Shadows Between Us (Stella and Sebastian) novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26.

Chapter 26

[Good morning, Stella.] Lucas raised his tablet high, looking all pitiful as he interrupted Sebastian, surrendering to the “big

boss.”

“Morning,” Stella said, pulling out a chair and sitting down next to Lucas. She wondered if she was just imagining it, but Sebastian actually seemed to be in a pretty good mood.

“Mr. Gray, the car is ready.” John said, slipping into the room in his black suit, his usual sharpness amplified. Jake followed right behind, also in formal attire. Both of them looked way more intense than usual.

“You guys are heading out?” Allan yawned, shuffling down the stairs in a garish silk robe, a sleep mask pushed up on his head. He looked wrecked from jet lag.

“What did you do last night? You look way too refreshed,” Allan said to Sebastian, pulling out a chair next to Sebastian and propping his chin on his hand. He even gave Stella a lazy wave.

Lucas’s cheeks puffed out like a blowfish again.

“We’re going to Gray Manor,” Sebastian said, expressionless as he wiped his lips with a napkin. His gaze was dark and dangerous, and even the black prayer beads on his wrist seemed charged with a quiet threat.

“Gray Manor?” Allan’s sleepy eyes instantly cleared, his whole demeanor turning serious. “Lucas is going, too?”

Allan looked at Lucas with concern. Lucas looked obviously reluctant, clearly wanting nothing to do with Gray Manor. He burrowed into Stella’s arms, shaking his head violently.

Stella just arched her brow. Her mind drifted back to when she’d saved Annette at the hospital. Lucas’s reaction didn’t surprise her. But then something else caught her attention.

Sebastian had said they were “going” to Gray Manor, not “returning.” She mused, ‘An interesting, deliberate choice of words. He clearly doesn’t see Gray Manor as home anymore. What did those people do to get on his bad side this time?’

“You really won’t come?” Sebastian asked, expressionless as he met Lucas’s gaze.

Lucas just kept shaking his head.

“Then you’ll stay home with Allan,” Sebastian said.

Lucas’s head-shaking slowed, and his face went a bit blank with hesitation. After a moment, he pointed at Stella, meaning he wanted to be with her.

“I promised your uncle last night to go to Gray Manor with him,” Stella said, lazily raising her hand, delivering the devastating news.

As expected, Lucas went stiff, looking like his world was crashing down.

[Fine, I’ll go.] Lucas shakily raised his tablet. Honestly, even a trip to Gray Manor sounded better to him than being stuck

with Allan.

“Whoa, Lucas, you’re breaking my heart here,” Allan said, clutching his chest and putting on the full dramatic act.

But no matter how much Allan wailed, Lucas wasn’t budging. So Allan shot a “friendly” look at Snowball, who was lazily coiled around the big houseplant.

Snowball instantly went full statue mode, totally committed to playing dead.

After breakfast, the group headed out of the villa, leaving Allan and Snowball to hold down the fort.

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Outside the villa, eleven Mercedes-Benzes were lined up one after another. Their black, bulletproof windows were impenetrable to light, creating an intimidating visual feast. With VR7-level security, nothing was getting through those.

“Mr. Gray” John said as he opened the door of the middle car.

Sebastian, Stella, and Lucas climbed in. As soon as the door closed, it completely shut out the outside noise. Lucas was still looking all gloomy

So, are you planning to stir things up at Gray Manor? Stella drawled, her tone lazy and unbothered. The loose collar of her white shift revealed a hint of collarbone, and her long hair spille smoothly over her shoulder as she tilted her head.

Sebastian was dressed in a custom black suit, looking like ice from the deepest ocean trenches, utterly devoid of human warmth.

“Just teaching them what the Gray family’s rules really mean,” he said, his voice cold enough to freeze bones.

Lancas rested his chin in his hands, his feet swinging in the air. He looked totally down in the dumps. He loved being with Stella, but just the thought of seeing those people made him wan to disappear.

Meanwhile, in the walk-in closet of Annette’s bedroom at Gray Manor, Linda stood there, her greedy eyes fixed on the complete sets of emerald jewelry in the collection. Each piece was a priceless, one-of-a-kind treasure.

After all these years, this was her very first time setting foot in here, or even in Gray Manor at all. Sebastian had once laid down a hard rule: “There can only be one matriarch in the Gray family.”

And that matriarch was Annette, the one Carlos had married fair and square, and the same woman who was still lying in the hospital after barely escaping death.

At that thought, a nasty look flashed in Linda’s eyes, and she spat on the floor. She thought bitterly, ‘If Annette had any sense, she would’ve stepped aside when Carlos brought Sophia back.

Then maybe we wouldn’t have been stuck living outside all this time, barred from Gray Manor.

Her eyes gleamed with greed as she grabbed an exquisite emerald necklace off the shelf, planning to take it downstairs for Sophia

Downstairs, Sophia, with silver hair, in a tailored dress, sat gracefully in the living room, looking like she owned the place. Richard and Lauren, both nursing fingers that Sebastian’s men had broken one by one, stood dutifully at her side.

“Sophia,” Linda called out, hurrying down the stairs and making a big show of trying to put the emerald necklace around Sophia’s neck.

“Linda, that belongs to Annette,” Sophia said, shaking her head, but she didn’t bother to stop Linda from putting it on her anyway.

“It’ll all be yours soon enough,” Linda said, inwardly rolling her eyes at her mother-in-law’s obvious act, but keeping her tone sweet as honey.

Sophia just gave a faint, unreadable smile, saying nothing.

Because Richard and Lauren got hurt, Carlos was feeling guilty and finally caved last night, letting the whole family move into Gray Manor.

Worried that if they waited, something else would go wrong, they’d arranged to move their things first thing in the morning.

Carlos came down the stairs in his loungewear, leaning on his carved cane. Right beside him was a little boy, about five. constantly reminding Carlos to watch his step.

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Chapter zo

The kid was all smiles and manners, but you could tell he was way too sharp for his age. He was Ryan, Richard and Linda’s grandson.

The anxiety from Carlos’s impulsive decision last night was fading fast. Gray Manor hadn’t seen this much action since that terrible incident years ago. For once, it actually felt like home again.

“You’re here,” Carlos said, looking over at Sophia. Today, she’d chosen a different, old-fashioned scent instead of her usual perfume, which instantly brought him back to the first time they had met.

It life hadn’t thrown them so many curveballs, she would’ve been the one he married.

“I was just worried you’d be waiting.” Sophia said softly, her soothing, understanding manner showing as she helped Carlos. settle into his seat.

Linda, standing off to the side, couldn’t help but purse her lips. No wonder Annette can’t compete with Linda. With smooth talk like that, any guy would be hung up on her for life, she thought.

Just listen to her. She doesn’t say, “I was anxious,” but “I was worried you’d be waiting.” That’s some next-level art of speaking.’ Linda scoffed to herself.

While everyone was still basking in the warm family atmosphere, the butler suddenly rushed in, his face pale with fear. “M- Mr. Gray is here. He’s brought a lot of people with him, and they’re almost at the gates.”

Everyone’s smiles froze on their faces.

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