Chapter 351 Engaged In Combat
Seeing Eddie, Stella twitched her lips, subconsciously ignoring him.
But Eddie sat opposite her and said, “You know what? That best friend of yours is really something. With all that wild energy, when she bumps into Victor, he might be the one who ends up worse off
Stella refuted, “Shut up. She’s just unsteady on her feet; she doesn’t do it on purpose,” thinking, What the hell is this? I don’t want to talk to him. He’s getting on my nerves.
Eddie scoffed, “Many women have stumbled onto him all these years, but I’ve never seen one dare to strip him…”
Stella stopped him, saying, “You’d better stop talking.”
Seeing that Eddie started to talk crap, Stella felt embarrassed and didn’t want to listen to him.
Stella was speechless. She then said, “No one can cure your habit of talking nonsense, huh?”
Eddie was startled when he subconsciously glanced at Abraham, who looked off. Then he smartly shut up and stopped talking.
Stella called out, “Abraham.”
Abraham said, “Hmm, I will call Victor.”
Eddie was speechless, thinking, Alright, after all, she’s still a little princess. Who else can trouble him so much?
Abraham picked up his phone and called Victor.
The phone rang once, twice, but remained unanswered as it was automatically hung up eventually after the final ring.
As Stella heard the final beep on the phone, her heart tensed.
Abraham said, “Both sides should already be engaging in combat.”
Stella was shocked, thinking, Tessa, I’ve tried, but time just doesn’t allow it.
If Tessa had called her earlier, she might have been able to rescue her from that situation.
On the other side, Tessa trembled as she curled up under Victor’s legs.
From the moment she got in the car, she never managed to get out from under Victor’s legs.
She covered her head with both arms, her eyes were closed tightly.
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Chapter 351 Engaged In Combat
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Tessa was silently praying to her ancestors, “Dear ancestors, please help me get through this ordeal.”
She had been going through an ordeal for the past few days–she had been moving through such dangerous scenes.
The car kept moving, and it was going so fast that Tessa’s curled–up body was unsteady.
The space under Victor’s legs was small, and her waist kept rubbing against his calf.
Tessa screamed in fear the moment the explosion went off.
She could feel her eardrum shattered, as if those things could tear her apart anytime.
She was overwhelmed by terror, fear, and helplessness.
This scene persisted for more than an hour before the car finally stopped.
A man’s voice rang out from outside the car window as he said to Victor in a foreign language, “They were all eliminated. I will bring Silas to handle the cleaning.”
Victor replied with simple words, “Hmm.”
But even with this simple response, it still sounded dangerous to Tessa.
She was terrified.
Back then at Rivermount, she prided herself on having encountered countless hardships and challenges.
Now, she had never encountered such a tough situation–it was so overwhelming that it felt like it could engulf her anytime.
The scene came to a stop.
Tessa was still trembling.
As if he had forgotten her presence, Victor picked up his phone, called Abraham, and crossed his legs casually.
A muffled groan came from beneath his legs, and Victor froze for a moment.
He glanced downwards and realized a small, trembling figure beneath his legs. He first froze, then it hit him – Tessa was here.
Abraham, who was on the other end of the line, asked, “Is it over?”
Victor replied, “Yes, it’s over. The Dawne family is especially cautious this time, so it takes a bit longer.”
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Chapter 351 Engaged in Combat
Victor replied in a respectful tone. “Understood.”
As he was about to hang up the call. Abraham asked again. “Is Tessa over there?”
Victor replied. “Yeah, she was below me.”
On the other side of the line, both Stella and Eddie were speechless.
When Abraham asked about Tessa, he put the phone on speaker.
Upon hearing him, Stella and Eddie exchanged glances several times; both of them were flabbergasted.
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Stella twitched her lips as she looked at Eddie, then at Abraham–countless question marks swirled around her head.
She thought. What does Victor mean? Is that what I understood? Hold on, this is way too fast, isn’t it? Is Tessa willing? It’s impossible that she would be willing. On top of that, they are doing it under such a situation; what exactly does this mean?
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Chapter 352 Misunderstanding
Stella’s mind was in chaos as she imagined things.
