Chapter 211 Shattered Illusions
Jason stared, dumbfounded. Wait, what…!?
Hadn’t they always said she grew up in the countryside? Raised by some rural folks, taught to be rough and uncultured?
How could this be…?
“Is the information reliable?” Jason asked instinctively.
She grew up in the Luke family. Which meant her relationship with Mr. Abraham–could it be that they were siblings?
Mr. Abraham’s sister
Jason felt like his brain short–circuited.
Ethan’s gaze tightened as he looked at Jason, who could only stammer. “This…?”
Ethan said coldly, “It came from Tower.”
Jason froze. Tower himself had investigated? Then it had to be true.
But if that was the case… what about all the conflicts Ethan had had with Mr. Abraham before?
“Sir, those arguments you had with Mr. Abraham, all those things you said… Jason trailed off, unable to go on..
Thinking about it now, everything that had happened–what a mess. Mr. Abraham turned out to be Ms. Stella’s brother?
Ethan’s breathing grew unsteady. “Enough.”
His face, already grim, darkened even further.
He remembered the things he’d said at Kingston Heights, and outside her studio–the insults, the accusations he’d thrown at them about their dirty relationship.
Ethan raked a hand through his hair, furious at himself.
How many stupid things had I done…?
Over at the wooden house,
The moment they walked in, Abraham grabbed Stella, his hands gripping her small shoulders tightly.
The force was a little too much. Meeting his serious gaze, Stella’s heart tightened. “W–What’s wrong?”
“Did you get into a car accident when you first came to Rivermount?” Abraham asked.
Meanwhile, over at Pluchville Hill, Patrick and Susan were arguing fiercely.
Susan was still worried about Lilian back at the hospital. She wanted to hurry back.
But right now, solving the Reed Group mess depended entirely on Stella.
They couldn’t even get a meeting with her.
Patrick blamed everything on Susan, to the point that Susan wasn’t even allowed to leave.
At one in the morning, neither of them had slept, both still stewing over how to meet with Stella.
Suddenly, Susan’s phone buzzed–it was a call from one of the hospital aides.
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She instinctively looked at Patrick.
Patrick’s face was tired and irritated. Was it him?
Susan’s breathing grew shaky.
Before she could ask, Christine continued, “Miss Lilian is in a lot of pain. I went to get her some painkillers, but the night- shift doctors who used to stay behind for her–none of them are here tonight.”
Susan’s face turned completely dark.
“What’s going on?”
All gone? What was that supposed to mean?
She had paid the hospital a fortune, and this was how they handled things?
Christine said, “And the nurses said… you need to come tomorrow morning to process Miss Lilian’s discharge.”
They said ‘discharge,” but based on the nurse’s attitude, it was clear–they were being kicked out.
“Discharge? What the hell do they mean?!” Susan’s vision darkened, her chest heaving in anger.
Christine said more over the phone, making it clear–Lilian’s condition wasn’t good, and the hospital’s attitude had gone ice
cold.
In other words, they wanted them out.
Susan hurriedly instructed, “Stay with her. I’ll be back right away.”
She hung up and glared at Patrick. “You did this, didn’t you?”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Patrick snapped, clearly annoyed, but clueless about what she meant.
“You gave up Lilian for Stella’s sake! She’s still sick, and you pulled her entire medical team away. You’re trying to kill her, aren’t you?!!
The more Susan said, the angrier she got
Patrick stared at her, completely lost. “What are you even talking about?”
Seeing his genuine confusion, Susan’s heart dropped.
He hadn’t done it.
They had been together all night–he hadn’t arranged anything.
And honestly, he didn’t have the power to pull something like that off.
“Could it be the Keene family?” she whispered.
The Keene family.
Thinking about how Madeline had been treating Lilian lately, Susan realized… it was entirely possible.
Chapter 212 Lines Crossed
After thinking it through, Susan realized- The Keene family absolutely had the ability to pull something like this off.
The thought made her chest tighten. “Madeline is insane,” she muttered under her breath.
