The Returned Heiress Who Never Fit In

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Chapter 101 A Matter of Distance

Abel asked. “But with your temper, wouldn’tyouhave cut ties a long time ago?”

The fact that she had even been engaged to Ethan–thatwaswhatAbel couldn’t wrap hisheadaround.

Stellalookedat him and smiled. “Yeah, with my temper, shouldn’t I have cut ties a long time ago! But I remember clearly why I left the Dawson family… and why I distanced myself from my brother.”

Talking about leaving the Dawsonfamily–even after all this time, just thinking about it still made Stella’s heart ache.

Back then, the pain had been unbearable: it feltlikeher heartwasbeing ripped out.

Those were Abraham’s hardest days. She’d wanted to stay by his side, to help him through the storm.

But she couldn’t.

Abel said, “It was because someone from the Tom family was watching you from the shadows, wasn’t it?‘

Stella lowered her gaze and glanced at a barely noticeable scar on herpalm. In the end, she gaveasmallnod of agreement

After visiting Alice, Stella still had to pass by Lillian’s room. Ethan waswaitingat the door. When he saw her, he frowned and stepped forward to block her path.

Stella raised a brow. “What, youwantanother beatingtoday?”

Ethan asked, “How did youendup like this?”

His tonewasicy: his gaze cold as he looked at the man following behind her.

hel exuded an unmistakable air of power. That alone made Ethan assume he was just another one of Stella’s men.

Stella scoffed. “And what the heck does thathaveto do with you?”

“If you really cut ties s with the Reed family, what do youthinkyou still are? You think any of those men would still want you?”

When he mentioned those men, Ethan’s eyes flicked instinctively toward Abel.

Abel’s

‘s entire presence, grew colder.

He stepped forward. “Ms. Dawson, would you wait for me in the car?”

Ethan froze. What did he just call Stellat

Stella didn’t feel like wasting breath on Ethan either. She nodded and glanced at Abel.

“You should watch yourself.”

The Keene family was still one of the most powerful in Rivermount

And with Abraham planning to stay in Rivermount this time, whatever he was handling wasn’t going to be simple.

if Ethan pissed off the Keene family now, it wouldn’t end well for him either.

Abel understood that Stella was thinking ofAbraham. He nodded. “Got it.”

Stella cast one last glance at Ethan, still dazed, then turned to leave.

But just as she passed by him, Ethan grabbed her wrist. “You’re going toexplainthistome.”

Was it what I thought itwas? But before Ethan couldsayanother word, the next moment helosthis balance; his head hitthewallhard, the impact jarringandheavy,

He lunged at Abel. He wasn’t entirely helpless–he still had some moves. Even with only one hand he managed to fight Abel

head–on

Stella couldn’t be bothered to stick around, she turned on her heel and walked away.

Ethan saw her leave

His rage spiked “Stella”

He was about to go after her, but Abel came at him again. Ethan only had one usable After just a few moves. Ethan was already losing ground

id Abel wasn

rast to deal

Inside Lillian’s hospital room. Susan and Jonathan heard the commotion

They rushed out in a panic when they saw Ethan fighting with a strange man Jonathan Jonathan..

Susan kept calling Jonathan’s name anxiously, but before jonathan could even step forward. Abel threw Ethan aside. At that

Abel’s entire body radiated menace

Mr. Keene, if we keep going you won’t be able to use your other arm either. Are you sure you want to keep fighting?”

Ethan’s leg was already injured.

He stared daggers at Abel eyes gleaming with cold fury. Abel calmly adjusted his rumpled suit before numing and walking

Jonathan’s face had gone pale by the time he got to Ethan. Are you okay?”

As he spoke, his eyes couldn’t help but glance down at Ethan’s trembling leg

Jonathan himself was in pain–Abel hadn’t held back

Ethan narrowed his eyes

Before he could spe a gromm of pain came from the hospital room–Lillan.

Susan was the first to rush back inside.

Jonathan looked over at Ethan. “Illness really hits you like a landslide She used to care so much about her looks. Then one morning she saw how much hair she’d lost__”

By the time he got to that point, Jonathan couldn’t go on. His voice was full of sorrow–for Lillian

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