Chapter 272 Are You Leaving?
Lillian said, “Tell her to let me go this time. When I get better, she can torture me all she wants.”
“Lillian.” Susan’s heart was aching even more.
Lillian continued, “Whatever she wants me to admit, I’ll admit it. All of it. Everything. If she wants to settle scores, let’s wait till I’m better, okay?”
The feeling of being trapped in this dark. hopeless place was more than Lillian could take. She felt so desperate she didn’t even know if she’d live to see the sun rise again.
please talk to her, Lillian begged. Tim begging you. Just take it as me begging you, okay?”
She broke down in despair.
She couldn’t even fall asleep to escape the pain anymore. It hurt so much.
So this was what sickness felt like, in life and death–it cut straight to the bone.
At that moment, Susan didn’t believe Lillian had actually done all those things.
That just made her hate Stella even more. She thought it was Stella who had pushed Lillian to this point.
“Mom Lillian whispered.
“Lillian, my sweetheart… Susan said softly.
It wasn’t just Lillian who felt hopeless. Susan did too.
She hated seeing Lillian suffer like this. And she hated how powerless she was to stop it.
in the private room of Verdant Villa..
From the moment Kimmy saw Stella, the shock in her eyes hadn’t faded,
Or maybe it started even earlier, when she first entered Seaflats Cove and say Verdant Villa rising like a palace in the snow. Her heart had been pounding ever since.
Back when their studio had just started and wasn’t making any money, Stella had still been incredibly generous with them.
They’d all thought she was spending the Reed family’s money.
But once the Reed family showed their true colors, Kimmy realized that couldn’t be the case. She had no idea where Stella’s money came from.
Turns out, Stella was the owner of Seallats Cove.
And Kimmy believed that it must’ve had something to do with the man who picked Stella up
This definitely wasn’t the Reed family’s property. If they had this kind of status, they wouldn’t have been scrambling like fools all this time.
“What are you staring at? You spaced out, Stella said, setting a cup of coffee down in front of Kimmy,
Ms. Dawson, you owe me emotional damages,” Kimmy said, her eyes sparkling.
“What?” Stella asked, confused.
It didn’t make sense at all.
“Then I should ask for some damages too.” Tessa said with a snort.
When things blew up between Stella and the Reed family, they even had the nerve to freeze Stella’s credit cards.
Tessa had been pissed back then.
“You two are such clowns, Stella said.
She turned to Kimmy. “Did you bring the files?”
Yep, all of them, Kimmy said with a nod.
She handed them over, and Stella glanced through them before passing them straight to Tessa.
“Are you really going back to Falvaria?” Tessa asked, sounding a little reluctant.
was always going to go back sooner or later,” Stella replied.
Even if Abraham hadn’t shown up in Rivermount, Stella had been looking for a way back this whole time.
For the past two years, she’d been keeping an eye on everything happening in Falvaria. Waiting for a chance to return.
She just hadn’t expected Abraham to make the first move.
“Are you leaving Ms. Dawson? What about the studio?” Kimmy asked in shock.
Am I about to be unemployed? Please no
This job had been so stable, with such good pay.
“Didn’t I already find you a new boss?” Stella said casually.
Kimmy looked over at Tessa.
“Keep doing your job well. The pay and benefits won’t change, Tessa said.
“Ms. Dawson. Kimmy said softly, her eyes turning red as she looked at Steļļa.
Even as she prepared to leave, she still made sure they were taken care of. A boss like Stella was nearly impossible to come by.
“Alright, nothing good lasts forever,” Stella said.
At least the time they had spent together had been something to cherish.
While they were signing the paperwork, Kimmy’s phone rang. She stepped out to take the call.
Tessa took the chance to glance at Stella’s neck. “What’s that mark on your neck?” she asked.
“What?” Stella murmured, instinctively pulling her sweater collar up
“Don’t cover it, I already saw, Tessa said.
If she hadn’t tried to hide it, Tessa might’ve thought it was just a bug bite. But now, no need for explanations.
Stella looked a little embarrassed.
“You two are together?” Tessa asked.
“Yeah, Stella said, nodding. She didn’t hide it from Tessa..