Frantic, Susan rushed to find Ethan.
Ethan hadn’t slept either.
Between the shocking news about Stella and Abraham’s relationship, and everything happening with the Reed Group, he was barely holding it together.
When Susan found him and explained the situation, Ethan’s expression froze. “The entire medical team was pulled?” he repeated.
“Exactly! How could your mother do this? Lilian’s so sick. Is she trying to kill her?”
Hearing that Lilian’s expert team had been dismissed and the hospital was pushing for discharge by morning, a flash of anger crossed Ethan’s eyes.
He immediately called Madeline.
The line didn’t go through. He tried again–still nothing.
Finally, he called the house phone.
The housekeeper answered nervously. “Sir, it’s late… Madam is-”
“Wake her up,” Ethan said coldly, his voice sharp as a knife.
The housekeeper hesitated but had no choice. “Alright. I’ll get her.”
About ten minutes later, a groggy, irritated Madeline came on the line. “Ethan, are you crazy?!”
Dragging her out of bed in the middle of the night? What was wrong with him?
“Lilian’s medical team. You pulled them?” Ethan asked directly, his voice tight with
restraint.
“What?”
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Chapter
“Are you insane?” Madeline snapped, furious.
“Mother–1”
“How much longer do you think she’s going to live anyway? What’s the point of wasting time and money on her?” Madeline barked, completely unfiltered.
She unleashed a tirade at Ethan, then hung up without another word.
Listening to the dead tone on the line, Ethan clenched his jaw and looked at Susan. “It wasn’t her.
Judging by Madeline’s reaction, she hadn’t done it.
“Then who?” Susan demanded.
If not Madeline, who else wanted Lilian dead?
Then a horrifying thought struck her.
Stella.
Susan’s face went pale”
Stella. It has to be her. It’s definitely her!”
The one who brought the Reed Group to its knees–who else could have the means and. motive to deal with Lilian?
The more she thought about it, the more certain she became.
Hearing that name, Ethan’s aura grew even colder.
Susan completely lost it.
“Ethan, you have to save Lilian! That Stella–what more does she want?!”
Destroying the Reed Group wasn’t enough? She was really going to let Lilian die?
Ethan said calmly, “I’ll handle it.”
But inside, he was barely containing his rage.
Only now did Susan truly realize what kind of threat Stella had become.
She had always thought Stella was nothing–a girl raised by some backwater family,
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And yet now, she…
Susan’s face drained of all color.
“Go back for now,” Ethan said.
“But the hospital… they’re forcing Lilian out first thing in the morning. Ethan, they’re going to let her die!”
“I know.”
Ethan nodded grimly. It took him a while to calm Susan enough to get her to leave.
Once Once she was gone, he summoned Jason.
“Where are Stella and Mr. Abraham staying?”
“At the wooden lodge halfway up the mountain,” Jason replied.
The wooden lodge. A place never open to outsiders.
Of course the Luke family’s heir would have the best of everything, wherever they
went.
And Stella…
The thought of her growing up in the Luke family’s inner circle made Ethan feel suffocated.
He hadn’t even had time to tell Susan about that yet. First, he needed to deal with Lilian.
“Let’s go.”
Ethan grabbed his coat and headed out.
Jason looked at him, bewildered. “Where are we going?”
Surely not to find Stella? At this hour? And Mr. Abraham was there too- Was he planning to get himself killed?
Meanwhile, at the lodge.
back.
After Abraham received a call and left, she curled up in bed, drifting in and out of sleep.
Every time she drank, her body would go limp and sluggish, her spirit too drained to fight it.
Half–asleep, she vaguely heard someone calling her outside.
But she was too tired. She turned over and sank deeper into sleep.
Downstairs, Ethan was already shouting for her.
Jason, panicked, whispered, “Sir, if you keep shouting, you’re going to piss off Mr. Abraham!”
Ethan’s expression darkened. “What else do you suggest?”
Send Gifts
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Chapter 213 A Dangerous Encounter
The incident at the hospital had clearly been orchestrated by Stella, but right now, he couldn’t even get through to her phone.
