillian wearing it. Now, seeing it around Stella’s neck, a strange emotion stirred within him.
“Why are you only getting back now? I told you to pick up Stella, but she came back on her own!”
Ethan glanced at Stella again before shifting his gaze away front the necklace on her neck.
Madeline patted Stella’s hand. “Stella, wait here for a moment. I need to have a word with Ethan.”
Stella nodded slightly, and Madeline shot Ethan a look before leading him upstairs to the study. There was no need to guess —it was about Lillian. Madeline still didn’t trust him and was going to drill it into him once more. The conversation lasted
half an hour.
When mother and son came downstairs, both had regained their composure. Clearly, anything unpleasant had been set aside.
Madeline smiled warmly at Stella. “Stella, I’ll check on things in the kitchen. You and Ethan should talk.”
Before Stella could respond, Madeline had already walked away, taking the butler and maids with her, leaving the two of
them alone.
Stella was s
still playing a game on her phone, the sound of gunfire echoing from the speakers. Ethan immediately recognized it as the most popular mobile game at the moment.
A woman who doesn’t know how to do anything but play games–how could the elders possibly believe she’s fit to be my wife? Ethan thought, irritation creeping in
He opened his mouth to say something, but before he could speak, he saw Stella’s fingers flying over the screen, completely engrossed, as if he didn’t exist.
Her indifference made him even more frustrated.
Just then, his phone rang, it was Susan. Ethan instinctively glanced at Stella. Seeing that she was still deeply engaged in her game, he stepped outside to take the call, completely forgetting Madeline’s earlier warning to minimize contact with the Reed family.
He answered, “Madam Susan.”
Susan’s anxious voice came through. “Ethan, what are we going to do? One of the most important doctors for Lillian’s treatment just left the country.”
Ethan frowned. “Which doctor?”
“A top gynecologist–Rivermount’s genius professor, Rianne.”
Ethan replied, “I’ll find someone else. Don’t worry.”
To him, it was just a doctor. There were plenty of skilled professors and specialists available. Well, maybe not as young as this one, but still, it’s not like they’re irreplaceable.
Susan grew even more frantic. “No, it has to be her! I’ve already looked into the alternatives, and most of them recommend
surgery.
“You know how fragile Lillian’s health is right now. I heard that Dr. Rianne’s expertise is remarkable, and in her care, might be able to recover without needing surgery.”
Her heart needed surgery. Her liver needed surgery. How could her body possibly endure so many major operations?
Lillian
Chapter 17 The Doctor Lillian Needs Is Stella’s Best Friend?
Ethan mulled it over. Rianne… That name sounds familiar. Where had I heard it before!
Susan confirmed, “Yes, she’s a young genius, still quite young
The words still quite young instantly triggered his memory–Rianne was Stella’s best friend.
I’ll handle it,” he said.
“Ethan, please try to secure Dr. Rianne. You know Lillian’s body can’t take much more.”
“I understand.”
Ethan ended the call. The conversation had lasted a full ten minutes.
Finished
When he walked back inside, he saw that Stella’s game had just ended. Judging by her expression, she had won. She glanced toward the dining area–since it was still quiet, dinner probably wasn’t ready yet.
She was about to start another round when Ethan suddenly snatched her phone away.
Stella looked up. What are you doing?”
“Rianne, is she your best friend?”
Stella narrowed her eyes. “So what?”
“Did you have something to do with her leaving the country?
Just last night, Lillian had needed emergency care at the hospital, and during the same visit, they had conducted urgent examinations. The hospital director had even held a late–night meeting to assemble her medical team.
Rianne was definitely on that team, yet now, she had suddenly left the country.
She was Stella’s best friend. If Stella wasn’t involved in this, Ethan wouldn’t believe it for a second.
Chapter 18 Who Do You Think You’re Ordering Around?
Meeting Ethan’s icy gaze, Stella raised an eyebrow. “What exactly did I do?”
Ethan glared at her. “Stella, she’s only back for treatment. Why are you being so petty?”
Hearing this, Stella laughed.
“Petty about what? Are there no hospitals abroad? No doctors? Or is she broke and in desperate need of your presence and your help arranging her medical care?”
A string of sharp questions shut Ethan down, his anger caught in his throat, nearly choking him. He gritted his teeth. “Rianne’s treatment plan is crucial for her. You must know that by now, She’s seriously ill, there are multiple issues with her health
“Oh? That’s quite rare. How does someone so young end up with a body completely falling apart like that?”
Her words carried a sting of sarcasm, layered with something deeper. Ethan couldn’t stand her mocking tone. Stella smirked. “Is it an unhealthy lifestyle? Or is it just fate catching up?”
So young, yet riddled with illness–it really was unusual. Her last comment hit Ethan like a slap, His nerves snapped. attitude, Stella. Call Rianne. Tell her to come back.”
Ethan didn’t want to argue anymore. He just gave a cold command.