Eddie hissed sharply and said, “Victor, you’re something, aren’t you? That Ms. Tessa is so capable, and this time she really takes your pants off…
“If you dare to say one more word, I guarantee you won’t be able to say another word tomorrow,” before Eddie could finish his sentence, Victor’s menacing voice came through the line.
Eddie was so frightened that he kept his mouth shut immediately.
Stella then asked anxiously, “Wait, Mr. Victor, what do you mean by that? Is Tessa willing?”
The moment her words fell, and before Victor could answer her, Tessa’s cry came through the line. “Stella, you have to save me, Stella. I didn’t come here of my will. I almost died. I’m
afraid that….
Before Tessa could finish her words, the phone hung up.
Both Stella and Eddie were shocked, again.
They both glanced at Abraham. Stella panicked as she said, “Abraham, you have heard her, right? Tessa isn’t willing.
Eddie then said, “This Victor is a bastard. He has only met Ms. Tessa a few times, yet now he is doing this to her.”
Although last time at Scaflats Cove, what she did was indeed shocking.
But Stella already said that she didn’t do it on purpose and without any ulterior motives.
Surprisingly, Stella agreed with Eddie, nodded, and said, “That’s right. He can’t do that to Tessa. Look how Tessa was crying on the phone.”
Especially that tone of hers was full of terror. Those who didn’t know might have really thought that Victor did something to her.
Abraham pinched his forehead,
Stella hugged his arm as she waved it while saying, “Abraham.”
She was worried about Tessa.
Abraham replied, “Rest assured. Victor knows what he’s doing.”
Stella replied, “If he knew, he wouldn’t have scared Tessa to that state.”
Stella thought. Does that seem like he knows what he’s doing? Not at all. No, Tessa can’t stay by Victor’s
ride (kamuita tha simuld ha tensed in death
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Chapter 352 Misunderstanding
Eddie nodded and said, “That’s true. Look how scared she is.
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Abraham gave him a stare, and Eddie turned around with a bowl in his arms. He said, “What I’m saying is just the truth.”
Abraham kicked him.
If Eddie hadn’t dodged, given the force Abraham applied, he would have been knocked off the chair and hit the floor along with his bowl.
Seeing that Abraham was in a fury, Stella glanced at Eddie and said. “Don’t say anything.”
Anything that came out of his mouth was like a headache to everyone.
Eddie was shocked, thinking, Didn’t she say the same things? Didn’t she say that Victor is going overboard as well?
Hugging Abraham’s arm, Stella said, “Abraham, help Tessa, please.”
Tessa was quite bold when she was at Rivermount, but she had never encountered such a scene.
Stella knew how devastating it would be for one who had never come across such a scene to go through one.
Back then, when she witnessed Abraham’s murder, she was so scared that she shut herself off for quite a while.
Abraham was helpless to her relentless clinging.
Considering that Tessa had taken great care of Stella at Rivermount back then, he called Victor again.
Victor answered his call and said, “Mr. Abraham.”
Abraham then said, “Be gentle with the girl.”
Victor replied, “How am I supposed to be gentle under such circumstances?”
A response almost without thinking came from the other end of the line. Abraham felt somewhat embarrassed by Victor’s response
Both Stella and Eddie were speechless.
Upon hearing him, the two didn’t get it at all and thought, Under such circumstances? What kind of
circumstances?
Stella looked at Abraham. The latter couldn’t stand her gaze and said, “Anyways, don’t scare her.”
Victor explained, “It isn’t I who scares her.”
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Chapter 352 Misunderstanding.
She couldn’t bring herself to continue asking why Tessa was below him.
Victor said, “Star, you can’t speak those words like Eddie did.”
Eddie took the hit for nothing. He got enraged to the point that he almost snapped.
Stella was stunned; she just wanted to ask about Tessa’s condition.
She then asked, “May I have a word with Tessa?”
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She couldn’t get it clear with Victor. The only person she could speak with directly was Tessa.
Abraham said, “Pass the phone to Tessa.”
Victor then said, “She’s already passed out.”
Stella was speechless and thought, Passed out? How badly was she scared back then?
Abraham then had a few words with Victor before hanging up the call. The message was clear – go. easy on Tessa.
Stella stared blankly at Abraham–she was still worried about Tessa.
ham rubbed the top of her head gently and said, “Be good. Tessa is probably with him when they are clashing with the Dawne family.”
