Chapter 188

The night deepened as Stella Valentine tossed and turned in bed.

An inexplicable unease gripped her heart like an invisible hand.

She reached for the empty space beside her, still warm with Mr. Alistair's lingering scent. These days, she'd grown accustomed to falling asleep against his strong arm, lulled by his faint cologne.

Her fingers dialed his number, but Charlie Macmillan answered instead.

"Miss Stella, Mr. Alistair had urgent overseas business," Charlie's voice carried caution. "I'll handle Ethan's school runs. Contact me for anything."

"How long?" Her grip tightened around the phone.

A pause. "Uncertain. But he said this would be the final trip."

The word "overseas" stabbed her heart. Six years ago, Adrian Roland had taken Lily Savigny abroad, leaving Stella alone with her pregnancy.

Charlie sensed her distress. "Don't worry. This trip will resolve everything permanently. When he returns, you'll both leave Houston for good."

Dawn found Stella still staring at the ceiling.

At breakfast, Ethan listlessly pushed porridge around his bowl. The usually vibrant boy looked wilted, dark circles shadowing his eyes.

"Sweetheart, bad dreams?" Stella smoothed his hair.

He buried his face in her sweater. "Mom...I saw Daddy hurt. There was so much blood..."

Her chest constricted. "Dreams lie, baby. Daddy's the strongest superhero."

"But I don't want a superhero." Red-rimmed eyes met hers. "I just want him home safe. Eating with us. Playing games."

Her nose stung as she hugged him tighter. "He'd love hearing that."

"Then I'll tell him when he's back!"

"Yes. We'll wait together."

During the school drive, Ethan pressed against the window. "Mom, is Daddy fighting super villains?"

Stella watched passing buildings. "Maybe he's saving the galaxy. Like Iron Man."

Ethan's eyes lit up. "That's really far away!"

"Exactly. Patience, my star."

Unease permeated Brilliant Star Group's offices. Elevator whispers reached Stella's ears:

"Did Victor Lefèvre embezzle funds?"

"His wife Grace is clueless about business."

"Start job hunting—this company's finished."

Her office held a lawyer's letter—Unique Jewelry demanded repayment.

Before she could call Legal, Grace Laurent barged in with her daughter and strangers in tow.

"From today, I'm taking over." Grace slammed documents on the desk. "Victor signed these share transfers."

Stella scanned the papers. "Board approval is required per company bylaws."

"Stop bluffing!" Grace's daughter shrieked. "This bankrupt company's only hope is my fiancé Adrian Roland!"

"Certain he'll help?" Stella turned a page leisurely. "Last I heard, he's investigating a six-year-old car accident."

Grace paled. "Lies!"

Stella stood, gaze sharp as blades. "Shall we discuss who tampered with those brakes?"

Silence swallowed the room.

Grace's daughter lunged. "Slander! Adrian proved it was an accident!"

Stella sidestepped, hitting the intercom. "Security. Remove trespassers."

Alone at last, she collapsed into her chair. Trembling fingers dialed a number.

"Damian Chamberlain? Activate contingency plan Alpha immediately."