Stella arched a brow. “Who do you think you’re ordering around?”
This man–does he still not get it? After everything? He still thinks he can just boss me around?
The moment she said it, Ethan’s expression darkened even further. His jaw clenched. “Let me be clear, Stella, Lillian’s recovery determines when our wedding happens. If you think you can keep delaying things and still handle the consequences, then go ahead. Keep playing games.
“Cut
the
Frustrated beyond reason, Ethan’s temper flared, his tone rigid and aggressive. He was certain that if the Reed family found out Stella had meddled with Rianne’s departure, they wouldn’t go easy on her.
When that happened, let’s see how long she could endure it.
“Oh, I can handle it. But can she?”
Still trying to threaten her? Ridiculous. Stella rolled her eyes at him.
Ethan’s fury only burned hotter. “If anything happens to her, don’t think you’ll get away with it.”
“Who won’t get away with what?”
Madeline’s voice rang out from nearby, instantly cutting through the tension between them. She stormed over, anger written all over her face. She pulled Stella to her side and fixed Ethan with a sharp glare.
“Who exactly were you threatening just now?”
Ethan’s irritation spiked. This isn’t-
“Did you already forget everything I told you in the study earlier?”
Madeline’s voice was cold, laced with warning.
Ethan froze.
Chapter 18 Who Do You Think You’re Ordering Around?
“You stop right there!”
Finished
Ethan hesitated for a moment but didn’t turn back. He stood still for a second, then, deciding it wasn’t worth it, strode straight toward the door.
Madeline watched him go, her frustration rising
With Ethan gone, only she and Stella remained. Stella pulled her hand free, reached for the diamond necklace around her neck, and placed it back in Madeline’s hand.
Madeline blinked in surprise. “This…”
Stella cut her off. “Madam Madeline, you saw Ethan’s attitude when it comes to handling personal matters.
She had been debating how to make it clear to Madeline that there was no future for her and Ethan. After all, the Keene family elders had treated her well over the past two years.
But now?
She no longer needed to worry about offending them. Ethan had already paved the way for her.
Madeline’s face filled with concern. “Yes, Ethan was out of line, I’ll discipline him. That foolish boy…”
Since it was her son’s fault, Madeline couldn’t argue against Stella’s stance.
“Stella, he’s just being an idiot. Can you give him another chance? I promise I’ll make sure he learns his lesson.”
Stella lowered her gaze. “I’ve been giving him chances for the past two years. I tolerated him flying abroad to see Lillian all the time, but this situation is different”
What chance? There was never any chance. But let’s put all the blame on Ethan, as he rightfully deserves,
Hearing this, Madeline’s expression shifted in shock. “He’s been flying abroad frequently to see Lillian?”
“Last month, on my birthday, he was overseas.
There was no need to elaborate further. She and Lillian shared the same birthday. As her fiancé, Ethan had been out of the country on that day. The Keene family had assumed he was on a business trip.
Now, hearing Stella spell it out, Madeline’s lips twitched in fury.
“That foolish boy!”
At this moment, she felt like strangling Ethan herself.
And as for Lillian—two years ago, hadn’t I made myself clear enough? Absolutely shameless. Madeline was furious.
Chapter 19 Cutting Ties Cleanly
Finished
Madeline held onto Stella’s hand, as if she wanted to say more. But Stella’s stance was firm. “Madam Madeline, I’m sorry, Ethan is not someone I can entrust my life to.”
Madeline fell silent..
Stella continued. “I never expected his undivided loyalty, but he hasn’t even given me the bare minimum of respect,”
Madeline sighed. “This…”
but
She couldn’t deny it. Ethan hadn’t shown Stella even the most basic respect. Even as his mother, she couldn’t blindly defend
him.
“But what will you do? Without Ethan, your life in the Reed family will be even harder.”
Madeline reminded Stella of her standing in the Reed family. Even though everyone now despised Lillian, they still had to Jacknowledge that she held a significant position within the family.
Stella lowered her gaze without responding.
Madeline pressed on, “You don’t need to answer me now. I’ll talk to Ethan, and Lillian v
will be sent away as
as soon as possible.”
She was beyond furious. What hold does Lillian have over Ethan to make him so utterly bewitched?
The thought of Stella and Ethan completely breaking things off, leaving Ethan free to be even more reckless with Lillian. made her blood boil.
“The Reed family favors Lillian. If you keep pushing back against Ethan, things won’t be easy for you.”
She was advising Stella to endure it. As her future mother–in–law, Madeline was making it clear–she would always be on Stella’s side.
Everyone assumed there was no place for Stella in the Reed family and that the Keene family was her only refuge.
Stella glanced at Madeline. I’ve gotten through tough times before, haven’t I? Madam, this is the end for Ethan and me.”
Things had already come this far–there was no turning back. Stella’s tone was resolute and final.
She had no intention of leaving even a shred of hope for anyone. Simply put, she hated unnecessary trouble. She wanted to cut things clean and move on.