Other than shouting, there was really nothing else he could do,
“Stella“” he yelled loudly.
Jason stood off to the side, silent.
Tonight really felt like it was going to be the end.
Ethan kept shouting for three minutes straight without any response, which only made him even angrier.
Just as he was about to yell again, the sound of a car engine suddenly came from behind, its headlights cutting through the
Ethan turned around and saw Abel getting out of the car and respectfully opening the door for the man in the back seat.
Abraham stepped out, cold and imposing, with Victor following close behind.
Ethan froze.
Jason froze too. This is it. We’re dead.
The moment Abraham saw Ethan standing there, the coldness in his eyes deepened, a flash of danger passing through them.
In a chilling voice. Abraham asked. “What are you doing here?”
Ethan pressed his lips tightly together, his eyes quickly scanning Abraham.
When his gaze landed on the bloodstains on the scarf around Abraham’s neck, Ethan’s breathing stalled.
Jason had noticed the blood too.
At this moment, even though Abraham wasn’t saying a word, the air around him was thick with danger.
It felt like pure, unfiltered killing intent.
Seeing Ethan stay silent, Abraham shot him a dangerous look: “Here to bother Stella?”
Ethan stapped back to his senses and instinctively held his breath. “I have something I need to ask her.”
Abraham’s eyes narrowed slightly. He took long strides toward Ethan.
The oppressive force rolling off him made even Ethan subconsciously step back half a step.
Ethan was tall himself, about six–foot–one, but standing in front of Abraham, who was easily over six–foot–three, he could clearly feel the pressure coming off him
Especially now that the distance between them was so close.
Ethan could smell the mixture of blood and alcohol clinging to Abraham, and he caught the unsettling red tint in his eyes,
He lifted his head, his breathing uneven “Mr. Abraham, there were some things between us before-
Before he could finish, Abraham suddenly reached out and grabbed Ethan by the throat.
Ethan’s expression darkened.
Jason gasped. “Sir!”
The air around Abraham was thick with murderous intent.
“Who gave you the nerve to keep bothering her? Hm?”
His hand tightened around Ethan’s neck, cutting off his air and leaving him limp and powerless.
Jason saw the flash of killing intent in Abraham’s eyes and broke out into a cold sweat.
He threw himself forward and grabbed Abraham’s wrist. “Mr. Abraham, it was all a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding!”
Abraham’s cold gaze was full of danger.
His thin lips parted slightly, spitting out two words. “A misunderstanding?”
At this point, Ethan could genuinely feel that Abraham wanted him dead.
He closed his eyes and forced out three words with difficulty. “Yes, a misunderstanding”
The moment the words left his mouth, Ethan was overwhelmed by a wave of humiliation.
In Rivermount, no one had ever dared treat him like this.
Abraham had already been furious tonight, and now that Ethan had thrown himself into his path, that fury exploded.
Abraham’s grip kept tightening, and Ethan started to feel the distinct sensation of death creeping in.
He instinctively tried to fight back, but it was useless Abraham’s strength had drained him completely.
Jason’s breathing quickened. “Mr. Abraham!“
Is tonight really the end for ust
Just as Jason was panicking and drenched in sweat, Victor stepped forward and leaned close to Abraham’s car, whispering, “After that matter is settled, you can deal with him then?”
After all, Ethan was Judson’s only son. If Abraham killed him, even if it was suicidal, Judson would surely retaliate.
Abraham understood what Victor was getting at. He let out a cold chuckle. “You think the Keene family amounts to anything?”
–
Those words the Keene family amounts to nothing–made Jason’s heart drop to the floor. Ethan’s face had already turned purple.
He looked at Abraham, his eyes now burning with anger.
In Rivermount, no one had ever dared to look down on the Keene family like this. And yet Abraham… but then he remembered who Abraham was.
Ethan’s breathing grew even more ragged.
Victor spoke up again. “True, they don’t amount to much, but that matter is more important.”
