The Heiress With Seven Secret Identies (Stella Shaw) novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23 The Trap in White Pit Village

Tess nodded slightly and started the car, heading for White Pit Village.

The drive from Lucky Town took nine hours. They finally reached the area near White Pit Village as dusk

fell.

Mountains stretched endlessly here, not a single inn in sight.

Stella and Tess decided to wait until the next day to enter the village. For now, they’d set up tents on the mountain top.

“I just got new info on Doggy Harlow,” Tess said, handing over a file.

This time, they had the right lead. It would make things much easier.

Last time they’d investigated Derek, someone had deliberately misled them. Back then, their resources were limited, and they’d missed the truth.

Hopefully, this trip would yield results.

Stella pulled out the documents she’d gotten from Jace.

Derek had changed his name right before moving to Lucky Town.

Calculating the timeline, she’d been two years old then.

So her mother must have lived in White Pit Village for some time too.

‘Boss, he faked his education. He never even finished elementary school. And he actually made his fortune from stock trading,” Tess said, her voice tight.

The more she learned, the more she feared the truth would be brutal.

‘Also, look at this timeline,” Tess added.

Stella noticed it too..

After her mother died, Derek’s Juck had taken a nosedive.

Over the years, he’d basically squandered the wealth he’d amassed in those carly years.

‘Do you think… your mom was a college student Derek kidnapped and brought to White Pit Village?” Tess

hesitated to ask.

If that was true, her fate had been terrible beyond words.

This place was practically uncivilized. Things like abductions were probably common here.

Tess had done her homework before coming with Stella.

She’d even shared their location with her team.

7:23 pm

Chapter 23 The Trap in White Pit Village

Finished

This was the first time Tess had felt unsure of herself–afraid they might not make it out of this village alive.

Stella didn’t answer. She frowned. “These villagers stick together. We might not get anything out of them.”

“Don’t worry. I brought this,” Tess said, pulling out stacks of cash.

“Boss, money talks. Besides, people here either look down on the poor or envy the rich. Derek is wealthy now. There must be someone who resents him,” Tess explained.

Stella nodded slightly. “You rest first. I’ll keep watch.”

“Wake me up in the middle of the night.”

“Got it.”

After Tess fell asleep, Stella took out a map of White Pit Village and studied it, along with notes on Derek’s old connections there.

Early the next morning, Stella and Tess drove for another half hour before finally reaching White Pit Village.

They parked the car in a hidden spot half a mile from the village entrance, then changed into nun’s robes and walked toward the village.

They’d just entered the village when a group of men in black suits hurried toward them.

“Excuse me, have you seen this boy?” one of them asked, holding up a photo.

Stella glanced at the photo of the teenager. He looked faintly familiar, but she was certain she’d never met him.

“No, we haven’t,” she replied.

The men’s faces fell, filled with anxiety.

“Crap. Should we call Mr. Cross? Mr. Jax Cross‘ gone missing,” one of them whispered to the others.

Stella paused for a split second, watching them rush away.

“Boss, that’s Jax Cross. His uncle’s so powerful in Azure Peak City–he could sneeze and the whole city would panic. And Jax’s a movie star,” Tess explained.

“He’s a total rich kid, but he insisted on joining the film industry as a martial arts actor. He’s in the news every other day–either breaking a bone or splitting his head open. Netizens roast him nonstop for his bad acting. I have no idea why he does it,” Tess ranted.

Stella nodded slightly and continued walking with Tess toward Derek’s old home.

As soon as they entered the village, Stella felt the villagers’ eyes on them–like they were hunting prey.

A woman around fifty, wearing gray clothes and carrying a vegetable basket, walked over with a grin.

2/4

:23 pm

Chapter 23 The Trap in White Pit Village

Finished

“Miss, you’re new here, aren’t you? From out of town?”

“Yes,” Stella replied.

“Walked all the way here?”

“Yes.”

“Must be thirsty. Come to my house for some water and food,” the woman offered.

Her words made Stella change her mind.

“Thank you. That would be kind,” she said.

Tess looked confused but followed along. The two followed the woman to her home.

“Just wait a minute. The meal will be ready soon,” the woman said.

“Thank you,” Stella replied.

Once they were alone in the living room, Tess whispered, “My team says Ruby’s in the village too.”

“Keep an eye on her.”

“Got it.”

Stella narrowed her eyes, deep in thought.

“Have some water first to quench your thirst,” the woman said, bringing over two cups.

“Thank you.”

Stella picked up the cup, smelled it, and her smile faltered slightly before she took a sip.

“The meal will be ready any minute now.”

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