Madeline saw her unwavering attitude and felt slightly embarrassed. “You child…”
She had humbled herself and said everything she could, yet Stella was still this stubborn?
Her tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction
now.
Stella didn’t want to waste any more time. “I’m leaving.”
With that, she shoved the necklace firmly into Madeline’s hands and turned to leave.
Madeline had more to say, but seeing Stella’s determined posture and then looking at the necklace in her hand, she could only stomp her foot in frustration.
The butler appeared behind her. “Madam Madeline. What is she being so proud about? Who else would take her if not
Ethan?”
She was engaged to Ethan. Who else in Rivermount’s elite circle would be foolish enough to marry her on short notice? And as for the Reed family..
172
Chapter 19 Cutting Ties Cleanly
The butler glanced in the direction Stella had left. “She’s young. She can’t swallow this humiliation.”
To him, Stella’s reaction was purely driven by the injustice she felt over Lillian..
Madeline thought the same.
Finished
She scoffed. “If she wants to make a scene, she should at least pick the right place. She can fight with the Reed family all she wants, but acting self–righteous in front of me?”
If not for Nicole insisting Ethan had to marry Stella–claiming Stella’s birth chart was exceptionally auspicious–Madeline wouldn’t have even considered accepting a daughter–in–law from the Reed family.
Her frustration only grew. She was furious at Ethan for being tangled up with Lillian, but she was even angrier that Stella had been the one to call off the engagement.
Now the Keene family had lost all face–both publicly and privately.
And to make things worse, Nicole had given her a strict order–which was to get Stella back.
But with the way Stella carried herself, fearless, untouchable, how am I supposed to do that? Madeline’s expression darkened with
anger.
“This is infuriating! Where is Lillian hospitalized?”
The butler replied, “Rivermount International Medical Center.”
Stella walked out of Keene Estate.
Just as she reached her car, a horn honked from nearby. Looking up, she saw Ethan’s Rolls–Royce Phantom parked not far away.
He’s still here?
Ethan stepped out, a cigarette between his fingers.
His tall, lean figure exuded natural dominance, an aura of authority that kept others at a distance.
Truth be told, he was undeniably handsome.
In just a year, he had doubled Keene Group’s market value, and he was also lial and respectful toward his elders.
Everything about him was impressive–except for his taste in women. Absolutely Mind.
When Stella met his gaze, she showed no kindness.
Ethan was the first to speak. “Give your car keys to Jason. He’ll drive it back to Kingston Heights. You’re coming with me.”
“I can drive.”
Stella scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Those three words were a declaration of independence. I would never be the one left behind.
Stella scoffed. There’s nothing for us to talk about.”
Ignoring her protest, Ethan dragged her toward his car, smatching her car keys from her hand and tossing them to Jason.
Jason caught them smoothly, immediately jumping into Stella’s car and driving off
Watching this, Stella grew even angrier. “You”
car
Ethan was already in his car, the engine humming to life. He glanced at her. “Are you getting in or not?”
With no other choice, she finally climbed into the backseat.
Stella remained unimpressed. “Suit yourself?”
She wasn’t the type of woman to sit in just any man’s passenger seat–especially not Ethan’s.
Stella gazed out the window, arms crossed. “Take me to Oriental Grand Tower.”
Chapter 20 Bribing Her with a Black Card?
One hand gripping the wheel, the other holding his cigarette, Ethan took a deep drag. “Tell Rianne to come back, and I won’t see her again”
She glanced at the man in the front seat, but before she could speak, Ethan pulled out his wallet and handed her a black card.
Ethan pushed the card closer to her. “The Reed family is too busy dealing with Lillian’s condition to worry about your finances right now. Take this.”
Stella instinctively reached out. Free money? Why not take it?
But just as her fingers were about to grasp the card, Ethan suddenly withdrew it, flipping it back into his hand.
Ethan’s voice was firm. “The wedding will proceed as scheduled.”
The moment he said that, she immediately retracted her hand. Compensation money? Sure, I’d take it. But marriage? Keep dreaming
Ethan reiterated, “Bring Rianne back to her treatment team, and I won’t see her again.”
Stella rolled her eyes. Again with this? Wedding, Rianne… This man is truly greedy.
“So basically, all of this is just about securing benefits for Lillian.”
Her voice dripped with sarcasm. Seeing that she still wouldn’t soften, Ethan’s expression darkened. “What benefits? I’m already giving you everything you want.”
Stella shot back sharply. As if it’s that easy….
If it were up to her, she’d never have to see Lillian again. But could she really leave that quickly?
Seeing Ethan’s face darken, Stella pressed on. “And besides, you expect me to believe that just because you say you won’t see her, you actually won’t?”
This woman! Is she trying to get herself killed with that sharp tongue? Ethan felt his anger surge so intensely that even his teeth ached from clenching them.
