Chapter 364 Cold Truths and Close Calls
The second she saw the gun pointed at her, Susan went completely still.
“A–Ah! Y–You… what are you doing?” She stammered, her entire body shaking.
Her voice trembled, stuttering uncontrollably.
She’d already seen what had happened to Jonathan when he returned from Seaflats Cove- broken, humiliated. She knew the people around Stella weren’t the type you messed with.
But still… she was Stella’s mother. Her mother!How could they treat me like this?
Susan stood frozen in disbelief, her mind spinning.
“You… you can’t…”
Just then, the butler stepped forward between the two maids, hands calmly folded behind hist back. His eyes were sharp, steady–and just a little chilling. “Madam Susan, do you know why. your son left Seaflats Cove last time with a broken arm?”
Susan blinked, stunned. “W–Why?”
“Because he tried to hit Ms. Dawson.”
“He’s her brother!” she blurted out.
The butler’s gaze turned cold. “Her brother? In that case, Madam Susan… I’m afraid you won’t be leaving here so easily today.”
Susan’s breath caught. “W–What do you mean?”
What does that even mean? What are they planning to do to me?I’m her mother, she told herself, trying to stay calm. They wouldn’t actually hurt me… would they?
Her chest tightened with fear.
The butler calmly adjusted the cuff of his sleeve. “The daughter cherished by both the Luke and Dawson families–personally raised by Madam Evelyn and Mr. Abraham–isn’t someone just anyone can claim as their own.”
Susan’s eyes widened.
The butler leaned in slightly, his voice calm but cutting. “You say she’s your daughter–so what does that make Madam Evelyn?”
Susan went quiet. Her throat tightened, and her chest started to ache.
“You keep calling her your daughter,” he went on, “but during her time in the Reed family, how
did you reallic test hær? And now—what? You suddenlu cara? Or is it that you’re honina to min
Chapter 364 Cold Truths and Close Calls
“No… that’s not it…”
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“It’s not?” His laugh was soft but cutting. “Then tell me, what is all this sudden affection about?”
He put weight on the word–like he was dragging her real intentions into the light for everyone
To see.
Susan felt like she was about to fall apart.
Meanwhile, in the car-
Stella and Abraham had just finished breakfast and were heading out.
As the car rolled past the front gate, Abraham glanced outside, caught a glimpse of what was happening, and without warning, pulled Stella’s head into his chest.
Stella blinked, caught off guard. “What the–what are you doing?”
Before she could finish, Abraham leaned down and kissed her, cutting her off completely.
“Mmph- Seriously?
She instinctively pushed against him, worried she’d somehow triggered him again–even thought she hadn’t done a thing. She’d just been quietly watching the waves when he suddenly made a
move.
Once the moment passed, Abraham finally let her go–but his breathing was already unsteady.
Stella pulled back without thinking.
By now, she could read him–whenever his breathing changed like that, things always spiraled out of control.
The second she tried to move away, he grabbed her and pulled her close again.
“Where do you think youre gone, huh?” he said low.
Seriously? Right now? In the car? Stella flushed. “I–I’m not going anywhere. Just let me go. We’re int
the car!”
This was not the time or place for… whatever this was.
As if on cue, the divider screen in the car slowly began to rise.
Are
you kidding me?Was Abel always this quick to take a hint? She groaned, pushing against Abraham’s chest. “Stop it. I mean it–I’m not doing this.”
Abraham, who’d clearly been holding back all night, was already at his limit.
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Chapter 364 Cold Truths and Close Calls
“I don’t care. I said no,” she snapped. “I don’t want to.”
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She knew he wouldn’t hurt her, and sure, he had other ways of getting what he wanted–but she didn’t want any of it right now.
Especially not in a car.
And definitely not with the shameless moves he always pulled.
Frustrated and trapped in his arms, she squirmed and tried to break free. Abraham’s breath grew heavier.
He wrapped a hand around her waist and whispered, voice husky and coaxing, “Stella… Be good, okay?”
The moment she heard that tone, she panicked. “No!” she cried. “I said no, I don’t want to! Stop-”
She couldn’t fight him off, so she did the only thing she could–she cried.
Tears spilled down her face, fast and silent. Abraham froze, stunned for a second. Then, instead of backing off, he gently grabbed her chin and kissed her again.
