Over in Mist Bay, Stella was chatting away with Susanna when suddenly the line went dead. She tried calling back, but there was no answer. Twice more she tried, and twice more she got nothing.

Ronald stepped up, smoothly taking the phone from her hand and popping a pill into her mouth. "This is your pre-meal medication."

"Ugh!"

It was bitter. Seriously, where did Ronald find these doctors who prescribed the most god-awful tasting pills?

Stella's face scrunched up in protest.

Ronald handed her a glass of water, and she hurried to swallow the pill. No sooner had she done so than he pressed a piece of candy into her mouth. The sweet burst of orange filled her senses, offering some relief.

"Better?"

"Yeah, sweet."

Ronald tousled her hair. "Spreading rumors about Hull, huh? You've got guts."

Stella's cheeks flushed. "We were just speculating."

Yvonne had mentioned it before, and Stella couldn't help but think it was a bit odd - why did Hull always look at them and never make a move?

"You and who?"

"Yvonne."

Ronald was left speechless.

Stella promptly slapped a hand over her mouth. If Hull caught wind of this, she and Yvonne would be toast.

Ronald brought a coat and helped her to wear it; he remarked, "You've been spending too much time with Finley."

Stella gasped. That wasn't fair! Finley would say things to your face and behind your back. She only gossiped behind backs - though she realized that wasn't exactly commendable.

Portis City had finally taken a break from snow, but a fierce wind still howled outside, making it bitterly cold.

Once they were ready, they headed downstairs, where the butler approached with a respectful bow. "Sir, someone from the Larkin family is outside at the gate."

The gate was about a kilometer from the main building of the estate.

Ronald glanced at Stella. "Star, if their presence is going to upset you, maybe we should just..." The way he said "just" held a clear, dark undertone.

Stella frowned slightly. "Who is it?"

"It's Mrs. Larkin."

Mrs. Larkin, of course. Blaise was

too wrapped up with his twin kids to care, and Jaxon was out of commission due to his injury. And if he dared to think about Ursula, fiery Lola would surely raise hell

Since it was Cloudia, Stella's eyes narrowed. "Let her wait."

She had no intention of meeting. Cloudia was only here for Ursula, and Stella had no desire to offer false hope.

After hearing Stella's reply, Ronald caught the butler's eye, giving a subtle nod that said more than words could.

The butler understood what he meant just from a glimpse and said to Stella, "Yes."

Ronald led Stella to breakfast, leaving the butler to handle things outside.

At the gate, Cloudia, who got stopped, was a picture of

exasperation. "You have no right to stop me! I'm just here to see my daughter. Doesn't a mother have the right to see her own child?"

The security guards remained, eyes icy, their presence an immovable barrier between her and the estate beyond.

Cloudia's desperation only grew as her demand didn't reciprocate. "Let me in! You have to let me in!"

The wind howled. Mist Bay, situated by the sea, was no stranger to such biting winds which cut like a knife through the air.noveldrama

Cloudia, having rushed out without proper attire, was shivering from the cold.

Then the butler approached with two maids in tow.

Spotting him, Cloudia hurriedly greeted, "Please, could you call Stella for me? I need to see her."

The butler met her gaze with a frosty stare, and then signaled to the maids who nodded in understanding and moved towards Cloudia.

After last incident, even the maids from Mist Bay were trained by Ronald's team in Ferrowland, each one exuding a quiet, assured strength.

Either their gaze or aura carried an intensely killing sense. Cloudia felt an incredible danger as their gaze landed on her.

Seeing them approach, Cloudia

instinctively backed away. "Wh-What

are you doing? I'm here for my

daughter. I'm telling you, Stella is my

biological daughter!"