Chapter 182 Fallout and Suspicions.
Ethan’s headache was getting worse.
Before he could say anything, Lillian spoke again. “Ethan, does this mean I can’t be discharged?”
u can. Just wait a little longer.”
“The owner isn’t selling. I’ll find you somewhere else.”
He hadn’t told Lillian that Stella was living there, and that the house’s owner was the man behind Stella now.
With that kind of backing, no matter what price he offered, he probably wouldn’t be able to get it.
“Oh… I see,” Lillian replied, her voice tinged with disappointment. Weak from illness, she sounded even more delicate and pitiful.
But what was really on her mind was the bet she’d made with Stella–and Stella’s smugness back then-
Jason came back with the contract in hand.
“I’ve got something I need to deal with. I’ll call you later,” Ethan said quickly.
Right now, meeting with the Luke family’s representative was the priority.
Without waiting for Lillian’s reply, Ethan hung up.
Back at the hospital, Lillian stared at her phone, her expression sinking fast.
He’d hung up on her.
Susan walked out of the bathroom. “Did you get through to Ethan?”
“I did. He hung up on me.”
Madeline had said some terrible things earlier, but Susan still believed they couldn’t afford to lose Ethan.
If things really ended between Lillian and Ethan, what was going to happen to Lillian?
And considering how the canceled engagement with Stella had already made the Keene elders uncomfortable, this would
Things weren’t going any better at the hospital, where Susan and Lillian were clearly not having a good time. Ethan hadn’t come by again, and neither had Jonathan.
But now, neither of them had shown up in two days.
The CEO of Honest Corp had been Jonathan’s old classmate. When Jonathan explained what he needed, the man asked him. straight out if they had crossed Sterling Global
“Sterling Global?” Patrick repeated.
Jonathan nodded. “Yes.”
Patrick frowned, glancing at him in confusion. “When did we ever get on their bad side?”
That company had only been around for a couple of years, but its size and reach were already far beyond what the Reed. Group could match.
“Stella has close ties to Sterling Global They pretty much outsource all their design work to her, Jonathan explained.
So now, with Sterling Global sabotaging the Reed Group from behind the scenes, there was no way Stella wasn’t connected.
Chapter 183 Warnings and Accusations
Patrick’s expression darkened. He took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose, his mind a chaotic mess.
Finished
At Pluchville Hill-
Stella thought they’d go straight to the hot springs, but since it was nearly lunchtime, Abraham took her to eat first.
They even rested for an hour afterward before she was allowed to head out.
As they were leaving-
Abraham handed her a thick robe. “Wear this on your way out of the changing room. Don’t catch a cold.”
“It’s just a few steps.”
“The walk’s short, but you still need to stay warm
“Fine.”
Stella took the robe.
Seeing how obedient she was, Abraham pinched her nose affectionately. “Good girl.”
Just as they were about to head out together, Abraham’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen–and his face immediately. darkened.
He gently ruffled Stella’s soft hair. “You go ahead. I’ll catch up.”
“Okay.”
Sensing it was something important, Stella turned and left first.
He waited until he heard her footsteps fading downstairs before answering.
“You found Stella?”
A inan’s slick, teasing voice came through the line–cocky and laced with provocation.
Abraham’s grip on the phone tightened, his entire demeanor turning cold. “What’s it to you?”
“Of course it matters. After all, Stella-”
“Derrick, if you want to stay alive, I suggest you think twice.”
Abraham’s voice sliced through like a blade.
Derrick–Sheng Chun’s older brother, and the real power behind her.
Stella had been forced to leave Fleule back then because of how deeply Derrick’s influence ran through the city. Her mother and sister Marie had both been in his hands. She was terrified he’d hurt them.
And there was the threat he posed to Abraham too. All of it had made Stella compromise.
She left, buying Abraham a brief window of safety
That window of time was something Derrick would regret for the rest of his life.
Chapter 183 Warnings and Accusations
“It’s not about nerve. I have to. I’m worried about Stella too,” Derrick said, his voice light and smug.
“You’d better start worrying about yourself. Moroc eats his own men alive.”
Teaming up with someone like that was no different than walking blind into a wolf’s den.
The other end of the line went quiet, the mocking tone replaced by a heavy, dangerous silence.
Then came Derrick’s cold demand. “Pull your men back.”
He was done playing games.
Finished
Abraham had eyes on him at all times. He hadn’t even had a moment to breathe. Even his meeting with Moroe had been discovered.
So what now? Abraham wouldn’t rest until Derrick was dead?
All the shadows and traps he’d walked into lately came flooding back, and Derrick’s voice lost its playfulness–replaced by sharp, biting warning.