Hanging up, Stella marched straight into the luxury mall. For the next two hours, she went on a shopping spree–buying from the biggest brands, picking out the most expensive items, and swiping her card for everything extravagant.
Meanwhile, Ethan had just arrived at the hospital when his phone started buzzing–once, twice, and then again. Each time, it
was a transaction alert.
Scoffing, he let out a sarcastic laugh. “And she says she doesn’t care? Yeah, right
As Ethan continued walking toward Lillian’s hospital room, a thought crossed his mind, and he gave Jason a command. “She’s looking for a job. Inform all companies–she’s not to be hired.
Jason hesitated for a moment, stunned. Is he really forbidding Ms. Dawson from getting employed?
“Ms. Dawson still refuses to go through with the wedding?” Jason asked.
Jason’s words made Ethan’s expression darken even further. He didn’t want to admit it, but Stella had already taken the initiative to have Tessa announce the wedding cancellation yesterday. Technically… that means I got dumped.
The thought of her arrogance made his teeth ache even more. With a cold snort, he spat out, “She’ll change her mind.”
One week. That was all it would take for her to face reality. Without the Reed family or him, Stella wouldn’t survive in Rivermount.
When Ethan entered Lillian’s hospital room, Susan was sitting beside her. Seeing him, she immediately stepped forward with concern in her eyes. “Ethan, is Dr. Rianne coming back?”
Ethan took a deep breath. “I’m working on it. Don’t worry.”
Susan’s breathing grew unsteady. Then… then Dr. Rianne leaving must be Stella’s doing! There’s no other explanation! How could she be so cruel?”
Her voice trembled as she said, “So she still believes I was behind that incident. Otherwise, why would she treat me like this?”
The mention of that incident darkened both Ethan and Susan’s expressions instantly. Just as Ethan was about to respond, his phone buzzed twice more in his hand.
The sales associate took one look at the shopping bags surrounding her–all from the most expensive brands in the entire mall. Recognizing a big spender, their attitude became downright servile.
Stella waved a hand dismissively. “Just wrap it up.”
In just two hours, Stella had spent a staggering 2 million and 800 thousand dollars–all on jewelry and luxury skincare products. She only stopped when the card was finally declined.
Ethan’s phone rang almost immediately. The number was unfamiliar, but the voice on the other end was unmistakable.
Ethan clenched his teeth. If I didn’t, how long would she keep spending?
“Do you even know how much you’ve spent?”
Hearing her say she “didn’t buy much” made Ethan feel like he was about to explode.
Stella continued, “Wow, Ethan, your compensation really lacks sincerity.”
“Isn’t it? After everything we’ve been through, I thought you finally grew a conscience and decided to compensate me.”
Ethan felt like he was going to pass out from sheer frustration. What did she mean, compensate her after everything we’d been throughly anything, she had been the one making a scene all along!
“Someone like you? Why would 1 compensate you? I gave you that card so you’d reconsider the wedding.”
Ethan fired back, “If it’s impossible, then why are you spending my money?”
Stella’s tone remained unfazed. “I was your fiancee for two years. This is the first time I’ve actually spent your money. Of course, I had to make up for it”
She was not the type to be self–sacrificing and detached from worldly desires. Two years without touching a cent? That was long enough.
She didn’t ask for money, but if it was handed to her, she wasn’t about to hold back. She’d spend as much as she could.
Seeing Ethan so furious that he could barely speak, Stella casually asked, “So… are you unfreezing the card or not?”
Ethan remained silent, his chest felt like it was going to burst!
She had burned through two million eight hundred thousand dollars in just two hours, and she still expected him to unfreeze the cond?
Ethan sneered, “Like you’ve ever lived a luxurious life before.”
“You got what you wanted. Now it’s time to think seriously about us–and Ryan”
With that, Ethan hung up abruptly. She got a taste of luxury today–she’d definitely cave just to get the card unfrozen,
Thinking about it, Ethan figured all he had to do now was wait
Kimmy’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. “Boss, did you win the lottery today?”
Stella casually pushed one of the carts full of luxury skincare products toward her. “Company perks. Distribute them among the team.”
“Thank you, boss!” someone shouted.
But Stella’s expression remained indifferent, as if the amount spent didn’t faze her in the slightest.
Her breath hitched, and for several seconds, she couldn’t steady herself.
The voice on the other end was familiar. Stella’s face stiffened, her emotions suddenly spiraling out of control.
She struggled to force out two words. “It’s me.”
“Mr. Abraham is arriving in Rivermount on an 8 PM flight. He hopes you will meet him at the airport personally.”
Stella’s breath caught in her throat.
The person calling her right now was none other than his assistant–Abel.
Despite his respectful tone over the phone, Abel was a name that sent shivers down the spines of many in Falvaria.
Even just an assistant under that man was enough to terrify people–let alone the man himself.
Abraham. The man who had taken her in and raised her….
