Chapter 216

The airport announcement echoed the final boarding call.

Charlie Macmillan stomped his foot anxiously. "Miss Stella! We'll miss the flight!"

Stella Valentine hurried forward with her daughter in arms, her face as pale as parchment.

"Where's Mr. Alistair?" Charlie peered behind her.

"Him?" Stella's lips curled into a bitter smile. "Once the money was transferred, he became disposable."

Charlie's eyes widened. "What are you saying?"

"Don't pretend you don't understand." She snatched the boarding pass from his hand. "All those months of acting, and this paltry sum is my payoff. Pathetic."

Little Ethan tugged her sleeve timidly. "Mommy..."

"Let's go." Stella marched toward the gate without looking back.

Grace Laurent carried Ethan while chasing after her. "Stella, what on earth—"

"Not now, Mother." Her voice trembled.

As the plane ascended, Stella watched the shrinking city through the window, silent tears streaking her cheeks.

"Don't cry, Mommy." Ethan wiped her face with small hands.

Grace moved to sit beside her, gripping her daughter's ice-cold fingers.

......

Hospital corridors hummed with fluorescent lights. Grant Rubenstein ended his call.

"Uncle Xavier," he whispered. "Jason talked. Adrian originally planned...to make 'Adrian Roland' disappear completely."

Mr. Xavier Atlante narrowed his eyes. "Go on."

"He intended to stage an accident, then assume his twin brother's identity...to live abroad with Stella."

"Clever." Xavier's laugh held no warmth. "Repurposing that stillborn twin story from the Roland family history."

"What's our move?"

"Wait." Xavier tapped his cane. "If he forgets that woman, business as usual. If not..."

Grant nodded in understanding.

"Grant," Xavier suddenly turned, "do you know why I chose him over you?"

Beads of sweat formed on Grant's forehead.

"Not competence." Xavier's gaze pinned him. "Temperament. You panic too easily."

The heart monitor's steady beep filled the sterile room.

Adrian Roland lay swathed in bandages, his breathing shallow.

"Stella..." His lips barely moved.

A nurse leaned closer. "More delirious murmuring."

"This tie..." Another nurse held up a bloodstained plaid necktie. "He refused to let go during surgery."

Outside the window, dusk deepened.

The EKG suddenly spiked with erratic peaks.

"Doctor! He's waking up!"