Chapter 344 Glimmer of Hope
+8 Pearls
Especially since Patrick was having his own issues lately, and asking him for money wasn’t guaranteed to work.
The fact that he had twins with another woman made Susan furious to the point of pain.
Rianne said, “This is the only viable option for now. But with her condition, if you can’t get the drug within a week, it won’t work even if you do get it.”
With that, she turned and left without another word. She hadn’t lied. Based on her medical data, the drug did exist. Its cost was the main reason it wasn’t widely available. She had handed them a sliver of hope–whether they could hold onto it, that was up to them.
Back in the room, only Lillian and Susan remained. Lillian clutched her hand. “Mom, you’ll save me, right? You will save me?”
Susan hesitated. “…”
“Mom, I don’t want to die. Please, I don’t want to die…”
Susan tried to respond. “But…”
They didn’t have that kind of money. Even combining all she and Jonathan could pull together, cash would only top out at a little over $10 million. Lillian didn’t have any money of her own. That much she knew. Shares? The company was in shambles–they were useless now. Patrick’s attention was fully on that other woman and her kids. Asking him for help was a joke. Even if she somehow scraped together over $4 million, the monthly cost would still be hundreds of thousands…
The Reed Group was nearly bankrupt. Coming up with that kind of money every month? Impossible.
“But Mom, I don’t want to die, please… Seeing Susan waver, Lillian panicked.
And just like always, the moment she cried, Susan couldn’t hold her ground. She gently reassured. her, “I’ll figure something out. Don’t worry.”
There was still hope. How could she let the daughter she raised die? She couldn’t. But they needed at least $4.9 million right away, and $700,000 every month after that. It was a terrifying figure. Where could she possibly get the money? And with only one week left…
Susan felt like her insides were being clawed out.
After leaving the Reed estate, Rianne called Stella. When the call connected, Stella’s groggy voice came through. “Rianne?”
“Were you sleeping?”
Chapter 344 Glimmer of Hope
+8 Pearls
“Yeah, just dozing a bit. It’s snowing again outside–perfect weather for a nap. Stella always loved sleeping during snowy days.
“I just left the Reed residence, Rianne said.
“How did it go?” That perked Stella up a bit–she was definitely someone who enjoyed a good piece of gossip.
Rianne said, “Just like you said, I gave them an outrageous glimmer of hope.”
“How outrageous?”
“Not much… about $4.9 million.
Stella was speechless. $4.9 million might not be much to Rianne, but to the Reed family? That was a death sentence. Especially in terms of liquid assets. Even after years of working with the Keene family, Patrick had only managed to scrape together leftovers. The big profits were always taken by the Keenes.
“You might not think that’s a lot, but to them, it’s enough to destroy lives.”
Rianne said, “When I was there, I saw this woman–really fierce. Probably involved with Jonathan. The way she screamed at everyone, it was chaos.”
Stella said, “That’s Jonathan’s new woman. She gave him a son.”
“Ohhh, that makes sense.
She’d barely left Rivermount and already the drama was this intense.
“So basically,” Rianne said, “Lillian’s never going to reach that ‘hope.’ Even if he cared for her growing up, once there’s another woman and child, his heart starts drifting
Stella said, “Not always the case in the Reed family.”
“All the better. If Jonathan stays emotionally attached to Lillian, that woman will do everything she can to bleed him dry.”
True.
A woman protecting her child–there’s nothing she won’t do.
As Abraham came in from outside, he saw Stella on the phone, one leg poking out from under the blanket. The room was warm, so she must’ve kicked it off after he left.
He said nothing, just walked over and tucked her in again. Stella noticed. I’ll talk to you later, she told Rianne. “That’s enough about the Reeds for now. I’m just glad they’re having a hard time.”
Chapter 345 Run!
Seeing
her smile, Abraham chuckled. “More Reed family news?”
Stella nodded. “Rianne prescribed them a seven–figure miracle drug. The whole house must be at
ness now.
Without Rebecca, they’d go crazy from not having the money. With Rebecca, they’d go crazy fighting over it. Either way, chaos.
Abraham rested his large hand behind her head, pressing his forehead gently to hers. “You’re still too soft–hearted”
Those people deserved to be torn apart. But since they were her relatives by blood, Abraham I couldn’t take harsh action without her say so. Still, with the Reed family already boxed in from
every side, their internal suffering was no less than physical punishment.
Stella said. “With that wreck of a body, I don’t even need to lift a finger.”
If Rianne hadn’t told her how bad Lillian’s health was, she would’ve taken action herself. But now that she knew the truth? No need to bother.
