CHATER 932

Jonathan was on pins and needles, feeling like each second was dragging on for a year.

A few minutes later, Old Wade emerged, stating coolly, “Sorry, the old man doesn’t want to see you.

But Gabriel has returned and he’s willing to meet with you.”

Gabriel?

Jonathan squinted slightly, responding, “Please lead the way.”

Old Wade guided him to the backyard. As Jonathan took in the familiar corridors and interior, he

suddenly pieced together a lot of things. He and Estelle had been here before.

How did Estelle know about the ancient treasure in the Jarvis family? Why had Old Mr. Jarvis kept

Estelle behind? Why had he given him the ancient treasure for nothing?

Everything clicked into place!

In the backyard, Gabriel was feeding the fish in the pond. Seeing Jonathan, he nodded slightly, “Please

have a seat.”

Jonathan cut to the chase, “Where is Estelle?”

Gabriel brushed off the fish food crumbs from his hand, responding calmly, “I went back to C City last

night, planning to pick up Stella this morning. But she’s already left.”

“Where did she go?” Jonathan’s mood instantly sank.

“That’s a question for Mr. Lamont. Didn’t you tell her to leave?” Gabriel’s tone turned chilly.

Jonathan was taken aback, momentarily speechless.

As Old Wade brought over the tea, Jonathan sat across from Gabriel, his eyes flickering with anxiety

and sadness, “Since Mr. Lamont could find his way here, you must already know that Estelle is Stella.

But I bet you still have a lot of questions.”

Gabriel took a sip of tea, “Today, I’ll tell you everything about her. Stella is Bennett’s daughter, but she

was switched at birth and ended up in C City with her adoptive parents, who were incredibly cruel.

“But God is fair, they died soon after. Stella spent a year in the orphanage before we adopted her. After

she came to the Jarvis family, we noticed she had issues. We took her to a psychiatrist who said she

was traumatized and showed signs of autism. We decided to take her to my training camp. There, she

fought to survive, constantly strengthening herself and becoming the fearsome Stella.

“After an undercover mission, she pissed off Wolverine. Wolverine bribed one of my people, who

betrayed her and her team during a mission. Only she and Xavier survived. I faked her death and

brought her back to C City. But soon after, the Macclain family found out their daughter was not their

own, and traced her origins back to her adoptive parents and the orphanage.

“I didn’t want her to go back. She could have inherited everything from the Jarvis family and lived a

worry–free life. But she was so depressed after her comrade’s death, my grandfather thought finding

her biological parents might give her a new lease on life.

“We didn’t reveal our identities but let Old Wade take Stella to meet Bennett. Bennett thought the

people who adopted Stella were poor and might demand child support, so he rushed to disassociate

himself and hastily brought Stella back to J City.

“At that time, my grandfather and I saw the true face of the Macclain family. We wanted to stop Stella

from going to J City, but she insisted on going with Bennett. Of course, we respected her decision.

“Soon after she arrived in J City, we heard news of the Macclain family’s planned marriage alliance with

the Lamont family. We were against it, but Stella stood her ground. I looked into your past and

understood why Stella wanted to return to the Macclain family and why she agreed to marry you.”

Jonathan thought back to the secret room underground where he and girl had spent two days and

nights. In the darkness, the girl’s eyes were clear and calm. Merging with Estelle’s gaze, it made him

feel like his world had been turned upside down.

“You probably know what happened next. You ignored her for three years and then hurt her again.”

Gabriel looked at Jonathan coldly, “My grandfather and I have discussed it. Let go of the past, divorce This is from .

Stella, and you two will have no connection anymore.” Gabriel said.

Something inside Jonathan fell heavily, feeling like a crushing blow, the pain unbearable.

After a moment of silence, Jonathan finally spoke with a low voice, “The person who got surrounded on

Kulha Mountain that day, was it Estelle?”

“Yes.” Gabriel said.