Chapter 241
When Idris, Finley, and Hull arrived, they found Stella sitting across from Ronald, looking like a kid who had just been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Her head hung low, her pitiful appearance tugging at their heartstrings.
Finley stepped forward. “Why are you scolding her again? She’s all grown up now.”
Ronald shot him a chilling glance.
Finley stumbled over his words.
Great, Ronald hated it when anyone tried to speak up for Stella during his lectures. Finley shot Stella a look that screamed, ‘you’re on your own.’
Seeing them arrive, Stella dared not even lift her head.
Hull tugged at Stella’s arm. “Come sit by your brother.”
Stella didn’t move. She had picked the seat across from Ronald, assuming it would just be the two of them.
Hull hesitated. He knew better than to take a seat next to her. Ronald’s stormy glare would be quick to follow if anyone dared to sit too close to Stella.
“Just let it go. She’s not a child anymore.” Hull couldn’t help but defend her, seeing how scared she looked, barely daring to move in her chair.
Ronald’s voice, deep and commanding, broke the silence. “Come here.”
Stella hesitated, sensing Ronald’s anger. Had her kiss crossed a line and upset him?
The thought gnawed at her, filling her with guilt and vulnerability.
Slowly, she moved to sit beside Ronald.
The food arrived.
Ronald and Hull were already deep in conversation.
Hull asked, “What’s the plan with Lancelot now?”
Lancelot’s recent actions against the Lugar family were a clear provocation, something Ronald wouldn’t ignore. Ronald, his gaze narrowing, casually put a piece of bacon into Stella’s plate. “Let’s eat first.”
Hull glanced at Stella, marveling at how she was treated like a delicate flower, shielded even from these
conversations.
Nodding to the server, he ordered, “Bring out the whiskey.”
A meal without a drink? Unthinkable for men.
Stella, catching Hull’s request, shot a worried look towards Ronald, who had a frosty edge in his eyes. Whether it was the mention of Lancelot or her kiss that bothered him, she couldn’t tell.
Stella knew Lancelot well enough- a man infamous for stirring trouble in Ferrowland for years. Yet, until now, he’d never crossed paths with Ronald directly.
As the whiskey arrived, Hull uncorked a bottle, offering a glass to Ronald before pouring one for himself.
When it came to Finley and Idris, Idris declined, preferring to stay sharp.
Seeing Ronald about to drink, Stella tensed, gently tugging at his sweater.
Ronald looked at her. “What is it?”
Stella replied, “I’m not feeling well tonight. I can’t make you hangover soup.”
12:13
ull and Finley exchanged looks.
Finley chuckled. “Your brother’s tolerance, and you worry about hangover soup?”
The words were barely out of his mouth when a sharp pain shot through his shin, cutting his mockery short.
Stella glanced at him, confused by his sudden grimace.
Forcing a smile, Finley met Ronald’s icy stare and was at a loss for words.
Wasn’t it just the truth? Why couldn’t he talk about it in front of Stella?
“I know you always get a fever, but you…”
Before the words were finished, a sharp pain shot through his leg again!
Finley winced, barely suppressing a groan.
What the hell was going on?
Stella looked at Finley with a puzzled expression, then glanced at Ronald.
Ronald stood with his arms crossed, staring at Finley. Under Ronald’s gaze, Finley clamped his mouth shut, deciding not to continue.
He wasn’t wrong, though. Every time, it was just a fever–Ronald always stayed sharp as ever.
But of all times, Stella chose this moment to turn to him and ask innocently, “What’s wrong with you?”
