Chapter 231 

The question lingered in the stairwell, echoing softly. 

Stella nuzzled against his chest once more, whispering, “Because I like you. I like you, like you…” 

Her repeated confessions echoed in Ronald’s ears, stirring his heart like a thunderous roar across the mountains, making his pupils contract uncontrollably. 

“Do you like me as a brother, or do you like Ronald?” 

His voice, magnetic and deep, would be hard to decipher for anyone fully conscious, let alone Stella in her 

state. 

This time, however, there was no reply. 

After a few seconds of silence, Ronald looked down to find Stella’s lips slightly parted, her breathing even and Calm. Her once tightly clenched hand on his shirt gradually loosened. 

She had fallen asleep. 

Gazing at her flushed cheeks, Ronald couldn’t help but smile helplessly. 

He carried her upstairs to her room, and as he laid her on the bed, Stella stirred, but her eyes remained hazy, barely awake, “Ronald.” 

“What is it?” 

“I want a hug.” 

Her voice was plaintive, tinged with a hint of grievance. “I want to be hugged forever.” 

“Alright, a hug.” 

Faced with her pleading eyes, Ronald couldn’t refuse. He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her into his embrace. 

Afraid she might catch a cold from the alcohol, he quickly wrapped her in the blankets. 

A gentle kiss landed on Stella’s forehead, “Goodnight, sleep tight.” 

It felt like a return to their childhood. 

Stella had always been dependent on Ronald, insisting that he tuck her in every night. 

If Ronald was at school, she would wait for him. 

So, throughout middle school, high school, and even college, Ronald was driven home every night by the family chauffeur. 

Their mother, Lottie Lugar, pained by the distance Ronald had to travel, suggested he find a place near school But Ronald ended up taking Stella with him, hiring a nanny to look after her in a house opposite his school. 

It wasn’t until Stella started school herself that they moved back home. 

Looking at her rosy lips, Ronald’s Adam’s apple bobbed, the heat in his eyes intensifying. 

Finally, he leaned down, his lips meeting hers in a kiss that carried the rich scent of wine with a hint of grapes, intoxicating and irresistible. 

Stella opened her drowsy eyes to see Ronald, the familiar warmth enveloping her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, surrendering completely. 

Ronald stiffened momentarily at her response, but only for a moment. His reaction was even more fervent and 

Chapter 231 

assertive. 

The buzzing of a phone broke the silence- Stella’s phone vibrating. 

Ronald, jolted back to reality, glanced at the sleeping Stella. He laid her gently on the bed, covered her with the 

blanket. 

He felt a sting on his lips. Touching his lips, he noticed a trace of blood, muttering, “Little tigress.” 

Her bite was sharper than he expected! 

Stella’s phone continued ringing. 

Ronald checked the caller ID – an unknown number. 

Uninterested, he hung up. 

On the other end of the line, Yorick dialed Stella’s number repeatedly, his mind racing as he realized Ronald was the heir to the Lugar family. 

This meant the partnership with the Quarry family was off, and he couldn’t believe Stella wasn’t involved somehow. 

That Stella, quite the schemer! 

Hearing the call disconnect, Yorick redialed in anger. 

This time, the call went through. 

As soon as it connected, he didn’t wait for a greeting, diving straight into his question. 

“Stella, I just want to know, what exactly is your relationship with Ronald?” 

Before the person on the other end could reply, Yorick’s barely concealed fury leaked into his voice. “What do you think our relationship is?” 

It was Ronald’s deep voice that answered, not Stella’s. 

Yorick clenched his phone tighter, his anger boiling, yet he dared not lash out. 

This frustration was a first for Yorick, realizing that Stella’s bold move to break off their engagement was backed by her connection to the Lugar family.