Chapter 446

[ 659 words ]

Cloudia stared at the butler in sheer terror. “This…”

Her mind was so overwhelmed that she couldn’t even hear her own voice. She glanced down again at the documents in her hands-every detail about that woman’s entry into the Larkin Group and the role Ursula played in it.

So, that woman was brought into the company by Ursula?

No, this couldn’t be…

Cloudia’s mind went blank in an instant, and she felt the blood in her veins run cold and backwards.

“Mrs. Larkin, Mrs. Larkin, are you alright?” the butler’s anxious voice cut through the silence, tensing the entire atmosphere of the living room.

Stella and Tegan had just finished their coffee on Rigou Street and were planning to grab some lunch when Tegan’s phone buzzed.

Stella assumed it might be Uriah calling. It seemed like Tegan had been through a lot with the Horner family lately. Even if she hadn’t said a word, Stella could sense Tegan’s growing aversion to them. Tegan listened to the voice on the other end, her eyes widening in shock. “Okay, I understand.” After ending the call, she turned to Stella. “Mrs. Larkin’s been admitted to the hospital.”

Whenever anyone around Stella mentioned Cloudia, they never referred to her as “your mom”. It was always “Mrs. Larkin”. Everyone knew for someone like Cloudia, she didn’t deserve the title of “mom” – not in Stella’s eyes, at least.

Stella raised an eyebrow. “What’s going on?”

“Not sure. A colleague from the hospital called. If her health gives out now, the Larkin family is in serious trouble.”

The Larkin family was already as good as sunk. But if Cloudia was out of commission, there’d be no one left to handle Ursula.

Then, Stella suddenly realized why Cloudia might have landed in the hospital. “I bet it’s because of Ursula.

Tegan uttered, “Huh?”

“Susie checked out your little rumors-they’re all true,” Stella explained.

Tegan gasped, “Oh my goodness…”

When she’d first heard those rumors, Tegan thought they were terrifying. She never imagined they’d turn out to be true.

“What on earth has Mrs. Larkin been protecting all these years?”

Stella smirked. “She’s taught Ursula well, at least in terms of knowing who to favor.”

Tegan was at a loss for words.

‘Taught her well’ was a phrase that fit Cloudia perfectly. She used to say Stella didn’t know how to

Qu’

differentiate between family and foe. Well now she did-too well, in fact.

“She might lose her mind over this,” Tegan said.

Stella shrugged. “You never know. She might just crawl out of that hospital bed and keep scheming for Ursula.’

Tegan chuckled humorlessly. “Wow, that’s quite the image. Either way, it’s not your problem anymore.” “Exactly,” Stella agreed.

After all, she was planning to return to Ferrowland soon. The Larkin family, and even Portis City, would be behind her.

The two friends linked arms and

strolled off to find a place to eat. As they settled in, Tegan’s phone rang again, the topic once more being Cloudia.

After hanging up, she turned to Stella. “Seems like she’s really having a rough time. Might not pull through this one.”

Stella just nodded. The news didn’t

move her. It wasn’t that she was heartless; she simply felt no

connection to these people. Givenet

how they’d treated her since she returned to Portis City, she

already been magnanimous with her not striking Cloudia as she was down.

“If Cloudia’s really gone, Ursula’s in for a tough ride,” Tegan mused.

The two were ready to order when Stella’s phone rang. It was Ronald.

“No spicy food allowed.”

Stella sighed, “Yeah, I got it.”

Her recovery wasn’t complete, and Ronald had been kind enough to let her out. If she dared to eat irresponsibly, she’d never try stepping outside.

After ending the call, Tegan gave Stella a teasing smile. “Your brother really cares about you.”

Stella chuckled. “Well, he won’t be my brother for much longer.”

Tegan looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

Stella beamed. “We’re getting married.”

Tegan blinked in surprise. “Wow… congratulations.”

Marriage. It sounded wonderful, though a hint of bittersweet emotion flickered in Tegan’s eyes

momentarily before she pushed it aside.

Stella smiled, “So, what about you and Uriah? Any plans?”

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