Chapter 641

Just as the police officer started to speak, a sharp voice rang out from the doorway, heels clicking across the floor.
Everyone turned.
Stella’s fingers tightened around each other the moment she heard it.
Charlotte noticed and glanced at her, lips pressed together. “Why are you nervous? They’re the ones who should be worried.”
Right.
Stella hadn’t done anything wrong. There was nothing for her to be afraid of.
“Janie, how did you end up like this?”
The woman striding in was Janie’s aunt, Stella’s stepmother, Fedelia. She looked about forty, dressed in expensive, flashy clothes that screamed privilege.
A serious-looking man followed behind her.
Stella’s father, Mahoney.
They walked straight to Janie’s side, acting as if Stella wasn’t even there.
It wasn’t until Janie, still sniffling, pointed accusingly at Stella that they finally looked over.
Both of them paused when they saw her.
No warmth, no happiness. Just surprise and something else that Stella couldn’t quite name. They looked at her like she was a stranger.
“Did you push Janie?” Mahoney finally asked, stepping right up to Stella. His voice was low and heavy. “After all this time, you still have the same temper?”
Years ago, Stella had pushed Fedelia, causing her to lose a child.
Now, they thought she’d done the same thing again.
“Just look at Janie. She’s hurt so badly. She’s a med student. If her hand is ruined, her whole future is gone.”
“You come back without a word, you don’t even say hello when you see us Mahoney’s voice was rising, angry now. “Stella, do you even care about this family?”
Charlotte sat nearby, silent, but her eyes were icy cold.
“That’s right.”
As soon as Mahoney finished, Stella’s voice cut through the room, cold as ice. “To me, the Adams family stopped being my family a long time ago. And you’re not my father.”
“Stella, is that any way to speak to your father?” Fedelia broke in, timing it perfectly. “He’s just worried about you. Besides, you really are in the wrong this time.”
“I said, he’s not my father. He
face was blank, her eyes on I
t to lecture me.” Stella’s
growing colder. “And neither do you.”
Janie quickly jumped in, piling on. “Mahoney, can you believe her? She’s still being so rude to Fedelia, even now!”
“Apologize.” Mahoney’s face was dark as he stared Stella down. “Say sorry to your cousin and your mother.”
“Mother?” Stella’s voice was flat. “My mother is dead.”
Fedelia looked at Stella, cold and hurt. “Mahoney
Mahoney’s brow furrowed. He raised
his hand as if to strike Stella. “You did wrong and you refuse to
apologize won’t let this
side
today.”

But before his hand could come down, a slender, pale hand caught his wrist.
Charlotte stood up, her gaze
lowered, voice cold. “You haven’t et
ever looked at the security footage. you be so sure it was your
2 call fault?”
fo
Security footage?
Janie’s face twitched, but she quickly tried to look calm.
That spot was a blind corner. What footage could there be?
She barely had time to relax before Charlotte spoke again.
“Play back the Sky Eye surveillance.”
Sky Eye?
Janie’s face went white.
She’d heard of it. The cameras were tiny, basically invisible, and covered almost everything.
So…
The White Whale Training Base had installed Sky Eye?
Realization hit and panic set in.
If that footage came up, everyone would see the truth.
Charlotte must have known about Sky Eye, which was why she agreed to call the police.
Now Janie understood what Everlot meant—false accusations could land you in court.
These two had set a trap for her.