The Heiress With Seven Secret Identies (Stella Shaw) novel Chapter 78

Chapter 78 Vincent Begins to Suspect

He asked, and she answered. Didn’t hold back.

Frederick noticed. Thought it was strange.

What was his grandfather doing? Running a background check?

Vincent went quiet when she mentioned her mother’s last name.

“Your mother was a Shaw?”

+5 Pearls

The second it left his mouth, he remembered what Frederick had said earlier. Realized he’d overstepped.

“Old age. Don’t get many chances to talk to anyone. That was out of line. Forget I asked.”

“Actually, I only know her last name. Never knew her first.”

That surprised him. The fact that she answered at all. The fact that she didn’t seem bothered.

“She told me her name was Shaw. Never got the chance to tell me the rest.”

Her eyes glistened. Just a little. Her voice dropped, just slightly.

“Mr. Shaw, you should rest now.”

If they kept talking, she’d lose focus. She could feel it.

“Alright.”

He nodded, but his eyes stayed on her. That serious expression–where had he seen it before?

“How are you feeling?”

“Better. The medicine helps. The acupuncture too.”

Frederick exhaled. Quiet relief.

“I’ll be back in three days. Follow–up.”

“Good.”

She left.

Vincent watched her go. Didn’t look away until the door closed.

“Frederick.”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t you think she looks like Nicole? And Jasper?”

9:48 am PPPP

Chapter 78 Vincent Begins to Suspect

Frederick blinked.

“Grandfather. You miss her. That’s all.”

+5 Pearts

“I thought she looked familiar the first time I saw her. Didn’t place it until Jasper showed up yesterday. Her eyes–those are Nicole’s. The rest of her face. That’s Jasper.

“When she was doing the acupuncture. Focused like that. For a second I thought I was looking at Jasper as a teenager. Doing homework at our kitchen table.”

“You think she’s Aunt Nicole’s daughter?”

“What if she is?”

Frederick didn’t know what to say. His grandfather missed his aunt. That was all. Grief did things to people.

“That’s unlikely. I know some of her background. Her mother was trafficked. She put her own father in prison. The trial’s tomorrow, actually.”

The words hung there. Frederick frowned.

Well. Maybe not completely unlikely.

“We should go. Observe.”

“Your health-”

“I’m fine.”

“Okay.”

Frederick didn’t stay long. Went home. Started digging.

*****

Harlow Villa.

“Crash. Bang. Smash.”

Jasmine had lost it completely. She grabbed everything within reach and threw it against the wall.

“Why? Why does she get everything?

“Elias Cross. That’s Elias Cross. A man like that. Top of the food chain. And he falls for her? For Stella? The

nun?”

Ruby sat on the floor, face pale. She couldn’t move.

Elias Cross. Just the name was enough to ruin them. One word from him and they were done.

And Stella had him. Had his attention. Had his–whatever this was.

9:48 am PP

Chapter 78 Vincent Begins to Suspect

Tomorrow’s trial. Did they even have a chance?

+5 Pearls

“So what if he’s a Cross? Mom, Dad’s in the hospital. She put him there. We’re pressing charges.”

“Jasmine. Calm down.”

“No. I won’t. Mr. Cross has to follow the law like everyone else. I’ll make this a scene. A big one.”

She wasn’t thinking straight anymore. Didn’t care.

The trolls cost money. She was running low. But Stella had other enemies.

Amber. She probably wanted Stella dead.

Yes. That was it.

Jasmine stumbled out the door. Ruby ran after her.

Meanwhile, Silas had just woken up. Last night, when he found out the man who looked at Stella like she was the only woman in the world was Elias Cross, the name people whispered in fear–he’d nearly lost it. Nearly gone over there. But he didn’t have the guts.

To avoid marrying Jasmine, he’d agreed to his family’s plan. Move abroad. All of them.

He hated it. Hated her. Hated himself.

Stella.

The regret hit him so hard he couldn’t breathe. Then he passed out again.

*****

Imperial Crest Towers.

Stella worked in the lab, white coat on, focused.

She’d run two sets of tests. The kinship analysis. And a full health panel for Vincent.

Late now. She was tired. Yawned.

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