Stella was bundled up warmly.
Carrying her things, she walked out of the lodge and followed the garden path toward the hot springs.
“Ms. Stella?”
A voice called out from nearby.
Stella stopped and turned toward it–Jason and Ethan were standing not far away.
Ethan’s eyes
flickered with surprise when he saw her. Then his expression turned cold.
What
–
He strode over. “What are you doing here? What did you somehow find out I was coming?”
Things had been tense for weeks. She claimed not to care, and now she was showing up here?
Trailing him, keeping tabs? He narrowed his eyes at Jason, who instantly felt a chill run through him.
Jason rushed to clarify, “Ms. Stella never contacted me.”
He knew exactly what Ethan’s look meant–and he hadn’t leaked anything. Almost no one at the company even knew they’d be meeting the Luke heir here.
Ethan’s expression turned worse.
He stared at Stella. “Who told you I’d be here?”
Stella stared back.
What the hell was he talking about?
He seriously thought she’d followed him here just because she found out where he’d be?
After everything, he was still this full of himself?
She d
didn’t just think he was delusional–she thought something was seriously wrong with him.
She let out a laugh. “Shouldn’t you be with vaur nterinus
What are you even doing here?”
Chapter 184 You Came to Block Me?
“But seriously,
e to corner me?”
where did you find out I’d be here? You came to
Stella shot Ethan’s smugness right back at him–word for word.
His face turned dark.
The look in his eyes grew sharp as he stared at her.
Behind him, Jason scratched his head. This Ms. Stella’s mouth… brutal. Doesn’t take a single hit.
Ethan gritted his teeth, “Stella, I know you’re clever, but let me make one thing clear. If you tell me who owns Verdant Villa, I might consider-
“Wow. Ethan, are you mentally challenged?”
Stella.com
Stella couldn’t take it anymore.
Might consider? Consider what?
Consider keeping some imaginary future going with her? Did he think he was a bucket of fried chicken, smelling so good everyone wanted a piece?
-You-
“Stella”
Just as Ethan opened his mouth again, another voice cut him off.
They both turned. Louis and Valery were walking toward them.
Louis had a slight smile on his face. The way he looked at Stella couldn’t have been more gentle.
The moment Ethan saw him, his face went pitch black.
Louis walked up beside Stella and glanced at the things in her hands, “Headed to the hot springs?”
He acted like they were close. Stella nodded.
“Then go on ahead. It’s freezing out today,” Louis said, even softer.
Maybe it was Ethan’s imagination, but Louis’s tone almost sounded… affectionate.
His expression darkened further.
Stella nodded. “Yeah. I’ll head over”
“Wait”
Ethan reached out to grab her. He still had so many questions. She wasn’t picking up his calls, and she was hard to find. Now that she was right here, he wasn’t about to let her go without answers.
But just as has hand moved, Louis caught him by the wrist “Mr. Ethan, you planning to ruin the hand too!”
As he said it, he shot a glance at Ethan’s cast–covered arm.
4:43 PM
다
Chapter 184 You Came to Block Me?
Finished
“Let go.”
Louis ignored him. He turned to tell Stella to go ahead, but she was already gone.
Not even a trace of her left.
Louis blinked.“.”
That girl. No wonder she was raised by Mr. Abraham–didn’t even say thanks before bolting.
But Stella knew exactly what she was doing
Especially now, with Louis and Abraham working on a major deal, she didn’t want any of these people latching onto her.
No matter what, she wasn’t about to leave that door open.
Seeing Stella was long gone, Louis didn’t bother with Ethan anymore and let him go.
He turned to leave, but Ethan stopped him. “Where is he?”
Louis paused, then gave a sarcastic twitch of his mouth. “He? Don’t tell me you came all this way without even knowing the guy’s name?”
If Judson had more than one son, Ethan would’ve been the clear failure. No way he’d ever inherit the Keene Group
He might look good, carry himself well, but inside? Nothing but air.
Louis could see
could see the storm in Ethan’s eyes–he’d nailed it.
He laughed. “Wow. Ha! Hahaha!”
His laugh was almost ridiculous..
Ethan’s face twisted. “Quit laughing. It’s disgusting”
“You’re this useless and you still think I’m the ugly one?”
Ethan didn’t responds
Louis clicked his tongue. “Seriously–Luke’s heir has been in Rivermount for a while now. What have you even been doing?”
Didn’t meet the guy. Didn’t know his name. Nothing.
Right. He’d been spending all his time wrapped up in Lillian.
That girl really was something–enough to drag Ethan into total uselessness,
When the six elders of the Keene family found out, they’d probably want to tear her apart.
