Shadows Between Us (Stella and Sebastian) novel Chapter 323

Chapter 323

“This?” Geezer suddenly stopped.

The necklace, which had been dangling, stopped too.

Serpentina picked it up and held it to the sunlight. It was dazzling.

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The whole necklace featured a flawless 12.06–carat teardrop white diamond as the central pendant, with a chain of white and pink diamonds that looked dreamlike.

“Stella’s always loved shiny things. Send it to her,” Geezer said.

Halcyon, who had been standing nearby, finally couldn’t hold back and spoke up. “I think you might’ve made a mistake this time. This is fake.”

The five old people whipped their heads around to stare at him in perfect sync.

“You think this is fake?” Serpentina said, weighing the necklace in her hand, her expression unreadable.

Geezer jumped up in outrage. “Bullshit! You can question my character, but don’t you dare doubt my taste!”

He shot two fingers at Halcyon, making a fake eye–gouging gesture.

“Isn’t this necklace from the Clinton family?” Dashiell blurted ou, instinctively reaching for his favorite wand to strike a sage–like pose.

But when he glanced at the hideous white skull across from him he just grabbed a feather duster instead, looking all kinds of aggrieved.

His whole immortal aura just went poof, back to being a regular old guy.

Geezer looked everywhere but at them, pretending he hadn’t heard a thing.

Serpentina narrowed her eyes. “Hmm?” she asked.”

“When it comes to treasures, I don’t care where they come from Geezer said, not backing down at all.

Halcyon said, “Honestly, if you just took a stroll outside, you’d find these necklaces being sold on every street corner.”

The five old people looked at him, dumbfounded.

Dashiell chimed in, “Seriously, two for ten bucks.”

They could only stare in silence.

Serpentina cast her gaze down, her lashes lowered. “So, what’s the deal with this necklace?” Geezer hadn’t missed a thing. This was genuine, no question.

Halcyon put on a mysterious face. “Well… Once upon a time, it’s long story…”

Serpentina cut him off. “Zip it. You. Spill.” She didn’t hesitate to call out Jareth, who looked way more reliable.

Halcyon just stood there, looking totally deflated.

Jareth gathered his thoughts and said, “The Clinton family lost a daughter back in the day.

“Mrs. Clinton had this necklace custom–made for her, and it disappeared with her. Over the years, dozens of people have

1/4

11:11 Mon, Feb 9DD

Chapter 323

come knocking with fake necklaces, all claiming to be her.”

57%

55 vouchers

People in Jaffina had been watching this whole mess for so long that they were totally enjoying it.

“Wait, you mean you can buy these on every street corner?” Professor Cipher asked, looking baffled.

Halcyon jumped in, “Yeah. One day, necklaces just flooded the streets. But trust me, none of them look as real as the one you guys have!”

Someone set up this whole thing so the real heiress would never be found.

After getting their hopes crushed over and over, the parents were just done. Even if the real heiress showed up now, she probably wouldn’t get any love at all.

Serpentina smirked, “Well, that’s something.” She turned the necklace over in her hand, thinking, ‘Funny how it ended up with us. Maybe fate’s got a wild card up its sleeve.

At the same time, Sandridge Island, Stella had just finished blow–drying her hair and stepped out of the bathroom when her phone rang.

She answered with one hand, face calm, and headed straight for her walk–in closet.

“Stella,” Blake rasped, sounding like he hadn’t slept a wink. “Xander just called a full board meeting for all the shareholders. It’s in just an hour.”

Stella said, “Alright. You ready?”

Her hand reached for a light blue shirt, but before she could gra it, his hand caught her wrist from behind and moved her hand from the blue shirt to a black one.

Stella looked up.

Sebastian was suddenly standing right behind her, so quietly she hadn’t even noticed.

He lowered his head and kissed her exposed porcelain shoulder.

On the other end, Blake’s voice was rough from lack of sleep. “I’m ready.”

Stella reached up and adjusted Sebastian’s tie knot, her tone languid as she drawled, “Let’s head out. Meet you at the entrance of Pierce Group.”

Stella ended the call.

Stella asked, “You going out too?”

As soon as she finished speaking, Sebastian scooped her up with one arm, and she had no choice but to wrap her arms around his neck.

His voice, low and magnetic, sounded right by her ear, “Yes.”

Stella’s neck and shoulders formed a graceful line as Sebastian held her close, her lengthy hair tumbling down, giving her an unexpectedly vulnerable look.

“You’re ditching class again,” he teased, pressing even closer, his breath a little unsteady.

Stella laughed softly, her back against the closet wall. “So, my dear Chairman, do I get a pass to skip class?”

Stella got right up to Sebastian’s ear, knowing just how sensitive he was there, but still couldn’t resist giving it a teasing nibble.

2/4

11:11 Mon, Feb 9 DD.

Chapter 323

Sebastian let out a sharp hiss.

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His usually pale, striking face was now showing a mix of exasperation and fondness. Iis long fingers tightened around her waist. “Quit it.”

