Shadows Between Us (Stella and Sebastian) novel Chapter 98

Chapter 98

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Xander’s heart skipped a beat, but he kept his composure better than his mother. Outwardly, he remained as refined and gentle as ever, though his gaze grew more intense.

The lawyer took his place behind Kendrick.

Allan watched the lawyer with a hint of amusement, thinking this dinner with the Pierce family was getting more entertaining by the minute. Without even realizing it, he found himself glancing at Sebastian.

Sebastian’s dangerously attractive face was still as captivating as ever. Now that the cold edge in his eyes had faded, he quietly watched Stella’s small hand wrapped around his. It was almost too much for Allan to watch.

Not wanting to be ignored, Lucas tugged at Stella’s sleeve.

‘Stella, hold me,’ Lucas wondered.

Without a second thought, Stella let go of Sebastian’s hand and scooped the pouting Lucas into her arms.

Sebastian’s face instantly turned cold, his expression so dark that it could have frozen the room. The chill radiating from him seemed to hit everyone equally. Noticing Allan’s gaze, he shot him a frosty look.

Allan froze.

“Looks like you have some family business to announce, Mr. Pierce. In that case, Ishould-” Stella began, her tone steady and unruffled. But before she could even finish her goodbye, Kendrick interrupted her.

“Please stay, Ms. Carter,” Kendrick said, letting out two muffled coughs. His face looked even more ashen than before.

At those words, Sebastian glanced up at Kendrick, his eyes unreadable. It was as if nothing in the room could escape his

gaze.

‘This guy is impossible to read, Kendrick thought to himself.

“This is my will,” Kendrick announced, taking the freshly notarized document from the lawyer with a steady hand.

Beneath the table, Penelope’s fingers curled into tight fists, her gaze locked onto the sealed will like a hawk. Any irritation about being summoned back had long since disappeared, replaced by pure tension.

Kendrick glanced up and gave the lawyer a silent signal.

The lawyer cleared his throat. “Based on the records, Mr. Pierce owns a vast array of properties and assets.”

He started listing them one by one, right in front of everyone. Some items even caught Xander off guard, while Blake just sat there, totally zoned out, as if he’d checked out of reality.

“The grand total comes to 128.541 billion,” The lawyer pushed up his glasses, his voice steady. “All of this is Mr. Pierce’s personal fortune.”

Penelope sucked in a sharp breath, instinctively shooting Stella a glare.

She just couldn’t wrap her head around why Kendrick would reveal the family’s assets right in front of an outsider.

Stella’s face was so calm and uninterested. She might as well have had ‘not interested’ written across her forehead. But to Penelope, it was all just an act.

‘Who could actually not care about money?’ Penelope thought, her eyes narrowing.

16:05 Thu, Jan 22

Chapter 98

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“Dad, who are you naming? Don’t tell me it’s Blake! Are you trying to destroy Pierce Group?” Penelope snapped, her anger barely contained.

She sounded more like a madwoman than the high-class lady she always tried to be. “Have you completely lost it?”

“Mom, just let Grandpa finish,” Xander said, still wearing that gentle, refined smile. But inside, he was a mess, and his gaze toward Blake was tinged with darkness.

Right now, Penelope and Xander didn’t even spare a glance at Stella and the rest anymore. All their attention was locked on the will clutched in Kendrick’s hand.

The answer was sealed inside, just waiting to come out.

“Even if he gives it to me, I don’t want it!” Blake snapped, but Xander just sneered to himself.

Yeah, like you’d really say no, Xander thought, his mind full of sarcasm. ‘Who wouldn’t be tempted by that kind of money? Spare me the act.

“I’m not playing games with Pierce Group, and I’m definitely not handing the company over to Blake,” Kendrick said, his voice steady and serious.

But Penelope wasn’t reassured in the slightest. If anything, her nerves were even more on edge.

“I don’t buy it! Dad, unless you let me see that will for myself!” Penelope shot back. She glared at the will.

Penelope’s mind was racing. ‘What exactly has Dad changed since the last time he called the lawyer to the office? And more importantly, what does the will say about Xander’s and my share?’

Kendrick locked eyes with her, his firm hand pressing down on the will. With a cold, unreadable face, he shoved the document across the table toward his daughter. “See for yourself.”

Penelope stared at the will now sitting right in front of her, totally in disbelief. Her heart nearly leapt out of her throat.

‘Did Dad actually cave?’ Penelope thought, her mind spinning.

Even Xander was taken aback. He nudged his mother under the table, hoping to bring her back to her senses.

“Mr. Pierce,” Allan said, resting his chin in his hand with a smile. “You kicked me instead.”

Xander froze.

“I believe the person I’ve chosen is far more capable than myself,” Kendrick said, his words carrying a weight of significance. His eyes lingered on the crowd before finally settling on one person.

Meanwhile, Penelope grabbed the will, flipped it open, and her eyes raced over the lines, skimming through the black-and- white text until she landed on the name she most wanted to know.

“This can’t be!” Penelope cried out, stunned. “How could it be?”

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16:05 Thu, Jan 22