Chapter 353 Be Gentle With The Girl
Stella thought, “Is she with him when he’s carrying out the mission? No doubt, Tessa is going to be so scared that she passes out.
On the other side, in the car, Tessa was curled up under Victor’s legs. This time, she had no intention of getting up, no matter what.
Victor reached out his broad palm to her and said, “Get up.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she shook her head.
Victor’s expression darkened, and he asked, “Do you want to stay forever between my legs?”
Tessa was shocked, as if she had just realized that.
Victor grabbed her by the wrist and was about to yank her up, but Tessa wouldn’t dare.
The window of the car was shot at and left with a few holes. Anyways, sitting up would be unsafe.
Tessa said, “I will be sitting here.”
Victor’s tone grew firmer as he called out her name.
Tessa cried, “I want to return to Rivermount. I want to go home.”
She had a complete breakdown and burst out in tears.
Encountering such things in an unfamiliar place, how could someone not lose their mind?
Now, Tessa just wanted to go home–to the place she grew up and her house, where she could find a sense of security being at home.
Victor chuckled and asked, “Ms. Tessa, try to recall how you ended up at Falvaria.”
Tessa was confused.
Victor continued, “If I’m not mistaken, you’ve probably gotten into some trouble at Rivermount, right?”
She had been living in Rivermount since childhood but suddenly found herself in Falvaria. On top of that, her mother was no ordinary person.
A capable and independent woman stationed in the cutthroat world of business.
But then Tessa suddenly arrived at Falvaria. Plus, someone is chasing after her relentlessly at the airport.
Who would believe it if she said she didn’t get into some trouble and fled here?
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Chapter 353 Be Gentle With The Girt
Victor’s hand still stayed in front of her, and he said. “Get up: it’s safe now.”
Tessa sobbed and asked, “Is it truly safe now?”
All of a sudden, nowhere seemed safe to her.
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Victor wasn’t someone who would coax women; in fact, when he saw a woman crying, he would even get annoyed.
If Tessa weren’t Stella’s best friend and Abraham hadn’t asked him to take care of her on the phone, he would have thrown this crying woman out of the car.
Victor tried to comfort her and said, “Alright, what’s the big deal about you keeping on crying?”
Tessa replied, “How big a deal is it?”
Upon hearing him, Tessa felt more devastated.
Tears flowed endlessly down her face.
Seeing her with tears and snot all over her face, his brain went fuzzy.
Victor then said, “Alright, it’s a big deal that it frightened you, but it’s safe now.”
Tessa still wouldn’t believe in him.
She had been navigating through a barrage of bullets for these few tens of hours.
This time, she felt the real danger.
Now, even though Victor claimed it to be safe, she didn’t dare to trust him and couldn’t remember what true safety felt like.
Seeing her still crying. Victor lost his patience completely. He then said, “If you were to cry one more time. I will throw you out immediately.”
This method of his worked well, as Tessa completely shut up in an instant–because she fainted for real this time.
Victor saw her head tilt to one side; her face fell on his knee, and her tears smeared his
At this moment, Victor really wanted to throw her off the car.
He couldn’t help but complain in disdain, “Women are such a headache.
Thinking that Stella was also a crybaby, he didn’t know Abraham could tolerate her.
He grabbed Tessa and hoisted her onto the seat.
pants
Watching her in her messy clothes Victor felt even annover as he took off his irket and camalle
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jus joj jou
Chapter 353 Be Gentle With The Girl
At Rivermount.
Stella was coaxed to bed by Abraham.
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Rivermount tonight was especially cold. The heater indoors was in clear contrast with the snow view outdoors.
Stella sat in the bay window and was unwilling to go to bed until Abraham lifted her and put her in bed.
Stella said, “You won’t let me out, and now you won’t let me enjoy the view either?”
She loved snow, a lot.
Abraham said, “Now you need to get more sleep.”
Both Eddie and the female doctor said that Stella needed to get more sleep.
Only then could she recover faster.
Stella pouted, “I have slept a lot during the day; I can’t fall asleep now.”
Abraham said, “Yeah, I know.”
Stella was perplexed.
He knew? Then why did he let her go to bed?