His steady, familiar scent wrapped around her, smothering everything else.
Meanwhile, back in Falvaria-
Tessa sat on the bed, clinging tightly to the blanket wrapped around her. Her hands were trembling, but she kept pulling the covers tighter and higher–trying to cover herself completely.
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Chapter 365 Everything Went Wrong
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Tessa tucked herself under the blanket, like hiding could somehow make it all go away.
Victor sat across from her. A cigar rested between his fingers as he watched her, eyes sharp and unreadable.
He didn’t say a word, but the silence pressed down like a weight.
Tessa instinctively swallowed. “Uh, c–could you not look at me like that? You’re scaring me…”
Her voice cracked on the word scaring.
She might’ve been bold and fearless back in Rivermount, but in this unfamiliar place, she felt helpless. His eyes are terrifying.
Like a wolf hiding in the dark–one look from him felt like it could rip her apart.
Victor said, “What exactly is my problem?”
Tessa blinked, stunned. Inside, she was falling apart. What the hell?
She barely got a word out when Victor cut her off. “Think carefully before you answer, or else…”
He paused, but he didn’t need to finish. The warning was loud and clear.
Say the wrong thing now, and she was toast.
Oh, come on… Is this really karma? All I did was gossip a little–did it have to blow up this badly? I was just talking behind his back! Did he seriously have to catch me red–handed?
Tessa dropped her head. “I’m sorry.” When things go sideways, apologize first.
Victor raised a brow. “Hmm?”
“I didn’t mean it,” she mumbled, her voice shrinking with every word.
She wasn’t wearing anything right now. If this man said he’d prove her wrong.. she wouldn’t
stand a chance.
This is all Stella’s fault. She almost got me in serious trouble. Swear to God, if I make it out of this, I’m never gossiping about Victor again. Not one word. I’m done. Seriously.
Victor arched a brow and flicked the ash from his cigar into the tray. His eyes shifted back to her. “So, what exactly is my problem?”
She made the mistake of looking him in the eye. His gaze was deep, dark, and impossible to read. Her heart jumped, and she quickly looked away. “I meant I’m the one with the problem.”
Chapter 365 Everything. Went Wrong
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Tessa blurted out, “I didn’t mean you–I was talking about myself. I’m the one with the problem!”
If saving her life meant giving up her dignity, so be it.
Victor raised a brow. “Oh? So what exactly is your problem?”
Yeah… this situation clearly wasn’t going away anytime soon.
Tessa could tell–if she didn’t give him a straight answer, he wasn’t dropping it.
God, could my timing be any worse? Of all the things to say out loud, why did it have to be that? What kind of idiot gossips about someone like him?
Comered by Victor’s questions, Tessa’s mind was a mess.
She took a breath and blurted out, T’m bad at everything. I mess up whatever I do. The only thing I’m good at is cating.”
She’d embarrassed herself enough–surely he’d let it slide now.
Victor watched her trembling hands clinging to the blanket, panic written all over her face.
He chuckled. “A bottomless pit, huh?”
Tessa didn’t say a word. Why is he such a jerk? Whatever. She wasn’t about to talk back.
She nodded, clearly not thrilled. “Yeah.”
She swore gossip had never backfired this hard in her entire life.
Ten minutes later.
Tessa sat at the dining table, staring at the spread of food in front of her–most of which she’d never even seen before.
Then she looked at Victor.
He leaned back in his chair, one ankle resting on his opposite knee.
With the suit and dress shirt gone, the tattoo on his neck was impossible to miss–he looked like pure trouble.
And honestly, he looked straight–up dangerous. Tessa was rattled–he was the kind of guy you just didn’t cross.
Victor gave her a look. “Can you finish it all?”
Tessa blinked Finish it? Wait–does he actually erect me to eat all this? She gave him a nitiful look “I
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She looked completely anxious and defeated. If she had to eat everything on the table, she’d definitely make herself sick.
Victor’s voice was calm. “So what exactly were you and Stella talking about?”
Tessa said nothing. So this really wasn’t over, huh? God, just let me pass out already. If this keeps going, I’m going to lose it.
His stare was had no clue what to say,
way too intense. Tese
For once, she was completely speechless.
