Chapter 981

[ 686 words ]

Stella frowned.

“What’s wrong? Did someone actually say something to you?” Ronald asked.

“She’s Mona’s daughter,” Stella replied, her voice soft but steady. “That whole mess with Regina three years ago… I don’t think we ever truly uncovered what was behind it.”

She remembered it vividly. Three years ago, Regina had appeared out of nowhere and announced she was going to marry Ronald. She hadn’t just said it either—she’d come armed with a string of threats, even going so far as to target Stella’s mother. At that time, no one could reach her mother, and every possible force seemed lined up to drive Stella out of Ferrowland. It all happened so fast, chaos swirling in every direction.

Stella hadn’t dared risk her mother’s safety. In the midst of the turmoil, she’d been forced to leave Ferrowland behind. Even now, thinking back on that journey sent a chill through her. It hadn’t been easy. She’d nearly died along the way.

Later, when the Quinn family’s scandal finally settled, Ronald had retaliated against the Schultzes. The family was all but crushed, and Regina ended up behind bars. The Schultzes might have looked impressive from the outside now, but inside, they were hollowed out. Xander had grabbed up most of their assets, and from the way things were going, he had no plans to let even the scraps slip away.

During all those years, Mona had kept her distance from Regina, who was rotting in prison. Even last time she’d come to plead for her daughter, her words were halfhearted and insincere.

And now Berry turned out to be Mona’s daughter.

Only then did Stella realize: The Schultz family’s long silence hadn’t been defeat-it was the calm before an all-out counterattack.

“What?” Ronald’s tone was sharp, every nerve on edge.

“She’s been going to Novaderma for cosmetic surgery. She’s even copying my tastes—my clothes, my habits, everything.” Stella laid it all out for Ronald, sparing him nothing, even though she was conducting her own private investigation. With him, there were no secrets.

She picked up a stack of photographs from the coffee table and handed them over.

As Ronald looked at the photo of Berry, anger blazed through him. The image wasn’t sharp—taken from a distance, her features were blurred. But she’d captured Stella’s presence, almost perfectly. Just one look, and if you didn’t know better, you’d think you were looking at Stella herself.

Instantly, Ronald looked as if he could explode. His eyes narrowed, dark and dangerous.

“A counterattack, huh.” He scoffed, voice full of threat.

Clearly, Ronald had drawn the same conclusion as Stella. The Schultz family had been playing the long game, and now their comeback was in motion. They’d been keeping to the shadows for years, but under the surface… Sending Berry to get cosmetic surgery? No one could possibly believe there wasn’t a

sinister plot in the works.

Stella handed Ronald her phone. “These are Mona’s travel records for Novaderma over the past few years. I checked-she’s been visiting more and more frequently, especially in the last two years.”

In those two years-back before Stella had returned-Berry must have been undergoing surgery all

P

along. And facial recode

takes time; they couldn’t have made her a perfect double overnight. They must have figured Stella was never coming back, or maybe…maybe they never meant for her to come back alive.

Or maybe… maybe all those years Stella spent hiding in Portis City, the family had been sending people after her, trying to wipe her out. But she’d hidden too well. With the

Quays and the Larkins feel

cover

She’d eluded more than a few close calls. Plus, Ronald’s vengeance had squarely targeted the Schultz family; Mona hadn’t had the time or the means to finish Stella off.

On the surface, Stella and Ronald had gone their separate ways—but in truth, they’d worked together, silently and seamlessly.

But now Stella was back, and judging by the most recent photo of Berry leaving the plastic surgery clinic, it looked like the transformation was still underway. Their plan, it seemed, hadn’t been abandoned—just adjusted.

Stella caught Ronald’s eye across the room. There was nothing but fire burning in his.

“Melissa thinks,” Stella said quietly, “they’re planning to make their move right when the baby is born.”

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