Chapter 459
Stella had heard about Hull’s injury and asked a few concerned questions before Susanna switched topics.
“Well, Cloudia will probably be locked up now. I just saw the news. She’s being charged with murder.”
Stella raised her eyebrows. “Someone died?”
She hadn’t followed the news because Ronald had returned, so she hadn’t seen the end. But Cloudia taken away in handcuffs suggested this was serious.
Susanna nodded. “Yeah, they were rushed to the hospital. One of the kids got hurt, too, but there’s no update yet.”
Stella gasped. She used to think she was a saint when she first joined the Larkin family, but now she realized the woman had no qualms about harming even children.
Susanna gave her a warning look, “You better watch out. The Larkin family will be looking for you.”
“Looking for me?” Stella was puzzled.
“Because Ronald is backing you, they might want you to pull some strings to get Cloudia out of trouble.” Susanna pointed out. “You’re the only outsider in that family. The rest stick together like glue.”
It was a harsh truth, but Stella knew it was reality. Among the Larkin family, she was the lone outsider.
“Just wait. Jaxon’s going to contact you,” Susanna continued.
With the family in disarray, Jaxon was bound to turn to Stella for help.
“I’ll be back tomorrow,” Stella assured her.
“Really?” Susanna asked skeptically.
“Unless something unexpected happens,” Stella replied.
Susanna sighed. She had learned over the past few days when she stayed with Hull that bad things happened a lot around Stella, just like Hull getting injured today.
After chatting for a bit longer, Susanna hung up and finished making the apple oatmeal. This batch turned out quite well–not too thick nor too thin.
She brought the oatmeal into Hull’s room, where he was on the phone. His loose robe concealed the bandages on his shoulder, but his muscular chest was on display.
For the first time, Susanna noticed the tattoos on his neck extending down to his chest. They looked intimidating, yet somehow comforting.
As she set the oatmeal on a small table, Hull glanced at her.
“No need,” he said into the phone, his tone carrying an edge. “Spare all later trouble.”
Susanna felt a shiver run through her, thinking this man was dangerous.
“The oatmeal’s ready,” she said, trying to steady her voice. “It’s still a bit hot, so let it cool.”
Hull stared at the steaming bowl, dazed. It was probably the first time he was having a meal in his room. Normally, he wouldn’t eat in his room, no matter where he was or how injured he was.
Susanna turned to leave. “I’ll get out of your way.”
Hull frowned. “Is this it?”
“Uh?” Susanna was confused.
“No other food?” he asked.
D
ter 459
Susanna blinked. “You didn’t ask for any”
She didn’t know how to cook anything beyond oatmeal and similar dishes. Cooking was an entirely different ballgame.
“Do I have to ask?” Hull questioned.
Susanna was stunned. “Well, yeah, how else would I know?”
Even if he asked, it wouldn’t make a difference because she genuinely couldn’t cook.
“I can’t cook,” she confessed, shaking her head,
“You can’t cook?” Hull echoed, his gaze intense.
Susanna nodded. “No, I can’t cook.”
Hull studied her for a moment, then fell silent. The quiet in the room was almost unsettling.
Susanna swallowed. “Maybe you should hire a better cook?”
What she made was fine for a quick meal for herself, but with Hull’s refined taste, even the previous cook
hadn’t satisfied him.
