Chapter 192 The Heir of the Luke Family
The moment she spoke, her tone was full of aggrievement.
She was about to snitch hard on Stella.
But the next moment, a man’s roar in a low tone came from the other end of the call, Jasmine, get back here at once!”
“Dad, you?” Feeling startled, Jasmine asked.
“You fool. You’ve been causing problems for me outside. Get back here this instant! And don’t you dare provoke Stella,” The voice from the other end of the call continued.
Hearing that, Jasmine was left speechless.
What did she do wrong?
Others might not know, but the older generations were certainly aware of the recent occurrences in the top–tier society, including the trouble the Reed family was in and Sharon’s detention. These people knew perfectly well what was going on.
Now they were afraid that their clueless children would get themselves involved.
Jasmine thought she had misheard her father and asked, “What did you say?”
She
thought, Don’t mess with who?Stella! Since when did that woman know Dad? And now Dad was even sidingwith her?
“I’ll give you 30 minutes. If you’re not back by then, your allowance next month is gone.
Hearing that her allowance was at stake, Jasmine panicked in an instant.
“Wait, Dad, what do you mean? I am.” Jasmine tried to refute.
“You have 29 minutes left!”
jasmine was left speechless.
Jasmine thought, Just what kind of seductive tricks does shehave? How is she able to make so many men fall for her?Why was Dad being so protective of her? Could it be that Dadhas taken a liking to her?
With that thought in mind, Jasmine couldn’t stay calm, so she said, “Dad, Mom has always been the one sacrificing for this family. You can’t betray her.”
“Are you out of your mind?” The voice on the other end of the line yelled.
She was left speechless, again.
“You’ve got 25 minutes left. If you can’t get back by then, the allowance for the month after next is gone too.”
Upon hearing that, Jasmine dared not delay another second. She hurried towards Pluchville Hill while cursing.
“You’re counting faster on purpose! I was just- Jasmine tried to rebut.
*20 minutes left!”
Jasmine couldn’t speak a word.
Under that kind of pressure. Jasmine didn’t even dare to delay another second, while her original intention was to confront
Stella a couple of minutes ago.
4:44 PM
Chapter 192 The Heir of the Luke Family
Clenching his fists, he gritted his teeth and glared at Abraham.
He then shot up to his feet and growled, “What are you doing here?”
Finished
Ethan realized that Stella was here too. Then he thought, wonderful. Just great. Now she and this man were so close that they wereinseparable.
Feeling the oppressive presence emanating from Abrahamn and that aura of authority, Ethan thought, could it be that he was here to stick his nose in the alliance with the Luke family?If so, who exactly was helFirst, Louis. Now him?
Ethan’s face grew dark.
He gritted his teeth and said, “I’m warning you, spare no thoughts on the Luke family’s ores.”
He thought, Louis’s meddling was already giving us a headache. And now this guy? What are all these troublesStellais getting him into? Don’t tell me she leaked the information about the KeeneGroup’swanting to joint venture with the Luke family to him. Is she sabotaging on purpose?
Jonce doubts set in, the mind goes wild.
The fact was he’d never told Stella anything about the Reed family’s exhausted mines or the plan to replace them.
Abel glanced at Ethan and said, “Mr. Keene, it seems there’s a lot you still don’t know.”
That look in his eyes was basically calling him a fool.
Abraham thought, I’d been in Rivermount for a while, yet judging by his reaction, he clearly had no clue. Is this the heir to the KeeneGroup?Mr. Judson is sure to be bold enough to hand over the company to him.
It was only now that Ethan noticed Abel standing behind Abraham.
Seeing Abel, a trace of shock flickered in his eyes. He looked at Abel before directing his gaze on Abraham.
His eyes were filled with perplexity as he clearly did not understand why the two of them were together.
After all, the last time they met, he assumed that these two were both men involved with Stella.
But now what was this?
Ethan’s gaze kept flicking back and forth between Abraham and Abel.
He was desperately searching for answers in his mind, but his brain was in total chaos.
Seeing Ethan remain silent, Abel stepped forward politely and suggested, “Mr. Abraham, it looks like Mr. Judson isn’t here. Shall we go for now?”
