novelxo Chapter 123
Chapter 123
“Nope,” Stella denied, her fingers hovering over Brian’s shirt buttons. But he pulled her in close and wrapped his arm around her waist.
Her heart fluttered as she locked eyes with him,
“Your uncle’s bound to stir up trouble again,” Brian cautioned. “Remember the pain they caused you. Don’t
go easy on them.”
Stella nodded, her cheeks burning red. “Got it.”
“Now, what’s got you all flushed?” he teased, leaning in so close their lips nearly touched.
Stella’s heart raced. Avoiding his gaze, her eyes were locked on his lips. “Nothing, just let me finish buttoning your shirt.”
“Do you have a thing for me?” He suddenly grinned, as if he could see right through her.
Caught off guard, Stella’s eyes flickered. “Not a chance.
“But your face is saying something else,” Brian teased, pulling her in closer.
“Now that you realize I’m the one who treats you right, are you starting to develop feelings for me?”
Stella felt uneasy and turned her head away. “Stop holding me like this. Let me go.”
“You haven’t even said thank you yet,” Brian remarked, his eyes fixed on her full lips.
“I just did, didn’t I?”
“But this is the kind of thank you I’m after,” he said before kissing her.
Stella’s breath caught in her throat.
This kiss felt different. It was unlike any kiss they had before.
While she had been reluctant in the past, this time she felt a stirring in her heart, her emotions swirling
inside.
Already drawn to him, once she was moved, her feelings became unstoppable.
As Stella walked into the studio, she was still a bit zoned out. She stared blankly at the stack of drawings
on the table.”
Yelena waved a hand in front of her face. “Earth to Stellie? What’s on your mind?”
Stella shook herself out of her reverie. “Oh, nothing. What’s up?”
She noticed Yelena had a bag slung over her shoulder!
“I’m heading to Seamar for a business trip this afternoon. Just wanted to give you a heads up.” Yelena
said.
“Alright.” Stella offered, “Need a lift to the airport?”
“Nah, Caleb’s giving me a ride.” Yelena replied. There was a sweet smile on her face.
Seeing Yelena’s happiness put Stella at ease. Once Yelena left, Stella dove into her work..
At dusk, Claudia and her daughter Blair showed up, as expected.
“Ms. Yates, your relatives are here to see you,” Xenia called out to Stella..
Stella came downstairs to meet them.
Claudia immediately attempted to kneel in front of Stella. “Stella, please, you can’t treat your uncle like
this…”
Stella quickly stopped her and led them to the sitting room.
With tears in her eyes, Claudia said, “Stella, I beg you to forgive and forget. You will always be part of the Yates family.
“If you kick your uncle out of the Yates Group, it’ll be like cutting us off from our own name.
“Besides, at his age, where else can he go? Can you bear to see your own family suffer?”
“Yeah, Stella,” Blair chimed in. “And think about Grandma. She’s in her eighties. If she finds out, it’ll break
her heart.”
Stella smiled faintly. “Uncle Chris brought this on himself.”
“How can you say that?” Blair snapped, her expression cold. “Do you have any respect for your elders?”
“Blair,” Claudia interjected, tears streaming down her face.
“Chris messed up, no doubt. He was foolish, lured by that Hark guy to gamble on a cruise. Who knew he would lose hundreds of thousands?
“Terence forced him into it, threatening to cut off his fingers if he didn’t comply. Chris was scared.
“But Stella, believe me, I’ve scolded him. Your uncle really is sorry. He hasn’t eaten since last night.”