Abraham lowered his head and glanced at Stella, who looked confused; a mischievous smile curled at the corner of his lips.
Seeing his sly grin, Stella had a bad feeling.
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Chapter 354 Total Mess In The Reed Family
Stella refused, “Nope, I don’t want to.”
Seeing her intense response, Abraham couldn’t help but flick her forehead and say, “Damn brat, what are you thinking about?”
Stella was shocked as she thought. “Isn’t it what she thought? Then why that sly grin? It’s terrifying.
Since the veil between them was fully ripped apart, Abraham acted without restraint towards her.
Back then, to Stella, he was always a refined and virtuous gentleman.
Then she got to see his side of bloodlust.
Recently, she also witnessed how shameless a gentleman could be and how far his limits could go.
Abraham placed her on the bed, then he turned to get the medicine and said, “I’ll apply the medicine for you first.”
Stella was speechless as she thought, Here it comes again!
Abraham continued, “About the medicine you’ve taken, you still need to take it again.”
Stella replied, “I don’t want to take it.”
It’s too bitter.
Abraham turned around; his smile grew gentler, and he said, “What if you take it with this citrus- flavored sweet?”
g too much.
Citrus–flavored sweets were her favorite, but Abraham restricted her from eating
Stella replied reluctantly, “Alright then.”
Only when she got sick and had to take the medicine would Abraham coax her with the sweets. If she wanted to have some at other times, Abraham would stop her, claiming that it would cause tooth decay.
Warmth filled the air at Seaflats Cove.
While for the Reed family, this place seemed unusually gloomy after the blockade ordered by Abraham.
The mansion remained what it was, but no matter how, the previous sense of luxury could no longer be felt.
After Rianne had made her visit, the entire Reed family became unusually solemn
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Acting without thinking, she immediately kept away Jonathan’s cards and mobile phone and forced him to transfer all the cash in the cards to her account.
Jonathan was naturally not willing to do so, as he thought, Isn’t it causing a huge uproar already?
Rebecca hugged their child and sat by the windowsill.
Jonathan couldn’t use his hands for strength in the first place. When he saw Rebecca like that, he panicked.
He said, “What are you doing? Get down from there at once!”
Rebecca roared, “I don’t care. You have to transfer all the money to my account today. Otherwise, I will jump down from here with the child.”
For the 4.1 million dollars, Susan actually came to discuss with Jonathan to gather the money to treat Lillian first.
Rebecca had never imagined that Lillian was so capable.
Jonathan said, “You get down here first.” He was so furious that it gave him a headache.
Although he couldn’t be bothered with Rebecca now, his son was his flesh and blood, and he couldn’t ignore that.
Seeing Rebecca like that, Susan was boiling with rage, and she said, “You woman, will you only be happy once you’ve torn the entire family apart? Get down here right now!”
Seeing Susan losing her composure, Rebecca started to get angry as well.
Then she went off at her, “I am the one tearing the Reed family apart? That’s quite the accusation. Madam Susan, you have my admiration. You’ve seen Lillian’s true color, haven’t you? Yet you still want to cure her so selflessly?”
If Susan hadn’t seen through Lillian’s true colors before, the necklace incident this time should have made it clear, right?
Little did they expect that Susan was still willing to cure Lillian despite things having come to this point.
Rebecca continued, “Up until this point, if you were to say that Lillian isn’t your illegitimate daughter from outside, I wouldn’t believe it.”
just how selfless had she been in her giving?
What foster mother could go to such lengths for her foster daughter? Someone who was neither blood–related nor a close acquaintance, yet would go to such lengths as to give everything for her.
Susan was fuming. She was about to step forward and tear Rebecca apart. She you bitch: Il
said, “You shut up.
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Chapter 354 Total Mess In The Reed Family
“Enough!” Jonathan could tolerate this no longer as he roared.
The intense argument between Susan and Lillian fell completely silent at that moment.
Susan stared at Lillian with a furious gaze: she couldn’t wait to tear her apart.
Rebecca didn’t care; before she got her answers, she would be sitting on the windowsill.
Jonathan looked at Rebecca, displeased, and said, “You come down.”
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Rebecca refuted. “Transfer all the money to my account. Only our son has the right to use your money. Who does Lillian think she is?”
