Shadows Between Us (Stella and Sebastian) novel Chapter 231

Chapter 231

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The polished marble floor was covered with paintings, making the place look like an art exam grading

session.

Stella walked with a lazy air right down the middle.

A few elderly men with white hair stood off to the side.

Big Ben, having unplugged itself after charging, came downstairs and saw the scene. It tiptoed behind the old men, craned its neck, and asked, “What are you guys looking at?”

Levi didn’t even turn around. “Just watching the show.”

‘Damn you, Levi, Landen cursed inwardly.

Levi suddenly snapped, “If you want to curse me in your head, fine, but why are you jabbing me in the butt?” He glared at Landen with his big eyes, looking like he was about to call him a pervert.

Landen’s nerves, already hanging by a thread, just got pushed over the edge.

Landen snapped, “Whoever poked your butt is your grandson, not me.”

Victor was speechless.

He glanced back out of the corner of his eye.

Landen and Levi turned to look where Mr. Quinn was gesturing, and Big Ben’s big, goofy grin popped into

view.

Landen and Levi were just stunned.

Big Ben said, “Oh, turns out it was my charging plug that poked your distinguished behind, Levi.”

Landen and Levi were just stunned.

‘Why does this thing talk like it’s mocking us?’ they wondered,

The peregrine falcon strutted on Stella’s shoulder, its chubby belly nearly hiding its feet. Thinking it didn’t look fierce enough, it sucked in its gut and tightened up.

Allan reached over and poked it. There was a plop, and the peregrine falcon collapsed in a heap on Stella’s shoulder, totally stuck.

‘I’m gonna peck that damn brat to death, the peregrine falcon swore.

Allan asked, “Stella, why do they all look so real to me?”

Stella glanced up at him, a faint, teasing smile on her lips. “Well.”

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Chapter 231

Allan raised an eyebrow. “So they’re fake?”

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Before Stella could react, Lucas, who had been squatting nearby, grabbed a painting and scampered over to Landen, wobbling as he held it up.

Landen just lost for words.

His eyes suddenly sparkled. “Wait, Dr. Miracle, you mean all the others are real except this one?”

Allan glanced at Landen, who was practically glowing with excitement, then at Stella, who was watching with a sly smile.

He figured Landen was celebrating a bit too early.

Stella said, “Actually, the only real one is the one you’ve got.”

Landen just lost for words.

Allan snickered.

And suddenly, Big Ben blared, “Warning. System detects a crazy heart rate.” Without missing a beat, it scooped up Landen. Who was still frozen like a statue, and plopped him down on the couch. It looked ready to go in for mouth-to-mouth.

Landen snapped, “Shut up.”

He slapped a hand over Big Ben’s mouth.

Big Ben blinked innocently.

Levi had watched the whole thing unfold and was left speechless.

Victor and Hudson were speechless.

The old men looked at each other in shock, staring at the super-smart robot in front of them. Levi couldn’t resist poking and squeezing here and there, but Big Ben slapped his hand away with a huff.

Levi said, “Hey, little guy.”

He was completely blown away.

“This thing is a hundred times smarter than the robots Conrad Lab is about to release,’ Levi thought.

Landen, looking half-dead, turned his head and watched as Stella casually strolled out from behind the paintings, cool as ever. “Are you sure you didn’t mess up?”

Still holding onto a sliver of hope.

Stella just shrugged, not bothered at all. “If that helps you sleep at night, go ahead.”

Everyone stood there, dumbstruck.

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Chapter 231

Everyone thought, ‘That was absolutely no comfort at all.

Landen shot up from the couch, his eyes practically shooting sparks.

His eyes were practically shooting sparks.

Landen roared, “I am tearing down the Elite Gallery.”

He spat out each word through gritted teeth.

He was gritting his teeth in rage.

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Still shouting, Landen scooped up his treasured paintings, moving with surprising speed as he dashed outside.

Suddenly, the sound of an engine revving up filled the air,

Everyone was stunned.

Levi said, “Why didn’t any of you try to stop him?”

Victor said, “I thought you’d be the one to hold him back.”

Hudson was speechless.

Victor called out, “Henry, go after him. That old Landen is so frail, one push and he’ll fall apart, make sure he doesn’t get into trouble.”

Levi said, “Forget Henry, just go after him, all of you.”

He turned and saw Stella, cool as ever, casually picking a priceless Obsidian Orchid and feeding it to the peregrine falcon on her shoulder. “Jake’s already tailing him,” she said.

She sounded totally unfazed, not a ripple in her voice.

Allan stared at his own Obsidian Orchid, pissed but not daring to say a word.

“That’s my Obsidian Orchid,’ Allan grumbled to himself.

Henry, who was just about to step out the door, did a quick U-turn and planted himself right next to Victor.

Allan said, “How about we go join the fun too?”

‘Might as well, since Sebastian’s busy getting his tooth yanked out,’ Allan thought.

As he spoke, he scooped up the Obsidian Orchid from beside Stella, hugging his beloved big black treasure and giving it a few affectionate pats.

Stella was speechless.

Levi said, “Sounds good to me.”

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Chapter 231

Victor nodded. “Yeah, I’m in too.”

Hudson said, “Let’s go.”

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They all whipped their heads around to stare at Stella, eyes blazing and locked onto her like hawks.

Stella was speechless.

Twenty minutes later, several cars cruised out of Sandridge Island.

At the Elite Gallery, the Antique Row was buzzing with activity on the weekend.

Today, Sophia was dressed in an elegant, tailored dress, with Linda by her side. Across from them, Celia stood next to Conrad, who was looking at the paintings with barely any interest.

Sophia shot a glance at the manager, her brows knitting together.

‘Never seen this guy before. Probably a newbie,’ she thought.

Even the guys working downstairs were new faces.

For the past six months, Linda had been running the Elite Gallery.

‘So she swapped out the manager and staff and didn’t even give me a heads-up?’ Sophia grumbled to herself.

Celia was honestly shocked to find out that Sophia was the real boss pulling the strings behind the Elite Gallery.

After all, this was Haliville’s most legendary old shop; everyone knew its name.

‘No telling how much cash Carlos has slipped her under the table over the years,’ Celia scoffed inwardly.

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