He closed his eyes. Stella’s coldness now… it was ten times worse than how the Reed family treated her in the past.
He didn’t know why he asked. Maybe he was hoping for something–anything. Even if she cursed him out, it would mean she still had something left to say.
Rianne’s voice was flat. “The whole thing’s gone under.”
Six feet?
Her driving skills weren’t average–not after the kind of training Marie had put her through. Everyone thought the training was just physical. It wasn’t. That one month had been all about survival skills.
She glanced out the window at the snow–covered road. I guess I really do have to go myself.
“I’m not underestimating you. I’m worried about you. The roads are dangerous.”
“Just wait for me.” Stella hung up.
Rianne was probably freezing her ass off by the side of the road. No way she could just leave her there.
She turned to the butler. “Get a car ready.”
“Ms. Stella, are you planning to drive? Absolutely not,” he said immediately.
That caught Stella off guard.
“Mr. Abraham won’t allow it,” the butler added. “I’ll send someone to get Dr. Rianne instead.”
“You really think anyone else can handle this road right now?”
“You’re underestimating Mr. Abraham. He’s got some real experts around him. What just happened was an exception.”
Maybe so. But still, she was worried.
What if the butler sent another so–called expert who ended up in the ditch too?
He seemed to catch her hesitation and quickly added, “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she gets here safely. You don’t need to go.”
He didn’t wait for her reply–just turned and left to make arrangements.
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Chapter 428 Two Cars, One Pit
+5 Free Coins
With Abraham gone, there was no way he was letting Stella get behind the wheel in this weather. If anything happened to her, he wouldn’t survive the wrath that followed.
Not long after he left, Stella’s phone rang. It was Abraham.
“Abraham.”
“The weather’s bad today. Don’t go out.”
That butler’s mouth works fast.
It hadn’t even been five minutes.
Stella muttered, “It’s not a big deal. I can handle these roads.”
“I said no.”
“Fine.”
Why’s he being so strict? I made it just fine the past three years without him.
“Be good. I’ll bring you something tasty later.”
His voice softened, like he was coaxing a child.
“You brought me food last night and I didn’t even get to eat it.”
“Yeah?”
“You’re bringing more?” she asked playfully.
Last night, he’d come home smelling like alcohol. She was so busy fussing over him she completely forgot about the chestnut cake.
Abraham said calmly, “Today’s something different.”
“Alright then.”
They chatted a bit longer before ending the call.
Chapter 429 Nothing Left but Regret
+5 Free Coins
Abraham still treated Stella the same way he did when she was little–every time he went out, he brought back something for her to cat. He still saw her as that snack–loving little girl.
The butler had sent a driver to pick up Rianne.
Stella called her. “Rianne, the driver’s on his way.”
“What? You’re not coming?”
“Abraham won’t let me leave the house.”
She was a great driver–she didn’t get what he was so worried about.
Rianne sighed. “Well, yeah. It’s freezing out here. If I were him, I wouldn’t let you out either. Just wait for me.”
“Mm, okay.”
It really was cold out there.
Stella glanced at the thick blanket of snow outside. She was about to ask Rianne why she’d come all the way over, but Rianne had already hung up.
Outside the gate-
The driver returned to Jonathan’s car. “Security doesn’t even dare report to Ms. Stella that we’re here anymore.”
Jonathan frowned and shot the driver a sharp look.
“She’s not picking up?” he asked, referring to Stella.
None of their calls were getting through to her. The only person who’d answered at Seaflats Cove was the butler.
The driver shook his head. “The butler’s the only one answering the phone.”
He hadn’t heard Stella’s voice once.
Jonathan’s breathing grew heavier. He closed his eyes for a moment, jaw clenched.
They couldn’t get to Stella. And now everything going wrong with the Reed family–everyone was counting on her to say just
one word.
That was all it would take to make everything go away.
Who would’ve thought?
The person they’d all looked down on–the one they dismissed so casually–turned out to be the one with all the power.
But of course. She was the princess of the Luke family.
The Luke family… A name that could still send shivers down anyone’s spine. Back then, they all thought Stella had nothing.
That’s why they all sided with Lilian so easily.
And now…
Jonathan couldn’t help but feel a bitter sense of irony over everything they’d done.
The driver hesitated. “Should we just go back?”
There was clearly no hope of seeing Stella today.
Jonathan’s breath caught. “And what? That’ll solve everything?”
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+5 Free Coins
Chapter 429 Nothing Left but Regret
Obviously not.
“But staying here won’t get you an audience with Ms. Stella either.”
She had completely cut them off. Ever since that disownment agreement, they’d barely seen her at all.
Jonathan shut his eyes again.
Just then, another car pulled up beside theirs. The passenger–side window rolled down to reveal Louis’s face.
“Well, well. It really is Jonathan. What, you have to make an appointment now to see your dear sister?”
He bit into the words dear sister and appointment with a thick dose of sarcasm.
Because they’d all accused Stella of playing favorites—but in truth, they’d been the ones to do it first.
Jonathan glared at Louis, his hands clenching into fists.
