Chapter 816

Chapter 816:
Karson’s stern face brightened with a smile. “That’s better. The maids will show you to your room. There are new pajamas in the closet—everything’s set.”
After washing up in the bathroom, Stella had just stepped out when a knock sounded at the door.
“Stella, are you asleep? It’s Grandpa. Can I come in?” Karson’s voice came from outside.
Stella paused, then replied softly, “Yeah, sure. The door’s open.”
Karson pushed it open, a smile on his face as he held out a glass of warm milk. “A little milk before bed helps you sleep. I’m not disturbing you, am I?”
His cautious tone left Stella a little helpless. They hadn’t spent much time together yet, but she wanted to tell him he didn’t need to be so polite. He was her grandfather.
The warmth of the glass spread into her palms as she took it. She looked at him and said gently, “Grandpa, please, sit down.”
There was a sofa in the room. Seeing Karson linger after handing her the milk, Stella knew he had more on his mind.
“You didn’t eat much at dinner,” Karson said as he sat beside her, his sharp eyes soft with concern. “I noticed you barely touched your food.”
His gaze swept over the sparse, almost bare room, and he let out a quiet sigh. “If you need anything, just tell me. This is your home now.”
“Thank you, Grandpa. I don’t need anything else. This room’s already perfect.” Stella’s tone was polite but distant.
Karson studied her calm yet slightly guarded face, then spoke slowly. “I know it’s not easy, suddenly being part of such a complicated family. Don’t take Nina and her parents too seriously. Nina’s been spoiled and can be a little arrogant.”
Stella lowered her gaze, fiddling with her fingers without a word. She understood he was trying to comfort her, and she was grateful. For someone who had just returned to the Carter family, having her grandfather stand by her was already more than she had expected.
Still, she wasn’t used to it.
Since losing her adoptive parents, Stella had only ever relied on herself. Even during her marriage to Marc, she had never leaned on him completely. Depending on others simply wasn’t in her nature.
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Karson, noticing her silence, went on, “I can tell William has feelings for you. If you feel the same, it wouldn’t hurt to give it a chance.”
The Carter family was powerful. A match with the Briggs family was only natural. And though Karson always said marriage shouldn’t just be about benefit, if Stella and William truly liked each other, it would still be a win for both families.
He paused, watching her closely. Then he continued, “The Briggs family is far messier than ours. Alonzo and his son aren’t easy to handle. For William to hold his ground, he has to be sharp and ruthless. But with you, he’s different. I’ve seen it.”
Stella pressed her lips together. She knew William treated her differently, but too many things stood between them.
“Of course, the choice is yours. I just don’t want you to miss something good because of assumptions.” Karson reached out and patted her hand, his tone full of genuine care.
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