Chapter 18 Who Do You Think You’re Ordering Around?
Meeting Ethan’s icy gaze, Stella raised an eyebrow. “What exactly did I do?”
Ethan glared ather. “Stella,she’s only back for treatment. Why are you being so petty?”
Hearing this, Stella laughed.
“Petty about what? Are there no hospitals abroad? No doctors? Or is she broke and in desperate need of your presence and your help arranging her medical care?”
A string of sharp questions shut Ethan down, his anger caught in his throat, nearly choking him. He gritted his teeth. “Rianne’s treatmentplanis crucial for her. You must know that by now, She’s seriously ill, there are multiple issues with her health
“Oh? That’s quite rare. How does someone so young end up with a body completely falling apart like that?”
Her words carried a sting of sarcasm, layered with something deeper. Ethan couldn’t stand her mocking tone. Stella smirked. “Is it an unhealthy lifestyle? Or is it just fate catching up?”
So young, yet riddled with illness–it really was unusual. Her last comment hit Ethan like aslap, His nerves snapped. attitude, Stella. Call Rianne. Tell her to come back.”
Ethan didn’t want to argue anymore. He just gave a cold command.
Stella arched a brow. “Who do you think you’re ordering around?”
This man–does he still not get it? After everything?Hestill thinks he can just boss me around?
The moment she said it, Ethan’s expression darkened even further. His jaw clenched. “Let me be clear, Stella, Lillian’s recovery determines when our wedding happens. If you think you can keep delaying things and still handletheconsequences, then goahead. Keep playing games.
“Cut
the
Frustrated beyond reason, Ethan’s temper flared, his tone rigid and aggressive. He was certain that if the Reed family found out Stella had meddled with Rianne’s departure, they wouldn’t go easy on her.
When that happened, let’s see how long she could endure it.
“Oh, I can handle it. But canshe?”
Still trying to threaten her? Ridiculous. Stella rolled her eyes at him.
Ethan’s fury only burned hotter. “If anything happens to her, don’t think you’ll get away with it.”
“Who won’t get away with what?”
Madeline’s voice rang out from nearby, instantly cutting through the tension between them. She stormed over, anger written alloverher face. She pulled Stella to her side and fixed Ethan with a sharpglare.
“Who exactly were you threateningjustnow?”
Ethan’s irritation spiked. Thisisn’t-
“Did you already forget everything I told you in the study earlier?”
Madeline’s voice was cold, laced with warning.
Ethan froze.
Chapter 18 Who Do You Think You’re Ordering Around?
“You stop right there!”
Finished
Ethan hesitated for a moment but didn’t turn back. He stood still for a second, then, deciding it wasn’t worth it, strode straight toward the door.
Madeline watchedhimgo, her frustration rising
With Ethan gone, only sheandStella remained. Stella pulled her hand free, reached for the diamond necklace around her neck, and placed it back in Madeline’shand.
Madeline blinked in surprise. “This…”
Stella cut her off. “Madam Madeline, you sawEthan’sattitude when it comes to handling personal matters.
She had been debating how tomakeit clear to Madeline that there was no future for her and Ethan. After all, the Keene family elders had treated her well over the past two years.
But now?
Shenolonger needed to worry about offending them. Ethan had already paved the way for her.
Madeline’s face filled with concern. “Yes, Ethan was out of line, I’ll disciplinehim.Thatfoolish boy…”
Since it was herson’sfault, Madeline couldn’t argue against Stella’s stance.
“Stella, he’s just being an idiot. Can you give him another chance? I promise I’ll make sure he learns his lesson.”
Stella lowered her gaze. “I’ve been giving him chances for the past two years. I tolerated him flying abroad to see Lillian allthetime, but this situation is different”
What chance? There was never any chance. But let’sputall the blame on Ethan, as he rightfully deserves,
Hearing this, Madeline’s expression shifted in shock. “He’s been flyingabroadfrequently to see Lillian?”
“Last month, on my birthday, he was overseas.
There was no need to elaborate further. She and Lillian shared the same birthday. As her fiancé, Ethan had been out of the country on that day. The Keene family had assumed he was on a business trip.
Now, hearing Stella spell it out, Madeline’s lips twitched in fury.
“That foolishboy!”
Atthismoment, she felt like strangling Ethanherself.
And as for Lillian—two years ago, hadn’tImade myself clear enough? Absolutely shameless. Madeline was furious.