Abraham agreed. “Not worth getting your hands dirty.
“Exactly. Stella nodded.
Looking at her so calm and obedient, Abraham leaned down and kissed her. “Did the ointment help? Feeling any better?”
“What are you trying to do now!
“Relax. I’m not doing anything.” The doctor had told him Stella needed to rest and recover. No strenuous activity allowed.
She didn’t believe him. She grabbed his shirt. “Swear it.”
Abraham caught her warm little hand and squeezed it. “Alright, I swear.”
Stella quickly pulled her hand back and mumbled, clearly unconvinced.
Back in Falvaria, Tessa stepped off the plane empty–handed, with Wesley by her side. As they walked toward the exit. Wesley remained unusually alert, scanning every passerby. Tessa leaned in and whispered. “We’re already in Falvaria, and you’re still this tense?”
From the moment Wesley picked her up in Rivermount, she’d been on edge, like something bad was about to happen. Even now, in Falvaria,
Wesley said: “We need to get to the estate fast”
Chapter 345 Run!
“And then what? Judging by the way you’re acting, I won’t be allowed to leave the house?”
+8 Pearls
Honestly, that seemed likely. Wesley nodded. “Ms. Diana said until she contacts us, you’re to stay inside Highspire Ridge.”
Tessa’s mouth twitched. Her unease deepened. “What exactly happened to my mom?”
Wesley only said, “We’ll talk later.”
The airport wasn’t the place to explain. She grabbed Tessa’s bag and quickly ushered her toward the exit. But the thing Wesley had feared… happened. As they passed a restroom, two men in dark hats looked their way–eyes sharp and dangerous. Wesley’s instincts kicked in when she locked eyes with one of them, and her breath caught.
“Run.” She shoved Tessa forward with force. Tessa had been wondering what her mother had. gotten into–then suddenly stumbled from Wesley’s push. That word hit like a thunderclap. Without thinking, she took off.
Wesley wanted to help her up, but Tessa was already up and sprinting like the wind.
Wesley was speechless.
“There they are! Get them!”
The two men had recognized them and were now in pursuit. Wesley kicked off her low heels and ran after Tessa.
Diana had said once they reached Falvaria, they’d be safe. Wesley had doubted it–and rightly so.
“Stop! Stop!” The men yelled behind them as Wesley sprinted, bumping into several people along the way. But up ahead, Tessa had vanished.
Wesley was speechless. It turned out the one in danger… was her. Tessa ran like a maniac. After several long blocks, she finally stopped to catch her breath and looked back… Nothing. Just regular travelers strolling out of the airport.
But before she could, she saw Wesley running toward her from not far away, followed by two- men in black caps. Wait, not just two. Behind those two, a few more people were closing in. All of them were after her?
“Ha, well… I, uh, I’m being chased by some bad guys?” That explanation would have to do.
Whether Victor believed her or not… Well, it was true.
He raised an eyebrow. “Again?”
Tessa swallowed hard. Come to think of it, could those people at Rivermount Airport have been after her too? God, no….
If that was true, then nowhere was safe. What kind of mess had her mom gotten into this time?
Tessa was speechless. Lock… down the airport? That guy must be pretty powerful here in Falvaria. Did Mom send me here without realizing the risk? Or worse–did she have no idea who she’d crossed?
Send Gifts
you helped me at Rivermount for free.” What did he mean? Was he actually charging people to be rescued?
Now, facing him this close, she couldn’t help but swallow. “Now what?”
Victor said, “Now, what do I get out of this?”
Tessa was stunned. What does he mean?
Little company? Who is he? Everyone in Rivermount talked about how impressive Night Corp is: Mom had built it from the ground up. Yet to him, it is just… a little company?
Victor smirked and gave her chin a playful squeeze before finally turning to the driver. “Drive” The car finally started moving. But just as it did, the driver hit the brakes hard.
Victor said, “You’re really that scared of them?”
Poor her… She had grown up in a safe, sheltered environment and had never seen anything like this. This time, she’d been thrust straight to the edge of life and death. The fact she hadn’t had a full breakdown already was a testament to her nerves.
Victor let out a low chuckle and released her. The smile on his face was like someone teasing a kitten–and thoroughly enjoying it.
Tessa sat up beside him, cheeks puffed in frustration. She was angry, but didn’t dare lash out. Besides, the man had just saved her. She wasn’t an ungrateful person. “Alright, now tell me what do you want?
11:01 AM
Victor ended the call and glanced at Tessa, his playful gaze now completely gone. Facing his piercing look. Tessa felt her heart tighten. It was the same look he had at the airport–the one that made her afraid to speak a single extra word. Sensing the danger radiating from him, she had a strong feeling that wherever they were going next, it wouldn’t be a good place.