Abraham’s eyes narrowed.
He gave a cold snort and flung Ethan aside.
Victor was right. Whether it was the Keene family or the Reed family, they were nothing but struggling remnants.
Especially the Reed family, barely managing to cling to life.
Finally able to breathe again, Ethan gasped for air and lifted his head to glare at Abraham.
Chapter 214 A Brewing Storm.
Abraham slowly adjusted his cufflinks. “If you dare bother her again, I’ll take your life too.”
Each word was laced with dangerous threat.
Ethan’s face darkened. He knew Abraham wasn’t joking.
Abraham turned and walked inside.
Abel hurried to follow, and Victor, lingering behind, glanced at Ethan before stepping forward to pat his shoulder.
“Mr. Ethan, for your own sake, be smarter.
Coming after Stella when Abraham was around that was pure suicide.
If Victor hadn’t stepped in just now, Abraham really would have killed Ethan.
Victor followed them inside too.
Only Ethan and Jason were left outside. Jason quickly ran over to help Ethan up. “Sir!”
Ethan closed his eyes, his fists clenching tightly, his entire body trembling with rage.
As soon as Abraham entered the small building, he slammed the door shut behind him, leaving Abel locked outside.
If Abel hadn’t dodged fast enough, the door would have slammed right into his face.
Victor caught up. “Should we call Eddie?”
Abel stiffened slightly, remembering the suspicious drink Abraham had earlier.
He hurriedly pulled out his phone to call Eddie, but then hesitated, thinking about the way Abraham had just slammed the
door on him.
What did that mean?
Abel looked at Victor. “We should probably ask Abraham first.”
Victor stared at him.
What the bell?
“You think we need to ask? You think he can handle this alone? Damn that Lancelot, daring to drug him his right–hand man tonight”
Victor practically gritted his teeth as he spoke.
Abraham had been drugged,
wasn’t the first time something like this had happened, but Eddie had always been there before.
Abel thought for a moment, then dialed Abraham’s number.
The call connected quickly, and Abel rushed to ask, “Abraham, should we call Eddie over?” “Gel lost.”
Abel froze.
– he deserved to lose
Abel stiffly replied, “He told me to get lost.”
Victor’s mouth twitched. “You really think he can handle it? This isn’t a joke.”
That drug wasn’t anything mild this was serious.
Before Victor could say more, Abel turned and walked away so fast he was practically running.
Victor stood there muttering. “You think Stella’s remedy can fix this?”
Seeing Abel just take off without saying a word left him uneasy. After thinking it over, Victor pulled out his phone and called Eddie himself.
Upstairs.
Stella was half–asleep, feeling as if a pair of eyes were burning into her from the darkness.
The gaze was so intense that even in her dreams, she couldn’t sleep peacefully.
Groggily opening her eyes, she saw Abraham sitting at the edge of her bed.
Under the dim light, his expression was dark and brooding, carrying a faint but unmistakable aggression.
Stella jolted awake and sat up in bed. “Abraham, what’s wrong?”
What was he doing sitting at her bedside in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?
And why did his eyes look so strange?
She crawled closer to him and reached out, touching his forehead.
It was burning hot. Even the skin on his face radiated heat.
With them so close, Stella clearly smelled the strong mix of blood and alcohol on him.
“Abraham, you.. where were you drinking? And you’re hurt too?”
The thick scent of blood sent a jolt of panic through her, and worry quickly filled her eyes.
She hurried to turn on the bedside lamp,
But before she could even reach the switch, a large hand wrapped firmly around her slim waist.
Before Stella could react, he pulled her down onto the bed.
“Abraham!
She cried out in shock.
She instinctively tried to get up, but Abraham leaned over her.
Wearing only a thin silk nightgown, she could feel his burning chest pressing against her back the moment he got close.
She could clearly feel the intense heat radiating off him.
And the hard, solid muscles of his chest–close enough to leave no doubt about their strength.
Stella’s mind stalled. “You… what are you doing?”
dated to town over and grab
the phone to call Eddie.
