Chapter 82 Battle Ready
Tessa mumbled, “What kind of bug is that aggressive?”
Stella was silent.
What kind? Not a question she could answer.
Tessa glanced at the stiff bodyguard standing not far away and could not help but cringe. “Your brother really dotes on you,
hub
Just to make sure she did not eat unhealthy food, he sent someone to tail her.
Stella rolled her eyes. “You don’t think that’s just a bit too controlling?”
Tessa smirked, “That kind of controlling brother? I’ll take a dozen! Love that stuff.”
Stella shot her a look. “You’re hopeless. You actually want someone to keep tabs on you.”
Most people fought tooth and nail for a little freedom from their families.
Back in Falvaria, several of her girlfriends had rebelled exactly because their parents were too strict.
But Tessa only shrugged. “You don’t get it. I’ve raised myself my whole life. I want someone nagging me!”
Stella’s hand paused mid–air, chopsticks in mid–reach. Her gaze softened with a hint of sorrow as she looked at her friend.
Tessa’s life… started on hard mode.
Stella had been abandoned by her nanny, sure, but the Dawson family, who took her in, had never treated her badly.
But Tessa? Her father bailed the moment she was born. A textbook deadbeat.
Her mother, too busy trying to make ends meet, left her with an aunt, sending only money each month. Even when her mother later made it big and became one of Rivermount’s top businesswomen, she never really came back into Tessa’s life.
They still did not even live together.
“If you really had someone like that, you’d just find them annoying. Stella tried to comfort her.
Tessa pouted. “You just don’t know how lucky you are.” But she let it go. “What matters is I don’t have to worry about you starving in the Reed family anymore.”
Stella chuckled but did not bother responding about the Reeds..
Honestly, even thinking about them was exhausting. Words failed her when it came to describing their stupidity.
“How’s your mom?” she asked instead.
“She’s great. Too great, actually.” Tessa snorted. “She’s always busy making money, even though she already has piles of it. Honestly, with the way she hustles, it’s like she’s trying to bludgeon someone to death with cash”
When it came to her mother, Tessa never quite knew what to say. It was not that there was no affection. Every month, her nother handed her a generous allowance.
She was never stingy with money. But as for company, for warmth and presence, those had never been part of the deal.
“Has she?” Stella asked with a half–smile.
“Oh, probably. It feels like she’s on some kind of mission. To surpass someone and crush them under her heel”
Every time money came up,
- p. Tessa could sense a kind of hatred in her mother’s tone.
Chapter 82 Battle Ready
+8 Pearls
anymore.
“Alright, enough of this depressing stuff. Let’s talk about Ethan and the Reeds.”
“That’s depressing too, Stella muttered.
They were always the common thread in her most frustrating family conversations.
Tessa stuffed a bland mushroom into her mouth and sighed. Way too light on flavor. For someone used to spice, this was practically tasteless.
Tm just saying Jonathan is a schemer. And Ethan? He’s brainless when it comes to Lilian. They’re definitely going to mess with your studio.”
She was not worried about open conflict. Stella had her powerful brother behind her, after all.
But those two liked to pull dirty tricks in the dark. Especially Lilian. A manipulative little snake who knew how to sweet–talk. and scheme behind the scenes..
Stella gave her a nod. “Don’t worry. I’m ready for anything. Whether they come at me in the open or from the shadows.” Let them come. I’ll dismantle every move they made. And in the end? The one getting burned would never be me
Tessa relaxed at that
The other side was clearly getting desperate, and they would resort to anything. But Stella? She was ready and waiting. If they dared come for her, she would make sure they fell right into their own trap.
“Good,” Tessa said, nodding. Just say the word if you ever need help from me. I’m not scared of them.”
Send Gifts
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