Who wouldn’t be?! “I mean, I’ve never seen things like that in my whole life, she muttered. Being scared was normal, right?
“Where to?” His tone grew heavier, sounding impatient.
“Highspire Ridge, Tessa answered quickly.
That was the place her mother had arranged for her. But if those people had already followed her to Falvaria, who knew whether Highspire Ridge was still safe?
While she was still thinking, the car had already turned around. Victor clearly intended to drop her off there before heading to Coconut Bay.
But just as the car changed direction, Tessa’s phone rang. It was Wesley.
Tessa had been about to call her to check on her situation. Seeing her number, she quickly picked. up. “Wesley! Are you okay?”
“Miss, where are you? Are you safe?” Wesley asked.
“I’m safe?”
While answering. Tessa glanced at Victor beside her. Even she wasn’t sure if she believed what she was saying anymore.
Wesley hesitated. “Miss, you…”
Tm safe,” she repeated, cutting her off. As long as she hadn’t been captured, that counted as safe.
Chapter 349 Turn Back
Tessa asked, “What about you? Are you safe?
“I’m fine,” Wesley replied. “But, Miss, you can’t go to Highspire Ridge anymore.”
“What?” Tessa said..
Wesley added. “Those people tracked you to Falvaria. I think they’ve already figured out where Ms. Diana arranged for you to go. Highspire Ridge isn’t safe anymore.”
Just as she suspected… “Then what do I do now?” If Highspire Ridge was off the table, where could she go?
“I’ll need to check in with Ms. Diana. Don’t check into any hotels–wait for my instructions,” Wesley said.
A hotel was definitely out of the question. They knew who Tessa was. Registering at a hotel would only expose her location.
“Huh? How long will that take?” Wait for instructions? Falvaria was freezing cold: was Wesley expecting her to just wait out on the street?
“I need to reach Ms. Diana first. Miss, the situation is very serious, I think you-”
Thud! Wesley didn’t get to finish. There was a loud sound on the other end–her phone had dropped.
Tessa’s breath caught in her throat. Before she could speak, a rough male voice came through the line. “It’s her. Bring her back.”
Tessa was stunned. Something had happened to Wesley. Cold sweat formed on Tessa’s forehead as she gripped the phone. Then she heard the man’s voice again.
“You’re Tessa, right?” His threatening tone pierced through the phone and stabbed right into her chest. Tessa’s hand trembled. The phone slipped from her grip and landed inside the car. Her mind went completely blank. One disaster after another–she could barely breathe.
“Tessa? Tessa, where are you?” the voice persisted.
Victor glanced at her trembling form. He leaned over, picked up the phone, checked the number, then said coldly, “What does her location have to do with you?”
The moment Victor spoke, his voice carried an overwhelming authority.
The man on the other end hesitated. “And who are you?” he asked.
“Victor Perez.
“M–Mr Victor” The man’s voice wavered in shock and nanic
Chapter 340 Tum Back
+8 Pearls
Victor narrowed his eyes. “Who are you people?”
Beep… beep…..
Before he could finish, the line went dead. When he tried calling back, the number was no longer reachable. Clearly, once they heard Victor’s name, they panicked and hung up. He tossed the phone back to Tessa.
Tessa, still shaking, said. “The airport. We need to go find Wesley
Wesley had worked under her mother for years. She had an eighty–year–old grandfather in the hospital. She couldn’t be allowed to get hurt. Tessa had heard the danger in that man’s voice. She was terrified.
Victor glanced at her but said nothing.
Meeting his dangerous gaze, Tessa shrank back. How had she forgotten that this wasn’t someone she could boss around. ‘S–sorry, she whispered.
Wesley was in trouble, she was all alone in Falvaria, and now this… Tessa was more cautious than
Before Victor could reply, his phone rang again. He answered with a chilling, “Speak
They re about to dock? Got it.”
He hung up, eyes like ice. “Head to Coconut Bay. Now, he told the driver.
“Yes, sir.” The driver broke into a cold sweat and quickly turned the car again.
Victor called John. The call connected quickly. “Boss.”
“You all in place?”
“Three minutes away.”
They’re about to dock.”
“Understood.”
Victor ended the call and looked at Tessa. “So Highspire Ridge is no longer an option?
Tessa looked at him helplessly and nodded. She was nervous, scared, and even a little hopeless. She had no idea what was happening. Her peaceful life had just been shattered.
Victor said nothing more.
