Chapter 1745:
Outside, reporters continued gathering beneath the windows. Stella walked over and pulled the curtains shut decisively, blocking out both the light and the intrusive world beyond.
Sharon pushed the door open and entered, concern evident in her eyes. “Stella, are you alright?”
Stella turned toward her. “Sharon, I want to leave for a while. Somewhere far away — somewhere warm. Can you help me book a flight?” She had always disliked the cold, and the endless rain only made everything feel heavier.
“Stella…”
Sharon approached slowly, sympathy softening her expression, wanting to pull her into an embrace.
“I’m really okay. I just need a warm place to breathe for a bit.” Stella gently patted Sharon’s back. If she stayed here any longer, the gloom would only deepen. Somewhere filled with sunlight would be far better. Perhaps it was time to consider starting over somewhere abroad.
By noon, Lance had learned about the explosive public controversy and immediately drove toward the villa. As his car entered the residential area, he spotted more than a dozen reporters gathered outside the gate. Some of the more aggressive ones were already stepping forward to knock on the door, demanding Stella come out and give a statement.
Rage flickered in Lance’s eyes. He turned to his assistant in the back seat and issued several quiet instructions. The assistant nodded promptly, stepped out of the vehicle, and pushed through the crowd toward the villa entrance. Turning to face the gathered media, he raised his voice.
“Everyone, this is private property. Please disperse immediately. Mr. Carter will address all reasonable questions regarding Ms. Russell at a press briefing later today.”
“Wait — Mr. Carter? You mean Lance from the Carter Group?”
Only then did the crowd seem to remember that Stella belonged to the Carter family. She had never changed her surname. Because she had rarely relied on the Carter family’s influence before, many had forgotten she was the family’s young heiress.
ѕa𝘃𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝘂𝗋 𝗳av𝗈𝗋𝗶𝘁𝘦 𝘯𝗼𝘷𝖾ls on 𝗴a𝘭𝗻о𝘷𝖾𝗹𝘀.𝘤𝘰𝘮
Whispers rippled through the crowd as surprise spread. No one had expected the Carter family to step forward publicly in her defense — many had assumed the powerful family kept their distance from this recently acknowledged daughter.
The reporters exchanged hesitant looks. Reluctant as they were, they gradually packed up their cameras and equipment, unwilling to provoke the Carter family’s authority. Fifteen minutes later, quiet finally returned to the villa entrance.
Lance stepped out of the car and pressed the doorbell. Sharon recognized him immediately and opened the door without hesitation.
The moment he entered, his eyes found Stella sitting quietly on the sofa. He crossed the room quickly and crouched in front of her, his voice softened with concern. “Are you holding up alright, Stella?”
Seeing the depth of worry in his expression, a complicated emotion flickered briefly across her eyes. Her silence tightened Lance’s chest. He reached out and gently brushed her hair back. “I’m sorry. I should have come sooner.”
Stella shook her head and forced a faint smile. “It’s fine. I’m stronger than I look. Honestly, you didn’t have to deal with the reporters outside — they would have eventually lost interest and left.”
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