Ethan’s voice dropped cold. “What I do has nothing to do with you.”
“Fair point,” Louis shrugged. “Not my business.”
He turned to Valery. “Let’s go”
Send Gifts
Chapter 185 Accusations in the Steam.
“Yes, sir.”
Valery followed respectfully.
They were gone.
Ethan turned to Jason. “What’s the name of the Luke family’s heir again?”
There’s barely anything online, but I think the last name is Dawson.”
Ethan’s expression soured at that.
But he didn’t dwell on it.
“Why was Stella here?” he asked, tone clearly sour.
“It’s probably a coincidence,” Jason replied. “This trip was last–minute, and nobody knew. Maybe she came with Mr. Louis?”
At least he’d never leak Ethan’s whereabouts–that much he was sure of
Still, after saying it was probably a coincidence, Jason could feel the chill rolling off Ethan in waves.
Especially the idea that she might’ve come with Louis–that was hard to swallow.
“Find out who she came with,” Ethan said coldly.
Jason hesitated. “But right now, we really need to find the Luke family’s heir. You know if we don’t get this done today, the old
man…
He didn’t finish the sentence.
It wasn’t just Judson who’d be furious–the Keene Group would take a hit, and Lillian too.
Right now, their top priority was locating the key figure–Mr. Luke.
Ethan rubbed his temples. “It won’t take long, Just look into it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Seeing Ethan was dead set on it, Jason had no choice but to follow orders.
In the dressing room, Stella had changed into her swimsuit.
Remembering what Abraham said, she bundled up warmly even for the short walk to the hot spring.
Just as she stepped out of the dressing room, she collided with a woman wrapped in a bath towel.
The woman lost her balance and, with a splash, fell straight into the foot rinse pool by the door.
Her towel soaked completely.
She shot a glare at Stella and yelled, “Are you blind?!”
Stella just stared.
4:43 PM
Chapter 185 Accusations in the Steam
She wiped the water off her face, stood up, and locked eyes with Stella–both immediately recognizing each other.
The woman’s expression turned icy. “You?”
“Ali, it’s you. No wonder you’ve got no eyes and no manners. That explains everything.”
Jasmine–Lillian’s best friend..
Finished
Stella had seen her once at the Reed family home during a visit. Jasmine had glared at her the whole time because of Lillian.
Then they’d run into each other twice while shopping, and both times Jasmine had given her grief, acting like Stella was in the wrong just for existing.
Stella had clapped back both times. She wasn’t the kind to take hits quietly, and they’d become enemies on the spot.
Now, after what Stella said, Jasmine looked ready to explode.
She yanked off her soaked towel, tossed it aside, and planted her hands on her hips. “Who are you calling rude?!”
Her stance said it all–if Stella talked back again, she was going to throw a punch
“I’m calling you rude. What, you got a problem with that?”
Seeing Stella so unbothered only made Jasmine angrier. She raised her hand to slap her.
But Stella wasn’t the type to just take it.
The moment Jasmine moved, Stella caught her wrist–and her other hand was already cocked back, ready to return the favor.
Before she could strike, a hand came from behind, grabbing Jasmine and shoving her hard.
Jasmine’s wrist was yanked from Stella’s grip, and she toppled backward–right back into the water.
At the same time. Stella was pulled into someone’s arms,
She instinctively turned around.
Abraham’s cold, stormy face came into view. His eyes burned into Jasmine before quickly flicking back to Stella.
“You okay? Did she hurt you?”
Stella shook her head. “No. She tried to hit me.”
Just then, Eddie came rushing over.
He glanced at Stella and couldn’t help thinking–This guy really does have a radar for her, huh?
He’d seen Abraham suddenly take off moments ago, eyes sharp and steps quick, as if he sensed something was wrong.
Stella had never been bullied in Rivermount, and Abraham clearly didn’t intend to let that change.
Abraham’s face stayed cold as he glanced at Jasmine, who was now climbing out of the foot bath again, soaked and furious.
“Well, well, Stella No wonder you had the guts to call off your engagement with Ethan. Found someone else, huh? What now, trying to act like you’re in some tragi little romance?”
Even though the man holding Stella looked clearly out of the ordinary–powerful, composed, and utterly out of her league-
She’d never seen this man in Rivermount before. Clearly, he wasn’t anyone important.
Jasmine was sure Stella had dumped an elephant to chase a mosquito.
Jasmine only just noticed Eddie was there.
Her fury flipped into a full performance. Her eyes went red. “Eddie, what took you so long?”
“You have to help me,” Jasmine said as she stepped forward, reaching for Eddie’s hand.
