Shadows Between Us (Stella and Sebastian) novel Chapter 148

Chapter 148

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As they came downstairs, Vera was chatting with Lila, Giana, and another woman. The woman gave her back to them, but her flashy red dress was impossible to miss.

Stella glanced over at Hazel with a blank expression and saw Hazel trailing behind Blake. Anyone who didn’t know better would think she was his date.

Meanwhile, a group of businessmen, who had once looked down on Blake were now shamelessly trying to get on his good side.

Blake forced a stiff smile, and when he saw Stella coming down, he kept shooting her desperate “help me” looks.

Stella didn’t even bother to acknowledge him.

Vera called out, “Camilla, Stella, over here.” She waved them over, and right then, the woman in the red dress turned to look at them.

It was Lauren, no doubt about it. The moment Lauren recognized Stella, her smile instantly stiffened.

But Camilla’s eyes were glued to Lauren’s neck. The same ruby necklace she’d just seen in that photo was sitting there as it belonged, and her features instantly contorted with anger.

Her eyes flashed with a dangerous red. ‘Carter family, you’ve really crossed the line, Camilla fumed to herself.

“See those bodyguards? If you charge in now, you’ll only make things worse for yourself. Think about your little girl,” Stella’s voice cut in, cool and casual, just for Camilla’s ears, right as she was about to snap.

With a sharp snap, Camilla’s fingernail broke off in her clenched fist.

“Put on a smile,” Stella said.

Camilla forced a stiff smile onto her face and walked over to Vera and the others.

Vera flashed a fawning smile. “This is Lauren, Carlos’s daughter. Lauren, meet my sister-in-law Camilla and my niece Stella.” She made the introductions all around.

Camilla hid her bloodied, broken-nailed hand behind her back and forced out, “Nice to meet you, Ms. Gray.

Lauren was left speechless.

Lauren glanced at Camilla, ready to show off, but suddenly felt awkward. She instinctively fiddled with the ruby necklace at her throat, only to hear Stella’s cold, mocking laugh. “Carlos’s daughter, huh?”

Stella’s eyes narrowed with sarcasm. “Funny, I heard Carlos and Annette only have one son. So where’d this daughter come from? Vera, you sure you haven’t been played?”

Lauren and Giana were left speechless. All Vera could do was freeze, utterly speechless and humiliated.

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Chapter 148

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Giana frowned. ‘Seriously, she’s just some nobody from a small family. Who blurts out private matters like that in front of everyone? Isn’t she just asking for trouble?’ she thought.

Lauren let out a cold laugh. “Oh, come on, you know exactly who I am.” Her words made Vera and Giana freeze for a second.

‘Wait, do they actually know each other?’ both of them wondered.

“That’s the one I was talking about…” Giana said, keeping it vague and not saying more.

Lauren was left speechless. ‘Hold up, she’s the girl Giana just mentioned, the one they picked out for David?’ she thought, a flash of surprise crossing her mind.

She was about to throw some shade at that bitch Stella and Sebastian, but then she paused. This was the perfect chance to watch Stella crash and burn.

‘It’s like the universe is handing me a golden ticket,’ Lauren thought, a sly grin creeping onto her face.

Vera shot Camilla a subtle look, asking for her opinion, but Camilla just clenched her jaw and shook her head.

Vera frowned. ‘Useless. Absolutely useless,’ she thought to herself, annoyed.

Lauren suddenly let out a mocking laugh. “You really don’t know anything, do you? That guy’s been dead for ages.

“His eldest son got him, his younger son, and his daughter-in-law killed. And that nephew? He cut him out of his mother’s corpse with his own hands.”

Her words dripped with malice, and even a fool could hear it.

Stella’s eyes went frosty, her usual laid-back attitude vanishing. She just stared at Lauren, cold as ice.

Lauren’s voice was loud enough for everyone nearby to hear, and the room was instantly filled with whispers.

Suddenly, there was a commotion at the entrance.

A servant burst into the room, practically tripping over themselves like they were being chased by a ghost. “Mr. Gray is here.”

That one sentence sent everyone reeling. The whole place erupted in an uproar.

Lauren’s smug grin froze on her face, replaced by pure panic. She never in a million years thought Sebastian would actually show up at tonight’s party. This was the first time he’d set foot in a formal event since everything went down.

The Lane couple was just as shocked. Frank’s hand actually trembled, and he instinctively glanced toward the entrance. He looked like he’d just seen a ghost.

‘Seriously? No one told me Mr. Gray was coming to my own party?’ Frank thought, totally thrown off.

“Mom, who’s Mr. Gray?” Lila asked, looking totally lost. Vera just shook her head. “Don’t ask, honey.”

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Chapter 148

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Vera had only ever heard rumors about him, never seen him in person. The Morris family was way out of their league compared to the Gray, Pierce, and Chase families, and she’d bent over backwards just to get Lauren to even talk to her.

Everyone else looked totally caught off guard by the whole thing.

Stella just stood there, totally unfazed.