The man the Reed family had always been desperate to uncover–the one who raised her. The man who ruled both the legal and illegal worlds of Falvaria. There, he was the emperor of the underworld.
At six o’clock, as she stepped out of the Oriental Grand Tower, her phone buzzed relentlessly.
As for her? She hadn’t even grown up with them, yet their expectations for her were endless. No matter what she did, it was always wrong in Susan’s eyes–always met with stern criticism.
Hearing Stella’s icy tone, Susan’s rage escalated to the point where her head throbbed. “You–you–let me ask you, Rianne is your best friend, isn’t she? Was it you who sent her abroad?”
Susan was livid.
So, what did that make the Reed family in her heart?
Susan had planned on interrogating her, but Stella had thrown her completely off guard by admitting it so openly,
Hearing how blunt Stella was, Susan nearly fainted from anger.
“What?” Stella cut in smoothly. “Madam Susan, are you trying to get me to bring Rianne back to treat her?”
It suddenly dawned on her–since Stella had returned to the Reed family, she had never once called her “M
But she had never called her “Madam Susan” either… And now, hearing it for the first time, Susan found that she couldn’t quite bear it.
Mrs. Reed. Not Madam Susan anymore. And arguing over something meaningless? Susan felt like she had a lump in her throat and a ton of bricks pressing down on her chest, making it hard to breathe.
Taking several deep breaths, she finally said, “Bring Dr. Rianne back, and I’ll unfreeze your card.”
But listen carefully–only if Rianne came back to treat Lillian would she get her card unfrozen.
The Reed family would spend 2700 dollars on a single piece of jewelry for Lillian without a second thought. Her monthly allowance was always at least a few hundred thousand dollars
But for Stella? When she first returned to the Reed family, they gave her 2700 dollars a month.
Later, Lillian said, “It’s easy to go from frugality to luxury, but hard to go from luxury to frugality.”
And just because of that one sentence, Susan derided Stella needed to “learn how to spend money properly–cutting her allowance down to 6800 dollars a month.
All because of the words of an adopted daughter–her allowance had been slashed in half
Even then, Lillian wasn’t satisfied. She had later added, “Stella has no social life, she doesn’t need much money.”
And Susan had backed her up, saying, “We have everything at home. You and Lillian are different. You don’t need to socialize or attend noble gatherings, so you won’t need that much money.”
And just like that, her allowance dropped from 6800 dollars to 2700 dollars.
And now? Because of Lillian, they had frozen it completely… Did they really think I cared? Stella pondered.
Chapter 25 Abraham’s Back
Susan felt as if she was on the verge of a heart attack. “You–you’re unbelievabler
At this moment, she was certain–this wasn’t her daughter. This was a debt collector, sent to make her life miserable.
She regretted bringing Stella back once again.
Then tell me, what do you want? Name your conditions! Susan finally snapped, feeling like she had made the biggest concession she possibly could.
But the only response she got was the beep beep of a disconnected call. When she tried dialing again, she found her number had been blocked.
She was livid. Her chest tightened so much that she could hardly breathe.
At 7:30 PM, Stella stood outside the airport’s arrival terminal, holding a bouquet of roses in her arms. She was wrapped in a beige coat, her hair tied up in a neat bun, making her look both adorable and well–behaved.
A gust of cold wind slipped past her, and she instinctively shivered, pulling her coat tighter. Fie said eight o’clock.
Sure enough, the moment the clock struck eight, a familiar figure appeared in the crowd.
As the tall, imposing man stepped into view, Stella’s mind played out a montage of memories–memories of being cradled in his arms, soothed and comforted.
Dressed in a black, mid–length trench coat, with a gray scarf wrapped around his neck, he exuded an air of warmth and refinement. But Stella knew better than anyone–the gentle exterior was nothing but a façade. Beneath it lay a ruthlessness. and madness no one could begin to fathom.
Abraham.
The man who had once carried her home…
The moment their eyes met, a chill ran down Stella’s spine. Abraham’s gaze held an undeniable authority and an icy sharpness that made her instinctively lower her head.
His shadow loomed over her, and the familiar scent of him wrapped around her like an inescapable net.
Swallowing hard, Stella nervously extended the bouquet toward him. “T–These they’re your favorite.”
Her heart pounded wildly in her chest. She was anxious, Afraid.
But Abraham didn’t take the flowers. The air around him grew even heavier, suffocating her with its pressure.
The terminal was bustling with people, but at that moment, the world seemed to shrink down to just the two of them–Stella and Abrahamn.
Her arms began to tremble from holding the flowers up for so long. Hesitantly, she reached out and tugged at his scarf. “Abraham…”
Her soft, delicate voice melted into the cold air, and for a fleeting moment, the tension in Abraham’s aura softened.
Refore she could react, her slender wrist was seized, and before she could utter a sound, she was yanked into his embrace.
“You’ve grown bolder, haven’t you? Hmm?“
His deep, magnetic voice carried an unmistakable trace of danger. Almost three years…..
