Chapter 20
Back then, Stella’s smile was as bright as the sun. Even when hurt, she’d just shrug it off. When she came over, Lionel would see flour on her nose. It was cute.
If it wasn’t for her face, he wouldn’t recognize her as Stella. Today, she couldn’t even smile. Even walking was a struggle for her. He didn’t know why things would go south like that.
Stella walked out of the hospital and got a cab. It was pricey. When she got home, she couldn’t pay. Just then, she saw Max driving in. She stopped his car.
Max rolled down his window and snapped, “Stella, what are you doing? You trying to get yourself killed?”
“Help me pay for this,” Stella said, pointing at the cab.
“Don’t you have money? I gave you a bank card. I put money in every month for three years. You never spent any. Didn’t you check?”
“Just help me pay,” Stella said, no explanation.
Max told the driver, “Go pay for it.”
The driver paid.
Max watched Stella walk weirdly. He looked serious. “Get in,” he said.
Stella ignored him.
Max never knew when she got so stubborn. Before, he never let her in his car. But she’d always insist. She’d say, “Max, once you get a wife, I won’t be able to ride with you anymore. Let me enjoy it now.”
He could never push her away before. Now that he offered, she threw a fit. But when she asked for money, she was so bold. Seeing her refuse, Max told the driver to speed past her. They almost hit her.
Stella walked into the house. Andrew, Fiona, and Anna were sitting on the sofa like they were waiting for her. Their faces said she’d done something terrible.
“Where’d you go?” Andrew asked, all cold.
Stella refuted. “Can’t I go anywhere? Am I not allowed out?”
Andrew was about to say something, but Fiona jumped in, “No. Your dad didn’t mean that.” She turned to Andrew and said, “You scare her.”
Fiona put on a smile and said softly to Stella, “Stella, we looked everywhere for you and couldn’t find you. We thought you got kidnapped again. Even though you’re back, it still feels like a dream. Your dad’s worried sick, too.”
Stella sneered, “You’re not worried. You’re scared I’ll cause trouble or someone’ll find out I’m part of the Hayes family and embarrass you.”
“That’s not it,” Fiona said, trying to calm Andrew down. “Sweetie, you can go out, but just tell us or the maid.
“Since you’re having trouble getting around, we’ll get you a car and someone to go with you. If anything’s wrong, just let us know. And hey, you don’t have a phone; the old one’s broken.
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Chapter 20
“I saw the maid take a phone from the trash in your room. I don’t know who gave it to you, but don’t refuse their kindness.”
Stella didn’t say anything.
“Since someone got it for you, just take it. If you need anything else, tell me; I’ll handle it so you can fit in fast. Fiona grabbed the phone and gave it to Stella.
It made Stella feel like Fiona bought it herself.
Max grabbed the phone and put it in his pocket. “Don’t use that. I got you a new phone. Stella, check it out. You’re smart; you’ll get it quickly. Phones haven’t changed much in three years. Use this one.” He gave Stella the latest phone.
The three thought Max’s move was a bit weird, but no one asked.
Stella gave the phone back to Max. “No thanks. I’ll get my own.”
Max’s face went dark when she rejected his help. “Stella, what does that mean? We’re trying to fix things. Even though we had done something wrong, we’re sincerely trying to correct the situation. We’re family. Do we need to beg for you to treat us right?”
“What’s this?” Stella put the bank statement she printed earlier on the coffee table.
Max grabbed it first and looked. “Stella, why’s there so much money in your account? What’d you do?”
Fiona felt guilty and looked away.
Stella said straight up, “Look at this. I had plenty of money, but what’s left in my account now?”
Max answered, “Just a few bucks. So what? Did you take it out?”
Stella was speechless. “Take a look! Did I take it out? Which account did the money go to?”
Max was about to check the slip. Fiona jumped up to grab it, but Max got there first. He took one look and stared at Fiona, shocked. “Mom, how’d this end up in your account?”
Fiona fumbled nervously, “It’s no biggie. Since Anna started college, money has been tight. I thought Anna needed money, so I didn’t ask you. Since Stella was away and wouldn’t use the money, I took hers.”
Then she changed the topic. “Stella, I really want to know, why’s there so much in your account?”
Knowing Fiona’s intention, Stella dodged the question, asking flatly, “Even Anna couldn’t spend that much. Where’s the rest gone?”
Max checked. Millions were coming in, totaling nearly 300 million dollars a year.
Fiona made an excuse. “It’s no big deal. Handling stuff outside costs money. I bought gifts for people. Stella, you won’t blame Mom, will you? We’re family. Things are better now, so I don’t need your money anymore. I’ll stop using it.”
Max stared at Fiona, his eyes wide open. “So all those times I asked where you got the money to handle things, and you said it was your savings. That was a lie?”
Fiona replied, “If I didn’t say that, would you have accepted it? I know how you are. Besides, she’s family: Helping out is natural. What’s wrong with that?”
