Chapter 140 The Deal Just Died
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Stella had been busy late into the night with that design for Sterling Global. When she heard the sound of an engine outside, she got up right away. She was worried Abraham might’ve been drinking, and besides, she was thirsty and wanted some
Water.
Sure enough, as soon as she reached the top of the stairs, she heard Abel’s voice.
“Mr. Abraham, you don’t even need to deal with those people. Why bother drinking their wine?
Abraham was sitting on the couch at that moment.
He took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose, his head clearly aching. He didn’t say anything.
“I’ll have someone get you something to refresh yourself, Abel said.
“You can go,” Abraham replied, his voice low.
Even from a distance, Stella could hear the slur in his voice; it was obvious he’d had quite a bit to drink.
Abel had just turned to leave when he heard that, glancing back at Abraham before finally nodding
Once Abel was gone, Stella came down the stairs
Hearing footsteps, Abraham turned around. When he saw Stella, the stern, deep look he usually carried softened under the haze of alcohol.
“Star, come here.”
His gentle tone made Stella’s chest tighten unexpectedly.
She stepped forward and looked at his flushed checks. Unable to help herself, she reached, out and touched his forehead.
“No fever this time.”
Sometimes when Abraham drank, he’d spike a fever–and she’d be the one dealing with it all night long.
Drunk or not, Abraham never stayed out overnight. Abel always personally brought him home.
And once he was home, he wouldn’t let anyone else near him. It was always Stella who stayed with him.
Looking at Abraham’s flushed face, Stella couldn’t hold back.
“Didn’t Mr. Abel say you didn’t have to deal with those people?”
Stella pondered. If that was true, then why had he still drank their wine?
The moment the words left her mouth, his warm hand closed around her slender wrist.
Before Stella could react, Abraham pulled her onto his lap.
Completely caught off guard, she tumbled toward him, and her lips just happened to land right on his,
Her eyes widened in shock; she instinctively tried to pull away.
But before she could sit up, he cupped her small chin, and his kiss came crashing down like a wave.
His lips were soft and cool, laced with the scent of wine and roses. Stella instinctively struggled.
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Chapter 140 The Deal Just Died
Her breath hitched, she called his name in a low voice.
That one word–spoken so softly–brought Abraham to a sudden halt..
He braced himself and looked down at her.
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Their eyes met. Stella could clearly see the tenderness in his drunken gaze. And that same tenderness struck something deep inside her. The walls she’d spent years building seemed to crumble in an instant.
With just that look, Abraham leaned down again.
That night, sleep eluded more than a few people.
The hospital, of course, was a given–Lillian’s illness had gotten worse, and the pain kept her up all night
In the past, Ethan and Jonathan would always be there, but tonight, for once, neither of them showed.
Susan was the only one at the hospital. Around midnight, Lillian was in so much pain she felt like she was dying. When she turned over, she saw the pillow was covered in strands of her hair.
Her chest tightened; tears welled in her eyes.
Susan tried to comfort her. “Once you get better, it’ll grow back.”
Lillian sniffled. “Where’s Ethan?”
Even her voice was weak when she spoke.
“He said he’s tied up in Rivermount with an important business partner,” Susan replied.
That was what Madeline had told her.
She said Ethan was meeting with someone significant these couple of days–someone they really needed to lock down. The deal wasn’t even finalized yet.
At a time like this, there couldn’t be any mistakes.
Originally, because Lillian was in so much pain, Susan had called Ethan, hoping he’d step in and try something else with Rianne and Eddie.
Stella had lied to them, so that path was closed. But they couldn’t afford to give up.
Instead of Ethan, Madeline picked up.
She chewed Susan out over the phone and, before hanging up, threw one last sharp line at her. “Even if Lillian dies in the next couple of days, don’t come crying to Ethan”
Hearing Madeline talk about the child she’d raised like that… of course, Susan felt awful.
But she didn’t dare say anything back. She had no choice but to swallow it all..
The Reed family’s company was going downhill fast. The Keene family had used them up and tossed them aside.
So when Susan heard all that
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