Shadows Between Us (Stella and Sebastian) novel Chapter 210

Chapter 210

“Then I’ll just make sure they never make it out alive,” Stella said.

Her voice sounded almost regretful, but her eyes flashed with a murderous glint.

Murray was speechless.

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He glanced past her shoulder, then leaned in and said, “A batch of mercenaries showed up in Haliville recently, but they’ve vanished after they landed.” With that, he signaled to his people and left.

Stella stood still.

Broderick quietly came up behind her. He said, “Stella, should we reach out to the Clinton family in Jaffina?”

His face was serious.

Stella replied coldly, “Why bother?”

Broderick said, “They might have some connection to you.”

Stella shot him a look.

That one look made Broderick swallow the rest of his words.

Stella said, “Why should I care who they are?”

All she cared about was keeping her word and getting the necklace back.

Broderick hesitated, saying, “But?”

Stella said, “Broderick, do you really think I need money?”

Broderick was at a loss for words.

He shook his head twice for emphasis.

Stella continued asking, “Then do you think I care about fame or status?”

Broderick was speechless again.

He shook his head.

Stella let out a cold laugh and said, “I am my own legacy. Who cares about the Clinton family?”

She’d always relied on herself for strength, not because she was connected to any so-called family.

“I get it,” Broderick said, his eyes flicking to something behind her, his expression turning subtly complicated.

Stella followed his gaze.

15:44 Tue, Feb 3

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Chapter 210

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There was Blake, still hugging her black backpack, looking like a kicked puppy as he smooshed his face against the glass door, his features all mashed up. The second he saw Stella glance his way, he instantly broke into a goofy grin.

Stella fell silent.

Her face stayed blank, but her fists subconsciously clenched.

She marched right up to Blake and yanked him by the ear.

Blake yelped, hopping around in pain. He said, “Ouch, ouch, Stella. That hurts.”

‘Why am I always the one getting picked on?’ Blake thought, feeling wronged.

Stella snapped, “Blake, you’re the CEO of Ion Wing Drones. And you’re still home having breakfast at this hour?”

She had been fuming ever since she saw him in his slippers and baggy shorts.

She had been holding back this whole time, until now.

Blake froze again.

‘Crap. She caught me,’ he thought.

Blake blurted out, “I’m sorry, Stella. I was up all night going over company files. I only got some sleep this morning. I swear, I’m really telling the truth, I promise.”

His ear felt like it was about to get ripped off.

Stella said, “Alright, so, how many patents does Ion Wing Drones have?”

Blake blurted out, “3285.”

He answered in a flash, voice almost cracking, “And 1102 of those are officially recognized patents.”

Stella’s expression softened a little.

Stella asked, “What about the components for Ion Wing Drones?”

Blake replied, “We’ve completely broken free from Monterra’s grip. Every single part is sourced right here in Clusia.” He paused, pride shining in his eyes. “Plus, Ion Wing Drones holds all the exclusive rights to our tech,”

He’d never really thought his grandpa’s work was all that impressive before.

After reviewing Ion Wing Drones’ history, he understood why Kendrick was driven to found the company. As a young man abroad, Kendrick was barred from touching a drone at a trade show simply for being Clusian.

The whole Clusia delegation got laughed at and looked down on the entire time.

Back in Clusia, against all odds, Ion Wing Drones came to life.

15:44 Tue, Feb 3

Chapter 210

The company’s motto was clear and bold.

It read: [Drones made by Clusians, for Clusians.]

:

Stella finally let go of Blake’s ear. He rubbed it, grumbling under his breath, “I really did read it.”

Eliel stepped forward, saying, “Ms. Carter, let me give you guys a ride back.”

Stella glanced up at him and replied, “Let’s go.”

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On the way back, Stella was idly twirling Blackie around her finger, her eyes glued to the screen of her custom-built ultra-thin laptop.

Blake leaned over, curiosity written all over his face. He asked, “Is that about the mercenaries?”

Eliel was left speechless.

Vincent, sitting in the passenger seat, was also speechless.

Eliel was just about to ask, but Vincent, in the passenger seat, clamped a hand on his arm and said, “Don’t ask.”

‘Oh, I know this one,’ Vincent thought.

Vincent said, “Trust me, you really don’t want to know.”

His face was dead serious, totally sincere.

‘If he really asks and finds out she’s hacking international satellites or something, should we just ignore it?’ Vincent thought.

Eliel was left speechless.

Stella shot Blake a surprised look and said, “Wait, you actually know?”

Blake gestured at their boots, saying, “Those boots are custom-made.” Then he suddenly realized, asking, “Wait, what are mercenaries even doing in Clusia?”

Blake’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.

Eliel, who was driving, suddenly said, “In a couple of days, it’ll be the memorial day for Mr. Eric Gray, and also Mr. Gray’s father and Mrs. Gray.”

His jaw was set, face tense, knuckles white on the steering wheel.

Blake froze again.

He hesitated, then said, “I overheard some rumors that Mr. Gray pissed off the wrong people.”

Vincent said, “Bullshit.”

Vincent’s face turned beet red, looking absolutely furious, like he was ready to bite someone’s head off.

15:44 Tue, Feb 3

Chapter 210

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Blake instantly clammed up, not daring to make a sound.

Honestly, he didn’t buy it either.

‘Mr. Gray is way better than those rumors make him out to be, Blake thought, scoffing at the gossip.

Just then, Stella’s phone rang. It was Sebastian calling.

She made a quick gesture and picked up.

Sebastian said, “You skipped class again.”

Stella replied, “Yeah.” Her fingers danced over the keyboard as the screen automatically scanned and searched for the mercenaries’ faces. “I’m heading back soon. Are you coming to pick me up at the dock?”

There was a brief silence on the other end before Sebastian replied, a little awkwardly, “No.”

He was just about to say, “Unless you beg me,” but before he could even get the words out, Stella just said, “Mm-hmm,” and hung up right in his face.

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