Chapter 447
Chapter 447
Speaking of which, Tegan and Stella’s situations bore a striking resemblance to one another.
Tegan’s life took a tragic turn when she was only five years old. Her father died because of the actions of Uriah’s father, and she was taken in by the Horner family.
However, her life there was anything but kind. Uriah’s mother had never warmed up to her, and as a result, most of the Horner elders looked down on her as well. The only people who showed her any kindness were Uriah and his father, Hayden Horner.
As fate would have it, after Hayden passed away, Uriah was the only one who continued to stand by her side. Everyone around them could see the way Uriah felt about Tegan – he protected her like she was the most precious thing in his life. Stella, for one, was convinced there was more to his feelings than mere family affection.
When Stella broached the subject with Tegan, there was a fleeting moment of tension on Tegan’s face. “You mean me and him?”
Her voice tinged with something that wasn’t quite right.
Stella nodded. “Yeah.”
Tegan fell silent, her thoughts drifting back to the conversations she’d had with Forrest. It was suffocating, the pressure of it all.
“His mother is currently searching for a suitable match for him.”
Stella was taken aback. A match?
“But Uriah doesn’t need a marriage alliance to strengthen the Horner family’s hold, does he?”
Among the peers, he was already a force to be reckoned with, the Horner Group thriving under his leadership.
-Tegan smiled, a smile where Stella could feel the underlying bitterness.
Then she went on, “Mrs. Horner came to see me at the hospital this morning.”
“What did she say?” Stella asked.
“What do you think? She told me to remember my place.”
It was just the kind of thing a wealthy matron might say, but coming from Mrs. Horner to Tegan, it seemed particularly ungrateful.
Stella’s indignation flared. “That’s outrageous.”
Tegan didn’t address any word.
“If Hayden had died back then, the Horner family wouldn’t have lasted until Uriah took control of the Horner Group. And now she treats you like this?”
Looked like there was not just the Larkins who were obtuse. Mrs. Horner, sure was a damned wretch.
“What’s Uriah’s stance on all this?”
Stella assumed that Uriah wouldn’t entertain the idea of marrying someone else, given his apparent feelings for Tegan. He always took her along on business trips if they lasted more than a few days.
Tegan handed Stella a menu she’d already marked up. “Forget it, let’s not talk about him anymore.”
The mere mention of the Horner family was enough to put her on edge.
Stella could sense that there was something more than just Mrs. Horner’s disapproval weighing on Tegan. Despite Mrs. Horner’s distaste for Tegan over those years, Uriah’s over–protection made those two women’s time of connection lesser.
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07:01
Chapter 447
Just then, Stella’s phone buzzed. It was Ronald calling.
“Don’t eat too much for lunch. I’ve got something delicious planned for you.”
“What is it?” Stella asked,
“You’ll see soon enough,” Ronald replied, leaving Stella with a smile as she hung up.
Tegan sighed, “Star, I really envy you. They all love you so much.”
“They” referred to the entire Quinn family members and the Lugars.
Stella shook her head. “Don’t envy me. There are plenty of people who don’t like me, too.”
Like the Larkin family. Despite their blood ties, their relationship had been anything but smooth in recent years. Tegan rolled her eyes. “There are always people who act like complete jerks, no matter where you go.”
“Isn’t that the truth,” Stella agreed.
“Anyhow, at least you have so many people who care about you, look at me…” Tegan said, her voice tinged with a sadness that was hard to miss.