Three years, and she hadn’t contacted him once.
Chapter 25 Abraham’s Back
“You should start thinking now–what you’re going to say to me later.”
His tone remained ominous, Stella felt a lump rise in her throat. I’m doomed.
Finished
Before she could stammer out a response. Abraham released her wrist, took her hand, and led her straight out of the airport.
Abel was already waiting outside. The moment he saw Abraham and Stella step out, he respectfully opened the car door.
Stella’s eyes widened in shock. “You shipped your car over?”
It was Abraham’s personal car from Falvaria.
If he had gone so far as to transport it here, that could only mean… he wasn’t planning to leave Rivermount anytime soon.
Her already uneasy heart clenched even tighter.
Abraham glanced down at her petite frame, barely reaching his chest. She gulped nervously under his scrutiny.
“Ms. Dawson, Abel greeted her politely.
Stella nodded, trying to maintain her composure. “Mr. Abel.”
The moment the words left her lips, the man behind her suddenly scooped her up and tossed her into the car.
Abraham followed her in, his presence filling the cabin with an overwhelming sense of dominance. Instinctively, Stella curled into a corner, trying to put some distance between them.
But it was pointless.
The moment the engine roared to life, her delicate wrist was captured in his palm. Before she could react, she found herself pulled onto his lap.
“Abraham, you can’t-
“Hmm?”
Stella’s face turned beel red. I’m an adult now!”
This position was far too intimate. She was straddling his lap, their bodies far too close. Her breath hitched as his cool fingertips brushed against her chilled cheek, trailing down to her jaw.
She couldn’t meet his Kaze.
The restrained intensity in his eyes sent a wave of fear through her, a fear she couldn’t suppress.
But in front of Abraham… there was nowhere to run.
“You’ve grown up.. so you won’t listen to me now?”
Stella stammered, “…”
“Did you have fun these past three years?”
“The word “fun” hit Stella like a punch to the gut, leaving her reeling.
So much had happened in the past few days. She had endured everything without shedding a single tear, snapping at those around her like a porcupine with its quills raised.
But now, sitting here, facing Abraham.. her heart felt inexplicably sore.
2
Chapter 26 Caught in His Net
Stella sniffled. “It hasn’t been three years yet
She looked like a little kid who had been bullied outside her face full of grievance.
Abraham let out a mocking laugh. Two months away–what’s the difference?”
Finished
That was how long it had been since Stella returned to Rivermount–just two months short of three years. She wanted to lower her head, but Abraham wouldn’t let her.
His grip tightened, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Nothing you want to tell me?
“Yes, plenty so much.”
There was so much she wanted to say. Every time those people bullied her, she had wanted to call him to come and deal with
them
Stella had intended to send Abraham to a five–star hotel. But he had kept her pinned on his lap, never giving her the chance to tell Abel where he should be staying.
By the time Abraham finally released her, the car had already pulled into the underground garage of Kingston Heights.
Stella was stunned. “You know I live here?”
She had used his card yesterday, and today he had tracked her down. Judging by his demeanor, he must have already investigated every detail of her life over the past three years.
Abraham stepped out of the car first. From the driver’s seat, Abel spoke up. It’s never difficult for Mr. Abraham to find out things. But, Ms. Dawson, you really hid yourself well these past three years. We never expected you to leave the country.”
Stella fell silent
Abel sighed. “And you even found your relatives… Sigh, anyway. Mr. Abraham is furious!”
That last part made Stella’s heart skip a beat.
She carefully glanced at the man standing outside the car. Not daring to delay, she quickly got out.
Back home, Stella immediately went to get him a pair of slippers. But the moment she opened the shoe cabinet, she froze.
Aside from her own slippers, there was another pair–worn, men’s slippers.
She felt the chill behind her and quickly pulled out a pair of her own unworn slippers for Abraham. “Why don’t you… wear mine for now?
A pair of pink slippers with bunny ears was placed in front of him.
Abraham’s eyes narrowed, the coldness around him intensifying.
“So, you’ve learned how to serve people now?”
Stella fell silent. Her expression stiffened at his words, and the bitterness in her heart became even harder to suppress. She quickly straightened her posture, looking at Abraham with teary grievance. “You know everything already?”
Abraham let out a low chuckle and slipped on her slippers. They were too small and didn’t fit.
A man as particular as he was didn’t say much. Instead, he walked further inside, glancing around. The more he looked, the darker his expression became.
1/2
Chapter 26 Caught in His Net
She pouted. This isn’t from the Reed family.”
Abraham’s gaze sharpened as he turned to her.
Stella hesitated for a second before saying, “I bought it… with your money.”
Abraham was momentarily speechless. Hearing her words, for some reason, the coldness on his face eased slightly.
Finished
He walked over to the sofa, casually shrugging off his coat and draping it over the armrest. He also removed the scarf from around his neck.
