Chapter 100
The reporters swiveled their attention back to the three members of the Hayes family, their expressions a mix of panic and disbelief, frozen like deer in headlights.
Stella’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. “Soon, the police will come for you. They say the wheels of justice turn slowly, but they never stop. You thought you hid your crimes well–but you were wrong.”
With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving them standing there, utterly unraveled.
The media swarmed after her, hungry for more details about the Hayes family’s s abuse. But Stella shut them down with a pained shake of her head. “I can’t relive this right now. It’s too much.”
Some journalists pushed harder, angling for an exclusive interview. “Maybe later,” she said quietly, “when I’ve had time to recover.” Still, they shoved business cards into her hands–this story was gold, and none of them wanted to miss out.
Meanwhile, Jordan watched the trio’s frantic expressions, sensing their desperation to flee. He pulled out his phone and dialed his assistant.
“Keep an eye on those three,” he said, voice low and dangerous. “I don’t care what you have to do–just make sure they don’t slip away before the police get to them.”
“Understood.” His assistant didn’t need further explanation. Jordan had a reputation for being ruthless when crossed.
Jordan had planned to deal with the Hayes family later–but they just kept pushing. Stella had walked away, yet they still came after her. Fine. They’d brought this on themselves.
By the time the Hayes family arrived at the police station, they were a bloody, battered mess–so much so that even the officers recoiled. “What the hell happened to you?” one cop asked, brow furrowed.
Andrew, Fiona, and Anna collapsed onto the floor, wailing. “You have to help us,” Fiona sobbed. “Stella did this. She lured the press away so her people could ambush us. How could she turn on her own family like this?”
Each of them bore brutal injuries, but Anna was the worst–barely conscious, her body a canvas of bruises. They’d begged their attackers to take her to a hospital, but instead, they’d been dumped here. ‘If she dies…”
The officer frowned. “Your daughter did this?”
“Yes,” Fiona spat, venom dripping from her voice. “That ungrateful bitch! After everything we’ve done for her, she repays us like
this?”
“You mean Stella?”
“Yes, Anna is her own twin sister! What kind of monster beats her sibling half to death?” Fiona shouted.
“Why would she attack you?”
Fiona’s mouth snapped shut. “It–it’s about Troy,” she muttered, then quickly backtracked. “Forget that. Just get us to a hospital before Anna bleeds out.”
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Just then, a phone rang. The officer who answered listened for a moment, then nodded sharply. “Gof it. Hanging up, he barked orders. “Lock them up. Now.”
Fiona and Andrew were bewildered. As officers began dragging them away, they protested frantically, “We’re injured. Look at in
“Don’t worry,” the cop said flatly. “We’ve got ointment for you.”
“But Anna–she needs a hospital!” Fiona cried.
“She won’t die here,” the officer replied dismissively before shoving them inside.
Stella had no idea any of this had happened–until Max showed up at her doorstep.
“Stella,” he began, jaw clenched, “I get that we’ve wronged you. But hiring thugs to beat up Mom and Dad? That’s too far. They’re already going to prison–wasn’t that enough for you? They’re your parents. And Anna… your own twin sister.”
Stella had expected nothing good from him, but the accusation still stung. Her voice was icy. “So this is why you came? To lecture me?”
Max’s lips pressed into a thin line. “How could you turn into this? After everything our family’s done for you, this is how you repay us?”
Her eyes burned, but she refused to let the tears fall, turning her face away. “Max, that day at home, I never wanted to answer your call. It was Jordan who insisted on hearing you out.”
She exhaled. “I knew you wouldn’t actually regret anything or believe me if I said I had nothing to do with it. But since I’ve already cut ties with the Hayes family, here’s my answer: Get out. Now. Or I won’t be polite.”
Max’s face twisted in frustration. “Stella, I did regret it that day! Whether Anna was the only one behind what happened to you or not, 1–we–ignored you for years. We always assumed you were fine, even when you were sick.
“You’d bounce back without medicine, so we thought you were invincible. That was our mistake, and it kills me to think about it now.”
His voice cracked. “You tried to get close to me so many times, and I pushed you away. These days, just remembering what I did makes my head spin. I wanted to reach out, but I was too ashamed. I know I deserve this.”
He took a step forward, pleading. “But why can’t you give us a chance? Feuds should be resolved, not deepened–especially between family. I know I can make Mom, Dad, and Anna see reason.
“But if you’re the one who had them beaten half to death… what am I supposed to do? Do you really want to spend the rest of your life pretending we don’t exist?”
Stella heard no real remorse in his words–only blame. As if Andrew and Fiona’s actions were something she was supposed to forgive. Then why hadn’t he stopped them/in the first place?
“Max,” she said coldly, “have you considered what would’ve happened if I hadn’t gone to that press conference? They would’ve smeared me all over again. I’m Jordan’s wife now–their lies affect him too,”
Her gaze hardened. “Say what you want, but Jordan’s never treated me poorly. In fact, he’s been nothing but good to me. Is it wrong to want to protect the people who actually care about me?”
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Chapter 100
She crossed her arms. “If you really want reconciliation, start by making them stop hurting me. But you can’t even control them, so don’t waste your breath on me. I’ve suffered enough.”
A beat of silence passed before she added, voice devoid of emotion: “And as for you, Max? Even if you dropped dead in front of me today, I wouldn’t shed a single tear.”
Max stared at her, stunned. Then, he remembered how Stella used to dote on him. She had to be saying this out of anger. Stella had always adored him, had been the kindest to him in the whole family–she wouldn’t mean it.
Stella turned to leave, and Max, lost in thought, continued walking ahead. So distracted that he didn’t even notice the speeding truck heading straight for him.
The truck blared its horn, but Max didn’t react. The driver slammed the brakes, but it was too late–the impact sent Max flying.