Before anyone could even react, a squad of bodyguards in black, radiating a deadly aura, stormed in first.

Each one was over six feet tall and looked like professional fighters, intimidating as hell, and nobody in their right mind would dare mess with them.

That was when Allan wheeled Sebastian in, seated in his wheelchair.

Sebastian was dressed in a custom black suit that made him look like he’d just crawled out of the depths of the ocean, icy, untouchable.

His face was ghostly pale, completely expressionless, and the air around him was so cold and suffocating that everyone in the room held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

Sebastian lowered his gaze, absently rolling a string of black prayer beads between his long, elegant fingers. Each knuckle was like a work of art.

The air around Sebastian was thick with danger. His killing intent was so intense that it felt like the whole room was suffocating.

Hazel’s grip loosened, and her wine glass slipped right out of her hand. It dropped straight to the floor. Glass shattered everywhere.

‘That’s him!’ Hazel’s mind reeled, her heart nearly leaping out of her chest.

‘That silent guy at Nova Mall, the one who ran the whole show from the shadows. So, he’s Mr. Gray? The one everyone talks about as if he’s a legend? Compared to him, Blake’s not even in the same league. Hazel was floored.

Her heart was pounding like crazy. She instinctively shot a look at Vera and Giana. Their faces were ghostly pale, totally scared stiff, just like her. Not a single person dared to speak.

The whole party hall was dead silent.

After all these years, I’m finally seeing Sebastian again. Everyone’s eyes were locked on him. Sure, Carlos had kicked him out as the boss of Gray Group, but that natural presence he had was impossible to ignore.

Not a single soul in the room could hold a candle to him.

“M-Mr. Gray, you’re here?” Frank rushed over, forcing a smile, but inside he was silently cursing his luck.

Sebastian acted like he didn’t even exist. His gaze swept across the hall, clearly searching for someone. Everyone followed his gaze, confused and curious.

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Stella smiled helplessly.

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Suddenly, a pudgy little gray fluffball peeked out from Sebastian’s chest pocket, fluttering its stubby wings as it launched itself into the air above the silent party hall.

Everyone was stunned into silence.

They stared up in awe at the round, fuzzy creature. If they hadn’t seen it for themselves, they’d never believed that something so adorable could possibly belong to cold-as-ice Sebastian.

Seriously, this was unreal. Eggie seemed to spot something and dove straight toward it. Finally, it landed right on someone’s shoulder.

Everyone turned to look. Every eye in the room was glued to Stella. Stella and Eggie locked eyes.

‘Pet me! Pet me!’ Eggie demanded, practically vibrating with excitement, its fluffy little body begging for

attention.

The little peregrine falcon kept rubbing its round head against Stella, acting all cuddly. Seriously, it looked just like a plushie came to life.

Stella smiled.

“Stella, this bird is so cute,” Hazel said, suddenly appearing at her side.

She gazed at the peregrine falcon with envy practically written all over her face, feeling super jealous inside. ‘Why does Stella always get all the good stuff?’

Last time at Nova Mall, they ran into the higher-ups and got roasted by Nova Group’s legal team.

‘But now, Mr. Gray’s bird just randomly lands on Stella’s shoulder? Why can’t something awesome like that ever happen to me?’ Hazel couldn’t help but sulk.

Thinking this, Hazel reached out, wanting to pet Eggie.

Stella shot Hazel a look that clearly said, “You really shouldn’t.”

But the very next second, Hazel shrieked as Eggie suddenly lunged at her finger. Eggie bit down, tearing off a chunk of her finger. Blood gushed out instantly.

“Hazel!” Camilla cried out in shock.

Everyone was speechless. If they hadn’t seen it for themselves, nobody would’ve believed that something so tiny could be that savage. It actually ripped off skin and flesh in one go?!

Allan sucked in a breath through his teeth.

Allan instinctively reached up and rubbed the little bruise by his eye. ‘So, Eggie really was going easy on me, huh?’ he thought, a bit amused.

‘Eggie’s such a good boy, Allan thought, getting a little choked up.

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“Oh my god.” Lila rushed over, snapping at Stella. “How could you just let your bird go wild and hurt someone?” She didn’t even dare look at Sebastian. She just took all her anger out on Stella.

‘Let my bird go wild and hurt someone?’ Stella thought, a little amused. “That’s a fresh accusation.

“Bullshit! She was the one shoving herself at Stella.” Blake stormed over with his crew, not even hesitating. “Are you blind or what?” He glared daggers at Lila.

‘She’s not even in the same league,’ Blake sneered at himself.

‘Does she really think she can talk to Stella like that?’ Blake thought, rolling his eyes.

Stella smiled. Hazel clutched her bleeding finger, staring at Blake in utter disbelief.

‘Why is he sticking up for Stella? Didn’t he hate Starfall? Last time, he even said he was going to make her pay,’ Hazel thought, her mind spinning.

“M-Mr. Gray?” Frank stammered, cold sweat dripping as Sebastian stayed silent.

