Chapter 267 

In the morning, Stella hadn’t felt much pain. But now, she could barely stand. 

Seeing her struggle to walk, Ronald asked, “Does it hurt a lot?” 

Tears were on the brink of spilling from Stella’s eyes. With a misty gaze, she gave Ronald a plaintive nod. 

A flicker of guilt crossed his face as he steadied her and planted a kiss on her forehead. 

“Sorry, I wasn’t exactly myself then.” 

“You remember that?” 

Wait… Remember? 

He said he wasn’t quite himself, but he did remember what he had done to her, right? 

Stella’s temples throbbed as she looked at Ronald. 

is smile seemed to say it all to Stella. 

Her mind went blank. “You… you were really messing with me?” 

He remembered everything, yet he’d still had the audacity to ask how she got the cut on her mouth? 

Her frustration surged, mingling with the throbbing pain at the base of her legs. 

Without thinking, Stella lunged forward and bit down on Ronald’s neck. 

“I’m so mad at you, I’ll bite you.” 

Ronald let out a low laugh, gently holding her chin. “Alright, alright.” 

Stella fumed, “You pretend to forget. You, you…” 

Ronald cut her off. “You’re just too naive.” 

Stella stared at him, speechless. Was this somehow her fault now? 

Her unshed tears shimmered in her eyes as she glared daggers at him. 

Still holding her delicate chin, Ronald leaned in and kissed her feverish lips. 

“What am I going to do with you, Star? So adorably naive.” 

Stella huffed. 

“Who’s naive? Without you for those three years, didn’t I take good care of myself? Last year, I even made hundreds of thousands.” 

Ronald’s eyes sparkled even more when he heard “hundreds of thousands.” 

“Alright, my Star isn’t naive.” 

Adorably naive. 

Stella pouted. “I can’t walk.” 

Just getting out of bed had been agony, and now she could hardly move. 

Ronald scooped her up in his arms. 

Looking at his perfect jawline, Stella’s heart raced uncontrollably. To her, everything still felt like a dream, the events of the previous night surreal. 

She had fantasized about this moment countless times, never believing it could truly happen, yet here it was. And Ronald seemed to welcome their changing relationship. 

16:17 

Downstairs. 

Idris was waiting. Seeing Ronald carrying Stella down, he stood up respectfully. “Sir,” 

Ronald commanded, “We’re heading back to the Wave Residence.” 

Seeing Stella’s condition, Idris could probably guess what had happened last night. After all, he had been told to get out of their room last night! And to top it off, Finley kept sighing and sent him to buy the ointment. 

Clearly, the pent–up emotions had finally erupted. 

Hearing Ronald’s intent to leave immediately, Idris instinctively stepped forward. “Blaise is waiting outside.” 

Ronald and Stella exchanged looks. 

Stella glanced at Idris, “Waiting outside?” 

The temperature was far from forgiving, with relentless winds howling around the mountain. Even indoors, the chill seeped through. 

Idris nodded. “Yes.” 

Stella’s thoughts raced. How had he not frozen to death? 

Ronald looked down at her. “Do you want to see him?” 

Idris interjected, “He’s here to see you, sir.” 

Ronald frowned. 

Realizing the visit wasn’t for Stella but for him, a shadow passed over his face. 

With a cold tone, he said, “No.” 

It was the expected answer. Given what the Larkin family had done to Stella, Ronald had no illusions about their intentions. Learning about Stella’s accident had only hardened his resolve – there would be no leniency for them. 

Now, the entire Larkin family seemed to be in hot water. 

Ronald carried Stella out. 

Blaise, having failed to get through to Ronald via Idris, was still waiting in the biting cold. The snow and wind lashed against his skin like knives, each gust sapping his strength. 

He didn’t know how much longer he could hold out, but he knew he had to see Ronald and Stella today. Just when he was on the verge of giving in, the door to the small building finally creaked opened. 

Ronald emerged, Stella cradled in his arms, wrapped in a creamy white down jacket with a hat covering her head. Her petite frame, nestled against Ronald’s taller build, gave her the appearance of a child being carried to safety. 

The sight of Stella in Ronald’s arms didn’t stir any suspicion or unease in Blaise.