Susan said. “You…”
Rebecca interrupted her and said, “You are willing to give; I’ve no comment on it. But if you intend to make a move on Jonathan, you’ll see if I agree.”
Susan was enraged, and she said, “You… Do you really want to turn our family upside down? Speak. Did Stella send you here? How much has she given you?
Whenever she recalled how Stella had turned the Reed family upside down back then, she would think that Rebecca had been sent by her.
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Chapter 355 The Veil Between Was Torn Apart
She didn’t wish well for the Reed family.
Rebecca sneered, “It is such a great misfortune for her to have a mother like you. No wonder she wants everyone to know that she has cut ties with you. She can’t afford to have a mother like you.”
Jonathan said. “You’ve had enough.
It would have been better not to mention that Stella cut her ties with the Reed family. Now, when Rebecca mentioned it, it gave Jonathan a splitting headache.
At first, he thought that Stella was just throwing a tantrum.
JAS
As everyone was defending Lillian, she tried to capture the attention of everyone through that method.
But as things escalated, they came to realize that the Reed family was the most laughable party of the entire incident.
Rebecca said, “What do you mean by enough? Let me make myself clear today–our son is the only one who can use our money. Nobody can lay a hand on it unless our son and I die…”
Jonathan replied, “I’ll give them all to you, alright?”
Jonathan felt like his head was about to explode from the argument, and at last, he gave in to Rebecca.
Jonathan, Susan’s tone clearly turned anxious.
Seeing that Susan still wanted to interfere with it, she immediately jumped down from the windowsill, hugging her son.
Then she stepped forward and pushed Susan out of the room, then locked the door behind her.
Susan was caught off guard as she was being pushed out easily. When she came to the realization and wanted to enter the room, the door was locked from the inside.
Susan said, “Rebecca, open up. Open the door.”
In the room, Rebecca looked at Jonathan and asked, “You are being serious, aren’t you?”
Jonathan replied, “Back then, you got into my bed for the money, didn’t you?”
Rebecca was shocked.
Tension filled the air.
Rebecca gulped, looking at Jonathan, and said, “You’re rich and handsome, but let me tell you,
Jonathan whether it’s unu or anuhodu alen I won’t seeent
Chapter 355 The Veil Between Was Torn Apart
She was being straightforward, her attitude was firm, too.
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“If we didn’t have a son. I’d let it slide, but we do. I would let it slide if they were your parents, but an unrelated person shouldn’t think about splitting my son’s share. What do you say?”
Rebecca’s words were particularly sober.
To sum up, she used to care about him, but under such circumstances, she had to prioritize money. There wasn’t much she could do. She needed the money to raise their child.
Given the Reed family as it was now, if she weren’t to prioritize money, should she be expecting affection instead?
At Seaflats Cove. Stella could hear the vibrating sounds of her phone in a daze.
The vibrating sounds were intermittent–they were messages.
The sound of flowing water echoed from the bathroom–Abraham was taking a shower; that jerk.
Stella picked up the phone and had a look–it was from Tessa. She had sent a few voice messages. and a video.
Stella opened the video and saw a feminine figure sitting by the window. She took a closer inspection–it was the Reed mansion, and the figure belonged to Rebecca.
Stella was shocked, thinking. What’s the ruckus about now?
She opened Tessa’s voicemail: “Star, the Reed family is in utter chaos–there’s no peace left. Take a look: who knows what kind of fuss Rebecca is exactly making? She seems to be holding a child in her arms
Upon hearing her, Stella zoomed in on the video for a better look. Sure enough, she saw a child’s leg at Rebecca’s waist.
Stella thought. The room belonged to Jonathan. Did she go and make a fuss with Jonathan?
Hold on… wasn’t Tessa still crying to her on the phone just now? Did she have the energy to watch the drama?
Stella was about to call Tessa when the bathroom door opened.
Abraham came out from inside with a towel around his waist. Upon seeing him, Stella blushed.
She instinctively put her phone down and hid herself under the blanket.
Seeing her like that, Abraham chuckled and said, “What are you hiding from?”
Stella replied. “You jerk, I’m not going to talk to you again.”
Abraham took the blanket off her head and pinched her cheek affectionately.