But then, the whir of his wheelchair cut through the tension, and everyone scrambled out of the following him as he moved.

way, all eyes

Hazel’s heart was pounding in her throat, and even Lila, who was supporting her, felt her own heart hammering in her chest.

Sebastian rolled up to them, his face cold as ever.

“M-Mr. Gray, really, it’s fine, it doesn’t hurt at all. It’s just your bird’s a little wild, so maybe people shouldn’t get too close,” Hazel said, her voice soft and pitiful, eyes drooping in that classic sweet, innocent act.

Sebastian lifted his hand, and Hazel’s eyes sparkled. She reached out eagerly.

“Get lost,” Blake snapped, shoving her aside without a second thought.

Hazel was so mortified she wished the ground would swallow her up.

Sebastian reached out to Stella, prayer beads dangling from his wrist, radiating an intense, almost monk-like restraint. His long, elegant fingers hovered in the air, palm up.

Everyone else just stood there, dumbfounded, watching the scene unfold. Lauren was secretly smirking to herself.

Stella lifted her hand to her shoulder, her fingers curling invitingly, and Eggie hopped up, acting all cute and innocent, as if it hadn’t just gone full savage on Hazel a moment ago.

Hazel bit her lip, watching, a mix of disbelief and envy in her eyes.

Seriously, if she hadn’t been here herself, she’d think someone had switched out that savage fluffball for a totally different bird.

“Mr. Gray,” Stella said, lifting her gaze to meet Sebastian’s. Her hand lined up with his, letting Eggie hop

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smoothly from her to Sebastian, like they’d done this a hundred times before.

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Eggie tilted its fluffy little head, glanced left and right, then hopped right back into Sebastian’s palm and let him stuff it back into his pocket.

Sebastian hummed, his lashes so long and pretty they put most women to shame, casting a shadow over his face. He occasionally shot her a sidelong glance.

Feeling Vera and Giana’s curious stares on her, Stella put on a polite, distant smile, just enough to keep them from suspecting anything.

Sebastian rolled his eyes. His eyes were pure ice, and the chill radiating off him made everyone shiver.

“I haven’t even bothered to hold you accountable for sullying my pet,” Sebastian said, turning to Hazel with a look so cold it was like she didn’t even exist. There wasn’t a trace of warmth in his eyes.

‘He’s just venting his anger on me,’ Hazel thought, frustration bubbling up inside her.

Eggie poked its fuzzy little head out again, fluffy and adorable.

But after that bloody lesson, everyone had just one thought: ‘It’s all just for show.’

Hazel thought, ‘Seriously? Stella just petted it, too. So, why isn’t he throwing shade at her? What’s his problem?’

All around, people shot Hazel mocking and sarcastic looks. These were all rich old foxes. Her lame attempts to get a guy’s attention were so obvious that nobody even cared.

Vera frowned. She couldn’t help but think, ‘Clearly, Camilla never taught Hazel how to behave. Embarrassing herself in front of everyone like that? Lila would never be so out of line,’ she thought, feeling smug.

‘People from these small-time families just never know how to act,’ Vera scoffed to herself.

“Mr. Gray, uh, what are you doing here?” Frank was sweating bullets. Sebastian was always a wild card. Back when he lived in Haliville, one never knew what he’d do next.

Ever since he holed up on that private island, things had been quiet, but now he just shows up out of nowhere? Frank was freaking out inside.

His heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might jump out of his chest.

“Just here to wait for someone. Don’t mind me,” Sebastian said, his voice dropping the temperature in the party hall by a few degrees, icy and suffocating.

With that, he wheeled himself off to the other side.

‘Wait, he’s here waiting for someone?’ The whole room froze, everyone staring at each other in shock. ‘Who could this living legend possibly be waiting for?’

People exchanged nervous glances, eyes darting around the room. No one had a clue who Sebastian, the infamous troublemaker, was here for.

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Blake and his gang of dudes kept sneaking glances at Stella, while Lauren let out a cold, expectant laugh. She was practically itching to see what would happen if Sebastian caught someone messing with his precious pet.

Lauren gripped her champagne glass, barely able to hide the wicked grin curling at the corner of her mouth.

She was determined to keep it under wraps that Sebastian was here for Stella. No way was she letting anyone find out.

On that side, the vibe was tense and unpredictable. Giana shot Vera a meaningful look; tonight had already gone way off the rails, and all they could hope for now was that nothing else would blow up.

Vera nodded. She discreetly snapped open a tiny ampoule and, making sure no one was watching, slipped it into someone else’s drink. She gave the glass a gentle swirl.

Before anyone could notice, Giana stepped forward, blocking everyone’s view. “Go get Ms. Carter’s wound taken care of. We don’t want it getting infected.”

Vera pulled off the whole thing without batting an eye, then slipped the empty ampoule back into her pocket as if nothing had happened.

She said, “Stella, I didn’t get a chance to introduce you earlier. This is Giana. Why don’t you offer her a toast?”

Vera smiled as she handed the champagne to Stella.

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17:02 Sat, Jan 24