Tessa, mind finally catching up, remembered she needed to call Stella. Falvaria was Stella’s hometown, after all.
Chapter 349 Turn Back
D
+8 Pearls
Abraham had asked the kitchen to prepare something light. Mushroom soup and chicken chop. And mashed potatoes. Stella had eaten six already. As she reached for the seventh, Abraham looked at her with amusement. “Star”
“What? I can’t eat anymore?” Stella looked up at him, eyes wide. These were just too good-
she wanted more.
Send Gift
Chapter 350 Operation
There were also beef patties. The food from this place really wasn’t ordinary–it was exceptional.
Abraham smiled. These meat patties aren’t exactly small.”
Each one was not small, but incredibly delicious. Really delicious for sure.
“I’m still hungry.” She looked at Abraham with pleading eyes. She knew exactly what he meant earlier he was trying to get her not to eat too much at night.
—
Abraham said, “I’ll have the kitchen make the same thing for you tomorrow morning. How’s
that?”
Well… okay.” Since Abraham said that, Stella couldn’t keep pushing to eat more. Besides, she’d already eaten six patties and had two bowls of mushroom soup.
Just then, she saw Tessa calling. Reluctantly, she tore her gaze away from the meat patty. She answered the call, her tone still carrying a trace of unspoken bitterness. “Pattic…”
But Tessa broke down immediately. “Star, you’ve got to save me… sob…
Hearing Stella’s voice was the final straw. Everything Tessa had been holding in just collapsed..
Stella was surprised. “What happened to you?”
Tessa sobbed, “My mom… I don’t know who she messed with this time, but those people chased me all the way to Falvaria. They’re vicious–and they even took Wesley!”
Stella said, “What?”
Tessa cried, “I think the whole Rivermount Airport incident that was them too. They’re after
- me.
At that moment, the TV was broadcasting the news about Rivermount Airport. From the surveillance footage, it was clear the situation was intense–everything had been smashed to bits.
It didn’t look like those people were just trying to catch someone. It looked like they wanted to wipe them out completely.
Stella looked at the screen, then at her phone. “Where are you right now?”
“I’m in Victor’s car.
Stella was shocked.
Abraham glanced at her; he had obviously heard the phone call.
Stella, hearing Tessa was in Victor’s car, started to feel a bit nervous herself.
11:01 AM
Chapter 350 Operation
“But he’s even scarier, Star, you’ve got to… mmph-”
Beep, beep, beep. Before she could finish her sentence, the call ended.
+B Pearls
Stella froze on the spot. She looked down at her now–black screen and tried to call back, but the phone was turned off. There was no doubt about who had ended the call.
Stella inhaled sharply and turned to Abraham. “Abraham, could you call Victor?”
To say what?”
“Tell him not to scare Tessa. Just look how terrified she is.
And really, Victor could be intimidating even when he wasn’t trying. Stella still got uneasy just watching him get serious. Let alone someone like Tessa, who had never even been around people
like that.
Victor had this raw, natural sense of danger about him–an aura one couldn’t fake. Even when he wasn’t acting aggressively, just being around him alone could be terrifying.
Abraham set down his bowl and chopsticks, pulled a napkin toward him, and said calmly, “Victor
won’t hurt her.”
“But Tess is scared. Can’t you just call him and ask him not to be so harsh with her?”
Abraham’s long fingers tapped rhythmically on the table as he glanced at Stella. “Tessa’s in Victor’s car right now?”
Stella nodded. “Could you ask him to drop her off at my y villa?”
She thought it over. Sending Tessa to the Dawson residence might not be appropriate. She had a villa there too, with staff managing it. Sending her to her private villa would be best.
Abraham said. “Victor probably doesn’t have time right now.”
Stella said, “Huh?”
Abraham replied, “He’s on his way to intercept a smuggling shipment.”
He had just gotten the call earlier, the Dawne family’s cargo was about to dock. Victor’s entire focus would be on that shipment now.
Stella was speechless..
Intercepting a shipment? Is this for real?
“Isn’t Tessa going to be scared out of her mind?” Two major incidents like this in just a matter of hours–wasn’t that enough to break her? And Abraham had just said Victor was on the way to…. that kind of operation. It was definitely going to be intense. Tessa might pass out from fear on the
spot
11:01 AM
Chapter 350 Operation
Just then, Eddie walked in and caught that last line.
+8 Pearls
Then Stella added, “What are the odds? Those two actually ran into each other at the airport.”
And now Victor had dragged Tessa into a live operation? That was practically torture for her.
Eddie walked over. “So they really did meet?”
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Returned Heiress Who Never Fit In