Chapter 131 Sign It or Shut Up
Stella didn’t really care; she just went on. “Businesspeople will always be businesspeople.”
Even feelings came with strings attached. Still, she had to admit she was a little surprised. The Reed family actually cared about Lillian–genuinely. Stella had to give it to Lillian: that took some skill.
Hearing her talked about like that, Susan was completely furious.
Any chance of reconciliation instantly collapsed. She snapped, “So unless I sign, you won’t let them come back?”
Her breath was unsteady. She was completely done dealing with Stella.
If signing that paper was the only way to get them back, then fine–she’d do it.
She couldn’t take it anymore. Stella didn’t know right from wrong.
Let the ties be cut, then. She’d like to see what would happen once Stella severed herself from the Reed family. Would those people still be there for me? Did Stella really think they cared about me?
They were just using her as a way to get close to the Reed and Keene families. That was all.
Susan was too angry to think straight, but right now, nothing mattered more than getting Eddie and Rianne back to treat
Lillian
Stella said nothing: she just looked at her silently.
Meeting that unshakable look in her eyes, Susan clenched her teeth and nodded. “If this is really what you want, fine. I’ll sign. Happy now!”
As soon as she said it. Stella pulled the document out from the drawer and handed it over.
“Sign it.”
Susan was speechless.
Right then, Stella’s demeanor was clean and decisive. It was as if she had zero attachment to the Reed family at all.
That only made Susan even angrier; her chest heaved with rage. So she wanted to cut ties? Fine–let her.
When she came crawling back in regret, Susan would deal with her then.
Blinded by fury, Susan completely overlooked the power Stella held behind her cold, controlled exterior.
In the end, she bit her lip, grabbed the pen, and signed the disownment agreement.
The second her pen lifted from the paper, Stella snatched the agreement away like she was afraid Susan might change her mind.
Just looking at her made Susan’s blood boil, but she held it in.
Gritting her teeth and trying to stay calm, she asked, “When are they coming back?”
She had signed, just like Stella wanted. This should all be over now, right?
But, Stella tucked the papers into the safe and locked it, then looked at her with that blank, almost clueless expression. “They? Who do you meant
Susan’s heart dropped
11:54 AM
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Chapter 132 Soft No More
Stella paused to think. Just how much had Lillian flaunted in front of me these past few days? Demanding things with one hand while stomping on me with the other?
If stepping on me felt so good, then figure it out yourself. What are you begging people for
Susan said, “You tricked me. How could you…”
She was trembling, and the rest of her words wouldn’t come out
Stella had tricked her. Stella had actually tricked her. “How could you be so cruel? This is someone’s life! Do you even understand how desperately she needs treatment from Rianne and Eddie right now?”
Susan cried out, heartbroken.
Stella said, “And what does that have to do with me? If she dies, she dies. So many people die every day around the world- jam I supposed to cry for all of them?”
Susan had been deceived.
Stella had made her sign the disownment agreement, but when it came to Rianne and Eddie, she went back on her word.
“You’re completely out of line.”
She couldn’t catch her breath, Susan was so enraged she fainted on the spot.
Stella calmly dialed the extension for Kimmy. “Call an ambulance. Someone passed out.”
“Huh? Passed out?”
She’d looked perfectly healthy before–fainting in a place like this. Susan fainted? Is she trying to scam the boss?
“I’m on it.”
Scamming? Kimmy wouldn’t stand for that.
She called 911 immediately, then made several follow–up calls to push them to hurry. The ambulance arrived in just over ten
minutes.
The whole place was a mess. Susan was taken away by the paramedics.
Kimmy returned, covered in sweat.
“Ms. Dawson, I think she might have a heart condition. You should avoid people like this in the future–what if she tries to blame you?”
Their relationship was already bad. If the other side really wanted to stir up trouble, it’d be a mess.
And with the way those people were? It was entirely possible they’d try to pin something on Stella.
Stella said, “Heart condition! Please. She passed out from anger.”
“Huh?”
“She passed out because I made her that mad
Kimmy went silent. She made someone pass out from pure roger Just how ruthless was sher
FFL
11:56 AM
Chapter 132 Soft No More
As she spoke, Stella handed Kimmy a slip of paper with the address and phone number Abel had dug up.
“Print everything and mail it to this address.”
Apparently, Jonathan had been pretty generous.
Probably because that woman had given him a child. So he’d set her up with a decent place to live.
D
+8 Pearls
It was in a gated community. According to the report, she even had a private driver now. Jonathan had clearly spent a lot of money on her.
Other than not giving her the title of his wife, he’d pretty much given her everything else.
