Chapter 27
When Stella graduated, she had started driving lessons but only completed half of them. The remaining classes had expired, so she had to sign up for a new course.
Following the directions on her phone, Stella made her way to the driving school.
A staff member at the driving school was hesitant to enroll her due to her situation, but after Stella paid an additional fee, they agreed to accept her and promised to assign her a top instructor.
When Stella walked out, deep in thought, a car suddenly sped around the corner, almost hitting her. Just in time, someone rushed over, sweeping her into their arms and getting her to safety.
The driver yelled at Stella, “Are you blind or something? Can’t you see the car coming?”
Stella hadn’t noticed the car coming around the corner, but even if she had, with the speed the driver was going, she wouldn’t have had time to get out of the way.
After cursing Stella, the driver sped off.
The man who had saved Stella earlier checked her over and asked, “Are you okay? Did you get hurt?”
Stella was about to say thank you, but as soon as she recognized him, she instinctively pushed him away. “It’s you, Mr. Bass.”
Even though it had been three years since she last saw him, Stella recognized Henry instantly, as he looked almost exactly the same as before.
Henry looked at her with a smile and said, “Stella, I never expected we’d meet again like this. Seems fate really wants us to cross paths.”
Stella sized him up. He was 5.6 feet tall, weighed 176 pounds, and was in his forties, a dozen years her senior.
‘So this is the man Fiona wants to marry me off to, if my memory serves me right,’ she thought, her heart sinking.
“Thank you, but I gotta go now. Bye,” Stella said, turning to leave.
Henry stopped her. “Where are you going? I can give you a ride,” he offered.
“No thanks,” Stella said, deliberately stepping back to keep her distance from him.
Henry noticed her discomfort and didn’t step forward, afraid of being rude. He said softly, “Stella, it pains me to see you like this. You’ve been through so much all these years.”
Hearing that, Stella shook her head.
Henry continued, “You were such a lovely girl back then. You were so pretty with a great figure. But now… Don’t worry. Once you marry me, I’ll make sure you regain your rosy glow and get back to how you used to be.”
However, Stella said, “I haven’t agreed to this marriage arrangement, Mr. Bass. Please don’t ever bring it up again.”
Henry looked pained and said, “I get it. You’re still young, and marrying someone like me would be beneath you. But I had our birth charts analyzed, and they’re a perfect match.
“I’ve had feelings for you ever since then. I know the hardships you’ve faced in your family. But if you ever change your mind, I promise I’ll treat you with the utmost care.”
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Chapter 27
Stella stayed silent, her resolve firm.
Seeing her determined face, Henry sighed. “Alright then, if you don’t want a ride, that’s fine. I’ve got other matters to attend to, so I’ll be on my way.”
Seeing Henry finally leave, Stella breathed a sigh of relief.
Stella walked into the house with her phone and laptop, only to find everyone in a state of panic. ‘Something’s wrong, she thought, feeling uncasy.
She hadn’t paid much attention at first, but when Fiona stormed out and snapped at her, she learned Eleanor had fallen ill.
Stella walked over to Fiona and asked, “How’s Grandma doing?”
Fiona replied, “Eleanor…” Seeing the worry on Stella’s face, Fiona felt her anger fade, and she turned away in silence.
Stella grew anxious and instinctively grabbed Fiona’s arm, squeezing harder than she intended. Fiona flinched in pain.
The expressions of those upstairs grew more and more serious, while the servants hurried about in a panic. A dreadful sense of foreboding gripped Stella’s he
