Chapter 105
Jordan’s here. The crowd stiffened. This was the moment they’d all feared. Sure, Jordan was powerful but Josy? Joey had military and pot
connections.
Joey might play the businessman, but in Seavale, his word was law. A vice president of the chamber, a man who could ruin lives with a phone can…
Jordan was young, his rise meteorle, but his roots shallow. They murd, ‘Can he really challenge Joey?‘ Yat his notorious brutality had earned him. enemies. “Would today force him to back downt
Joey’s foot was already mid–kick when the voice stopped him: He turned, lip curling. “Look who showed up Your wife’s got no manners–see what she did to mine? I’m just returning the laver. Got a problem with that?”
Kevin, who’d just arrived, had no context but knew one thing: Stella would never start a fight.
Before he could speak, Jordan cut in, his tone icy “My wife provoked yours? That’s your joke for the day?” He advanced, each step deliberate
Stella was completely shielded beneath Kevin–only her shorn hair and bloodied face visible. The exposed skin bore fresh bruses, and from what little could be seen, she might not even be fully clothed
Jordan’s anger burned hotter the longer he looked. He’d been delayed by something urgent before coming and never imagined Stella would walk into this kind of mess. If he’d known, he would’ve been here sooner
“I saw it with my own eyes!” Joey snapped coldly
Jordan moved to Stella’s side and motioned for Kevin to step back. Kevin knew he should, but the thought of leaving her exposed made him hesitate until he quickly started shrugging off his own jacket.
Jordan was faster. He’d already stripped off his coat and draped it over Stella before gathering her into his arms. His chest tightened at how fragile she looked
He’d never so much as laid a finger on her, and yet these people had dared to hurt her like this. “Look at her. You really expect me to believe she attacked
Joey’s gaze flickered over the bruises and cuts visible on Stella’s arms and legs. He said coldly. “I only believe what I saw.”
Jordan looked down at Stella, his voice softer but no less intense. “Tell me, whos
started it?”
Stella was barely conscious, but she knew Jordan wouldn’t let this go. He needed a reason–one she had to give him. “They did,” she whispered, her voice weak but clear in the silent hall
Stella continued, “Troy’s aunt said… she’d been waiting for a chance to teach me a lesson. Lonly fought back when I had the opportunity.
Joey scoffed loudly. “And who can prove that? Huh? Anyone?”
Kevin scanned the crowd, but no one stepped forward. He wanted to help, but he hadn’t witnessed it–what could he say?
A cold smirk curled Jordan’s lips. “Of course, no one dares speak up when you ask. But there are security cameras here–let’s just review the footage and see the truth for ourselves.”
Joey’s face darkened like a thundercloud, his glare boring into Jordan with undisguised warning
Without another word, Jordan scooped Stella into his arms and barked at his assistant, “Secure the premises. No one leaves–not a single person.”
“Jordan! What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Joey’s voice cracked with rage
“We’ll settle this later, Jordan shot back without turning
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“You wouldn’t dare touch me,” Joey’s eyes burned cimson as he stared at Jordan’s retreating back. When he tried to leave a
team blocked the path. “How dare you black my way!”
The assistant remained stone faced. “Mr. Erwin’s orders. No exceptions especially not for you (wm.”
“Do you even know who I am?” Joey snarled, pulling rank.
“answer to Mi. Erwin alone,” the assistant replied flatly.
When Jory attempted to force his way through, the assistant didn’t hesitate–hephysically restrained him. Jony, who’d never known defeat, coulder‘! believe he was being bested in public. After several failed attempts to overpower the man, he stood fuming, humiliated.
In the private lounge, hotel stall had summoned a doctor, Though Stella had no internal injuries, the external damage was horrifying enough— jagged cuts, purpling bruises, and raw abrasions covering her skin.
Jordan’s hands clenched into white–knuckled fists as he took in the damage, How much pain had she endured? The thought gutted him. “If only id arrived sooner–God damn it!‘
After her wounds were treated, Stella fell into an exhausted sleep. Jordan remained steadfast at her side, having obtained the surveillance footage from the hotel. With cold precision, he ordered copies delivered to Joey.
The video revealed the ugly truth: Stella had barely stepped into the venue before Lillian intercepted her. Within moments, without provocation, Lillian’s goons had attacked–beating Stella mercilessly, even tearing at her clothes.
But what truly shattered Jordan was seeing Stella’s scars for the first time. The lattice of old wounds crisscrossing her skin spoke of brutal mountain beatings. And that grotesque, jagged scar near her lower back–a kidney removal.
The crude, uneven stitching made it painfully clear they’d done it without anesthesia, carving into her flesh while she was fully conscious
His stomach churned imagining her agony. He’d thought he understood what she’d been through, but now he realized how much he still didn’t know- how much pain she’d hidden from him.
Not a single person in that crowd had stepped forward to help her. The only moment of reprieve came when Stella, summoning her last strength, had managed to fight back against Lillian.
But then Joey arrived. That ice–cold, murderous look in his eyes. If Kevin hadn’t shown up when he did, Jordan was certain Stella would be dead right
now.
Those three years they’d been apart–when he had no idea where she’d disappeared to–had been torture.
He’d spent every day scouring the internet, sometimes glued to his screen for hours, desperate for any sign she was still alive. If she had died… he would never have forgiven himself.
Nearly two hours later, Stella stirred awake. Jordan was at her side in an instant. “How are you feeling?” he asked, gently brushing hair from her forehead.
“Better,” she murmured, blinking up at him. “Why am I still here?”
“I haven’t settled accounts with them yet,” he said/jaw tightening. “We’re not leaving until this is finished. Do you think you can come back to the main
hall with me?”
The way he looked at her with such tenderness, such quiet pleading–made her breath catch. Her entire life, people had only ever looked down on her. Even when she excelled, even when she achieved more than anyone expected, it never mattered
Parent teacher conferences with no parents showing up. Everyone knew she was the Hayes family’s unwanted daughter, But this look in Jordan’s eyes. for the first time, Stella felt truly seen.
Chapter 105
She nodded. Jordan offered his arm, and she took it, steadying hersell Dressed in fresh clothes he’d provided, Stella straightene walked back toward the hall together.
C
