Queen of Wild Cards novel Chapter 570

He yanked her flush against his chest, wrapping his arms around her in a crushing embrace as he chanted her name like a prayer. "Stella. Stella, I love you. I love you so damn much."

This incredible woman had finally carved out a permanent place for him in her heart. He was happier in this moment than any billion-dollar acquisition could ever make him.

"I love you too, Julius."

He was squeezing her so tightly she could barely breathe.

She had literally stolen that cheesy line from one of those soapy web shorts she watched, never expecting it would send him into such a dizzying tailspin.

But her love for him was entirely real, and the brooch was a genuine symbol of her devotion.

Driven by Julius's overwhelming emotion and his desperate need to show her exactly how much she meant to him, Stella was thoroughly and passionately devoured that afternoon.

...

A few days after settling back into the city, Stella gathered her close friends for dinner to hand out the souvenirs.

Carter was the most excited of the group. "Stella, this is hands down the greatest gift anyone has ever given me. I'm locking this in a vault."

"Glad you like it." His gift was by far the most expensive, encrusted with the most radiant, flawless diamonds of the bunch.

"How was South Africa, Stella?" Sabrina asked, sipping her drink.

"It was a lot of fun."

It was fun for her, at least. Anyone else who found themselves dodging bullets on a corporate trip with Julius probably wouldn't share the sentiment.

What kind of person found getting hunted by international mercenaries on a romantic getaway "fun"?

Most people would have returned home with severe PTSD.

Not only that, but she had casually uncovered her biological father, who just happened to be the wealthiest tycoon in the continent, and who had promptly handed her a ten-billion-dollar allowance.

Sylvie hadn't known Chloe existed until last year when Stella had visited the campus to buy that custom perfume from Zane Morton. When they grabbed lunch afterward, the family connection came up.

So when her cousin texted her the gossip about Chloe vanishing, Sylvie had naturally been curious.

Unfortunately, her cousin was completely in the dark regarding the details.

"Oh," Stella replied smoothly. If Sylvie didn't know, there was no point pushing it.

She never gave a damn about Frederick's side of the family to begin with. Now that she knew he wasn't even her real father, she wanted absolutely nothing to do with that toxic bloodline.

Sitting next to them, Cecilia Eames pouted playfully, crossing her arms. "Stella, why didn't you ask me about my classes? I have tons of fun gossip!"

"Alright, let's hear it. What's so interesting at your school?"

Stella chuckled. There hadn't been any strategic reason to ask her, but Cecilia was acting like a jealous puppy demanding attention.