She went completely silent.
Victor watched her drop her head again, and for the first time, a flicker of amusement passed through his cold eyes.
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Chapter 366 She Launched Into A Tirade
Victor scoffed and said, “Eat this.”
Tessa nearly cried and said, “I can’t finish this.”
Victor then sneered. “Then how about you keep starving?”
Tessa was shocked, thinking. Is this guy a pervert? Can someone do something about him? All he wants to do is either starve or stuff people to death–two extremes.
At Rivermount. Susan returned to the Reed mansion with her face red and swollen. Rebecca was about to bring the medicine to Lillian.
Now, no doctors were willing to make house calls to the Reed family.
Susan was already upset with her for emptying Jonathan’s card.
While Rebecca naturally didn’t hold her temper in, she scoffed, “What do you think you’re doing? Are you even trying to snatch this medicine? I’m sorry, but this medicine doesn’t match your foster daughter’s condition.”
To meet a mother like her was truly a once–in–a–lifetime experience for Rebecca.
When she heard that it was medication sachets from some pharmacies, her anger grew intense, and she said, “You are giving this to Jonathan?”
She thought, even at this moment, is Susan emphasizing the responsibility issue?
Susan was stunned.
Rebecca continued, “Don’t say it’s because of Stella. Remember when Lillian hired someone and nearly killed Stella? Then Stella counterattacked, so that’s how the Reed family is now barely surviving, and your son nearly died because of you.”
Rebecca continued, “You are still accusing this medicine of causing problems for him. You’d better go find medicine that wouldn’t cause an issue. You cause him to be unable to be hospitalized, and doctors dare not visit him. If you are so capable, why don’t you use that protective ability of your foster daughter and get him the safe medicine?”
Rebecca launched into a tirade.
She thought, What are all these things that I’ve encountered? And the people I’ve met? Each was more impressive than the last. Back then, Stella had quite a sharp tongue, but I don’t expect Rebecca to have a sharper one.
By she, he meant Lillian.
comeone that blind–if she was not after the money, then what? Affection?
In Lillian’s room, when Lillian saw Susan’s return with her face red and swollen, she froze at first, then she asked, “Mom, what’s this?”
Seeing that she didn’t get to borrow the money, her face was losing composure, and she thought, This useless old woman. She can’t even borrow money from her biological daughter.
In fact, she felt regret as well–for treating Stella badly.
Talking about that accident, Susan recalled how Ethan left.
Susan replied, “Besides Ethan, who can now come up with so much money to save you?”
She thought, will Ethan still save me? I’ve been calling Ethan these two days, but he received none of them.
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Lillian continued thinking, He doesn’t want me anymore. He knows her condition is this bad, but he wouldn’t pick up the phone. What’s this, if not his abandonment?
The phone rang once, then twice; only after the final ring did Ethan pick up the phone and say,
Ethan replied, “Is that so? That’s good news for you all.”
“What exactly happened to the two of you that day?” Susan practically roared the words.
Susan then said, “You, for god’s sake. What should I say to you? Be frank and tell me, what exactly is going on?
Their eyes met, and Lillian cried while shaking her head and stammered, “Mom. I…
Lillian glanced at Susan with an anxious look as she called out, “Mom.”
“Is it true?” Susan roared; she was shivering with anger at that moment.
But thinking that now, Ethan had also distanced himself from Lillian.
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Chapter 368 The Questioning
now, everything pointed to him distancing himself.
Susan’s face turned pale instantly.
Her breath continued to quicken and grow erratic.
Tears fell from her eyes like water droplets as she said, “It wasn’t me. I didn’t do it.
“Then tell me, why is Ethan ignoring you?” Susan roared.
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Ethan had always treasured Lillian. Even when he was engaged with Stella, he couldn’t let go of
her.
If it weren’t for some major incidents, how could he ignore her just like that?
Stella and Abraham were back at Seaflats Cove.
When she was getting out of the car, the man tidied her clothes.
Stella said, “There are only a few steps.”
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Chapter 369
Abraham said, “The doctor had said. You couldn’t afford to catch a cold now.”
Stella replied, “Got it.”
When she got out of the car, a cold breeze swept in. Stella instinctively hid in Abraham’s arms. The winter at Rivermount was sure cold.
