Chapter 923

Chapter 923:
Stella took a deep breath, brushed past Lena, and headed straight upstairs to the master bedroom.
As she pushed the door open, she found William leaning weakly against the headboard. His face was pale, his brows drawn tight—clearly fighting through a dizzy spell.
He looked up when he heard the door. The second he saw her, his expression softened with a kind of quiet relief. “Stella, you’re back… I’m not feeling so great…”
His voice sounded nothing like usual—it was faint, fragile.
Seeing him like this took the edge off the frustration Stella had been bottling up. But then she remembered Lena’s teary, hurt expression, and her lips pressed into a thin line. She walked over to the bed without saying much.
William noticed something was off right away. She hadn’t asked how he was feeling—not like she normally would.
He pushed himself up a little, concern creeping into his voice. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
Even through his haze, William’s eyes were full of worry, focused only on her. Stella met his gaze but couldn’t bring herself to say anything. The questions, the doubt—they all caught in her throat.
He looked so worn out. Now wasn’t the time to press him about snapping at Lena. After a moment of silence, she said in a dry, low voice, “It’s nothing. Just rest, okay?”
Then she turned and left, quietly shutting the door behind her.
William watched her leave, a knot of confusion and unease tightening in his chest. After a beat, he reached for his wheelchair, ready to go after her.
Downstairs, Stella moved like she was sleepwalking. Lena was waiting, her eyes red and watery, playing the role of the wounded innocent to perfection. “Stella… does Mr. Briggs really hate me?” Her voice was small, uncertain. She clutched the hem of her shirt like a scolded child.
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Stella looked at Lena, drained. She let out a tired sigh and shook her head. “Lena, I’m sorry about earlier. He’s still recovering. Sometimes his mood swings get the better of him. Don’t take it to heart.”
She couldn’t bring herself to confront William at the moment, so instead, she tried to comfort Lena.
Lena lowered her eyes, feigning understanding. “It’s okay, really. Don’t worry, Stella. I won’t let it bother me.” But behind that meek smile, Lena was gloating. Seeing Stella’s helpless look, she felt a rush of vengeful satisfaction. Everything was going according to plan. She had driven a wedge between them, just like she wanted. And with a bit more effort, the crack would only grow.
Lena knew how to play it slow, subtle, just under the radar. But what she didn’t realize was that William had been watching her more closely than she thought. And her acting? Not nearly as good as she believed.
Meanwhile, upstairs, Stella had shut herself away in her room. William, despite the pounding in his head, reached for his phone.
Within thirty minutes, Luca arrived at the villa and went straight to the master bedroom.
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