“And you didn’t think to buy something bigger?”
Stella argued, “It’s not small, it was 1,500 square feet. That’s more than enough for me.”
Abraham still found it small. Back in Falvaria, even her private villa was no less than 5,300 square feet.
Not to mention, during her years at the Dawson residence, the estate was so massive that it would take her over an hour just to walk through it.
“Come here.”
Abraham’s commanding gaze landed on her.
Stella hesitated but obediently stepped forward. At about three feet away, she stopped, not daring to get too close. But before she could react, Abraham stretched out his long arm, pulling her straight into his embrace–just like he had in the car.
“Abraham!” she protested in frustration.
A deep voice sounded above her head. “You have five minutes.”
Stella’s heart pounded violently. Five minutes. She knew exactly what he meant.
Three years ago, she had left without a word–right in the middle of the Dawson family’s internal struggles. Though she had physically left, the high society of Falvaria never stopped talking about her.
There had even been a saying among the noble families. If they’re not your blood, you can never truly raise them as your own.
And that saying.. had come from her–Stella.
It was said that when trouble struck the Dawson family, during Abraham’s most difficult time, she had abandoned them and
left.
“The Tom family… how are they doing?” she suddenly asked instead of answering.
For the past three years, she had kept close tabs on everything happening in Falvaria.
But the Tom family–the one family that had once held her life in the palm of their hand. A year ago, they had suddenly disappeared from the public eye.
Send Gifts
Chapter 27 Revenge Served Ice Cold
Even after trying to gather information through connections, she hadn’t been able to find anything. Now, Stella was asking Abraham directly. But the moment the words left her mouth, his eyes turned cold.
Abraham’s grip on her chin tightened. The distance between them closed, his warm breath brushing against her cheek- warm, yet laced with danger.
Stella swallowed. “Abraham”
Abraham’s voice was low. “Are you concerned about the Tom family, or are you concerned about Derrick?”
At the mention of Derrick, Stella’s heart clenched violently. “I-”
Feeling the sudden stiffness in her body, a sharp glint flashed through Abraham’s eyes.
Stella replied, “No.”
The Tom family became history a year ago. Does that answer satisfy you?”
Stella fell silent. History? He completely crushed them?
Hearing this, the tension in her body finally eased.
“Then what about the Tom family’s people now?”
“Do you really want to know?” Abraham’s tone became even more dangerous.
Stella shook her head. “No. As long as they can’t threaten you anymore, that’s enough.”
At that moment, the weight she had carried in her heart for the past three years finally lifted.
Abraham raised an eyebrow, but before he could speak, Stella suddenly threw her arms around his neck, sobbing uncontrollably, as if she had suffered the greatest grievance.
Her instinctive reaction shattered the anger in Abraham’s eyes. His hands, frozen midair, hesitated for a moment. Then, as Stella continued crying hysterically, they finally wrapped around her slender waist.
Stella clung to him tightly. “How’s Mom?”
Abraham held her close. “So now you remember she’s your mother?”
He had thought that after returning to the Reed family, she had completely erased Falvaria from her life. But now, she only held him tighter, crying even harder.
Two hours later, Stella had recounted everything that happened three years ago–haltingly, between sobs.
In all her three years in Rivermount, she had never once cried. Not even when the Reed family treated her so horribly. But the moment she spoke about everything that had happened in Falvaria, the tears wouldn’t stop.
The Dawson family had always been her greatest support.
And Abraham… had always been her safe harbor.
Losing both overnight had been like falling into hell. For the past three years, she had barely dared to think about it.
Just as people had said, when she left, the Dawson family had been in the midst of a raging storm.
If she had a choice, she would have stayed by Abraham’s side. But the Tom family.. Kelly.. that woman who had always
Chapter 27 Revenge Served Ice Cold
If she refused, they would kill her mother. With no other option, Stella had to comply.
She had to leave the Dawson family. Had to cut off all contact with Abraham.
Three years ago, the Tom family had ruled over Falvaria like kings.
Finished
With her father gone so suddenly and Abraham’s foundation still unstable, he hadn’t stood a chance against them. He and Derrick had always been at odds, and Kelly, in her obsession with Abraham, had prevented Derrick from targeting Dawson family projects.
Stella couldn’t afford to drag him into danger.
If her departure could buy the Dawson family even a moment of peace, she was willing to give him that breathing room.
The more Abraham listened, the colder his expression became. They threatened you, and you just gave in?”
“I didn’t have a choice. They used my mother’s life to threaten me.”
Abraham’s gaze darkened. “And that was enough for you to cut all ties with us?
“I was scared!”
The moment she admitted it, the grievance she had buried for years came surging back. Even looking at any news about hims over the years, she had done so cautiously. Especially during that first year after she left the Dawson family–Kelly had constantly.threatened her.
That explained why she returned to the Reed family and even agreed to an engagement with Ethan.
