Chapter 81
Chapter 81
tekantian kape spring was looking feet, before turning and leading Irene and Suella waxy.
Fred) mind Ature parking for car for followed at a leisurely pace.
In the dong room, Benry had already prepared a table full of nutritious and delicious food.
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or wand Betty greeted each of them warmly. “Mr. Sebastian Lloyd, Mr. Ernest Lloyd, the Sperry, Miss Brything’s ready, Is there anything else you’d like?
Before anyone could respond, Sebastian’s brow furrowed. Ms. Spencer?
in kw that Ernest and Stella had been at odds for a long time, and even that rebellious Ernest had let another women get close. But he never imagined things would have fallen apart this much.
“What’s going on? Sebastian didn’t ask Petty, Instead, he turned his attention to Emest
Ermex replied Lady, Just what you beard”
You ft Shaation boxed raising his cane as if to strike Ernest, but Stella quickly stepped in to stop him.
Schwin the doctor said you shouldn’t get too worked up! Stella said gently. “ It was my idea, really?”
Irene piped up. “Caen–praodge, if you want to blame someone, blame Mom. Don’t hit Dad”
Xial because of Mom Irene town. If Mom hadn’t done that, Great–grandpa wouldn’t even think about hining Dad
Sering Ernest’s indiferes wide and hearing Irene’s words, Sebastian suddenly felt drained. He slumped into a cair, the wide of it all wearing on him.
He had decay told himself to stop meddling in their issues and just let Stella find her own happiness.
Box for dece ye, the more be longed for a family that felt whole, a home full of laughter and wyfienes. The more time passed, the deeper those hopes and stubborn wishes rooted in him.
In his lifetime, Sebastian had experienced much, even building the Lloyd Group into the powerhouse it was today. He had lived a leppodary life.
Sell, dory down, if he had one last with before his time was up, it would be to watch Ernest’s family finally
to see true happiness and love.
That was why he had come all the way here, holding on to his stubborn hopes.
Be dier whoeving Soelle’s situation at home–ignored by her husband and rejected by her daughter- Seboutton felt that all his efforts to fix things seemed pointless.
He even stored to wonder if it was his own matchmaking that had condemned Stella to years of suffering- fording her to grit her touth through the bitterness and hardship, all because of the choices he’d made.
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Chapter 81
The more he thought about it, the more guilt gnawed at him. He looked at Stella with sorrow and regret
Steila, it’s my fault Lowe you an apology
Srella, not fully understanding his thoughts, gently reassured him “Sebastian, Fm fine. It’s all in the past now?
“Yeah. Sebastian murmured tiredly, nodding. “It’s all behind us. Let’s eat
This time, there was no fake laughter around the table. The usual light–hearted atmosphere was gone, replaced by a heavy, uncomfortable silence.
After dinner, Sebastian stood up and knocked his cane against Ernest’s leg. “Come with me.”
Ernest stood up and followed him.
Irene was about to follow, but Stella gently stopped her. “They probably need to talk. Don’t go causing trouble.
You can’t boss me around. Irene pouted, wrinkling her nose.
Stella didn’t react. She just let Irene do her own thing.
If this were before, Stella would have been fussing over Irene–making sure her soup wasn’t too hot, her food wasn’t cold, even peeling shrimp for her.
But now, Irene was a mess–food all over her face and hair, soup dripping down her shirt—yet Stella didn’t even glance her way.
Stella just quietly ate her food, not looking at anyone, not offering to serve anyone else. She simply kept to herself, eating as if it were just something to get through before she could leave.
Inside the study. Sebastian sat back in his chair and cut straight to the point. “Do you really want her gone?”
Ernest thought about taking a seat, but since Sebastian hadn’t allowed it, he simply remained standing to the side.
“Grandpa, Ernest finally said, his voice almost apologetic, “some things just aren’t meant to be, no matter how much we wish they could be.”
Sebastian slammed his palm on the table, his anger filling the air. “If you hadn’t treated her like this all these years, if you hadn’t been so cold, would Stella be hurting like this now?
“If you’d treated her with real care, do you think she’d ever choose to walk away?”
This time, Ernest didn’t respond with his usual “I don’t love her.” Instead, he stood there in silence, letting the words hang in the air.
Richard’s temper snapped. “Say something! Cat got your tongue? Or are you going to pull that crap you use on Stella with me? I’m not Stella. I won’t tolerate your nonsense like she does.”
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Chapter 81
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Though it seemed like a rebuke, Sebastian was really rubbing in just how much Stella had always done for Ernest. It looked like Sebastian still wasn’t giving up.
But Ernest, cold as ever, crushed the last bit of hope Sebastian had left with his next words. “So, what now? Going to use those shares to pressure me again?”
Seven years ago, that tactic would have worked. Sebastian had used it successfully, and Ernest had no choice but to go along with it. But now, as the real power behind the Lloyd Group, Ernest had many ways to dilute Sebastian’s shares.
And even if Sebastian tried to go after him, the shareholders of the Lloyd Group would never allow it.
Sebastian, realizing all of this, sighed deeply. The anger left his face, replaced by exhaustion. “I’m too tired to keep meddling. Do whatever you want.
“Listen, I’ll say this one more time–Stella’s someone worth cherishing. Don’t wait till you regret it to realize what she means to you.”
“Yeah,” Ernest said, barely even caring.
Sebastian didn’t press further. After a short pause, he added, “The shares I hold are for Stella. If it comes to that, I hope you don’t make things difficult for her.
“After everything she’s done for this family–taking care of you all without a single complaint–she’s more than earned it.”
“I know,” Ernest said coolly.
Sebastian nodded, not saying anything else. He slowly walked out, leaning heavily on his cane, his steps shaky and unsteady.
Ernest watched him go, a flicker of complicated emotion flashing in his eyes before it vanished just as quickly.
“Stella, if you get the chance, come by more often or at least give me a call sometimes. I’m getting old, and it’s harder for me to get out. I might not be able to come visit you again,” Sebastian said. Chapters first released on ~net
Outside the villa, he patted Stella’s hand softly, reluctant to let go.
Life was all about hope. When a person lost it, they began to crumble within and without. Sebastian was fine that day, but there was no telling about the future.
Hearing the weariness in his voice made Stella’s chest tighten. She held back her emotions and smiled at him. “Sebastian, I know. I’ll call you more often.”
“Good, good. That’s what I’m counting on,” Sebastian replied, his smile genuine. He looked truly happy. If he weren’t so unsteady, he might have stayed longer to talk with Stella.
Stella helped him into the car, but he waved her off. “Alright, I should get going now. You take care and head home early, okay?”
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