Ethan remained silent as he thought, Mr. Abraham? What does he mean by that?
He saw how Abel was being respectful toward Abraham.
A bad feeling welled up within him in an instant.
Chapter 193 Lost Cause
Without saying a word, Abraham glared at him coldly.
It was then Judson, who had gone to answer a phone call, returned as he saw Abraham and Abel.
Finished
Feeling surprised, he remained still before stepping forward and greeting with a serious yet respectful tone, “Hello, Mr. Luke, пісе to meet you.”
Judson recognized Abraham instantly as the heir to the Luke family.
Five years ago, Judson had been fortunate enough to meet him once.
Years later, the innocence of youth had faded from Abraham’s face, now replaced by maturity and composure.
Judson had been hoping to meet him in person for some time, but he believed Ethan needed to learn how to manage things himself.
Especially during this critical moment for the Keene family, he wanted to see how Ethan would handle the crisis on his own.
But little did he expect that this foolish son of his had been wasting all his time and energy on romance.
Ethan reached out his hand for a handshake.
Although he was the elder, Judson remained courteous in front of Abraham,
Especially when someone who was usually so casual had dressed up for this meeting
In contrast, Abraham was in his bathrobe.
Seeing his father being respectful towards the man who had beaten him and called him Mr. Luke, Ethan’s mind buzzed; he froze, and his pupils contracted sharply.
His gaze flicked between Abraham and his father.
Judson said, “This way, Mr. Luke.”
Abraham walked past Ethan without sparing him a second glance.
The cold scent in the air got to Ethan’s senses as it snapped him back to reality.
He stared at Abraham’s back as he thought, Mr. Luke! This guy was the heir to the Luke family?No way, this…
His mind buzzed again as it snapped!
At this moment, Ethan was more than just stunned; he was completely blank.
Judson led Abraham inside courteously. The two men chatted and laughed, but Ethan couldn’t hear a single word of their
converution
What remained was the constant buzzing in his head that was getting on his nerves.
Ethan didn’t even know how he exited the building from inside.
He was standing outside, smoking one cigarette after another.
Jason had returned.
He approached Ethan and asked, “Mr. Keene, what are you doing out here?”
Chapter 193 Lost Cause
eriod for du
rep to the filter. The frustration was all written on his face
Did you bodd out?” he asked coldly
kept quiet as he thought. You are still concerned about the womant
chead and i
armonder Mr. dudum pelt the need to TOME DOVES
At this point, the Lube tandly hud peobaldy already signed the contract with Comis
Jailson was showing up just to get a piece of the pie. The biggest shares were already gone.
She came with the man who beat you
Ethan didn’t say a thing
Jason scratched las head and said, “My Daion and that man who beat you are probably dating
aw the man’s mane, soche could
Jason found our that Stella hand
car at Verdant Villa, together with that man
Upon hearing Tim. Ethan’s face darkenedl
Euushed
Before jason could comminue. Eilian’s phone buzzed. It was a message motillation
He tapped arogen, it was from 1 allian
There were only a few simple words She trated: “Ellum, abom Venkou Villa, Loan’a geribere to rest and recover can17”
His face med completely grim aber viewing the message
He thought of how they’d now ked stella and long a
What did they say back theat
They said that race due broke all the engagement with bùn and hen the Head Early she’d be nothing. She wouldn’t even
Thinking about the fact that abad been living in Verdani Villa thuc whole the mende Eilen realize just how Toughtshe thes
key had been
Back then maybe in her heart, the now them all a clowns
Tered witch allany message he typed a single wond am his uncen “Wal
Whether I wanted to admit the so called in compense of his he had to adum when call was a Кумтаны
They had all seen, brella’s stunde
she had konade this whole tie that was tos kendara Valle for this ret mul treme
441 PM□ ₫ ·
Chapter 193 Lost Cause
Chapter 194 Everything Has to Do with Stella
And yet she said nothing and had been watching the show.
The more Ethan thought about it, the angrier he got as his face darkened.
About ten minutes later, Judson came out from inside with a gloomy face. You didn’t need to guess to know the negotiations had failed.
The moment his eyes met Ethan’s, flames were practically shooting out of them.