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Chapter 215 No Turning Back
Just as she flipped over, his burning palm cupped her face.
A possessive kiss crashed down on her.
His breath was scorching, and even his lips felt searing hot.
Stella’s pupils contracted sharply, her breathing tightening. “Abraham, wake up, you- you need to wake up….”
But the rest of her words were swallowed by him.
–
And with them, not just Abraham’s rationality disappeared so did Stella’s.
Her own reason was teetering on the edge.
Stella had always liked Abraham.
She didn’t even know when her feelings had crossed the line from siblings to something else.
The affection that had built up over the years had long since sunk into her bones.
Looking into Abraham’s slightly dazed eyes, Stella’s heart trembled. “Abraham.”
If he were sober, then maybe…
But he wasn’t. Especially after drinking- he never remembered anything afterward.
If something really happened between them now, even if he was the one taking the initiative, she would still feel like she was taking advantage of him.
“I’m not that noble, but you have to wake up, you have to stop,” she whimpered.
But the next second, he easily pinned her hands above her head.
The moment her nightgown was pushed up, Stella felt her blood freeze.
She grabbed onto his strong wrist “Abraham.”
But a second later, he seized her hand completely, leaving her no room to struggle.
The heat pouring off his body filled the entire room, thick and suffocating.
The air itself seemed drenched in desire, and Stella’s breathing grew more and more frantic.
“Stella, be good,” he said, his deep voice rough and husky.
The moment she heard him say her name, Stella’s mind buzzed.
He knew. He knew it was her.
–
Stella’s misty eyes looked up at Abraham’s face the only face she had ever thought of as truly beautiful, unmatched by
anyone else.
“Abraham..” she whispered.
And in that instant, her reason completely snapped.
Abraham held one of her wrists, his other hand slowly tracing the contours of her face.
“So good, he murmured.
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It was a sleepless night.
By six in the morning. Stella sat on the bed, staring blankly at the sleeping Abraham.
She looked down at her chest and arms.
The bruises scattered across her skin told the story of how wild the night had been.
She exhaled a long breath.
What have I done?
Her gaze fell on the gray scarf tangled in the mess of the bed sheets.
It was Abraham’s and the dried bloodstains on it only hammered the truth of what had happened deeper into her mind.
Stella covered her face. Tin doomed, she muttered.
Panic completely overwhelmed her.
The blazing passion of the night had faded, leaving only a cold, terrifying clarity. What am I going to do?
Her phone vibrated on the nightstand.
Stella picked it up and saw that it was Eddie calling.
She glanced at Abraham, still sound asleep, then hurried into the bathroom to answer. “Eddie.”
Eddie’s frantic voice exploded through the phone. ‘Are you all dead in there? I’ve been ringing the doorbell nonstop! How’s your brother?”
Stella fell silent.
How is hel
Looking at the marks on her neck in the mirror, she nearly broke down all over again.
I really did it… I really did something with Abraham… What am I supposed to do?
“Stella: Stella?!
“Ah-
I’m asking how your brother is! Victor said someone drugged him!”
Stella’s breath hitched. So it really was a drug
If he was this out of it just from drinking, and he’d been drugged too… then he definitely wouldn’t remember anything.
Thinking about how Abraham probably wouldn’t remember a thing from last night, Stella didn’t even know whether to feel
relieved or devastated.
Her whole world felt like it had exploded.
“He’s fine. I found some medicine and gave it to him,” she quickly made up a lie.
Eddie sounded doubtful. “Medicine? Where’d you find that?”
Who would just have that kind of antidote lying around?
And besides, they were staying at Pluehville Hill – not exactly home base.
Chapter 216 Nothing Can Be Hidden
Eddie said. “There was something like that in the first aid kit?”
“Yeah, there was, Stella insisted.
She tried her best to sound serious–so serious that even she almost believed it herself.
Eddie said, “Open the door. Let me see him. And don’t mess around.”
Stella fell silent.
Already messed around….
