Chapter 170
Chapter 170
“Break the lock,” Brian ordered. The bodyguards quickly stepped forward to smash the lock on the gate.
Once the gate was opened, Brian strode straight to the villa. The lights were not on, nor was anybody
there.
Brian grew restless as he searched around, asking Mike behind him, “Didn’t you say she was here?”
“Mrs. Foley’s phone tracking showed Tarovian Terrace.” Mike answered, averting his eyes from Brian’s
intimidating face.
“All of you go and look for her!” Brian’s grim look stressed everyone out
A sense of foreboding washed over him. The scene of Stella lying in a pool of blood kept flashing across
his mind. He was afraid she might die in Tarovian Terrace.
After a while, Brian spotted a pair of fair legs dangling high above in the yard. Glancing over, he saw Stella sitting in the huge peach tree, shedding tears in a daze
Fortunately, Stella was intact despite her dull look. A weight lifted off Brian’s chest, and he somehow choked up.
Brian walked over, softening his expression, glancing up at Stella. “What are you doing here?”
Stella was wiping her tears when she heard Brian’s voice. She ignored Brian, turning her back to him..
She didn’t want to talk. Or else, she would only cry harder. Stella was upset and regretful about what had happened lately, her jaw shaking uncontrollably
If she hadn’t left the studio a few days ago, there wouldn’t have been a theft, nor would she have lost her
design drafts and owed a debt of 500 thousand dollars today
Stella felt bitter and aggrieved. Why would such a misfortune have stricken her? Falling into despair, she
found life tiring and couldn’t hold on any longer.
Brian saw Stella turn her head away, her shoulders shrugging. She had to be sobbing, he thought.
A 22–year–old young lady, whose life had just begun, was accused of plagiarism and owed 500 thousand
dollars. Her career and future were all ruined. Anyone would have lost their hopes, given such
circumstances.
Cautiously climbing up and sitting in the tree, Brian turned Stella’s face and met her red, swollen eyes.
He sighed, looking distressed. “Why are you weeping quietly alone here? What’s the big deal about Alice’s
death?”
Stella cried harder at the mention of Alice until she was a little out of breath. “It’s easy for you to say this.
You’re not the one who is in debt and whose life is ruined. Of course, you wouldn’t care…”
A hint of pity flashed in Brian’s eyes. He gave Stella a hug, comforting her softly, “I can investigate the matter for you despite her death.”
Stella paused. “Will you investigate it for me?”
Brian nodded. “Since I promised to help you, I will keep my word.”
At a loss for words, Stella looked up at Brian, who was gazing at her affectionately with his handsome face. Her heart fluttered, and she lowered her head.
Brian didn’t curse or reprimand her. Although he always called her stupid, he never failed to comfort and
help her when things happened. In fact, he could be quite warm at times.
In the first year of their marriage. Stella had lost her family. Having heard her father was in jail, a classmate of Stella’s had often teased her as the criminal’s daughter. At the end of her tether, Stella had
fought with her classmate.
Later, the incident got out of hand. Her classmate’s parents had come to confront her at the school,
Stella had no parents, nor had she dared alarm Sharon. Eventually, Yelena had secretly called Brian,
Brian had rushed back from another town and shown up at the dean’s office, like a hero coming to the
rescue of a damsel in distress. The parents of Stella’s classmate had freaked out at the sight of Brian and
pleaded for mercy right away.
Brian had lectured Stella immediately after he had taken her out. “Are you stupid? Why didn’t you call me when you were bullied?”
The 20–year–old Stella had replied aggrievedly, “I don’t have guardians.”
With a pause, Brian uttered, “I’m your guardian.”