Chapter 123 Say It Louder

+8 Pearls

Abraham’s deep, magnetic voice was full of affection; but Stella couldn’t ignore the commanding power hidden in his tone.

“Whatever you say,” Stella replied sweetly.

s

Honestly,evenif shesaidshe didn’t care about it, the Reed family was going to pay the price regardless.

Just when Stella thought Abraham was about to hang up, he suddenly asked, “Didyou miss me?”

At those words, Stella’s chest gave a jolt, and her cheeks flushed without her realizing it.

Abraham’s sudden question made her heart skip a beat. Instinctively, she blurted out a single word, “Yeah.”

As soonasthewordleft her mouth, she felt like her whole bodyhadheated up; her face was burning.

On the other end of the line, the man chuckled softly. “Good girl.”

Then can I have soup for dinner?”

“Hm?”

This little traitor. I ask if she missed me, and she thinks of soup?

Stella spoke cautiously. “I haven’thadit in forever.”

Ever since she came to Rivermount, souphadbeen her favorite.

At first, it was because that numbing, spicy flavor helped distract her–just for a moment–from the pain and longing she felt forFalvaria.

Butover time, she’d genuinely fallen in love with it.

Back in Falvaria, Abraham had never let hereatspicy food–hewasalways afraid it would upset her stomach.

Back then, she didn’t mind avoiding it; but once she got a taste, she couldn’t stop craving it.

The man on the phone heard the pitiful tone in her voice. “Fine. But you’re not going out for it–have the kitchen make it.”

Thatwasalreadyamajor concession from Abraham–he was strict about ingredients.

He’d watched Stella grow up. When she was a kid, she ended up in the hospital twice because of food–related issues.

So he’d always been especially strict.

The moment Stella heard him give in, her tone turned bright and cheerful. “Thankyou!”

“Whatabout the Reed family–what’s yourplan?”

They had just been talking about that so–called chump change from the Reed family.

It wasn’t much, but over the years, the Reed family and that adopted daughter had usedthatpittance to humiliate Stella in

very way they could

Abraham couldn’t let that arrogance go unchecked–it stirred a cold fury in him.

As for the people involved.

The moment Abraham brought up the Reed familyagain. Stella picked up on the subtle test hidden in his words.

11:56AM

Chapter 123 Say It Louder

+8 Pearls

Lillian’scondition required Eddie and Rianne, and in their minds, both of those people were completely under Stella’s control. Of course they were suffering.

Abraham asked, “Still not done toying withthem?”

“I don’t even need totoywith them.”

They were torturing themselves justfine.

On top of that, Abraham had just mentioned the money–which clearly meant he’d already takenactionagainstthe Reed family.

So no question about it–they were in for even more suffering. The Reed family was about to become a complete mess.

Seeingthatshe didn’t spare a single word of sympathy for the Reed family, Abraham laughed indulgently. “Good girl. I’ll have the kitchen makesoupfor dinner.”

“Okay.”

Ethan was furious. The moment he thought about how Stellahadtreatedhim, he lit one cigarette after another in the car.

Jason watched him through the rearview mirror, not daring to say a word.

These past few days had been a mess–especially because of the situation in Seaflats Cove.

Verdant Villa had beendrivingeveryone crazy, it was impossible to dig up any solid information.

Aside from learning that some fifty–eight–year–old man had signed the contract that day, they’d gotten absolutely nowhere.

Where was that old man now? Who was he? No one knew a thing. Ethan took a long drag fromhiscigarette.

“You think…. all

I those

years, she never felt anything for me?”

Jasonblinked. “What?”

The question came out of nowhere. Jason had no idea what Ethan was getting at. She? Is he talking about Stella?

Whether or not Stella had feelings for him. Is that really what mattered to Ethan?

Ethan closed his eyes; his entire bodygaveoff a dark,dangerousenergy. “She’s ice cold.”

“You want me to grabablanket or something?”

There was one in the car.

Jason completely misunderstood–hethoughtEthanmeanthe was physically cold, not that Stella’s heart and attitude were freezing him out.

So there he was,ready to hand over ablanket.

Ethan asked, “Why do you think she agreed to get engaged to me?”

Jason went quiet.

At that, his breath caught.

Now itfinallyclicked–Ethanhad beentalkingabout how cold Stella’s attitude was.

And yeah–hewasright.