Chapter 21
Max stepped back in shock. He was proud. When Andrew ran the company, it was almost broke. That was why he couldn’t pay the kidnappers the extra million.
But Max never forgot Stella was still out there. He didn’t care much for her, but she was family. He wouldn’t let family die.
He worked hard to make money. He wanted to get the company back on track so Stella could have a good life when she came home. And he also wanted to find her fast using his skills.
But now he got the truth. After all his hard work, Stella, the one who needed help, was helping him. It made him feel useless.
Seeing that Max was upset, Fiona quickly said, “Max, I had no choice back then. You can’t rebuild the company alone. I have to hang out with those rich ladies. If I don’t spend money, I can’t help you at all.
“Remember, you even said you were grateful to me. Now things are better, isn’t that fine?”
Max shook his head. “Mom, that’s Stella’s money. We can’t take it without asking.”
Fiona thought little of Max’s words. “Why can’t? I’m her guardian. I have the say.”
“No! It’s illegal. You can’t do this. You’ll…” Max was really hurt.
Andrew stood up and pointed at Max. “How dare you talk to your mom like that? She’s your mother.”
Max looked straight at Andrew. “Do you know about this, too?”
“What? You want to yell at me? The money’s gone. Deal with it. What will you do?” Andrew turned to shout at Stella. “And you. Do you want us to go to jail?” Andrew looked at Stella, threatening.
Stella said calmly, “You should’ve been in jail three years ago. Just give me back the 1 billion dollars, and I’ll forget about it.”
“Still want your money back?” Andrew snapped. “Forget about spending it before; even if we use it later, so what? We’re your parents; we take what we want. Got a problem?”
Stella held her ground. “Taking without asking is stealing. The amount you took could land you in jail for life.”
Andrew pointed at Stella, about to yell, but Fiona cut in, “Stella, how could you say something so hurtful? You know that hurts us, right? We didn’t tell you because you weren’t home, and we needed money for the house.
“You know, we couldn’t get a loan back then. We had no choice. We were grateful you helped, so why turn this into a big deal?”
Stella gave them a cold, eerie stare. “So, you think this is all my fault?”
Fiona said it like she didn’t give a damn, “It’s not about blame. If we need help and you’ve got the cash, you definitely would help us, right? And if you’re so rich, why keep quiet when those kidnappers got you? You had the chance to save yourself.”
Stella stood there, suddenly silent.
Andrew seemed to catch on. “Stella, what happened with those kidnappers? Did you hire them and then get caught?”
Stella’s glare made Andrew flinch.
Stella looked back at Anna. Anna was fidgeting. “Stella, I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. My bad health caused all this. Don’t worry. I’ll write you an IOU. I owe you a billion. I’ll work hard to pay you back.
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Chapter 21
If you’re not okay with it, I can give you the interest. Just name the amount. Don’t blame them. When you were gone for three years, life at home was really tough.”
Fiona smiled warmly at Anna, “Anna, you’re so thoughtful.”
Andrew said sadly, “Anna, this isn’t your problem. Don’t worry. We’ll handle it.”
Stella watched coldly. She was too tired to argue after all that walking today. She said before heading upstairs, “Just give me back my money, no matter what.”
Andrew’s voice boomed. “Stella, do you even have a heart? We raised you and spent so much on you. What’s the big deal about using a little of your money? I haven’t asked where the money came from or what you’ve done, and you’re still giving me attitude.”
Before he could finish, Eleanor came downstairs. “What’s going on?”
Andrew clammed up immediately. He definitely couldn’t tell Eleanor. In his eyes, she favored Stella too much and she couldn’t think straight anymore. If she found out, it would be a disaster. “It’s nothing, Mom.”
“Really, nothing?” Eleanor didn’t buy it and asked again.
“Really,” Andrew replied, feeling guilty and trying to hide Eleanor’s gaze.
Eleanor glanced at them again. Seeing they weren’t saying anything, she knew they never told her anything. Asking was pointless. She saw Stella struggling up the stairs and went over to her.
“Grandma, sorry to keep you worried.” Stella walked with difficulty. Today’s workout had worn her out.
Eleanor helped Stella up quickly. “I was worried, but since you’re back, it’s okay.” She then went with her to Stella’s room.
The Hayes glanced at each other. Max snapped, “I’ve got stuff to do. I’m outta here.” Then he walked off.
Fiona looked anxious. Andrew comforted her, “Don’t stress. She loves Mom the most and won’t say anything mean in front of her.”
Anna walked up and said, full of apologies, “Mom, Dad, it’s all my fault. If I’d made enough money to help you, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“What’re you talking about?” Fiona scolded gently. “Sweetie, you’re too young. Making money is for grown-ups. Just focus on staying healthy and don’t worry about other stuff. We’re glad you care; that’s enough.”
Fiona hugged Anna. Andrew hugged them both and looked at Anna lovingly. “Yeah, your mom is right. We’re touched by how kind you are; you don’t need to do anything.”
Stella was getting the bank card from the cabinet when she saw the three of them hugging through the open door. She thought she didn’t care, but seeing it made her feel sad incide
