Chapter 491

Chapter 491:
The ride home was dead silent. Tension hung thick in the air. Luca kept sneaking glances at the rearview mirror, trying to gauge what was going on in the back seat.
William’s voice came low and cold. “Eyes on the road. If you can’t manage that, you won’t need them.”
Luca shuddered and immediately snapped his gaze forward, not daring another peek.
When they pulled up to Stella’s place, she remained completely still, zoning out. She didn’t make a move to get out.
William finally spoke up. “Not planning on going in?”
That snapped her out of it. She jolted upright, scrambling to open the door, moving so fast she nearly tripped getting out. William let out a quiet sigh as she disappeared into the building.
Once she was gone, he leaned back and told Luca, “Drive.”
As the car pulled away, Luca hesitated before asking, “Mr. Briggs… did Ms. Russell seem a little shaken up to you?”
William pinched the bridge of his nose, tired and exasperated. “Did you not see her reaction? Of course, she was freaked out.”
Luca went quiet, then cautiously said, “Maybe… maybe you should apologize. Sometimes we upset people without realizing it. A few kind words might help.”
William shot him a sidelong glance. “Luca, don’t talk about things you don’t understand.”
Luca stiffened, unsure what he’d said wrong this time.
William leaned his head back, closing his eyes as the night replayed in his mind. He sighed, low and heavy.
He had always told himself not to push Stella too fast, too soon. He didn’t want to scare her off by being too honest.
But now that everything had come out, there was no turning back. And he had no idea what came next.
Back at her place, Stella barely changed clothes before collapsing into bed. Her head was still spinning.
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The next morning, she was jolted awake by a phone call—from the police station. Willow wanted to see her.
Stella blinked, confused. Still groggy, she debated it for a second, then got dressed and drove over.
Right as she pulled into the station, another car stopped beside her—and William stepped out. In that moment, she realized Willow had called them both. Their eyes met briefly, but neither said a word. Together, they walked inside. After hearing why they were there, the officers led them to Willow’s holding room.
Willow’s attempted murder charge was rock-solid. The ship’s surveillance footage, plus the waiter’s statement, left no room for doubt.
And with the smuggling charges against her parents, it looked like the whole Lawson family might be going down together.
Willow’s eyes were blazing as soon as she saw them walk in. She locked onto Stella first, her voice dripping with venom. “Stella, why did you have to steal what’s mine?”
Stella wasn’t shocked that Willow knew her real name and responded coolly, “Steal what? Mr. Briggs? Mr. Briggs, do you consider yourself an object?”
William’s expression didn’t shift. Cold and flat, he said, “If you’ve got hate, aim it at me.” He looked directly at Willow. “This has nothing to do with Stella. She didn’t know anything.”
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