“Wait a second. I’m coming
She hung up the phone and looked at herself in the mirror again, feeling like she was about to lose her mind.
Slapping her cheeks, she muttered, “Oh my god, what am I gonna do? What am I supposed to do?”
How did it even come to this?
No–this…
Does this count as taking advantage of him? After all, he wasn’t even conscious…
At this point, Stella’s mind was completely blank
She quietly opened the bathroom door and poked her head out to peek at the bed.
Abraham was still in the same position, clearly exhausted.
Well, yeah, after two hours…
Her legs still felt like they were falling apart–aching, sore.
Even though she knew Abraham probably wouldn’t wake up easily, Stella stil tiptoed around, quickly getting dressed.
Finally, she grabbed the gray scarf, hid it in the bathroom, and straightened up the room as much as she could.
When she opened the door, she found Eddie standing there, rubbing his hands to keep warm, clearly having waited a while.
He immediately noticed Stella bundled up in a thick bathrobe with a fuzzy scarf around her neck.
Stella was starting to feel guilty under his gaze.
“It’s just, you know, he came in, passed out drunk, and I couldn’t move him, she said, trying to sound casual.
Stella gasped and immediately grabbed the scarf tightly. “What are you doing?”
Eddie said. “You know what kind of drug it was, right? You get how serious it was?”
“What are you looking at? You trying to harass me? I’ll tell my brother!” she shapped.
“What are you even talking about? Are you going to check on him or not? I wanna go back to sleep.
Eddie gave her one list look, then glanced up toward the stairs. Finally, he just sighed and headed upstairs.
Seeing him finally give up, Stella let out a huge breath of relief
It’s over. It’s really over
Following close behind Eddie up the stairs, they entered the room–only to find Abraham awake.
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“Hurry up and check him, Stella said
He glanced at Abraham’s face. By now, there were no longer any signs of the drug’s effects.
Their eyes met, and when Eddie caught the hint of coldness in Abraham’s gaze, his brain went completely blank.
“Victor said someone drugged you?” Eddie asked carefully.
Abraham stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and gave a faint “Mm
Stella’s heart jumped straight to her throat.
No way… No way!
Stella, already riddled with guilt, nearly collapsed under that glance.
Would that explanation fly?
She stammered, “Since my brother’s fine now, Eddie, why don’t you head back? I’m still really tired and want to sleep some
There’s no way I can let Eddie stay here. I can barely deal with this on my own–if he keeps digging. I’ll be exposed for sure!
Eddie narrowed his eyes. “You’re trying to kick me out?”
Her reaction was so obvious he didn’t believe for a second that she was innocent.
“You can head back, Abraham interrupted before she could finish.
Eddie glanced at Abraham, wanting to say more, but Abraham simply gave him a look that said shut up.
The stone in Stella’s chest slammed right back into place.
“What symptoms could there be? Didn’t I already say I gave him the antidote?” she snapped,
The way she said it made it seem like if Eddie said one more word, she might actually hit him.
“I’m a doctor. Can’t I ask about his condition? That wasn’t some mild drug. There could be side effects. What’s wrong with me asking?” Eddie argued.
They were all adults if Eddie couldn’t read the mood now, he’d be an idiot.
Finally, it was just Stella and Abraham in the room
Stella was so nervous she thought her heart might leap out of her chest.
“Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere else?” she asked, trying her best to keep her voice calm.
Abraham’s dark gaze lingered on her.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked, panicking.
When Abraham got serious, he was terrifying.
Even though she had grown up by his side, Stella couldn’t help but feel afraid of him.
“Come here,” Abraham said.
She was scared out of her mind, but when faced with Abraham’s command, she didn’t dare disobey.
The closer she got, the more she could feel the overwhelming pressure coming off him.
“Abraham, you-
I really didn’t scratch him! So where did all those scratches come from?!
scratches.
It’s better if he doesn’t remember. If he did, I’d have no way to explain anything.
Good grief, please leave. If you stay any longer, my heart’s really going to give out!
Forget a temper – under this pressure, it’s about to vanish completely.
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