Chapter 311
Cloudia was gone. She had desperately wanted to help Ursula. But seeing Stella’s ruthless decision to cut off Jaxon’s medical care left her too afraid to continue.
If Blaise ever found out she had approached Stella and Jaxon was harmed as a result, it would be the end for both her and Blaise.
Stella turned to her butler. “Take care of it.”
The butler nodded. “Yes, Miss.”
As for Jaxon, Stella had wanted to deal with him for some time. With Ronald making his move, this was the perfect opportunity for her to act decisively.
The Larkin family had blamed their downfall entirely on her, showing no sign of self–reflection. Since they refused to take responsibility, she saw no reason to hold back.
Cloudia had just driven out of Mist Bay when her phone rang.
It was Ursula, her voice weak and frail. “Mom.”
Hearing that fragile voice made Cloudia’s heart twist with pain.
In no time at all, the entire Larkin family had become vulnerable and powerless, unable to stand up to someone like Stella.
“Mom, please help me. It hurts so much,” Ursula pleaded.
Lying alone in her room at the Larkin estate, with only the maids for company, Ursula was suffering terribly. Her illness had taken her hair, and relentless pain consumed her body, leaving her twitching and unable to sleep. Each passing moment was a fresh agony.
“Did Star agree to let me go abroad?” Ursula asked, feeling a level of despair she had never known before. She could feel her life slipping away. Last night had been unbearable. Sleep evaded her, leaving her trapped in a haze of nightmares.
Stella–everything came back to Stella. She had left her sick and untreated, and now…
Cloudia whispered, “Ursula…”
“Mom, I can’t take it anymore. I didn’t sleep a wink last night. It hurts so much. Please, speak to Star. Beg her to let me go. I’ll admit to whatever she wants,” Ursula sobbed.
Cloudia was silent.
“Let her spare me this time. Once I recover, she can do whatever she wants with me,” Ursula pleaded desperately.
Trapped in an endless cycle of pain and darkness, Ursula was losing hope. She wasn’t sure she’d ever see another sunrise.
“Mom, please talk to her. I beg you,” Ursula broke down in tears.
The basic relief of sleep was beyond her reach, and the unrelenting pain left her gasping for reprieve. She had never imagined that illness could cut this deeply.
Hearing Ursula’s plea, Cloudia refused to believe her daughter had done anything wrong.
“My poor child,” Cloudia murmured, feeling utterly hopeless herself. She was heartbroken by Ursula’s suffering and furious at her own helplessness.
טו.
Chapter 31
In the coffee bar of Wave Residence, Tabitha sat in a state of disbelief. It had started the moment she saw Stella- or perhaps even earlier, when she first entered Mist Bay and caught sight of the grand Wave Residence: The sight of the mansion, standing majestically against the snowy landscape, had made her heart race.
Back when their studio was first established, before it had turned a profit, their boss had been incredibly generous. At the time, Tabitha had assumed the funds were coming from the Larkin family.
But now, seeing the Larkin family’s attitude toward Stella, it seemed unlikely. She had no idea where Stella had gotten her wealth from.
Could it be that Stella was secretly the little princess of Mist Bay? Was it connected to the man who came to pick her up?
It certainly didn’t seem like it was the Larkin family’s doing. If they had such connections, they wouldn’t be struggling so much now.
“What are you staring at? Cat got your tongue?” Stella placed a cup of coffee in front of Tabitha.
Tabitha’s eyes darted around. “Boss, you owe me compensation for emotional distress.”
Stella raised an eyebrow.
Tabitha continued, “The way the Larkin family treated you, it broke my heart.”
As if Stella needed her sympathy.
Here Tabitha was, a girl barely scraping by on her paycheck, renting a modest apartment, feeling sorry for a princess living in a castle.
How ridiculous.
Susanna laughed. “I should ask for compensation too.”
When the Larkin family had cut off Stella’s credit cards during their fallout, Susanna had been beside herself with worry.
Stella smirked. “You guys are such drama queens.”