Kimmy took the note. “Got it.”
Susan had fainted from rage. Ethan and Jonathan would no doubt come straight to Stella looking for trouble.
Sure enough, just moments after Kimmy left, she returned to announce. “Ms. Dawson. Mr. Jonathan’s here,
Her tone when mentioning Jonathan was clearly laced with contempt.
She must’ve taken a look at those files earlier.
A man keeping two women at once. Sure, there were plenty of men like that, but that didn’t make it any less disgusting.
Stella said, “Let him in. And add that woman’s WhatsApp. Send her part of the info
“On it”
Kimmy understood exactly what Steila meant. These people had way too much time on their hands if they were coming to make trouble.
If they wouldn’t let her live in peace, then she’d make sure none of them had peace. She’d throw their whole world into chaos.
Kimmy left, and Jonathan came in.
His face was dark.
It had been days since they’d seen each other. During that time, he still hadn’t figured out exactly who the man behind Stella
But he’d definitely seen the power he wielded.
Especially that line from Sterling Global Partnership? He can’t cut it off, and we wouldn’t dare. And then, just to test the knife, the parting shot–whoren are you.
y as massive as Sterling Global, saying they didn’t dare end things with Stella–no one would believe that
A company
And that final line wasn’t just arrogant. It hinted at just how powerful Stella’s backing really was
That man valued her that much–he’d managed to stop every single move they’d tried to make against her.
hat they thought was a pushover turned out to be a landmine, they’d gone in barchanded and walked away full of shrapnel
jonathan, seething with rage, yanked out a chair and sat down.
“You’re something else. We really did underestimate you.”
Chapter 133 No More Lines to Cross
No one would’ve thought Stella had it in her.
She had set up a massive studio right under their noses, and not a single person had caught on.
Stella said, “Didn’t you say you were going to shut my studio down? It’s been days; funny how I haven’t seen you do anything”
That last word dripped with sarcasm.
Jonathan’s face turned green on the spot. If he could’ve shut it down, he would’ve done it already. She still had the nerve to act) all high and mighty!
Jonathan had no interest in dragging this out with Stella. “Mom had to be carried out from your place. What did you do to
her?”
“Take a guess,
Compared to Jonathan’s fury, Stella’s tone was completely casual,
Stella’s words sent Jonathan’s temper over the edge.
“She’s your mother! Just because you’ve got some man backing you now, you’ve lost all basic respect for your elders?”
Stella lifted her eyes lazily. “Sorry–she’s not my mother anymore.”
These people want to talk to me about morals? Do they even know what that word means?
Jonathan’s breath caught. “What did you say?”
Stella picked up her water glass and took a slow sip.
“Give it an hour after you walk out of here, and the disownment agreement she signed will be all over Rivermount. Everyone will know your family cut ties with me. For years, you and Lillian acted like I was fighting you for her. Don’t worry—I was never that desperate.”
Ties severed, reputation split; from now on, her fate had nothing to do with theirs,
Back when she first came back, Lillian had caused so much drama, all because she was afraid Stella would take the Reed family from her.
Jonathan was even more ridiculous. So terrified she’d steal away Lillian’s pathetic scraps of affection. As if she even wanted
them!
Jonathan stared at her, stunned; he didn’t want to believe it. “What disownment agreement? You’re really cutting ties with the Reed family?”
He slammed his hand on the desk.
The impact jolted his whole body.
Stella shot him a cold look. Tm no longer part of the Reed family. Who do you think you’re yelling at?”
Your
Jonathan’s breath grew heavier.
Stella said. “You know how to spell ‘entitled? Because that’s what you don’t have. The Reed family is nothing to me now, you have no right. So I suggest you get out. Right now Or else-
11:56 AM c
Chapter 133 No More Lines to Cross
The movement was clean, quick and sharp.
With her arms crossed, Stella asked. “Know how Ethan messed up his hand and leg
You hit fun?”
earls
Jonathan sand, “You’re going to hit me?”
Before he even finished speaking, her tist landed hard across his face.
Pain exploded in his head
The
taste of blood filled his mouth; he reached up to touch it and sure enough, his lip was blegfling–and one of his teeth feit
“Stella”
Jonathan roared in rage.
But before he could do anything, another punch came straight for his face.
He instinctively tried to grab her wrist, but the moment he did, he realized–he wasn’t even stronger than a girl.
Another solid punch hit near his temple, and his head was ringing.
Stella shook off the wrist he’d touched like it was filthy.
“If you ever raise your voice in my office again, I swear you won’t walk out of here upright. Remember once that disownment agreement was signed. I had nothing to do with the Reed family. You have no right to question me.”