Watching her instinctive move, a flicker of tenderness flashed in his eyes as he embraced her, guarded her, and walked inside.
As they walked, Stella said, “Abraham, I want to have some peach cobbler.
Abraham asked, “What’s that?” as he had never eaten it before.
Stella replied, “It’s a snack at Rivermount that is made of batter, biscuit, and fruit filling.
Abraham asked, “Is it sweet?”
Stella nodded and replied, “Yeah.”
Abraham continued to ask, “The one you’ve had in the afternoon?”
He remembered that she wasn’t particular about food, except that she always insisted on having broth.
Abraham thought, From spicy food to sweet food? That’s a huge shift in taste.
Stella said, “Yeah, I feel like eating suddenly.”
Abraham said, “Alright, I’ll have someone prepare it.”
Stella smiled.
They entered inside, and when they passed the kitchen area, a fragrant aroma filled the air. Stella covered her lips instinctively; her stomach was feeling unwell.
Seeing her holding her stomach, Abraham asked, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
Stella asked, “What’s being prepared in the kitchen today? Why is the smell so intense?”
Abraham glanced at Clint. Clint, who was standing beside, hurried forward and said to Stella in a respectful tone, “Today, the kitchen has prepared your favorite food, tuna tartare.”
Stella replied, “Is that so? The smell seems to differ from back then. It smells fishy and unpleasant.”
Clint froze for a moment, then said, “It should be the same. It’s still fresh when it arrives here.”
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Abraham frowned and said, “Cancel the fish for lunch.
Clint was shocked.
As expected, when Ms. Dawson showed a bit of displeasure, Mr. Abraham would have it disappear right away.
After Abraham picked up a call, he went straight to the study.
Clint looked at Stella with deep respect and asked, “Ms. Dawson, is the fish for lunch really not
needed?”
She used to love eating fish.
Since she moved here, fish has been a must on the dining table.
Stella waved her hand and said. “No need; I can’t stand this smell.
She felt that there was something off with the fish today.
But since Clint had already said the fish was still fresh when it came here, she wouldn’t bother to say anything else.
Clint nodded and said. “Understood.”
When Stella walked to the sofa and was about to sit down, she received a call from Rianne.
On the phone. Rianne said, “I just heard from Tempest that Madam Susan has been desperately trying to borrow money from the wealthy women for the past two days.”
Stella asked, “Borrow money?”
It seemed that Susan was pushed to the edge, swallowing her pride to borrow money from the wealthy women.
She had been concerned about her image.
Back then, when the Reed family was still wealthy, she wished to give all the best things to Lillian.
Now that Lillian needed extra medical expenses. Even if the Reed family was ripped apart, couldn’t bother that much.
she
She even put her pride aside, approaching and borrowing money from those wealthy women, to whom she had never been willing to show her weakness.
It was just that not only was she unable to borrow the money, but she had also lost her pride and
face:
Rianne said. “Yeah, is the current Reed family so poor that they can’t come up
dollars?”
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Chapter 369
that there wasn’t any money left for her to swindle.
Stella said, “Most likely.”
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After all, no one would have understood better what had happened to the Reed family these days
than Stella.
Rianne said, “That’s truly tragic.”
Stella didn’t say a word.
No joke, a single word from Abraham wasn’t something just anyone could handle.
The people he was dealing with in Falvaria were those walking on a razor’s edge.
What the Reed family was facing now was just a drizzle. Could
But it was this drizzle that was sufficient to tear the Reed family apart.
Rianne sighed and continued, “I still have one more thing to tell you.”
Stella replied, “What is it?”
Rianne then said, “I overheard this. I’m not sure if it’s true or not, but Lillian and the chief financial officer from the Reed Group seemed close to each other.”
Stella was confused and asked, “The one who gave birth to Patrick’s child?”
Rianne said, “Yes.”
Stella then asked, “Are you sure?”
She thought, is Lillian close with that woman? What is this?
Rianne continued, “Not sure, but it’s most likely true. I heard that they used to eat and shop all
the time.
Stella’s lips curled into a smile, and she thought, This is getting interesting. That woman gives birth to a pair of twins, a boy and a girl, for Patrick, and Lillian is close with her.
