Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Evan couldn’t stand the way she was looking at him.
Before he could say anything, his phone chimed with a message.
He glanced down.
Whatever he saw made his expression change instantly.
Before he could react, Dora’s call came through again.
“Evan, if you don’t come right now, something serious is going to happen p>
Her voice was hysterical. In the background, Summer’s screaming cut through the line.
“Let go of me! I want to find Steven! I want Steven! Steven will protect me p>
“Do you hear her?” Dora cried. “Summer’s having another episode p>
Evan frowned deeply. He glanced at Stella, then said into the phone, “I’m coming p>
He hung up and turned toward her.
The distance in Stella’s eyes made his chest tighten.
He forced himself forward and grabbed her shoulders. “Darling p>
Stella brushed his hands away without a word and turned her back to him.
In that moment, it was painfully clear. Whether he went to Summer or not had nothing to do with her
anymore.
“I’ll be right back,” Evan
said.
He didn’t wait for a response.
He turned and left.
As his footsteps faded down the hallway, Stella felt something inside her drift farther and farther away from
him.
The moment Evan left, her phone rang.
She looked at the caller ID, took a few steady breaths, and answered. “Brother p>
“Gary will arrive in Harbor City first thing tomorrow,” the man said calmly. “He’ll take care of you. Whatever you need done, let him handle it p>
Gary.
Her brother’s personal assistant.
She had met him once before, the last time her brother came to Harbor City. A dangerous man. Sleeves of
tattoos. The same cold, lethal presence her brother carried.
She murmured, “Okay p>
“He’s bringing two international litigation attorneys,” the man continued. “I assume there are quite a few things in Harbor City you’d like cleaned up p>
His voice was arrogant, dangerous, dismissive of everything and everyone.
Even through the phone, that quiet dominance pressed down hard.
Stella answered again, softly, “Yes p>
There were plenty of things in Harbor City she wanted erased.
Gary.
A man who carried the same killing aura as her brother.
It seemed Harbor City was finally due for some chaos.
The voice on the other end lowered, deliberately gentler, though the awkwardness gave him away. “Move quickly. Come back to Eirden soon p>
She smiled faintly. “I will p>
After a few more instructions, the call ended.
Just then, Jennifer returned.
She was carrying Stella’s pajamas and her usual water bottle. 1
The moment she noticed the scratch marks on Stella’s neck, she gasped. “Did Summer scratch you p>
Stella fell silent.
Jennifer quickly set everything down and stepped closer, inspecting the marks. “She broke the skin, but it’s not deep p>
Still, her tone was furious.
That woman could act like the perfect, gentle sister–in–law in front of the Wright family, but behind closed doors, she never stopped bullying Stella.
“She got the worse end of it,” Stella said flatly.
“You fought again?” Jennifer stared at her. “When I left, you didn’t have these p>
Stella nodded. “Dora came. She demanded I go apologize p>
Jennifer exploded. “She’s hogging your husband, and your mother–in–law wants you to apologize p>
Stella’s lips curved faintly. “Very confidently, too p>
+25 Bonus
veting Evan while his brother was still alive. At least back
onesha wat van pretanding
*So you want a hit her an ander ked carefully,
They wanted me to bow my head. I just showed them what that looks like p>
It was affertio Terrifying, but effective.
Sill, she frowned. “I told you before. Summer’s mother is extremely protective. I’m really worried about
you
*# you’re determined to take them down, let me help you do it quietly. Behind the scenes p>
jenniter finally compromised.
“I’m scared that if you push them too hard, you won’t just lose the Redcrest Valley project. Your jewelry studun, you galleries, everything you’ve built could be targeted p>
She looked at Stella seriously.
“I don’t want you to be crushed before you even get your revenge p>
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He Died at Beer, who had tally allen asley, then turned and make but
Dora panicked, “Where we you phong now? it she wakes up and doesn’t see you, she’ll panic again.
“What happened today really seared her. She needs you even more right now.
The moment she mentioned that, kvan stopped
He turned back, his brow furrowing so deeply it looked painful.
“I think you’re forgetting something.” he said coldly.
“ What? ” Dora asked, her heart skipping
“Summer is Steven’s wife, ” Ewan said. “And I am Stella’s husband p>
Dora froze
Before she could respond, Evan had already left, his presence sharp and distant.
“This is unbelievable,” she muttered.
“What does Stela even have that’s worth protecting this much p>
+25 Bonus
Summer slowly woke up, her voice weak. “Mom p>
“I’m here,” Dora said immediately. “How do you feel? Does it still hurt p>
Even the slightest movement sent pain through Summer’s abdomen.
She hadn’t expected Stella to be so reckless, so vicious. To actually attack a woman who had just given birth.
“ I’m fine,” Summer whispered. “Where’s Steven? I just saw him. Where did he go p>
Dora’s heart sank.
Steven had died in a plane crash half a year ago. There were no remains.
But looking at Summer like this, Dora couldn’t bring herself to tell her the truth.
“He had to step out for something,” she said gently. “Once he’s done, he’ll come back to see you.
As long as Summer stayed stable, nothing else mattered.
Summer nodded faintly. “I want to see him. I had a really bad nightmare p>
17
Her voice began to shake. “I dreamed he was covered in blood. Mom… Steven was covered in blood p>
“That was just a dream,” Dora said quickly, stroking her hair. “Just a dream p>
“ I want to see him,” Summer sobbed. “Please p>
“All right,” Dora said hurriedly. “I’ll call him. I’ll have him come see you p>
As she reached for her phone, she didn’t see it.
The fleeting glint of satisfaction that flashed across Summer’s lowered eyes.
Back in Stella’s room.
Jennifer was peeling an apple when Stella’s phone buzzed.
A message came in.
From Summer.
[Evan should be at your place by now, right? This time he won’t stay for more than five minutes. Want to bet p>
Stella’s gaze darkened.
Jennifer noticed immediately. “Who is it p>
She leaned over and caught sight of the message.
Her face twisted. “That woman is shameless p>
Bold, brazen, and proud of it.
Before Stella could respond, Evan appeared at the doorway.
Jennifer stood up, snatched Stella’s phone, and walked straight toward him.
“Perfect timing,” she said coldly. “Why don’t you take a look at what your gentle, considerate sister–in- law has been sending your wife p>
“ If she wants to provoke us, let her do it openly p>
“Let’s see if you still think she’s innocent after this p>