“I’m your brother-
*Hmm
He’d barely gotten halfway through before the dangerous edge in Stella’s tone forced him to swallow the rest.
Only now did it hit him–Stella had never called him that
Jonathan’s chest rose and fell with anger as he struggled to stand straight. “You’ll pay for what you did today
He spat the words out through clenched teeth.
But just then, the office door opened.
Abraham stood there in the doorway, his presence ice–cold.
“And what price do you think she should pay
His voice was soft, but the pressure behind it was suffocating
jonathans turned around–night into Abraham’s hawk–sharp gaze.
The aura coming off the man made Jonathan’s chest tighten involuntarily.
Send Gifts
Chapter 134 Burn the Bridge
The pressure rolling off Abraham was suffocating. Even just a glance from him made Jonathan feel the danger radiating from his body.
Abraham narrowed his eyes, voice low and menacing “You threatened her?”
Jonathan swallowed hard. He looked at Abraham, then at Stella.
Stella stood with her arms crossed. “You threatened me?”
Their tones were identical. The room, already cold and tense, now felt dangerously claustrophobic.
Jonathan suddenly realized–he didn’t know Stella at all.
His hands clenched into fists, breath growing ragged. “I”
what?
From the corner of his eye, he instinctively glanced toward the man at the door. Who the heck is this guy?
The power rolling off him was intense–he definitely hadn’t seen him around Rivermount before.
Abraham took long, steady strides toward Stella, then yanked her over to his side.
“What did he just say he was to you?”
“He said he’s my brother.”
The second the words left her
mouth-
The temperature plummeted. The heat in the room didn’t matter; Jonathan’s back turned ice cold. Why did the man’s aura grow more dangerous just hearing Stella call me brother?
Abraharn looked at him, eyes sharp and cold. “You really want to be her brother?”
Jonathan went quiet. He was. But not anymore–Stella had made that clear. Their mother had signed the disownment agreement.
From now on, whether Stella was begging in the streets or ended up dead, she had nothing to do with the Reed family.
Jonathan let out a bitter laugh. “As if I could handle a sister like her.”
With that, he stormed out, burning with rage. So she wanted to cut ties? Fine. Let her
He’d like to see, now that she’d left the Reed family, what she was worth to these people.
Still fuming, Jonathan stomped out of the office. It wasn’t until he got into the elevator that he realized his back was drenched. in cold sweat
That man’s presepee just now had been too terrifying
That had to be the one who injured Ethan. He must be Stella’s real backup.
He was far more intimidating than Eddie, or the man they’d seen in the hospital hallway.
Jut then, what exactly did that kind of man see in Stella?
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got
11:56 AM ch
Chapter 134 But the Bridge
The scream on the other end was hysterical.
Jonathan’s heart skipped a beat.
She knew. She knew about him and Sharon.
+ Pearls
Before he could say anything the woman shouted again. “You lied to me! You told me to wait! You said before the kid started school, he wouldn’t have to live as some illegitimate child! Did you even tell your family about us!
Jonathan said nothing
She burled a barrage of questions at him, each one sharper than the last. His head throbbed with every word.
Of course he’d told them–but no one in his family would accept her.
He rubbed his aching temples. “Are you home! I’m coming over right now”
“Good. Come explain this to my face!”
She slammed the phone down
Jonathan stood next to his car
He closed his eyes, gripping the phone tighter without realizing it
Before he could get in. Susan called “Jonathan… what are we going to do?”
Her voice was full of grief and pain
Jonathan’s headache worsened, but he kept his tone calm. “You’re awake?”
Just thinking about how she’d fainted made Susan furious all over again. She was still seething at Stella.
“The doctor just told me.. if Eddie and Rianne don’t get involved in Lillian’s treatment soon, she might only have three
Then prep for surgery immediately. We can’t count on Stella anymore
nathan didn’t even hesitate
they could
They’d tr
inne and Eddie. then whatever couldn’t be saved, would be lost. Including Lillian’s uterus.
Ranne back before hoping to preserve II
But when it came to life and death–her life came first.
He finally saw Stella for what she was. That heartless girl had no real connection to them.
un dar.
Wore the probably in Lan to die. That venomous brat
“What?”
“The doctor told me the cancer spread too fast these past few days. They’ve already missed the best window for surgery
Chapter 135 Too Late
+8 Pearls
“They’re trying their best to manage things now,” Susan said, “but the risk of surgery at this stage is extremely high. They might not be able to get her off the table alive.”
No matter how they looked at it, they still had to get Eddie and Rianne involved.
