Stella settled into the chair by Clint’s bedside, her expression serene yet weighed down with worry.
She whispered silent prayers for his recovery, her eyes never straying from his peaceful face.
After some time, she went to the bathroom in the ward. It was there she noticed blood staining her underwear. Assuming it to be her period, Stella quickly freshened up and returned to Clint’s side, brushing the incident aside without much thought.
In the hospital’s bustling corridor, Fernando appeared in a flurry, his arms laden with documents. He had also sent the mall’s surveillance footage straight to Matthew’s phone, following up on his late-night instructions. After pulling an all-nighter to piece together every detail, Fernando now stood silently by, awaiting Matthew’s next move.
Matthew’s jaw tightened as he reviewed the footage. His expression grew stormier with each passing second. Finally, he barked out, “Send Betsey and Leona back to Osemery first thing tomorrow.”
He was determined to keep them from creating any further chaos in Stella’s life.
Robin spent the night indulging in alcohol at the bar, stumbling home as the first Light of dawn crept over the horizon.
Barely managing to stay upright, he staggered out of the elevator to his apartment floor, only to be greeted by the sound of Betsey’s fiery voice echoing down the hallway.
At his doorstep, three men in sharp suits were manhandling Betsey and Leona, attempting to force them away.
Nearby, Lindsay sat in her wheelchair, her cheeks flushed with worry, looking utterly unsure of how to intervene Robin’s protective instincts kicked in instantly. He stepped forward, brushing the men’s hands aside with a firm shove and positioning himself like a human shield in front of Betsey.
“Who are you?” he barked, his voice sharp and laced with anger, his glare cutting through them like a blade.
One of the men, unfazed, replied in a flat tone, “We’re acting on Matthew’s orders to escort the Wheeler family back.”
With Robin now in front of her, Betsey’s confidence flared.
“We’re not leaving! Even if Matthew has a lot of influence in Seamarsh, he doesn’t have the right to kick us out of here!” she snapped, her voice ringing with defiance.
The men didn’t budge. “We’re just following instructions,” one of them retorted evenly. “Your cooperation would be appreciated.”
Leona, her face flushed with righteous fury, Lashed out, saying, “Matthew’s gone too far this time! He’s nothing but an arrogant bully.”
Still slightly drunk, Robin smirked arrogantly and slurred, “The Wheeler family saved Matthew’s sorry life, and this is how he repays us? If he’s not careful, we might just take it right back!”
His words were reckless, dripping with thinly veiled threats.
The men’s expressions darkened; they clearly didn’t expect this level of audacity.
Lindsay, sensing things spiraling out of control, frowned at Robin.
“Robin, enough! Go sober up before you make things worse.”
Her tone was firm but edged with concern, as she knew his current state was a powder keg ready to explode.
Robin, undeterred and brimming with bravado, shot back. “I don’t fear Matthew. If he’s got the nerve, let him face me himself. I’ll take him on, one-on-one!” His tone was sharp, his eyes blazing with defiance and challenge.
Lindsay let out a heavy sigh, her shoulders sagging under the weight of the chaos. She glanced around helplessly, unable to find an easy way to de-escalate the situation.