Shadows Between Us (Stella and Sebastian) novel Chapter 428

Chapter 428

Night had fallen. The road leading to Jaffina Channel was heavily congested.

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In the car, Stella propped her chin on her hand. She changed her white shirt into Denim Kraft’s latest green dress. Her long hair was casually pinned up, exposing her long neck. As she gazed out the window, her features appeared even more exquisite.

Blackie was coiled in a sinuous S-shape around the silver hairpin tucked in her bun, its tail flicking back and forth.

“Stella,” Lucas looked up, poking Blackie with his little hand.

Stella let out a lazy “mm” in response.

Meanwhile, Sebastian was on the phone with Colten. “Hello, Uncle Colten.” Colten had just been transferred back to Jaffina from Haliville after Sebastian’s five-year agreement with Bernard ended, and today was his first day on the job.

“Guess what I saw today?” Colten chuckled, with something in his hand.

Sebastian murmured, “What?”

He leaned back in the black leather seat, his expression unreadable.

Colten said, “Stella’s pass for the special ops division.”

He lowered his gaze at the pass in his hand. Stella’s photo looked icy and aloof, but the key detail was the embedded chip. It granted top-level clearance.

Even higher clearance than Colten’s own pass.

“Those guys in the special ops division have always thought they’re hot stuff. Tell Stella not to go easy on them,” Colten said, his voice full of schadenfreude.

Sebastian glanced at Stella, who was playing a game of push hands with Lucas out of boredom. Even though his face was expressionless, you could still tell he was in a pretty good mood.

“Alright,” Sebastian replied.

Colten sealed the pass in a security pouch. “Where are you guys? At Harmony Scenic Area?”

For the past couple of days, people on the Jaffina forums had been buzzing about the only private villa in Harmony Scenic Area finally lighting up.

Netizens have been digging into everything, from the villa’s history to its price tag and possible owner. But no one had managed to uncover which family actually lived there.

“We’re on our way to Jaffina Channel,” Sebastian replied.

11:19 Thu, Feb 12

Chapter 428

Colten was surprised. “Jaffina Channel? The intangible cultural heritage gala tonight?”

“Yeah,” Sebastian replied.

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As if something had just occurred to him, Colten hesitated for a moment before finally saying, “The Reed family will be there, too. You and Stella keep it low-key, OK?”

This gala was arranged by the higher-ups to promote intangible cultural heritage. It was not a good idea to cause trouble.

Colten fell silent for a couple of seconds. Based on how Stella had handled things in Haliville, she was as protective as Sebastian. It was obvious that Allan was one of her people.

As if sensing something, Stella glanced over at Sebastian. Under the dim glow of the streetlights, she looked absolutely breathtaking.

Sebastian replied, “It’s up to her mood.”

That blunt answer left Colten totally stunned.

If this were back in the day, Sebastian would be the most clueless emperor ever.

The call was hung up.

“Did you know the Reed family is coming tonight?” Sebastian asked, reaching up to untangle Stella’s earring from a loose strand of hair patiently. His fingers occasionally grazed her neck.

Stella replied carelessly, feigning innocence. “Nope, I didn’t know.”

Sebastian paused, meeting her gaze. Stella looked as calm and lazy as ever.

“Sebastian,” Stella called out, her tone teasing.

“Yes?” Sebastian replied.

Stella gave a little laugh. “Your hands are kinda cold.”

Sebastian was caught off guard.

Just as he was about to pull away, Stella caught his hands, locking fingers with his. “How am I supposed to know Tallulah works in the Restoration Department at the National Museum of Heritage?

“How could I have known she’d buy up press just to brand herself as the youngest, trendiest restoration expert in the country?”

Sebastian was caught off guard.

Lucas looked left and right, then plopped his little hand right on top of their clasped fingers with a loud smack.

Lucas wanted to join in, too.

11:19 Thu, Feb 12

Chapter 428

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Stella tilted her head, a mischievous spark flickering in her eyes. “Looks like she’s coming tonight. That’s gonna be fun.”

Sebastian was speechless.

Jaffina Channel was just ahead.

Because of the security screening, all the big shots from Jaffina had their luxury cars jammed up at the checkpoint.

Each car had to roll down its window for an ID check.

Suddenly, the tightly shut gates of Jaffina Channel swung open, making everyone crane their necks to see what was going on.

A black Mercedes-Benz cruised right through the middle. It didn’t even slow down for the ID check, let alone roll down the window.

Everyone was totally stunned.

Outside the studio building, a crowd had gathered by the revolving doors. They were all craning their necks, waiting for someone. Callum, who was waiting for Stella, was completely startled by the scene.

He almost dropped the bag he was carrying.

“Director Lachlan?” Callum greeted politely, holding the set of silver needles his grandpa had asked him to bring for Stella. A Penn family heirloom passed down for a hundred years.

Callum was stunned as he recognized the faces. They were all the top dogs from the Ministry of Culture and the heritage scene.

His grandpa had treated a bunch of these people with acupuncture before.

Some of them had watched him grow up since he was a kid.

But seeing all these big shots lined up together like this was a first for Callum. Who on earth could be important enough to make all these heavyweights wait out here?

“Callum, what are you doing out here?” asked Calvin Sellers, the Minister of the Ministry of Culture.

Callum replied, “I’m waiting for someone.”

He lifted the bag in his hand, his performance outfit sparkling under the lights. He couldn’t help but ask curiously, “What are you all doing out here?”

“We’re waiting for someone too,” Calvin replied.

Callum nodded and didn’t press for details, just assuming some VIP was showing up at the last minute for the gala.

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