It was bad enough that Abraham had come after the Reed family with relentless pressure. Now Louis had joined the attack
too.
This was a full–on siege.
“You don’t need an appointment?”
He said it like no one needed one to see Stella.
Louis smiled. “Of course I do. Kindly let her know I’m here, thank you.”
He looked over at the security staff and said it politely.
Then he turned back to Jonathan. “It makes sense for me to wait for an appointment. But you? You’re her brother. That’s just pathetic.”
“What are you doing here?” Jonathan snapped.
The mocking tone had finally pushed him over the edge. He used to be polite around Louis, especially for Sharon’s sake.
But now things had soured between him and Sharon.
And after what Louis had done to the Reed family, Jonathan couldn’t stand the sight of him.
Louis gave a low chuckle. “What I’m doing has nothing to do with you. What, you don’t want to see me? Or are you afraid to?” Afraid?
Back when he’d heard Louis was targeting the Liang Group, he’d been furious–he’d wanted to go straight to the Pei family to confront him.
But now… with the Reed family in shambles, afraid was probably accurate.
Jonathan didn’t respond.
Louis snorted. “What happened with Sharon isn’t over.”
Play with my sister? Jonathan must’ve had a death wish.
.
Chapter 430 You Reap What You Sow
Jonathan’s fists clenched tighter.
He looked at Louis and said, “The Reed family has lost everything. What more do
That phrase–lost everything–caught Louis off guard for a second.
Then he looked Jonathan up and down. “Everything?”
“What do you think we have left?”
Nothing. Because of Stella, they had nothing left.
Louis smirked. “Well, that’s a damn shame.”
you
want?”
“I haven’t even started with you, and that big, bad Reed family’s already collapsed. Didn’t think you’d fold that easily.”
The
The sarcasm hit like a slap. Jonathan felt his breath catch in his chest.
With Abraham alone coming at them full force, who needed anyone else?
Louis started his car, glanced at Jonathan again. “So they’re really not letting you in?”
This guy was infuriating.
Even back when things were good with Sharon, Jonathan never liked Louis. He had this smug, cocky attitude mixed with a cold edge.
Anyone who truly knew Louis understood–he only looked easygoing. Underneath? Deep as hell. No one could read him.
It made sense though…
If he really were just some spoiled rich kid, the Pei family wouldn’t be thriving in his hands.
Seeing Jonathan dead silent and humiliated, Louis chuckled. “Stella’s got no manners, huh? You are her big brother, after all.”
But this whole scene? It was damn satisfying.
They’d all treated Stella like garbage. And now? They were getting exactly what they deserved.
A security guard walked over and said to Louis, “Sir, Madam says you can come in.”
The moment those words left his mouth, Jonathan’s face darkened even more.
Louis gave him a mocking look. “Guess I’m going in. You enjoy the cold out here.”
His car engine revved, and he drove straight through the gates into Seaflats Cove.
Even just watching the tail end of Louis’s car vanish into the estate made Jonathan feel like the man was showing off on
purpose.
The anger had him grinding his teeth.
The driver glanced at him cautiously. “Should we keep waiting?”
Given the way things were going, it was clear–if Stella didn’t open the door herself, they weren’t getting through it.
Jonathan had felt some guilt toward her after learning the full truth.
But after getting rejected over and over again, that guilt was long gone.
Let’s be honest–he hadn’t come here today to apologize.
He came for Susan.
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Chapter 430 You Reap What You Sow
Before arriving, he’d stopped by the detention center, hoping to see his mother.
But they told him it wasn’t possible.
Unless Stella gave the go–ahead, he wouldn’t even be allowed to visit.
+5 Free Coins
Inside the warm, luxurious castle-
Stella sat on the sofa as a maid gently draped a blanket over her shoulders.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“No need to thank me, Ms. Stella.”
The staff always felt a warm fondness serving Stella–she was easy to take care of, kind, and gentle.
Of course… that was because they hadn’t seen her temper yet.
Otherwise, they’d know exactly how Ethan ended up with half those injuries—she’d caused most of them herself.
Her phone rang. It was Abraham.
Stella answered, “Are you on your way back?”
“Yeah, I’m heading home now. Has Rianne come by to check on you?”
Stella was surprised. “You’re the one who asked her to come?”
No wonder. She’d been wondering why Rianne had randomly shown up at Seaflats Cove.
Her heart warmed again.
Abraham gave a soft grunt of confirmation.
“I’m not even feeling sick. Why’d you ask her to come over?”
“You haven’t had much of an appetite lately.”
Just because her appetite was a little off, he’d sent someone to check on her?
Stella replied, “Her car fell into a ditch. They’ve already called for a tow truck.”
“Anyway, I’m not talking about this anymore. Just come back soon.”
“Alright.”
After hanging up, Stella’s heart was still fluttering.
Then Rianne called.
“Stella, what exactly is wrong? Tell me your symptoms–I’ll have someone send over some medicine.”
“What about you?” Stella asked. “Did they get your car out?”
“I’ve got something urgent to handle, so I’m not coming over.”
From the tone of her voice, Stella could tell–Rianne was in a rush.
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