“If they’d operated earlier, it might have worked. But now… it’s too late.”
Jonathan frowned. “It’s only been a few days, hasn’t it?”
Just a few days! How could they be saying it was too late?
Susan sighed. “Time flies for ordinary people, but for cancer patients, every moment could be the line between life and, death.”
These few days… they might’ve been her whole lifetime.
And on top of that, Lillian had multiple life–threatening conditions.
Jonathan’s breath grew shaky again.
Susan continued, “What do we do now? Stella lied to me. She told me if I signed the disownment agreement, she’d bring Eddie and Rianne back. She didn’t keep her word.”
Just saying Stella’s name filled Susan’s voice with fury.
“She lied to you?”
Jonathan’s breathing grew uneven again.
He’d rushed over as soon as he heard their mother had passed out. He’d come to settle the score with Stella.
And instead of a confrontation, he got punched for twice.
Now, with the cold wind slicing through him, even his teeth had gaps that whistled when he inhaled.
Susan’s voice was laced with sorrow. “She tricked me into signing. She promised that if I signed, Rianne and Eddie would come back to treat Lillian.”
That had been the deal. Jonathan remembered.
He’d even wondered back then why his mother hadn’t signed immediately–Lillian’s condition should’ve been the priority.
Turns out, signing or not, Stella had never intended to let Rianne and Eddie help.
Jonathan snapped, “She’s gone way too far. I’m going to her right now!”
Fuming, he spun around to storm back and confront her again.
But the moment he hung up, a flash of memory hit him–that man in Stella’s office, the one with the killer aura.
If he went back now…
Just picturing another confrontation made Jonathan clench his fists, his entire body trembling with rage.
His phone buzzed again–this time it was Patrick.
Before Jonathan could speak, Patrick jumped in, “Come to the office. Right now.”
11:57 AM
Chapter 135 Too Late
Patrick’s voice was tight and serious.
Something in his tone made Jonathan feel a knot of unease twist in his gut.
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+8 Pearls
He ended the call, glanced back toward the Oriental Grand Tower lobby, and after a moment’s hesitation, named away. He didn’t go back to Stella.
Back in the office, Stella was still in a daze. She instinctively reached out to snatch the velvet box from Abraham’s hand–but
Abraham dodged easily and had already opened it
Heghined at the massive diamond ring nestled inside, then looked back as Stella with
His voice was gentle
owy gaze. “Stella… what’s this?”
But it made Stella’s hear skip a bear. She even started to stutter: “Don’t get the wrong idea—this thing. I’m telling you, the guy who gave it to me is insane. Absolutely insane.”
Louts had disved
was a peace offering. She’d been completely stunned when she opened in who give a giant diamond ring
nd of disaster is this….
Abraham’s lips curved into a smile.
He was smiling–bus to Stella, it looked terrifying. “Don’t smile like that please. You’re scaring me.”
Looking pitiful she sepped forward and carefully tugged at his sleeve.
But Abraham wasn’t letting this side so easily.
He pulled his sleeve from her grasp, his smile vanishing “Who gave this to you?”
His voice was colder now. A ring this size… in clearly showed the sender’s intentions. Or maybe there were parts off Sevilla‘) lij Rivermount be daders abou? Did she already have a berend
The thought hit him hard and a chill crept deeper into his eyes.
“Louis,” Stella mid
She didn’t even hesitate
She never took the fill for anyone. She didn’t care who Louis was to Abraham, or what kind of partnership they might have had
Even if the whole thing was a misunderstanding–she wasn’t about to let it get twisted into something it wasn’t
Especially nor with Abraham
She called it an apology gift, but honestly, forget Abraham not buying it–even she didn’t believe that nonsense. What the heck is Louis thinking? Does he even have a brain? He is completely unreliable.
If she was being honest, this whole thing reeked of Louis trying to sneak in through the back door. She’d already made it clear back then–no matter what he gave her, that door was staying shut
So no, she didn’t say a single good thing on his behalf.
With a sharp snap, the velvet ring box in Abraham’s hand closed; he tossed it straight into the trash.
She pouted, looking at Abrahamn with wide, innocent eyes.
“Right? I mean, does he have something wrong with his head? I was totally stunned when I saw it was a ring”
The guy clearly had zero common sense. No wonder Abraham didn’t want anything to do with working with him.
That look of his made Stella feel a little uneasy. She reached out and tugged on his hand. “Hey, come on.”
Right now, she looked exactly like a guilty little girl trying to suckup to her parent after getting caught doing something
His warm fingers gently pinched her chin. The moment their eyes met, Stella caught a glimpse of something dark and unreadable in his gaze.