Even through his pants, the outline of his erection was impossible to miss.

It was downright intimidating.

Stella blinked, her delicate features looking all innocent. Is he always this easy to turn on?‘ she thought.

After a while, Sebastian finally calmed down. He grabbed the blak blouse and slipped it onto Stella with the utmost patience and care, his long fingers gently pulling her soft, wavy hair free. See you later,” he said softly.

Sebastian leaned his forehead against hers, cupped her face in both hands, and kissed her right between the brows.

“Let Fabian drive you,” he said.

An hour later, outside the Pierce Group, Blake sat in the car with the lawyer next to him.

The reckless, carefree air he used to have had settled into something much more serious. His fingers drummed on the steering wheel, and his eyes were rimmed with deep red from a leepless night.

“Mr. Pierce,” the lawyer said, with concern in his voice.

Blake replied, “I’m fine.”

The lawyer said, “Your grandfather left you 3.7% of the Pierce Grup shares. That means you’re totally qualified to be at this board meeting.”

Blake’s fingers stilled on the steering wheel, then he raised his hand and pointed at the entrance to Pierce Group.

There were way more security guards patrolling today, plus a whole unit of bodyguards dressed head–to–toe in black.

No prizes for guessing who all this was for.

The lawyer sighed and checked his watch. “The board meeting sould be underway by now.”

“No rush,” Blake replied, his eyes calm and full of quiet resolve.

He was waiting for Stella to arrive.

If worst came to worst, he’d gun it and crash through the gates.

The lawyer asked, “Mind if I ask you something?” He’d been holding this question in for ages.

Blake replied, “Go ahead.”

The lawyer gave Blake a look that was half–confused, half–amusel, then pointed at the two ugly little stone lions in the back seat. Blake had even dressed them up in tiny outfits.

They looked even dumber now.

“So… Is this what you young people are into these days?” the lawyer asked.

Blake froze for a moment.

‘No, it’s just a Sebastian thing, Blake thought wryly. ‘Call it Sebastian’s love, I guess.

3/4

11:11 Mon, Feb 9 D D.

Chapter 323

come knocking with fake necklaces, all claiming to be her.”

57%

55 vouchers

People in Jaffina had been watching this whole mess for so long that they were totally enjoying it.

“Wait, you mean you can buy these on every street corner?” Professor Cipher asked, looking baffled.

Halcyon jumped in, “Yeah. One day, necklaces just flooded the streets. But trust me, none of them look as real as the one you guys have!”

Someone set up this whole thing so the real heiress would never be found.

After getting their hopes crushed over and over, the parents were just done. Even if the real heiress showed up now, she probably wouldn’t get any love at all.

Serpentina smirked, “Well, that’s something.” She turned the necklace over in her hand, thinking, ‘Funny how it ended up with us. Maybe fate’s got a wild card up its sleeve.

At the same time, Sandridge Island, Stella had just finished blow drying her hair and stepped out of the bathroom when her phone rang.

She answered with one hand, face calm, and headed straight for her walk–in closet.

“Stella,” Blake rasped, sounding like he hadn’t slept a wink. “Xander just called a full board meeting for all the shareholders. It’s in just an hour.”

Stella said, “Alright. You ready?”

Her hand reached for a light blue shirt, but before she could gra it, his hand caught her wrist from behind and moved her hand from the blue shirt to a black one.

Stella looked up.

Sebastian was suddenly standing right behind her, so quietly she hadn’t even noticed.

He lowered his head and kissed her exposed porcelain shoulder.

On the other end, Blake’s voice was rough from lack of sleep. “I’m ready.”

Stella reached up and adjusted Sebastian’s tie knot, her tone languid as she drawled, “Let’s head out. Meet you at the entrance of Pierce Group.”

Stella ended the call.

Stella asked, “You going out too?”

As soon as she finished speaking, Sebastian scooped her up with one arm, and she had no choice but to wrap her arms around his neck.

His voice, low and magnetic, sounded right by her ear, “Yes.”

Stella’s neck and shoulders formed a graceful line as Sebastian held her close, her lengthy hair tumbling down, giving her an unexpectedly vulnerable look.

“You’re ditching class again,” he teased, pressing even closer, his breath a little unsteady.

Stella laughed softly, her back against the closet wall. “So, my dear Chairman, do I get a pass to skip class?”

Stella got right up to Sebastian’s ear, knowing just how sensitive e was there, but still couldn’t resist giving it a teasing nibble.

2/4

11:11 Mon, Feb 9 9DD

Chapter 323

Sebastian let out a sharp hiss.

57%

55 vouchers

His usually pale, striking face was now showing a mix of exasperation and fondness. His long fingers tightened around her waist. “Quit it.”

Even through his pants, the outline of his erection was impossible to miss.

It was downright intimidating.

Stella blinked, her delicate features looking all innocent. Is he always this easy to turn on?‘ she thought.