Chapter 273 He Can Protect Me
“He can protect me.” Stella said.
No matter the situation, Abraham would definitely keep her safe.
Tessa raised an eyebrow. “You really trust him, huh?”
There was confidence in her tone.
Stella said, “You wouldn’t understand this kind of trust.”
That kind of protection–how he had shielded her as she grew up–that kind of trust would never change, no matter what.
Tessa nodded after hearing that. “Anyway, I’m managing the studio for you. Hopefully, you won’t end up needing it.”
If she could live well after returning to Falvaria, that would be best. If not, then this was Stella’s backup plan.
Stella was touched again.
Tessa said. “Alright, stop looking at me like that. I’m the same as Kimmy. A country girl who hates seeing a princess get mistreated.
Back then, Tessa had really been worried the Reed family would do something to Stella. But in the end, she had a bigshot backing her up.
Stella gave her a playful glare. “Alright, if your mom hears that, she’ll tug your ear again.”
Tessa stayed for another two hours before she left with Kimmy.
Just as they were about to walk out, Abraham returned.
He wasn’t alone–two unfamiliar men walked in with him. Their presence was extraordinary.
Tessa considered herself someone who had seen quite a bit of the world over the
years
But the aura that Abraham and the man beside him carried was something else entirely–so intense, even from afar, it felt dangerously overwhelming.
Tessa and Kimmy didn’t dare greet them. That oppressive energy made them instinctively try to shrink into the background.
But just as they passed by each other, Tessa’s foot slipped on the snowy ground.
“Ah!” she yelped as her body lost balance. She flailed and grabbed onto something.
She landed hard on the floor, too stunned by the pain to react. Then came a loud thump.
The full weight of another body crashed down on her, and Tessa let out a muffled groan.
The impact nearly knocked the air out of her.
Eddie was stunned.
“Whoa, what the hell is this?”
\_\ \ \ \ \
Seeing Victor and Tessa tangled up on the ground, Eddie rushed forward to help, while Abraham turned and shot a cold glance back.
Victor had landed right on top of Tessa. With Eddie’s help, he pushed himself up.
As he shifted, he felt pressure on his waist. Looking down, he saw Tessa’s hand clutching his belt buckle.
1/2
Oh my goodness! What the hell am I grabbing!
“Are you still not letting go?” Victor gritted his teeth, a chilling flicker flashing through his eyes.
His face was striking, his features perfectly sculpted.
His glasses had fallen off, and the icy sharpness in his deep eyes was now fully visible.
And honestly, anyone who dealt with Abraham was rarely kind or simple.
Especially with that barely visible tattoo on his neck. It made the danger around him feel even more real.
Tessa was so scared she froze up completely.
Victor narrowed his eyes.
Eddie grabbed Tessa’s wrist. “Jeez, girl, you’re really something. First time meeting a guy and you go grabbing his bele? Why not just yank his pants down and skip the subtlety?”
“T… I didn’t!” she stammered.
Wait, what does he meant I’m not implying anything!
Eddie noticed her death grip still hadn’t loosened and felt like she must have a death wish.
Kimmy was also stunned, especially after seeing what Tessa had latched onto. Her mind went blank.
Tessa looked at Victor in a panic. I swear I didn’t mean it! I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”
Eddie said, “Then let go already!”
What’s with this girl! Says it’s not on purpose but still won’t let go. What’s that supposed to mean?
Tessa looked into Victor’s dark eyes, and her brain completely short–circuited.
“I’m sorry.”
Kimmy finally snapped out of it.
She rushed forward and grabbed Tessa’s hand. “Enough. You’ve apologized enough, now let go!”
Tessa was dumbfounded.
Stella had noticed Abraham’s car pull up but hadn’t seen him come in, so she stepped outside to check.
What she saw was Victor kneeling on one knee on the slick ground, while Tessa’s pale little hand clutched his belt tightly.
Stella was stunned. What was going on?
“Tess, you…
The moment Stella appeared, Tessa finally snapped out of it. Like her hand had touched a hot stove, she yanked it back.
Her face turned red in an instant.
Chapter 274 I Did Not Mean It!
