Shadows Between Us (Stella and Sebastian) novel Chapter 240

Chapter 240

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With an indifferent look, Stella lazily gathered her long hair behind her neck. She sneered, “That sounds so insincere.”

She glanced up at the sky, as if it were just a casual move.

Linda spat, “Shut your damn mouth, you bitch!”

She was so furious and humiliated that her eyes were bloodshot, her face twisted in rage. The arrogant diva from before was nowhere to be seen. Right now, she looked like she was ready to rip Stella to shreds on the

spot.

Landen was about to snap back at Linda, but Stella raised her hand to stop him.

Landen snorted.

He thought, ‘If Dr. Miracle weren’t here, I would tear into her for three days and nights without breaking a

sweat.’

Stella showed no trace of anger. Instead, she flashed a carefree, almost nonchalant smile. She said, “Plenty of folks have had shops on this block for decades. They know every trick in the book.

“The looky-loos came for the drama, but the real vets here can smell a two-bit hustle through a brick wall. You ain’t weaseling out with a couple of smooth lines.”

She fixed her gaze on Linda, her voice detached and unemotional.

Linda’s face twitched involuntarily. Stella’s stare sent a chill down her spine, but she forced herself to stay calm. Her eyes darted around before finally settling on Waylon.

An idea flashed through her mind.

She shot Waylon a meaningful look.

Waylon’s hand trembled, and with a loud thud, he dropped into a crouch at Sophia’s feet, head bowed.

He said, “Mrs. Chapman, I swear, greed clouded my judgment! Sophia had absolutely nothing to do with this! I couldn’t resist the temptation of money and switched the paintings myself! Please, don’t blame her.”

As he spoke, Waylon kept slapping himself, not holding back at all.

Linda called out softly, “Mom.”

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and she looked so pitiful and wronged, as if she were the victim here.

Sophia looked uncertain.

She thought, ‘Was I really wrong about Linda?’

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Chapter 240

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Waylon was a seasoned con; after his Oscar-worthy self-slapping scene in front of Sophia, he shifted gears and started crawling toward Landen.

The old man yelped, leapt back like a startled cat, and whipped behind Stella for a human shield.

But before Waylon could get any closer, Jake stepped in and blocked his way.

Waylon didn’t care that Jake was in his way. He slapped himself and pleaded, “Mr. Trent, please, have mercy! I’ve got parents and kids depending on me. Just let me go, I’m begging you!”

The crowd started gossiping and pointing fingers.

One said, “Poor guy, that’s just sad.”

Another said, “Yeah, he’s got a whole family waiting for him at home.”

Even the bystanders looked like they couldn’t help but feel bad for Waylon.

Landen popped his head out from behind Stella’s shoulder. He was the type who couldn’t stand tough talk, but always had a soft spot for people who begged.

Seeing Waylon groveling and bleeding like that, Landen couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy in his

heart.

Landen wavered, his voice trailing off. He called out, “Dr. Miracle.”

Stella gave him a cold, sideways look, her face unreadable.

For a split second, Landen swore she had that same intimidating vibe as Sebastian. He instantly clammed up, the words dying in his throat.

Stella raised her hand.

Landen jumped in fright.

Jake spun around, grabbed a chair with one hand, and dropped it with a heavy thud right in front of Waylon.

Stella walked forward casually, then sat down cool as ice,

She looked every bit the boss, like she owned the place.

Waylon just kept slapping himself, open-handed cracks across his own cheek, until blood dripped off his chin and pooled on the flagstone.

Stella, unreadable, took the white porcelain cup Jake offered. She flicked off the plastic lid with lazy grace, long lashes lowered, and drew a slow, unhurried sip of black coffee, like she owned the whole damn show and had front-row seats to the meltdown.

Little by little, all the gossip died down, and before anyone knew it, the whole street was dead quiet.

Every single eye was locked on Stella and Waylon.

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Chapter 240

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The whole thing felt like a movie still: a stone-cold stunner sipping coffee in slow motion while a grown man crawled around like a beaten stray. The contrast slapped the room silent.

Gradually, Waylon’s self-slaps slowed to a stop. He lifted his face at last, blood threading from his split lip. One look, and the whole room felt the chill.

Stella asked, “Are you done slapping yourself?”

Her words were slow and steady, but every syllable felt like a noose tightening around his neck.

Stella passed the cup back to Jake, then leaned in slightly. The loose white shirt framed her face, already stunning, into something almost unreal. But her eyes were ice-locked on Waylon, a freeze-ray glare that pinned him mid-breath.

Stella said, “Push high-end forgeries in this volume, and you’re looking at a federal ten-year minimum, possibly life. They’ll seize the house, the cars, the kids’ college fund. Still sure you want to play this hand?”

Her gaze was icy and detached, as if Waylon were nothing more than an ant in her path.

Waylon’s gaze flickered nervously, clearly shaken. He hadn’t expected things to get this serious.

Linda cut in, her voice like nails on a chalkboard. She snapped, “You bitch-”

But before she could spit out the rest, the peregrine falcon, already done with her nonsense, shot over like a mini rocket and started pecking furiously at Linda’s hands and face.

Linda shrieked, “Get away!”

She flailed her arms, stumbled, and went rolling down the steps, making a huge commotion.

She ended up flat on her back, looking absolutely wrecked.

Stella didn’t even look Linda’s way. Her voice was cold as ice as she pressed, “You sure you want to go down this road?”

A gust of wind swept through.

Out of nowhere, dark clouds rolled in.

Stella’s long hair whipped out behind her, swirling like seaweed in the wind.

Waylon jerked his head away, trying to play dumb. He stammered, “I-I have no idea what you’re talking about!”

Stella responded with a cold, mocking chuckle.

She slouched back in her chair, looking like she didn’t have a care in the world, while Linda was sprawled at the bottom of the steps, groaning as she struggled to get up.

Stella lifted her hand lazily, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She said, “You got the guts to swear? Go on, swear to the heavens. Swear that Linda had nothing to do with this, that you acted alone, and her hands are

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Chapter 240

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