He held it in again and again. But finally, he couldn’t take it anymore as he walked straight up and kicked Ethan and said. “You worthless brat, you’re killing me!”
It wasn’t a light kick. Ethan staggered. If Jason hadn’t caught him from behind in time, he probably would have stumbled
onto the floor.
Judson glared at him with his grim face. By looking at his face, it was obvious that the negotiation failed,
Judson looked like he wanted to say more, but he was too angry to speak, storming off instead.
He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, he might beat his only son to death.
The butler, Tower, who’d come along with Judson, rushed out behind him. He glanced at Ethan before catching up with Judson.
But Ethan stopped him and asked, “Tower, how did it go?”
Honestly, Judson’s face already gave away the answer. But Ethan still couldn’t help asking.
Tower glanced at him, sighed, and shook his head. Then he said, “They said the Luke family will only choose one partner at Rivermount. And the candidate is the Parker family.”
Saying they’d only choose one was just a nice way of saying that they won’t work with the Keene family.
Even with Judson showing up personally, it didn’t work out for them.
It could be seen that this whole situation was pretty serious.
Seeing Ethan in his worried expression, Tower hesitated a moment and reminded him, “Mr. Keene, with your falling–out with Ms. Dawson, now it…”
Thinking about what Mr. Luke had said inside, Tower could only shake his head.
“Mr. Keene, allow me to remind you, rumors from Fleule are saying that Mr. Luke is a person who is protective of his people.
Ethan was left speechless as he thought, Protectivet Protective of whom? Stella?She’s just a woman. Is that worth it?
Tower then left.
A storm was brewing on Ethan’s face. Jason looked at him, unsure of what to say,
From how Judson left, you could easily tell how furious he was.
And he should be furious.
The Luke family’s ores were their last viable option, which was now gone too
Right now, the Keene Group was at stake!
4:44 PM
Chapter 194 Everything Has to Do with Stella
From what Tower said earlier, it sounded like all of this was somehow related to Stella.
Jason pondered, then he figured he should update Ethan on the current situation at Reed Group.
Jason said, “The Reed Group’s in a lot of trouble right now. Word is it’s tied to Sterling Global.”
Upon hearing him, Ethan tilted his head to look at Jason and asked, “Sterling Global?”
Jason replied, “That’s the company Ms. Dawson earned several hundred thousand dollars from.”
Last year, she made 980,000 dollars. It seemed that more than 840,000 came from Sterling Global.
Finished
Her other earnings, from smaller outside projects, added up to just a few tens of thousands, which is the normal profits for a
studio..
But with Sterling Global, everything changed.
It instantly brought her studio to the top in Rivermount.
Ethan remembered when they tried to shut her studio down a while back, they called Sterling Global and got told off
Those people were so arrogant that thinking of it still made his face darken.
Ethan laughed coldly and said, “You’re telling me this has nothing to do with Stella?”
Jason said nothing.
Clearly, everything had to do with her.
Ethan then asked, “Who’s the president of Sterling Global?”
Jason answered, “It’s a foreigner called Job Hog
Ethan remained silent as he thought, foreigner!No wonder he didn’t understand how things worked inRivermount
His eyes flickered with frustration as he said,. “We underestimated Stella. We really did.”
Ethan then said, “Look into the relationship between this guy and Stella.”
This felt so unreal.
Lately, everything that went wrong around here was somehow related to her.
Nothing was ever unrelated to her.
Jason replied, “Got it.”
Then he asked. “Did Mr. Judson just meet Mr. Luke earlier?*
Ethan kept quiet.
It would’ve been better if he hadn’t brought that up. At the mention, Ethan’s face darkened.
Ethan then said, “Verdant Villa belongs to the Luke family”
Jason then said. “What? So you’re saying Ms. Dawson has gotten close with someone from the Luke family recently
Ethan said, “Drop the subject”
Chapter 195 The Treatment
The Luke family, what kind of family was that?
If Stella could even cozy up to the Luke family, then her relationship to Sterling Global didn’t seem surprising at all.
Just as Ethan turned around, his phone buzzed again, and this time it was a message from Judson: “Try to fight for the chance for the alliance with the Luke family again.”
He didn’t even bother to call.
