After picking up a call, Ronald headed straight to his study.

The butler looked at Stella respectfully. "Miss, are you sure you don't want the grilled salmon for lunch?" She used to love her fish.

Ever since moving in here, there was almost always a fish dish on the table.

Stella waved her hand dismissively. "No, I can't stand the taste today."

Something about the fish seemed off. But since the butler assured it was fresh when it arrived, she didn't bother arguing further.

The butler nodded, "Understood."

Just as Stella settled onto the couch, her phone rang. It was Tegan.

"I just heard from Uriah that Cloudia has been desperately borrowing money from the wealthy ladies in town," Tegan said.

"Borrowing money?" Stella queried, raising an eyebrow.

It seemed Cloudia had hit rock bottom if she was willing to swallow her pride and ask those society ladies for money.

Cloudia was all about appearances. When the Larkin family was well-off, she would give Ursula

everything best. But with Ursula needing medical expenses and the family ruined financially, she had no choice but to humble herself before the very people she once disdained.

"Yeah, can you believe the Larkin family is so broke that they can't even scrape together a few hundred thousand?" Tegan scoffed.

Stella sighed. "Looks like it."

She was more aware than anyone of the Larkin family's recent troubles.

"That's quite a downfall," Tegan remarked.

Stella didn't respond. It was no joke; a single word from Ronald could bring a world of trouble. If only they knew the kind of people he dealt with in Ferrowland, the Larkins would realize their current woes were just

a drizzle before a storm. Yet, even that drizzle was enough to shatter them.

Tegan continued, "Hey, there's something else I heard."

"What is it?" Stella asked, intrigued.noveldrama

"I overheard Ursula is quite close with the Larkin Group's financial director," Tegan revealed.

Stella's eyes widened. "Really? The one who had kids with Blaise?"

"Yeah, that's what I heard."

"Are you sure?" Stella pressed.

Ursula was on good terms with the woman who had borne Blaise's children. That was a twist.

"Not 100% sure, but pretty close. Ursula and the woman dine and shop together all the time," Tegan replied.

Stella smirked. It was getting interesting.

The woman had twins with Blaise, yet Ursula was friends with her, huh? What was Cloudia protecting all these years?

"And Ursula got her into the Larkin Group. She secretly helped her climb the ladder," Tegan added.

Stella was stunned. If that were true, things were about to get really entertaining.

"It is explosive," Stella remarked.

"Right? How blind could Cloudia be, treating Ursula like a prized possession all these years?" Tegan said, “All her efforts went to a traitor. If the truth came out, it might just kill her"

"Are these rumors verified?" Stella asked.

Tegan shook her head. "It's all hearsay, but there's usually some truth to gossip. Even if it wasn't entirely accurate, where there was smoke, there was fire."

"Exactly," Stella agreed.

"Poor Cloudia. She's still out there begging for money to save Ursula," Tegan lamented.

"Ursula's got quite the talent, huh? But do those meds even work?" Stella mused.

Tegan chuckled. "They have some effect, but saving her life? That's a long shot. Her health's in shambles."

"True," Stella conceded.

"You can't fight fate. Ursula's just marked for disaster," Tegan remarked.

Stella raised her eyebrows. Tegan's sharp tongue was on par with Susanna's.

If the meds didn't work, they'd be out millions. Pretty harsh!

"Whether she lives or not, it's a no-win situation," Tegan continued.

If Ursula survived, Stella wouldn't let her off easily. Her life would be a living hell.

"Why don't you verify those rumors?" Stella suggested, feeling a wicked hope that they were true.

If it were true, Cloudia would be livid,

probably tearing Ursula apart herself. After all, her entire life's work would've been for naught. Blaise had taken off with whatever was left, and Ursula was at the heart of it all.

"Susanna's the one for that job. She's got the connections," Tegan noted.

"True," Stella agreed.

Tegan spent most of her time with Uriah, who kept her sheltered. She didn't have much of a network

outside the hospital.

After a few more exchanges, they ended the call.

When Ronald came down, he saw Stella on the phone, clutching her chest.

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