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Chapter 355 The Veil Between Was Torn Apart
Abraham replied, “Yeah, he did.”
Stella then said, “Then why are you….
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Speaking until here, Stella couldn’t continue her words, although Abraham didn’t do anything to her.
Stella mumbled, “I’m thinking that you are very bad.”
Stella was shocked, thinking, This guy is a classical example of a gentleman with no shame and no pride; the hardest to deal with is the one with no shame and no pride.
Send Gifts
“You have no idea how terrifying Victor really is. I mean it, I really–Ugh, forget it. If I keep talking about him, I might faint again.”
“Okay, okay, we won’t talk about him,” Stella said softly, trying to soothe her.
When Abraham said Victor had taken Tessa to face the Dawne family in person, Stella knew right away—it had to be even worse than the chans at Rivermount Airnort
“What? Why would she go see Lillian? Did something happen while I was gone? Why the hell would Rianne go check on Lillian?” Tessa was fully fired up now, her voice edging toward furious.
Unbelievable.
When Tessa heard the medicine cost 700,000 dollars a dose–taken daily for a week–she was stunned. What kind of drug costs that much?
Tessa was shocked. Is it’s real? She didn’t buy it. “Sounds like she’s scamming the Reed family, honestly.” Even if such a drug did exist, there’s no way it should cost that much.
Stella shrugged. “Real or not, I’ve got no clue. But judging by how hard Rebecca’s losing it, the Reed family clearly bought it.”
T im at Victor’s place. He won’t let me lempel!
etter. Sella muully wasnit themype Emi
- og. Benveen already
She was about so comfort her when Tema blumed our “Sıvila. I camdig gyen im nouutiti wandi) (izaa mkata anymore. Wesley’s gone too. I don’t even know what’s happening. All snow in Ron conf pattype
look mum Madim Dean And if you don’t want to stay with Victor, I have someone pacchi, ya campa
Stella let out a soft laugh. “That’s more like it.”
Victor and the others were just leaving the study when they passed by the room where Tessa had been staying. He came to a stop, then turned to John and Silas.
Seeing that Victor had no intention of going downstairs, John and the others headed out first.
Silas added, “So yeah–don’t get curious.”
Because once you got curious, your mouth started running–and that was how people got in
trouble.
With that, Silas walked off.
But Lewis was still dying to know who the woman was. He scratched his head, then hurried to catch up. “Come on,” he said. “Mr. Victor’s always had beautiful women around, but I’ve never seen him actually make a move. You think he’s finally into someone?”
Silas was speechless.
Silas didn’t say a word. His gut dropped, and before he even realized it, his hand flew up and slapped over Lewis’s mouth. He shot him a warning look, then yanked him toward the car without saying a thing.
“You trying to end up like Dr. Eddie?” He hissed. “Let me remind you–Mr. Victor nearly drowned him in the ocean.” Yeah… it might be best to keep some distance from Lewis from now on.
A lot of guys liked to talk, but Lewis had a way of digging into things that were better left alone.
Some people really didn’t value their lives. And no matter how much you tried to stop them, they just had to push their luck.
Chapter 358 Trouble
Upstairs
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on the second floor. Tessa lay in bed, barely conscious, her mind hazy with fever. In the
blur of it all, she thought she heard someone nearby–frustrated and snappin
Something cool brushed against her lips.
Her thirst took over. The moment the cold hit her lips, she clung to it like it was the first drop of water she’d had in days.
Victor looked down at her flushed face, burning with fever. Without a word, he grabbed a fever reducer and slipped it between her lips, then helped her wash it down with a few sips of water.
As soon as she managed to swallow the pill. he tried to pull the cup away–but before he could, Tessa grabbed onto his arm.
She clung to him like she couldn’t let go.
Victor’s face darkened, and the irritation in his eyes flared. He looked like he was ready to throw her straight out of the room.
“Typical spoiled rich girl–completely useless,” he muttered coldly.
If people like her fell into the wrong hands, who knew what kind of suffering they’d go through.
He let her finish the cup of water. But just when he thought she might finally let his arm even tighter the moment he tried to pull away.
she gripped
Her brows were lightly furrowed, her expression pained. And then, in a soft, broken voice, she started to mumble, “Mom… Mom…”
Victor’s face turned cold. “Open your eyes and look at me,” he growled. “I’m not your mom.”
