Shadows Between Us (Stella and Sebastian) novel Chapter 252

Chapter 252

The place was buzzing with hype and cheers.

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One of Blake’s sidekicks asked, “Who’s causing all this commotion?”

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Blake looked up and saw a woman in white standing beside a pampered young beauty, both surrounded by a crowd. All the praise and flattery were being showered on the young beauty, with people practically tripping over themselves to compliment her.

The whole scene gave Blake and his crew goosebumps.

At first, Blake couldn’t care less since it wasn’t Stella. But then one of his sidekicks suddenly shouted, “Blake, check it out!”

Following his sidekick’s finger, Blake spotted a face he’d recognize even if it were turned to ashes.

It was that middle-aged bodyguard who’d snatched Stella’s car keys back at that wild race.

Blake thought, ‘Wait, isn’t he from the Everhart family in Jaffina?

‘Why is he here?’

Over there, the middle-aged bodyguard, Garrett, seemed to sense Blake’s stare. His gaze swept over like a blade, but he just glanced their way and didn’t recognize Blake or his crew. Honestly, he’d never even given them a second thought.

Blake jerked his chin at his sidekick and said, “Go find out what’s going on.”

The sidekick replied, “Got it!”

Chloe hadn’t said a word the whole time. She kept her chin up in pure arrogance, strutting around like she was royalty. In her mind, just being from Jaffina made her way above these Haliville folks.

If her mom hadn’t dragged her out for some fresh air, she’d still be holed up in her hotel room.

Chloe complained inwardly, “This club is a total letdown. The grass is patchy and dull, nothing like the lush, perfect lawns in Jaffina. And the horses? Skinny and sad compared to the plump, pampered ones back home.

‘I just want to get back to Jaffina!’

Standing beside her was Lillian, Ryan’s mom and Richard’s daughter-in-law.

The Gray family had been hit with one disaster after another lately. First, Lauren got arrested and thrown in detention, and then Linda was being investigated by the economic crime unit for fraud.

With things falling apart, Lillian had no choice but to rush back home.

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She’d barely set foot back in the country when she was assigned to play host to Chloe from Jaffina.

The whole time, Chloe treated Lillian like she was beneath her, barely bothering to respond with anything more than a curt “mm” or “oh.”

Lillian was fuming inside.

One of the Haliville socialites gushed, “Miss Everhart, is that a DenimKraft limited edition?

“I’ve been trying to get my hands on one for ages, but I just can’t.”

The Haliville socialites were practically drooling over Chloe’s dress. When one of them reached out to feel the fabric, Chloe slapped her hand away with a loud smack, leaving the girl awkwardly pulling back.

Chloe snapped, “Don’t touch!”

Her voice dripped with disdain.

The vibe instantly got tense.

Yeah, Chloe might be some rich heiress from Jaffina, but the Haliville crowd wasn’t nobodies either. They thought, ‘Who does she think she is, strutting around like she owns the place?’

“Why isn’t Stella here yet?” someone asked, breaking the awkward silence and shifting the focus.

“Maybe she’s chickening out?” another person teased.

“Who knows?” someone else shrugged.

Chloe, bored out of her mind, instantly perked up the moment she heard the name “Stella.” She instinctively recalled the humiliation she’d suffered in that hospital office, her brows furrowing as the memory hit her.

Right next to her, Lillian’s face shifted, a mix of curiosity and skepticism, when she heard Stella’s name.

Just yesterday, after getting home, Lillian had heard all sorts of stories about Stella from Sophia. Honestly, Lillian doubted an eighteen-year-old girl could really make any real waves.

She thought, ‘Bet people are just hyping this Stella up way too much.

‘But that Sebastian guy….

‘He pitched the Gray-family Bible, the Civil War-era flag, and the first-share stock certificates into the fire, but now he’s suddenly letting go of all his shares in the Gray family?’

Lillian was lost in thought.

But before Lillian could think any further, a white shuttle bus slowly rolled in from the golf course. Carlos and Richard were sitting with Conrad and the key members of his team.

Celia, rocking a sporty miniskirt, was sticking close to Conrad.

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Chapter 252

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In the very last row, a robot was parked, looking all stiff and robotic.

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This was the 1.0 version of the smart robot Conrad’s crew was about to launch in a few days. For reasons of his own, he’d decided to show it off at the club today.

The shuttle bus pulled up and stopped.

The group got off, all smiles and laughter.

Conrad passed his golf bag to someone nearby, and whatever they were joking about had him laughing out loud.

Lillian smiled and walked over. She called out, “Dr. Conrad.”

Conrad had been smiling absently, but when he saw Lillian’s beautiful face, his movement stilled for a

moment.

Lillian offered her hand and said, “Hello, I’m Lillian.”

Conrad nodded and shook her hand out of politeness, then his gaze slid past her to Chloe. He called out, “Miss Everhart.”

Of course, Chloe recognized Conrad-he was basically a household name in her circles.

He was the country’s undisputed king of chip research, riding a wave of fame lately.

Chloe, who usually judged people at a glance, knew this was someone she couldn’t afford to brush off. For once, she kept her attitude in check, nodded politely, and said, “Hello.”

After Carlos did the introductions, Conrad just gave a half-hearted nod to a few of Haliville’s rich kids, barely registering them as his eyes swept the crowd. He asked, “Stella and Sebastian aren’t here yet?”

There was a brief silence.

Lillian smiled and said, “Maybe they got stuck in traffic.”

Suddenly, the archery range next door exploded with cheers.

Chloe’s eyes lit up: finally, something that actually got her excited. Back in college, she’d been on the archery team and had racked up a bunch of awards for her school.

She exclaimed, “I’m heading over there.”

Without another word, she headed straight for the archery range, not caring about anyone else.

Garrett followed right behind.

“Miss Everhart is such a snob,” the socialites whispered, none of them looking happy about it.

Carlos, meanwhile, let his gaze linger on Chloe’s back, a storm of emotions flickering across his face.

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Richard suddenly chimed in, “I heard Mr. Jaxon Knight got invited here for a business talk today. This club is the top spot in Haliville!”

He still had a bandage on his head, clearly just trying to brag about the Gray family. But the other rich heirs nearby shot each other a look, not looking too pleased.

They grumbled inwardly, ‘Like the Gray family runs this whole city or something.’

“Jaxon? Is he here too? We actually know each other pretty well. I’ll introduce him to the Gray family when he shows up,” Conrad said, not even bothering to hide that he had his arm around Celia.

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