That just showed how frustrated Judson was.
After all, in Rivermount, it was rare for something to be so difficult that even his direct involvement couldn’t make it right.
But this time, it was tricky.
When Ethan looked at the message, he was feeling just as irritated. Then he replied in simple words: “Got it.”
Judson then texted: “The losses this time are enormous. If we can’t replace it in time…”
Judson didn’t finish the sentence, maybe because he didn’t know how to describe how severe the consequences would be
But Ethan understood well as he sent a short reply: “Understood.”
Understanding it was one thing, but dealing with it was a real headache.
At the hospital
When Lillian saw Ethan replying with a single yes, it felt like all the vigor had drained out of her.
If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she wouldn’t have believed that Ethan would reply to her like this.
Lillian thought, Isn’t this what was promised before? What is this?Why? Why is this happening?
She took several deep breaths and called Ethan, but the call was cut off after just one ring.
Lillian couldn’t describe how torturous it was from his attitude.
She thought. And for Stella… Had she known something from the beginning? That damn Stella!
The more Lillian thought about it, the more she was enraged.
At the medical room in Pluchville Hill.
“It hurts! Be gentle, would you?” Stella screamed in panic.
At this moment, Abraham was right beside her.
Seeing her so tertied, Eddie’s lips curled into a faint smule as he said, “I haven’t even inserted the needle yet”
Stella was shocked as she thought, Not yet? Mirit a second, what was Eddie doing? That needle had already touched my knee!
She peeked out and looked at Faddie. Sure enough, he hadn’t even inserted it yet, and the needle was still in his hand.
Eddie was left speechless.
He then said, “I haven’t even started. What exactly is hurting? You’d better explain it clearly to your brother in not taking the blame for this
44 PM
et
Chapter 195 The Treatment
Stella was speechless too. “If you weren’t going to insert it in me, why were you pointing the needle tip at my knee?”
Eddie replied, “I had to find the right spot to insert it to see which spot would give a better effect.”
Stella: “Then look for it! Don’t point the needle at mel
Finished
She was already scared of needles, let alone seeing somebody waving a needle in front of her knee. How could she not freak
out
Eddie then said, “Found it, found it. Don’t scream. It won’t hurt.”
Stella screamed aloud.
Eddie was left speechless as he thought, Is it really that painful? Is it reallythat scary?
Abraham said, “Alright, stop the screaming. It’s done already.”
Stella was puzzled as she thought, Done? Ihadn’t even felt the pain yet.
She looked at Eddie, and he was already holding the second needle. This was exactly why she never wanted a treatment.
one shot. It made two only if the blood draw was counted.
A drip, at least, was just
But this? Countless needles were being inserted into the body.
Although Stella didn’t feel anything from the needle that had just been inserted into her earlier, she couldn’t help but feel terrified.
Abraham comforted her and said, “Don’t be scared. Close your eyes, as his warm, steady palm covered her eyes. He then tilted her head gently and pressed it into his chest.
Stella’s muffled voice came from inside Abraham’s arms. She asked, “Abraham, isn’t there a second option? Pills, I can take pilis instead
She didn’t want the needles. She was seriously scared.
Abraham: “We’re almost done. Eddie has already put in a bunch.
He meant it to comfort her, but hearing his words, she was so scared that she trembled.
Eddie warned. ‘Don’t move“”
by bold
He thought. The usually bold Stellawasn’t even afraid to have a fight with men. But notor
Just then, Abel walked in and said, “Mr. Abraham”
“Did they sign“” Abraham asked.
Abel replied, “Yes, everything’s signed”
Louis turned out to be a pretty straightforward partner. If something was wrong, he fixed it right away
Stella looked at Abraham and asked, “What did Ethan say when you met earlier?”
She hadn’t gone to watch the drama unfold, but she was eager to know just how spectacularly Ethan had messed up
Bonom of Form
Chapter 196 Visit Refused
Finished
Abraham could easily pick up the implication in her words. He tweaked her ear gently. “Ethan is probably looking for a way
Out now.
Stella blinked, “?”
A way out! Does he mean me?
All right. Of course he is!