It was the kind of depth that could pull her into his abyss. Her explanation might’ve sounded weak, but Abraham’s voice was noticeably softer when he finally spoke again.
Sure, Louis was an idiot–but she’d been clear–headed when she gave her answer.
Abrahamn pondered. If she knew the ring couldn’t possibly be an apology gift, then why keep it?
Stells answered, “I didn’t keep it. He forced it on me, and by the time I opened it, he was already gone.”
“Of course it’s true. I swear–back when I was at Rivermount, I didn’t have anything to do with him. You know that, right?”
That promise came out fast, full of pure survival instinct. With the way Abraham was grilling her, she was starting to panic. There was no way he dieln’t know shell had zem interaction with 1 nuic hefore
Stella finally felt a bit of relief hearing those words.
Abraham let her go.
Stella fell silent. He was always so busy–this so–called casual visit must’ve had his subordinates pulling their hair out in panic.
All the authority and poise she’d shown in those meetings vanished in an instant. Twisting her fingers together, she walked over and mumbled. “Why’re you looking at me like that?”
Abraham pulled her straight onto his lap
Stella instantly stiffened. Did this guy forget I am an adult now? This really isn’t okay.
He played with her tiny, ice–cold hand. “Star, you really did grow up.”
The image of that bossy little girl popped into his mind, and the look in his eyes turned even more affectionate.
That made her glance up at him. Am I supposed to say yes? If I said I liked it, would he keep holding me like this forever?
When she didn’t respond, Abraham gently squeezed her hand again. “You don’t like it?”
To her, the way she liked Abraham never felt clean. It was the kind of feeling that felt wrong-
The love between siblings and that between a man and a woman… they were two completely different things.
Just thinking about the phrase man and woman made her cut herself off, afraid to think any deeper, too scared to test the waters with Abraham.
If he only saw her as a sister, and she said something she shouldn’t, that would be the end of everything
His slender fingers twirled a lock of her soft hair. “I had the kitchen make soup for you tonight.”
Now that he was finally giving in, Stella wrapped her arms around his neck, nearly kissing him in her excitement.
At the end of the workday, Abraham took Stella’s hand and led her out of the office.
His whole vibe was sharp and commanding, predatory even–completely at odds with Stella’s soft, lamb–like face. The contrast hit people right in the gut.
As soon as they stepped into the elevator, a few coworkers huddled behind Kimmy.
“He looks way better than Mr. Keene–and he treats her so well.”
“Shhh! Don’t start rumors. I heard that’s her brother or something”
“Even if he is her brother, with someone like that around, Mr. Keene had the nerve to bully our boss? Yeah, he’s done for ”
No way she believed Ethan’s hand and leg injuries came from anyone else. In all of Rivermount, who else would dare lay a finger
He had all the makings of a classic scumbag.
Abraham felt the sudden emptiness in his hand. Watching her cheerful little figure run off, a slight smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Abel followed behind him. “Ms. Dawson’s appetite has been way better lately”
Except for the tines Tessa took her out for soup, her eating habits were scattered and irregular at best.
As he said it, his eyes remained fixed on Stella, his gaze impossibly soft
Lately, whenever Abraham had to stay out, he’d call the house just to make sure she ate.
Abel froze as he took the coat. No plans? But hadn’t they just been discussing diversifying overseas!
Abraham didn’t say another word and made his way toward the dining rool
Stella was sitting at the table, staring dejectedly into a pot of clear soup, visibly disappointed.
Abraham gave a low hum. “It’s healthier this way.”
Abraham said. “You used to have it every week. That’s not once in a while, is it?”
A servant stepped forward and respectfully handed Abraham a hot, sterilized towel.
He let out a low chuckle. “Don’t feel like eating?”
Besides, she hadn’t eaten much steak at lunch; she was getting hungry.
The smile at the corner of Abraham’s lips deepened as he placed a piece of freshly cooked beef into her small bowl.
Stella picked it up and shoved it into her mouth, biting down hard. From the way she was grinding her teeth, it was obvious she was taking out her frustration on the meal.
The seasoning, especially, was something else.
Stella nodded. “Yeah, it’s good–really good.”
The disappointment vanished from her face completely. For the first time, she realized that soup without spice could actually taste pretty great too,
He turned to Valery and said, “Turn up the heat. This damn weather’s getting colder by the day.”
Louis glanced at her thin business outfit. “You’re not cold?
Valery replied, “I’m fine. Maybe you’ve caught a cold, Mr. Louis?”
Louis tossed out, “I don’t catch colds.”
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