In Portis City, things were hectic. Ronald was particularly busy, especially with his impending trip back to Ferrowland looming over him. He was constantly on the move, rushing in and out of meetings and errands.

Originally, he had planned to bring Stella along. Ever since Xander had a knack for causing trouble, Ronald couldn't shake off the feeling of unease leaving her alone. Even when trusted associates were around, he still couldn't relax.

But Stella was exhausted from all the traveling. After lunch, she decided she needed some serious rest and promptly went to bed.

"Star," Ronald gently coaxed, trying to rouse her from her slumber.

Half-asleep, Stella mumbled as she burrowed deeper into her blankets, "Leave me alone. I'm really tired." Her voice was thick with drowsiness. All Stella wanted was to stay wrapped in her dreams, far too weary to entertain any other plans.

Ronald sighed with a hint of resignation in his voice. "You're a stubborn one," he murmured affectionately. Seeing no other choice, he left her to rest. Before heading out, he turned to Jacob, the head of security. "Ensure everything is locked down tight. No one gets in."

"Understood," Jacob replied with a nod.

Since the last fiasco with Harvey, Ronald had overhauled his entire security team. Jacob had been brought in from Ferrowland and personally selected by Ronald.

After giving a few more instructions, Ronald departed.

Finley, his right-hand man, followed closely behind. "You don't have to worry so much. Xander's still over in Cyris Isle."

Ronald let out a dry laugh. "You all thought he got stuck in Patrina before, too."

Yet, Xander had slipped into Portis City unnoticed, leaving everyone none the wiser.

Finley fell silent. Xander's unyielding interest in Stella meant trouble awaited them back in Ferrowland.

With Ronald gone, Stella was left alone in the sprawling house by Mist Bay. She slept through the

afternoon, only waking around four.

Ronald still hadn't returned. As she settled onto the couch, a housekeeper promptly draped a blanket over her.

"Thank you," Stella said, her voice soft with gratitude.

Just then, the phone rang from

across the room. The butler picked it up, and whatever the person said on the other end made his brow furrow with concern. He glanced at Stella before snapping tersely into the receiver, "Mrs. Larkin, it seems you haven't learned your lesson and dare to bother Miss again."

Cloudia, on the other end, was persistent. "Just let me speak to her. It'll only take a minute." The butler was firm. "You have no business calling here."

With that, he hung up.

Stella, casually scrolling through her phone, asked, "Mrs. Larkin again?"

The butler nodded. "Indeed."

Stella's voice was icy, her resolve unyielding. "Have the service provider change the number."

To Stella, the Larkin family was as good as strangers. She wouldn't grant them even the simplest of contact.

The butler understood her perfectly. "I'll take care of it immediately."

Since changing her number, Stella had enjoyed much-needed peace The Larkins had discovered she was raised by the influential Lugar family, and now they were all trying to curry faver with her.

But Stella was no fool. Now that they knew she was a golden opportunity, they thought they could just waltz in and take advantage.

How wrong they were!noveldrama

Meanwhile, over at the Larkin

household, Cloudia angrily clutched the silent phone. Her frustration was palpable, especially with Lola sitting nearby noisily cracking peanuts, the sound grating on Cloudia's nerves.

Unable to contact Stella, Cloudia was trembling with frustration. Stella was her daughter, her flesh and blood, yet seeing her seemed like the hardest thing in the world.

Lola, ever the voice of blunt truth, chimed in between cracking peanuts. "You're still in denial, even with all the evidence right in front of you?"

She was referring to the car accident. Ursula's behavior had made it clear who was behind it. But Cloudia seemed ready to indulge in more delusions just because Ursula had a fainting spell.