“I didn’t do it on purpose. Tessa explained,
What kind of mess did I get myself into today!
Victor stood up and calmly straightened his slightly messy clothes. His face didn’t look good. Without a word, he turned and walked back inside.
Abraham saw Stella coming out and frowned. “What are you doing out here? It’s freezing, and you’re barely wearing anything.
“I saw you weren’t coming in. so I came to check, Stella said as she walked toward Tessa. Tess, what’s wrong?”
Tessa’s face was already completely red. She stood up in a panic and, before Stella could get close, blurted. “I… I’m leaving now. Bye.
ike she
She didn’t dare meet Stella’s eyes and ran off like she was escaping a disaster.
Stella was totally confused.
Kimmy quickly followed after her. She suddenly felt that everyone around Stella was way too dangerous. That man just now looked like he was ready to kill someone
Eddie looked at Stella and grinned mischievously. “Star, your friend is pretty fierce.”
“What do you mean, fierce?” Stella asked.
“She almost pulled Victor’s pants down, hahaha!”
Stella’s eyes widened.
Tessa hadn’t gone far. When she heard what Eddie said, she stumbled and almost fell to the ground again.
Victor turned and looked at Eddie. That look alone could’ve sliced him.
It was the first time he had shown such a dangerous expression. He used to be just as reckless as Eddie.
Stella’s mouth twitched. She glanced at Tessa’s retreating figure, then at Abraham.
“She’s definitely not that kind of person.”
Abraham ruffled her hair and said, “You believe anything Eddie says?”
Stella glared at Eddie. “With that mouth, you’re going to be single for life.”
She had never met anyone as blunt as Eddie. It was unbelievable.
I
“Hey, I didn’t say anything wrong. I was just telling the truth,” Eddie said.
Tessa really just nearly pulled Victor’s pants down in front of everyone.
“It was slippery and she lost her balance Victor just happened to be close. Okay?” Stella replied.
Even without being there, she could guess most of what happened..
When someone’s falling, their hands instinctively try to grab onto something. Tessa just happened to grab something
Unusual.
Eddie still wanted to say more, but Abraham gave him a look. “Do you think it’s safe to joke about Victor?”
“And yet you still said too much,” Stella shot back.
He was the kind of guy who could make people want to vanish from embarrassment with just one sentence.
Eddie gave Stella a weird look and shut his mouth.
Fine. I should just keep my mouth shut.
Once inside. Stella’s slippers were soaked. Abraham glanced at the butler. “Why wasn’t the entrance cleaned properly?”
There had still been ice on the ground when they got out of the car.
The butler’s face stiffened with fear. “Mr. Abraham. L.”
Stella tugged lightly on Abraham’s sleeve. “They did clean it earlier. It’s just too cold outside.
Hearing her speak up, the butler looked at Stella gratefully.
She was right. They had cleaned the area just half an hour ago. In fact, they’d been clearing snow all day.
Just like Stella said, because of the low temperatures and constant snowfall, the ground froze again quickly.
Abraham looked down at Stella’s feet. “Change your shoes.”
“Okay,” Stella nodded sweetly.
A servant quickly brought her a dry pair of slippers
Abraham and Victor still had things to discuss and went straight to the study
Just as Stella was about to head upstairs, Tessa called. Over the phone, she was crying her eyes out.
“I know you didn’t do it on purpose. I just don’t know if Victor feels the same way,” Stella said.
“What? What do you mean?”
Tessa felt like she was going to lose her mind. She had never been this embarrassed in her life.
“Anyway, next time you see him, you’d better take a different route, Stella warned.
That man who seemed carefree was actually very dangerous.
“What? I didn’t mean it Did I seriously offend him that badly? Star, you have to help me put in a good word!” Tessa pleaded.
She could tell, none of the men around Stella were easy to deal with.
Jonathan had even ended up in the hospital with a gunshot wound.
“Alright, I got it,” Stella said. “But you probably won’t run into them again anyway.”
She’d say something nice on Tessa’s behalf, but she and Abraham were heading back to Falvaria soon.
四
Chapter 275 He Was With a Woman
As long as Abraham wasn’t around, Victor most likely wouldn’t stay in Rivermount either.