He held her burning chin, trying to get her to open her eyes, but she was too out of it. She couldn’t open them at all.
Their faces were now dangerously close–so close that Victor could feel the heat of her breath against his skin.
Then suddenly, buzz buzz buzz–his phone started vibrating.
Chapter 359 Trouble at Highspire Ridge
Victor pulled out the phone and glanced at the screen. It was Tessa’s.
An unknown number.
He answered without hesitation. Before he could say a word, a cold, threatening voice came through the line.
“Ms. Miller, give us what we want. If you don’t… The man paused, his voice turning cold. “Then. there won’t be a safe place left for you in this world. And the people around you? They’ll pay the price too.”
Victor’s eyes narrowed. “Are you threatening her?”
“Who are you?” the voice on the other end asked.
“The guy who called earlier didn’t tell you? I’m Victor Perez.”
Silence. Then–beep beep beep–the call ended.
The moment they heard Victor’s name, they hung up. But even that brief exchange said enough.
Tessa was in real danger.
Seaflats Cove.
Abraham had promised he’d return in two hours–and he kept his word.
Stella had been struggling to stay awake, but with everything going on with Tessa, she couldn’t
rest easy.
So when Abraham walked in, she was still up, waiting.
He pulled off his jacket and stepped over to her. “Why are you still up?”
“Waiting for you,” Stella mumbled.
He raised an eyebrow. “Something going on?”
One look at her face and he knew–something was definitely up. Stella never missed her bedtime. There was no way she’d still be awake unless it really mattered.
“It’s about Tessa. Abraham, she’s scared of Victor. You might need to send someone to go get her.”
“She told you she’s scared?”
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Chapter 359 Trouble at Highspire Ridge
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And now that Tessa had opened up to her, Stella felt responsible. Tessa was one of her few true friends, someone who’d stood by her through the Reed family mess. Stella couldn’t ignore that.
“I’ll call Victor,” Abraham said, pulling out his phone.
There was no need to send anyone. If Tessa didn’t want to stay with Victor, he could just drop her. off at Stella’s place himself.
Besides, Victor had always been a loner. He might not even like having Tessa around.
The call connected quickly.
“Abraham, Victor answered.
“How’s Tessa?”
“She’s fine.”
“She’s scared of you?”
Victor fell silent.
Stella’s eyes widened. Wow, really? Could he have been any more blunt? Tessa’s still with Victor–maybe ease up on the interrogation.
Victor replied flatly, “What isn’t she scared of?”
Stella had no response to that.
Abraham said, “If she doesn’t want to stay with you, take her to Stella’s place in Highspire Ridge.”
Highspire Ridge–Stella had a small estate there. There were three in the area, and one of them. was hers.
Victor said, “She can’t go to Highspire Ridge right now.”
“Why not?”
“Someone’s after her. Unless you want to send her to the Dawsons, nowhere else is safe.”
Stella went quiet. Send her to the Dawson family? “That works too,” she said quickly, giving Abraham a hopeful look, silently begging him to agree.
Abraham nodded. “Then take her there.”
“Can’t.” Victor said.
Abraham frowned. “Now what?” First Highspire Ridge is off–limits, and now the Dawson family too?
Victor said “We need to find out who’s behind this I think someone’s setting her un–mavhe
1:00 PM
Chapter 359 Trouble at Highspire Ridge
Stella didn’t hesitate. “Tessa would never.”
D
“No, she wouldn’t. But the people behind her might.”
Stella blinked. Wait, what?
Abraham asked, “So what’s your plan?”
“She stays with me for now. I’ll handle the investigation.”
+8 Pearls
Stella stayed quiet. But Tess is scared of him… She kept glancing at him, silently begging for his support–but this time, he didn’t budge.
He said to Victor, “Then it’s on you.”
Stella was speechless. Great. And just like that, I couldn’t do a damn thing
After the call, Abraham noticed her gloomy expression. “What’s wrong?”
“Tessa wouldn’t do something like that.”
“Maybe not. But the people coming after her? Who knows what they’re capable of.”