From the outside, Abraham had seemed to rise quickly over the past three years, gaining control over Falvaria’s entire underground world.
But she had still been afraid. Afraid that the Tom family could still pose a threat to him.
Now that she had explained everything, Abraham remained as cold and unrelenting as ever, which only made Stella feel event more wronged.
Her eyes reddened as she looked at him.
“What about Kelly?”
That despicable woman–Stella would have killed her herself if she had the chance.
Abraham replied, “Disabled. In prison.”
“Prison? You put her in prison?”
Abraham shot her a cold glance, his expression unchanged, as if his anger hadn’t dissipated at all.
Stella tugged at his sleeve, silently looking at him with grievance.
Abraham scoffed. “Useless. After everything you’ve been through, you’re still the one feeling sorry for yourself? What did I teach you all those years?”
Send Gifts
Chapter 28 Money Can’t Buy You Out of This
“You taught me everything–except how not to have a heart, Stella replied.
If she had been heartless, no one would have been able to hurt her. Just like with the Reed family–because she didn’t care, nothing they did could truly wound her. But the Dawson family was different…
Her mother had loved her so much. From a young age, she had known she wasn’t Abraham’s biological child, that he had taken her in.
But her mother had always treated her as her own, cherishing her like something precious, holding her in the palm of her
hand.
Abraham let out a cold snort. “Hmph!”
Stella asked, “How is Mom, really?”
“She’s fine. She’s been going to church and praying for three years–afraid that divine retribution would catch up to you out there
Stella went quiet. Divine retribution?Is he saying I am too sheltered, incapable of surviving on my own?
But hearing that her mother had been praying for her all this time still made her heart ache with emotion.
She looked up at Abraham eagerly. “Mom has been doing that for three years?”
Abraham flicked her forehead. Stella winced, covering her head, not daring to cry out.
Abraham continued, “Three years ago, there were reasons for what happened. But what about the Reed family? And Ethan?”
Stella wasn’t sure if she was imagining it, but when Abraham said Ethan, his tone grew noticeably colder.
She answered, “They have nothing to do with me.”
Yes, the Reed family were her biological parents, but at the time, Kelly had been hounding her relentlessly. Returning to the Reed family, even getting engaged to Ethan, had been her way of finally getting rid of Kelly.
Once she got engaged to Ethan, Kelly had never contacted her again.
Abraham raised an eyebrow. “Nothing to do with you?”
Stella explained, “Kelly was threatening me. I got engaged to Ethan to make her and Derrick let their guard down
Under Abraham’s sharp gaze, Stella spilled everything.
Now that Kelly was in prison, there was no reason to keep anything from him anymore.
As expected, Abraham’s expression finally eased.
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Ethan watched helplessly as Lillian writhed in pain, tormented by her illness.
Just yesterday, she had been able to walk into his office. Now, she was confined to a hospital bed. Susan was beside herself with worry.
“Ethan, we need to get Dr. Rianne back as soon as possible. The team of specialists said that Lillian’s most pressing issues are her liver and uterus.”
A liver surgery was unavoidable, and she would also need heart surgery. If Rianne could treat her uterine cancer naturally. they hoped to spare her from another painful operation.
Chapter 28 Money Can’t Buy You Out of This
Finished
Her suffering was physical, but those by her side were being tormented emotionally. Susan felt awful. Ethan felt even worse.
“I know,” he said.
Even if Susan hadn’t said anything, Ethan already knew–they had to get Rianne back immediately.
He grabbed an unfamiliar phone and dialed Stella’s number.
At Kingston Heights, Stella was still being interrogated by Abraham when her phone suddenly rang.
Just as Abraham was about to say something, the call interrupted them.
Seeing an unknown number, she instinctively ignored it and declined the call. But the caller was persistent–it rang again.
Abraham’s voice was firm. “Why aren’t you answering?”
“It’s not an important call, Stella replied without thinking.
The whole ordeal with her divorce from Ethan had become a huge scandal. She had already blocked Ethan and the Reed family’s numbers.
With things blowing up the way they had, she knew they would reach out to her if things didn’t go their way.
So at this hour, if someone was calling from an unknown number, it could only be Ethan or Susan.
She didn’t want to answer, especially not in front of Abraham. So she hung up again. But the phone rang once more, the caller refusing to give up.
Stella was about to decline again when Abraham suddenly stretched out his hand in front of her.
Stella’s eyelid twitched. “What?”
“Do you want me to answer it for you, or will you do it yourself?”
Her mouth twitched. “It’s not an important call.”
Abraham raised an eyebrow. “Not important? Then why do they keep calling?”
Stella was speechless. Under Abraham’s intense stare, she had no choice but to reluctantly answer.
The moment the call connected, Ethan’s exhausted voice came through.
“Tell me what you want, I’ll give you anything”
His tone was drained and full of surrender. The speaker waen’s loud, but it was enough–both Stella and Abraham heard it clearly.
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