Eddie dodged it without hesitation. The last thing he wanted was her grabbing onto him.
Jasmine looked hurt when he pulled away. “You”
They’d only met once for coffee–his impression of her was already lukewarm.
He walked over
Stella shook her head. “I’m fine”
Abraham narrowed his eyes and gave Jasmine a cold look. “You might want to get your eyes checked.”
Then he turned and led Stella away without another word.
Edhe heard that and winced. Was that aimed at me!
“Hey, that wasn’t my call?”
He burned after Abraham, but Jasmine grabbed his arm. “Eddie.”
“What, you gonna accuse her of seducing me? Of ruining whatever we had going on?”
Every time you see a man and a woman, you just assume there’s something going on?
“That’s enough. Don’t contact me again.”
Jasmine hadn’t even gotten a chance to explain. She was left standing there, stunned.
Her mind went blank.
And most importantly, he was the heart specialist Lillian needed most right now.
Especially with how Lillian’s team had been changing constantly lately. Jasmine was genuinely worried for her friend.
But now….
Jasmine hissed through clenched teeth. This is all her fault. If it weren’t for Stella, she wouldn’t have burned through her chances with Eddie this fast.
Siella and Abraham were already soaking in the pool when Eddie arrived. Just as he was about to get in, Abraham cut him off coldly.
It was freezing up here–he wanted to warm up too.
Eddie rubbed his cold hands. “Come on. You already shoved her, made your point. I barely know her, don’t blame me.”
But Eddie knew full well–Abraham wasn’t done. Anyone who crossed Stella wasn’t getting off that easy.
443 PM d
At that, the corner of Eddie’s mouth twitched. That explained a lot.
With that kind of mindset, she’d definitely badmouth Stella to anyone who’d listen. Anyone connected to her would be predisposed to hate Stella.
She’d already brainwashed the Reed parents into that kind of thinking–what was one best friend in comparison!
“If I’d known she was close with Lillian, I’d have passed on that blind date,” Eddie muttered.
oing to meet him?”
Then it hit him–Abraham had asked him to bring some medical equipment. Eddie turned to Stella. “You haven’t been keeping up with treatment these past two years, have you?”
This girl was terrified of needles. Besides Abraham, no one else could make her listen.
Stella–the Reed family’s own flesh and blood, yet nobody there liked her. And still, there were people out here protecting
Lillian’s face fell as she listened to Jasmine recount how they ran into each other at Pluchville Hill.
Every winter, the entire Reed family used to go to Pluchville Hill together. But this year, she hadn’t gone at all.
sly she is. She nearly married Ethan once, remember?”
“And that guy who was just shielding her? And Eddie, too? She’s got it out for you. You better be careful she’s not trying to string Ethan along too.”
Stella already had a man at her side, and Eddie still chased after her like a puppy.
Lillian’s expression twisted. Her lips trembled before she forced out three words through clenched teeth. “Got it.”
She couldn’t take it anymore–she dialed Ethan’s number.
It rang a few times, then–he hung up.
Was Jasmine right? Did he really go to Pluckville Hill for Stella? He still couldn’t let her got
Back at Pluchville Hill-
Ethan was already frustrated after his run–in with Stella.
And now Lillian kept calling over and over. He was running out of patience.
But before he could, Lillian spoke again.
“You’re at Pluchville Hill, aren’t you?”
“What kind of business needs to be handled at Pluehville Hill?”
443 PM 다
Not getting Verilant Villa had already humiliated her. Just thinking about Stella possibly bringing it up made her want to dnappear
Hearing the accusatory tone in Lillian’s voice, Ethan frowned. “Lillian.”
That hint of frost was all it took for Lillian to pull back.
In the past, Ethan would’ve stayed on the phone and explained everything. But not today.
Back at the hospital, the moment the call ended and that cold tone beeped in her ear, Lillian sat frozen.
Susan walked in with a pale face and found Lillian sitting there in a daze.
Pushing her own emotions aside, she approached, “Lillian, what’s wrong?”
Lillian’s eyes were red as she looked at Susan. “Mom, Ethan and Stella are both at Pluchville Hill,”
You couldn’t blame her for jumping to conclusions–after all, Ethan and Stella had once almost gotten married.
Lillian sniffled “Mom, maybe Ethan and I were never meant to be. He belongs with Stella. I was the one who came between
“Don’t talk like that,” Susan said, heart aching. That’s nonsense. What you need to focus on now is getting better. Ethan is waiting for you.”
To Susan, Lillian and Ethan had always made the perfect match. If anything, it was her own daughter Stella who had ruined
In that moment, Susan regretted bringing Stella back into their lives all over agai
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