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Chapter 370 The Huge Scoop
Who exactly had Susan been protecting?
Rianne continued, “And that woman seems to have entered the Reed Group through her connection with Lillian. Rumor has it that Lillian looked out for her and promoted her behind the scenes”
Stella was shocked, thinking, did she get into the company more, has Lillian been supporting her behind the scenes?
If things
turned out so, it was going to be interesting
Stella replied, “This is a huge scoop.”
thep her connection with Lillian? What’s
Rianne then said, “Yeah, how blind has that biological mother of yours become? She is actually protecting her like she’s some precious jewel.”
All the hard work and efforts these years were spent on an ingrate.
If she were to know the truth, she’s going to lose her mind.
Stella said, “Is this news confirmed?”
Rianne replied, “Didn’t I just say I’m not sure? It’s just hearsay.”
Who knew if the hearsay was true?
Stella said, “Whether it’s true or not, there’s no smoke without fire.”
wave:
Since the words had spread, the chief financial officer who to Patrick’s children was likely to be related to Lillian.
Rianne said, “That’s right.”
Stella didn’t say a word.
Rianne continued, “Poor Madam Susan, she is still going around pleading
r money to save her.
Stella replied, “Lillian is really something, but does that medicine really work for her?”
Rianne was a smooth talker..
If she really was blufling, Susan and Lillian were totally taken in.
Rianne then said, “There’s certainly an effect on her, but whether it can save her life is anyone’s guess. Her body is already in bad shape. I’m not optimistic that it can save her.”
Stella said, “You’re right.”
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Chapter 370 The Huge Scoop
Stella was stunned.
That sharp tongue of hers was a match for Tessa’s.
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If the medicine didn’t work on her, those few million dollars would go down the drain; she was truly ruthless.
Rianne continued, “If she couldn’t live, you wouldn’t need to do anything. Even if she could li
it would be a torment.”
After all, if Lillian managed to survive, Stella wouldn’t let her off.
The rest of her life was spent in endless hardships.
Stella asked, “Don’t you want to go a
verify the hearsay?”
Although Rianne said that it was just hearsay, Stella maliciously wished it to be true from the bottom of her heart.
If it were true, Madam Susan would have been infuriating.
She would perhaps even have torn Lillian apart herself; after all, she had devoted all these years. to the family.
Given Patrick’s current attitude, it seemed like all her hard work for those years had gone to
waste.
Patrick took all the remaining money, and Lillian was the mastermind behind it.
Just imagining it was thrilling.
Rianne said, “Tessa should be the one to do this; her connections are vast.”
Stella said, “You’re right.”
After all, Rianne had been staying by Tempest’s side with the latter protecting her.
She had few connections outside, and her network at the hospital wasn’t even worth mentioning.
Stella had a few words with Rianne before hanging up the call.
When Abraham got down, he saw Stella calling
She looked like she was feeling unwell.
While holding her chest.
Seeing Abraham, Stella put her phone down first–Tessa didn’t pick up the phone.
Abraham asked, “What’s going on? Are you feeling unwell?”
Stella nodded and said “Yeah Probably because of the cold my stomach is unset
Chapter 370 The Huge Scoop
His warm palm touched her forehead, and he said. “There’s no fever.”
Stella said, “I’m craving desserts now.”
Without knowing why, she particularly wanted to have one right away.
Abraham replied, “The kitchen is already preparing.”
Stella nuzzled against him in his arms.
Abraham pinched her face and said, “How about I ask Eddie to check on you?”
Stella said, “No need. Perhaps I’ll feel better after some dessert?”
Speaking of Eddie, Stella felt a headache.
The last person that she wanted to see now was Eddie.
His sharp tongue was too hard to handle.
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When Eddie entered the room, he saw Stella curled up in Abraham’s arms and said, “Whoa, are you two seriously flirting in front of me?”
Abraham asked, “Have you clarified things at Falvaria?”
Stella’s brows furrowed as she instinctively wanted to pull herself out of his arms.
When she was about to move, Abraham pressed her head against his chest and glared coldly at Eddie.
Eddie said, “What’s that? I am worried about you two.”
Abraham replied coldly, “Do we look like we need your concern?”
Eddie then said, “Fine, you don’t need it at all.”
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