Chapter 202

Stella Valentine's fingers curled slightly.

"I don't understand."

"He sheltered you too well." Mr. Grant chuckled. "Let me tell you a story."

Stella remained silent.

"Once there was a prodigy who fell in love with a girl," Mr. Grant began. "A tragedy shattered him. He nearly took his own life. Then someone saved him."

Her pulse quickened.

"This benefactor recognized his talent and invested everything in him. He thrived beyond expectations." His tone darkened. "Until he met you."

Stella's head snapped up.

"He abandoned everything for you." Ice laced Mr. Grant's words. "The man who gave him a second life was betrayed for love."

Her grip tightened on her dress.

"He became two people." His gaze pinned her. "One accepted the benefactor's terms. The other still secretly protects you."

Dizziness washed over her.

The fragmented pieces connected—Mr. Alistair's bipolar disorder, his suicidal tendencies, the truth behind his severed arm.

"You're here to make me leave?" Her voice trembled.

"Clever." He nodded. "The benefactor won't force you. But he won't lose his heir."

A bitter laugh escaped her. "Mr. Alistair refused, so you came to me?"

Mr. Grant's eyes narrowed. "Resistance is futile against absolute power."

The car halted at the school gates.

"You have your son. Your family. Your friends." His words carried warning. "Losing him won't destroy you. But if he chooses you, he loses everything."

A chill crept through her bones. "Is that a threat?"

"Merely facts." He pushed the door open. "The benefactor says he saved Mr. Alistair once. He can break him just as easily."

Stella stumbled onto the sidewalk.

The Lincoln sped away.

Her phone buzzed violently—thirty missed calls flashed onscreen.

"Stella!" Mr. Alistair's frantic voice crackled through. "Where are you?"

"School gates." She swallowed. "My phone malfunctioned."

"I'll replace it immediately." Relief bled through. "Did you get Ethan?"

"Soon." She bit her lip. "Mr. Alistair... where are you?"

"Handling business. Home by evening." Warmth returned to his tone. "The company is ours again. Once the accident trial concludes, we'll marry in Europe."

Her eyes burned.

"Mommy!" Ethan barreled into her arms.

She hugged him through the ache in her chest. "Missed me?"

"Lots!" He beamed up. "Are we visiting Great-grandpa today?"

"Yes."

"Is Luna there too?"

Stella hesitated. "She's waiting for us."

"Did Daddy take her?"

Her throat tightened. Adrian hadn't asked about the children in weeks.

Taking Ethan's hand, she whispered, "Let's not keep your sister waiting."