Tessa said, “Oh my goodness, you have no idea! When I slipped, I totally lost my balance. I just grabbed whatever I could. Who knew I’d grab his belt buckle? Good thing I didn’t yank his pants down, or I really wouldn’t have been able to explain myself.”
“How dare you say that again?” Stella said.
“I swear I didn’t mean to. Tessa kept saying it wasn’t on purpose over the phone.
“I know you didn’t mean to,” Stella said. “I was just completely stunned.”
That
part was true.
In that situation, it wasn’t just Tessa. Everyone who saw it had their jaws on the floor.
The two of them talked on the phone for quite a while before the conversation finally turned to Susan
Tessa asked, “What did Susan want? Was it still about Lillian? Her own son is in the hospital now too.”
If Susan still had the nerve to bother Stella about Lillian at a time like this, no one even knew what to say about her anymore.
“If she keeps making a mess like this, doesn’t Patrick care? What if she ends up tearing the whole family apart and still blames you?
Stella had already walked into the tea room. The tea was still gently heating. She poured herself a cup and said, “Let her blame me. I don’t care. Jonathan’s about to be discharged anyway.”
“What!”
Stella said calmly, “You know the kind of person I am A few words of blame aren’t going to change me.”
Yeah, true.
Things had been messy lately. Tessa could see Stella wasn’t the kind to suffer quietly.
So today, if Susan had gone to confront Stella, it was obvious that she must’ve come to point fingers again.
And the fact that she dared meant Stella would definitely hit back even harder.
No doubt about it, Jonathan would be the one to take the fall again. First it was Lillian, now it was Jonathan.
Even Patrick, with all his patience, would eventually blow up.
“The Reed family falling apart doesn’t really have much to do with you anyway.”
Stella said, “What?”
Tessa hesitated, “Well, 1…
She didn’t know how to bring it up.
What kind of foundation does the Reed family have to keep cranking out so much drama?
Hearing Tessa mumble, Stella took a sip of tea and asked, “What did you see this time?”
“Oh my, let me tell you. You know I’m not the kind who goes looking for gossip, but gossip just keeps throwing itself in front of me. I can’t help it.”
1/2
Stella frowned.
Tessa continued, “He was with a woman. She was pushing a stroller, and they had a bodyguard and a servant with them.”
Stella fell silent.
Blossom Square was one of the most well–known luxury malls in Rivermount.
Her eyelid twitched. “Shouldn’t he be at the hospital?”
“Exactly. Jonathan got seriously hurt. No matter what, Patrick should be at the hospital right now!
So why was he at Blossom Square!
Tessa said, “I think there’s something going on between him and that woman. They seemed kind of close.”
Stella asked, “Close? With a woman pushing a stroller?”
That didn’t seem right at all. Patrick was way too old for that kind of thing.
Tessa replied. “That’s what I saw.”
Stella narrowed her eyes. “Are you sure you didn’t mistake him for someone else?”
She still couldn’t quite believe it. After all, for the past couple years, Stella had seen that Patrick wasn’t into that sort of thing at all. Did I really misjudge him?
Tessa said, “No way. I looked extra hard when I saw it was Patrick. Took several glances just to be sure.”
“If it were one glance, sure, maybe I was wrong. But I looked again and again. There is no way I was wrong every single time.”
Stella was quiet. That did make sense. If Patrick was caught doing something that wild, Tessa would’ve definitely taken a few extra peeks. One wrong glance was possible, but not all of them.
“So whose kid was it?
“Come on,” Tessa said. I only looked a few times and just thought they seemed close. As for whether the baby’s his, I don’t have X–ray vision.”
Stella didn’t respond.
In her mind, Patrick had always been strict, upright, and distant. Even with Susan, their relationship had always been polite and reserved. He just didn’t seem like the type to get wrapped up in affairs.
Chapter 276 She Has to Know
Stella stayed silent for a moment. “So their relationship really isn’t ordinary.”
Stella gave a quiet “yeah.” She had looked into Rebecca, so she naturally knew the details.
