The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 2023

A moment passed.

Hearing Samantha's threat, the two exchanged a look.

"You..."

"Don't worry." Roger lightly pinched Stella's chin and replied in a completely deadpan tone. "When the time comes, I'll have her break my right leg."

*What?*

Stella's mind was reeling.

"Right hand, right leg..." Roger braced his hands on the bathroom counter, trapping the girl in his embrace. He stared down at her stunning features and explained, "It'll be symmetrical."

Sym-symmetrical?

Stella stared blankly for two seconds before it finally clicked.

For a moment, she didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

He was severely injured, yet he still had the energy to crack jokes.

"Do you really want my leg broken?" Seeing the color return to her face, Roger's tense nerves finally relaxed a fraction.

"No."

Stella thought about it, then shook her head.

"Understood." Roger smirked. He tightened his hold on her, leaning in close to whisper against her ear, "Does this mean you're accepting my pursuit?"

Stella leaned against his chest, feeling the steady, reassuring vibration of his heart.

The words of rejection she had prepared simply vanished from her tongue.

Perhaps, she should give them both another chance.

If she wasn't good enough for him yet, she would just have to work harder until she was.

"I won't let you regret this."

"Roger..."

After a long pause, the girl slowly raised her hand and rested it gently against his back. Her voice was feather-light. "I'll make sure to take my medicine."

And she would never let him regret this, either.

After dinner at The Blair Estate, Charlotte, Anthony, Stella, and Roger drove to the research institute.

"Roger is on medication right now."

To keep Stella from worrying, Charlotte took the initiative to explain, "If there are no improvements in a week, we'll have to proceed with the surgical plan."

A surgical plan?

"I'm going to grab my purse."

With that excuse, Stella practically fled the examination room.

As soon as she was out of sight, the playful smile vanished from Charlotte's face, replaced by a grave expression.

"Stella's mental state looks fine on the surface. But if you want her to fully recover, how you care for her right now is crucial."

"I know." Roger shoved his hands into his pockets, staring in the direction the girl had disappeared. He nodded firmly. "I'll stay right by her side."

"She's highly dependent on you right now."

Charlotte didn't object. After a moment of thought, she added, "Try to take her out for walks more often."

"Ultimately, the goal is to get her back into college."

Being around people would do wonders for her emotional healing.

"Understood."

Roger nodded, committing every single word to memory.

"Also..."

Seeing that Stella was about to return, Charlotte straightened up and shot Roger a deeply inquisitive look. "What exactly are you scheming?"