Chapter 211

The courtroom stood silent as irrefutable evidence was presented.

Lily Savigny's face turned ashen, her nails digging deep into her palms. The judge's gavel struck with finality, the verdict echoing through the solemn hall.

"Wait!" Sophia Durand suddenly rose from her seat.

The judge frowned. "Does the defendant have anything to add?"

Sophia's gaze slithered toward Stella Valentine, her lips curling into a sinister smile. "My daughter is pregnant. The law has special provisions for expectant mothers, doesn't it?"

"Pregnant?"

Sophia turned to Adrian Roland, her voice softening unnaturally. "Adrian, once I'm gone, I'm counting on you to take care of Lily."

Adrian shot to his feet, his chair screeching against the floor.

"Don't believe me?" Sophia pulled a medical report from her bag. "Test her if you must. Adrian, this child is yours. You can't abandon your own flesh and blood."

She extended her wrists willingly as the bailiffs cuffed her. Before being led away, she cast Stella a loaded glance.

As Lily was escorted past Stella by a female officer, she leaned in and whispered, "The game has only just begun."

Stella remained impassive. "You should be talking to Adrian."

"But you're his weakness." Lily chuckled. "As long as you suffer, he'll never know peace."

"He's moved on."

"Has he?" Lily threw a challenging look over her shoulder as the officers pushed her forward. "We'll see about that."

The sunlight outside was blinding.

Stella steadied her mother Grace Laurent as they exited the courthouse, drawing a deep breath. Attorney Damian Chamberlain approached. "Justice delayed is still justice served."

"Some people will never live to see it," Stella murmured, gazing at the cloudless sky.

Damian adjusted his glasses. "Actually...you should thank whoever anonymously provided that evidence."

"I know."

"You know?" Damian looked surprised. "I assumed it was Mr. Roland. The handwriting was nearly identical—"

Stella whirled around. "What handwriting?"

"The shipping label was handwritten," Damian explained. "But if you say it wasn't him, I must've been mistaken."

"Do you still have the label?"

"It's in my office. I can deliver it this weekend?"

"Send it to Brilliant Star Group," Stella nodded.

As Damian left, her heart pounded. She'd recognize Adrian's penmanship anywhere—yet she'd never seen Mr. Alistair's handwriting.

Back at Rosewood Gardens, Martha Clementson greeted them with sleeping Luna in her arms. "Miss Stella, there are strange men patrolling the neighborhood—"

Her phone vibrated.

[Don't worry. They're mine.]

Before she could reply, the phone rang. Mr. Alistair's voice came through, uncharacteristically urgent. "I've booked our flights for tomorrow."

"So soon?" She was caught off guard. "We haven't packed. My mother's arrangements—"

"Everything's taken care of." His voice was hoarse. "Stella, just this once, trust me."

A muffled cough came through the line.

Remembering Mr. Grant's warning, Stella's chest tightened. "Alright, I'll start packing immediately."

"Good girl." A quiet sigh. "I'll...come home early tonight."

Hanging up, Stella looked out the window. The sunset stained the clouds blood-red as dark figures lingered below. For some reason, Lily's eerie smile flashed through her mind, sending a chill down her spine.