“Before, Rebecca had no idea about Jonathan and Sharon. But now that she knows, she’ll definitely think Sharon blocked her path to marrying up. What do you think she’ll do?”
Tessa said. “She’ll go fight Sharon. That would throw the entire Reed family into the fire. Because of Lillian alone, the Reed and Keene families are already at odds. If Rebecca starts something with Sharon now, wouldn’t that just blow up the whole Reed family?”
At this rate, the Reed family really might collapse.
Before she could finish, Tessa cut her off. “Madum Susan has to know about that woman! She has to protect her rights. You’re really something, you don’t even think about your own mother?
Stella muttered. “Okay, you do kind of make sense. I should be clear about sides. I can’t let some outsider take advantage.”
Just talking about this blood tie made Stella’s head pound like a drum.
Seeing him gave her an instant headache. She didn’t want to hear another word from him and immediately tried to walk
But Eddie noticed and said. “Hey, Star, I have something to tell you.”
Stella looked down. The box was pink with English writing on it.
It was an adult product?
Eddie said, “No need to thank me. I’m just acting as a responsible doctor. When you and Abraham go back to Falvaria, there’ll probably still be a transition period, right? You’re not planning to trap him with a kid just to marry up, are you? I’m warning you, Madam Evelyn treats you like her own daughter. Don’t ruin yourself with that kind of trick.”
Stella’s mouth twitched. She looked at Eddie. At this moment, she had absolutely no idea what to say anymore..
Stella could tell that he was just single because of his own problem. No wonder back in Falvaria, none of the girls wanted to date him.
Eddie said, “Give it to Abraham? Do you want him to skin me alive? Stella, don’t be ungrateful. I’m doing this for your sake.”
Eddie slapped his forehead. “Crap. This is really bad”
“Plenty. As long as she’s fertile, one time is enough,” Eddie said.
Eddie’s words seriously gave her a headache. She honestly had no idea what to do with him.
“Get what?” Abraham’s voice suddenly came from the staircase, low and tinged with displeasure.
Stella jumped and instinctively hid her hands behind her back. Eddie saw Abraham standing at the top of the stairs.
Stella watched him flee, her mind going completely blank.
Abraham came down the stairs slowly and walked right up to her, holding out his hand. “Give it to me.”
Abraham said calmly, “The thing you’re hiding behind your back”
Abraham raised an eyebrow. “Star?”
Stella let out two dry chuckles. Her cheeks flushed red, and she felt extremely embarrassed.
When Stella didn’t move, Abraham pulled her into his arms with one quick tug. His arms were long, and he easily reached behind her and grabbed what she was holding
Abraham asked, “You weren’t? Then why did you buy this? Who brought it to you? Tessa?”
If Eddie wanted to be reckless, then don’t blame her for selling him out!
It wasn’t her fault. In front of Abraham, she really couldn’t hold the line.
She was still recovering! Better to let Abraham take it out on Eddie instead.
The two of them were now standing very close. Stella could already feel certain changes in him.
As expected, when Abraham heard that Eddie was the one who gave it to her, his tone turned cold. “Eddie?”
“Yeah, it was him, Stella said quickly.
Byen if she sold him out, she didn’t want to go that far.
Stella held Abraham tightly. “Abraham, I still have something to tell you,”
Hearing the shy tone in her voice, Abraham finally understood.
Stella buried her face against his chest even tighter and nodded. “Yeah.”
“I’ll have someone print out the marriage certificate tomorrow. We can hold the wedding once we’re back in Falvaria. How does that sound?”
All these years, she had imagined it countless times–marrying him, holding that piece of paper with his name beside hers. But she never dared to say it aloud. She had buried that wish deep in her heart.
“Are you proposing to me right now?” Stella mumbled.
Whatever a girl should have, he’d make sure she had it all
Stella was moved. She hugged his lean waist, rubbing her cheek against his chest.
Abraham asked gently, “Oh? What were you so sad about?”
He was clearly teasing her, with a smile in his voice.
He knew how she felt, and he had feelings for her too.
Abraham caught her mischievous linle hand. “How old were you back then?”
She was just a young girl, in that confusing stage of growing up, and no one could say how long a teenage crush would last.
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