coming up. We’ll have more than enough to laugh about later. For now, let’s get back to business.
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Chapter 256 Preparing for Change
Tessa said, “Huh? You actually have something serious for me?”
“What, I can’t?”
“You can! Tell me, are we e going after the Reed family or Ethan? Whatever it is just send me the dirt.”
Stella’s mouth twitched.
In Tessa’s mind, me taking someone down counts as serious business?
“Did the Keene family pressure you after last time?”
After Tessa had so bluntly exposed the Keene family’s scandal, there was no way they hadn’t tried to retaliate.
Tessa sported coldly. “You think I’d be scared of them?”
“I’m just worried about Auntie.”
“My mom’s no pushover.”
Stella fell silent.
Fair enough.
Tessa’s mother had singlehandedly carved out her own place in Rivermount while raising a child alone.
It hadn’t been just sweetness and kindness that got her there. Without real capability, there would be no Night Corp.
“So, who are we taking down?”
“No one, Stella said
“Really? Then what is it?”
I’m heading back to Fleule. I was wondering if you’re interested in taking over my studio.”
Tessa’s reaction was immediate. “What? You’re leaving Rivermount? When?”
“Probably in about half a month.”
After weighing it carefully, Stella had decided she couldn’t leave the studio unattended.
It wasn’t a place she would come back to often anymore.
Tessa said, “That’s so sudden.”
“It’s not really sudden.”
The moment Abraham came to find her, she had known there would be a deadline for her time here.
Tessa hesitated. “But I have no experience with that stuff”
“If you just keep the original team, pay everyone on time, you won’t need to worry much.”
Up until now, every project the studio had taken had been done with care and effort. The clients who came were all drawn by its reputation.
–
Tessa suggested, “How about this- I’ll manage it for you. You stay the majority shareholder. How’s that?”
“Stella, you’re just the adopted daughter of the Luke family. No one knows what the future holds.”
Tessa cut her off before she could finish.
It wasn’t a
curse.
Tessa was genuinely worried about her.
“You opened that studio back then to give yourself a safety net. You think I don’t know? And your brother’s feelings for you. I’ve seen them with my own eyes,
Tessa didn’t finish the rest of her thoughts.
Because she didn’t know Abraham’s true standing within the Dawson family, she worried whether he could really protect Stella
Jonathan hadn’t even managed to get his own son’s name registered.
After all, the Luke family was the kind of old–money aristocracy where bloodlines mattered deeply.
And no one really knew how Stella’s adoptive mother felt about her either.
Tessa was thinking ahead for her.
Listening to her, Stella felt a warmth spread through her chest.
“Baby, you really are the best to me.”
Tessa was the first person in Rivermount who had ever truly cared for her.
Ironically, it had nothing to do with the Reed family at all.
“So, we’re doing it my way?”
Stella hesitated. “There’s really no need… My mom’s not as complicated as you think. I can handle it.”
She had grown up under her mother’s roof. She knew exactly what to do if it came down to it.
If nothing else worked, she could always fall back on the old tactics her mother had taught her: cry, act spoiled, beg for hugs….
But Tessa didn’t back down. “Just do as I say.”
She was truly worried Stella would face trouble once she returned to Fleule. Judging by how aggressively Abraham had pursued her, this return would not be simple.
Stella finally gave in. “Alright, fine. I’ll listen to you.”
Her heart was warm and full.
Stella slept through the entire morning.
When she went downstairs, she saw Abraham on the phone, his expression not looking good.
Eddie hovered nearby like a guilty dog, sneaking glances at Abraham nervously.
The scene told Stella everything this was definitely about Evie.
The moment Eddie spotted her, it was like he’d seen salvation. He rushed over. “Stella, you’ve got to say something nice for Eviel
Stella was speechless.
Isn’t dark skin supposed to make it easier to hide at night?
It’s broad daylighet
And it’s snowing!Shouldn’t she be sticking out like a sore thumb?
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