“And she’s scared of Victor too…” Stella could still hear the fear in Tessa’s voice over the phone. It made her heart ache all over again.
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Chapter 360 Lines You Don’t Cross
+8 Pearls
Abraham gently ruffled her soft hair, his tone indulgent. “Relax. Victor won’t do anything to her.”
Stella didn’t respond. Yeah, he probably won’t hurt her. But Tess is terrified of him. He might not lay a finger on her, but he could still scare the hell out of her
“She might call you tomorrow, okay?”
“Alright.”
Since Abraham had already said so, Stella didn’t argue. It was late.
She’d wait until tomorrow–if Tessa really called, they could talk then.
That night.
Stella clung to Abraham, holding him tight–really tight–like she had no intention of letting go.
Don’t ask why. She was scared too.
She curled up in his warm arms, nuzzling close until she found a comfortable spot–then shut her eyes. Holding him close felt way safer than keeping her distance.
Abraham picked up on her little act and chuckled softly. “Stella-”
“Don’t talk. I’m tired.” She cut him off before he could finish. The last thing she wanted right now. was to hear another word from him.
Especially not while they were in bed.
Because with him, one word always led to another… and before she knew it, things would be completely off track.
Meanwhile, all the way in Falvaria.
Tessa was burning up, barely hanging on. Victor had no choice–he called John and told him to bring a doctor over.
It was two in the morning.
When John got the call, he was out drinking with Lewis and Silas. “Right now?”
“If you don’t get here soon, she’s going to pass out, Victor snapped, clearly out of patience.
1:00 PM c
Chapter 360 Lines You Don’t Cross
H8 Pears
John could hear the irritation in Victor’s voice and immediately sobered up. Got it. On my way”
He hung up and immediately called one of the team’s doctors, ordering him to head to Victor’s villa ASAP. Then John paused, something about the whole thing not sitting right. I’m heading over there myself.”
Lewis raised an eyebrow. The doctor’s going… Wait, did Victor actually-”
Silas covered his mouth before he could say another word.
Everyone knew John couldn’t keep a secret. If Victor found out about this, Lewis was screwed.
Silas forced a laugh and looked at John. “He’s drunk. You go ahead.”
John didn’t say anything and left in a hurry.
The second John was out the door. Silas let go and whacked Lewis right in the back of the head. “Are you seriously drunk right now? If you are, go throw up or something. And maybe think before you open your mouth.”
Lewis rubbed the back of his head. “We barely drank anything.”
“Yeah? Then what the hell was that nonsense you were about to say?”
“I didn’t even say anything!”
“You didn’t say it, but if you had? You probably wouldn’t get the chance to speak again anytime
soon.
That damn mouth. No wonder Victor never let Lewis and Eddie hang out. Put those two in the same room, and it was guaranteed chaos.
Back at the villa
Tessa was burning up, wrapped around Victor’s arm like it was the only thing keeping her grounded. Through her fevered haze, she kept whispering, “Mom… Mom…”
Victor rubbed his forehead, clearly annoyed. He’d already spent the day tangled up with the Dawne family and was exhausted.
And now he had to take care of a woman? This was not his thing. He’d never done it in his life.
“I should’ve just left you with the Dawsons. At least she’d be safe there.
The doctor showed up with John not far behind. One look at Tessa and he jumped into action, giving her an injection to lower the fever. Then he turned to Victor. “She’s burning up. We need to help her cool down physically
Chapter 360 Lines You Don’t Cross
“You’ll need to wipe her down with warm water–all over.”
Victor and John both fell silent.
+B Pearls
They exchanged a glance, then looked at the doctor. The room was full of men. So… who was going to do it?
John cleared his throat. “Uh… Silas and the others are still at the bar. I should probably go pick them up.
God help me, he thought. I never should’ve come here. He had no clue what this woman meant to Victor, and he wasn’t about to get dragged into something messy. If Victor had brought her back himself, she had to matter. Which meant John needed to back off–fast.
Just as John turned to leave, Victor’s icy voice rang out behind him. “Stop.”
John froze. His back stiffened as he turned around. “You need something else?”
“Find a housekeeper.
“Now? It’s the middle of the night. Every agency’s closed. Best I can do is tomorrow.”
Best–case scenario? Tomorrow morning.
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