Chapter 1278

That left Michael with even fewer reasons to hold back.

If he decided to make a move against Evan now…

Aaron took an irritated drag from his cigar.

“Find Evan and bring him to me.”

“Yes, sir.”

Gray nodded.

Not long after, Jane arrived.

Stella had just been about to leave when she ran into Jane in the main hall.

She had only come back because she assumed Aaron wouldn’t be home tonight.

But since he was here, Stella had decided to return to the hospital and stay with Michael instead.

Especially after Aaron had sent a maid upstairs earlier saying he wanted to see her.

That alone had put Stella in an even worse mood.

This was simply how she was now.

If she didn’t like someone, she didn’t even want to waste the energy pretending otherwise.

When Stella saw Jane, she frowned slightly.

She didn’t recognize her.

But Russ, who was standing behind Stella, greeted the woman respectfully.

“Miss Merlin.”

Jane gave a slight nod.

She had an incredibly commanding presence.

She wore an ivory tailored suit, and her platinum–blonde hair framed a face so delicate and flawless that she

looked almost like a Barbie doll.

But there was nothing soft or doll–like about her eyes.

Russ introduced them.

“Miss Merlin, this is Miss Rowan, the daughter of the Hogarth family.”

Then he turned to Stella.

“This is Miss Jane Merlin, the eldest daughter of the Merlin family.”

Jane Merlin.

The moment Stella heard the surname Merlin, she understood.

This was the woman Aaron was supposed to marry.

“Hello,” Stella said.

Jane looked Stella over, then smiled warmly.

She reached into her handbag, pulled out a gift box, and pressed it into Stella’s hands.

“Looks like we’ll be family soon. We’ll have to look out for each other, little sister.”

Jane had a younger sister of her own.

In her experience, younger sisters tended to be pampered and loved anything sparkly.

She had known Aaron had a younger sister, so she had prepared something before coming over.

Specifically for Stella.

Stella stared at the box in her hands, caught off guard.

“This…”

“I came in a hurry today,” Jane said. “See if you like it first. If you don’t, I’ll bring you something bigger and shinier next time.”

Stella went speechless.

Was this woman seriously this extravagant?

Back in Harbor City, Stella had always been the intimidating one whenever she dealt with the Wright family. 1

But standing in front of Jane, who had clearly grown up completely at ease in her own power, Stella suddenly looked almost like a little girl.

“You really didn’t have to.‘

Stella wasn’t used to accepting gifts from people.

And she recognized the brand.

Everything was custom–made and extremely expensive.

Jane simply patted the back of Stella’s hand, giving her no chance to refuse.

Then she followed Gray upstairs.

Still holding the box, Stella instinctively started to turn around and return it.

After all, she barely cared what Aaron thought anymore.

So his future wife…

But Russ seemed to realize what she was about to do and stopped her.

“Miss Merlin has a habit of giving people gifts.”

Stella stared at him.

“A habit?”

She looked toward Jane’s retreating figure.

As if sensing Stella’s gaze, Jane suddenly glanced back at her.

Then she glanced back at Stella with an effortlessly alluring look.

Stella froze.

Alluring.

Powerful.

Before today, Stella would never have imagined those two qualities could fit so perfectly together in one person.

But somehow, Jane made it look effortless.

Something in Stella’s chest gave a small jolt.

When Jane turned away again, Stella watched her commanding figure disappear upstairs.

And only one thought crossed her mind.

Yara was probably going to have to leave Eirden.