Ethan already knew that Abraham was the heir to the Luke family and the true owner of Verdant Villa
Of course, he also knew how badly he had offended Abraham before.
“So does Judson know about your conflict with Ethan?”
Abraham replied calmly, “As a father, he should know what his son is up to.”
Great, Judson was probably pushing Ethan hard now
Then he turned to Stella. Right now, Eddie was removing her acupuncture needles, and she was too scared to even look
He reassured her in a low voice, “It’s okay now. It’s over.”
“This is the last time, right? Mmm…
Eddie cut in bluntly.
a whole month. With your current condition, that’s at least three times a week.
Abraham gave Eddie a cold stare, clearly telling him to shut up.
“Is she?”
The needles were out now
Eddie grumpily packed up his things.
4:45 PM ₫
Could it be that the Reed Group’s situation had been fully exposed?
But the Reed family had found the root of their crisis in such a short
Since the relationship had been severed, it had to be clean and final. No need for a reunion.
Eddie noticed Abraham’s eyes full of doting affection as he looked at Stella. He couldn’t stand to watch any longer and quickly left with his equipment, not wanting to be the third wheel.
“They bullied you a lot, didn’t they?”
“They referred to Ethan and the whole Reed family.
If it was all one–sided suffering, then yes, it would be bullying. But that wasn’t the case for me.
Abraham heard her words, and the cold in his expression softened slightly. Ne lifted her hand and pressed it to his lips.
The warm touch of his lips fell on her palm, just as it had when they were young.
Back then, Abraham had loved her small hands. Whenever they played gently, he always kissed her palms.
Now, when she felt that kiss again, her whole body heated up.
He tapped her nose and snapped her out of it
Meanwhile, Susan was seething as she watched the man who had once injured Jonathan now deliver the message.
Under normal circumstances, she would have exploded on the spot.
But considering why she was here today, she held herself back with great difficulty.
And who exactly are you to her?”
Abel replied, “Who I am to her has nothing to do with whether she wants to see you or not.
You…”
“No, you’re not. At least not legally. You’re not her mother anymore.”
So as far as the law was concerned, Susan was no longer Stella’s mother.
“You agreed to the settlement yourself. That signature…”
Then he looked at Susan and added, “Your signature was pretty bold.”
The mention of the Reed Group made Susan’s chest tighten even more..
She thought about what Patrick and Jonathan had told her on the phone, the crisis the company was in right now, and she felt even more desperate.
Pestering her like this is pointless,” Abel said.
Abel didn’t want to argue anymore and turned to leave. Susan wanted to stop him.
But the moment she saw Ethan walking in another direction, she forgot all about Abel.
Both were focused on their own tasks, and the calm look on Stella’s face made her seem especially well–behaved.
Stella slid over to Abraham’s side with her laptop. “Can you take a look at this for me?”
It was a picture. No matter how I looked at it, something felt off, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.
As she spoke, she picked up a glass of red juice and took a sip.
Abraham looked at the red bottle on the table and frowned. “How rhuch of that did you drink?”
“1!m?”
Now Stella had finished everything.
4:45 PM ɗ
What struck Ethan most was how Susan had referred to her daughter as “Stella Dawson.”
II remembered correctly, she had always called Lillian simply “Lillian”
Even Jason was surprised. He hadn’t expected Susan to ask such a question.
Not to mention that two years ago the Reed Jamily had tried to force Stella onto Mr. Keene
She had come back for treatment, and I had done everything I could. I had only been away from the hospital because of a small problem at
Susan stiffened. “N–no… I just…”
“I just… you know… Lillian is sick. She’s very emotionally fragile right now. She found out that you and Stella are both in Pluchville Hill. She doesn’t even take her medicine anymore.”
“What?”
Susan noticed the flicker of concern in his eyes and quickly added, “You know how dependent she is on you. If she were doing well, she’d be calmer, more rational. But right now she’s facing life and death.”
Just thinking abou Lillian’s condition made Susan’s heart ache.
She answered quickly, her voice weak. “Ellian.”
“Why aren’t you taking your medication properly?”
His tone was stern, but with a hint of concerned reproach.
Hearing his tone, Lillian immediately began to sob.
Verify captcha to read the content
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Returned Heiress Who Never Fit In