The Wrong Girl and the Wronged Girl (Stella and Ethan) novel Chapter 862

862 Lines That Should Never Be Crossed

And it wasn’t just a simple beating—she had come prepared with reinforcements. The assault was merciless, leaving no doubt about her resolve.

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop talking,” Derrick quickly interrupted, his voice tinged with unease. “Anyway, things really escalated that night.”

“Escalated” was an understatement.

From the perspective of Sebastian, Lancelot, and Ashley, the whole ordeal had been nothing short of terrifying.

Meanwhile, Dan sat slumped inside the car, his entire body throbbing with pain. “That damn woman!” he growled, his voice low and bitter. “I hope when she finds out it was Derrick, she tears that bastard apart!”

Conan, who was behind the wheel, remained silent for a moment, processing the tension in the air.

“Beat the crap out of Mr. Derrick?” he finally muttered, skepticism lacing his tone. “I doubt that’ll happen.”

His words struck Dan like a punch straight to the gut.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Dan snapped, eyes narrowing. “You doubt it?”

“They’re married,” Conan stated flatly, as if that explained everything.

A heavy silence fell between them.

“Married couples sleep together, have kids—that’s normal, right? So why would she want to hurt Mr. Derrick?” Dan pressed, confusion and frustration bubbling up inside him.

More silence answered his question.

Each word from Conan felt like a blow, harder than any fist.

“So, I got my ass kicked for nothing?” Dan asked bitterly.

Conan gave a slow nod. “Probably, yes.”

It wasn’t just pointless—it was a complete loss. And with Marie’s recent outbursts at Ashen Pact, there was no doubt she had taken some of that personal rage out on him.

“Goddammit!” Dan roared, the frustration nearly overwhelming him.

His mind teetered on the edge of losing control, especially since Marie still refused to believe that Derrick was the one involved that night.

Who knew what lies that bastard had fed her?

But she wasn’t buying it—not even close.

The more Dan dwelled on it, the hotter his anger burned.

Just then, his phone rang again—a new alert. One of his resource sites had been taken.

And guess who had taken it?

Derrick.

That was the final straw. Dan felt like he was about to explode.

“That son of a bitch! After all this time I took the fall for him, he has the nerve to steal from me?” he yelled, voice thick with rage.

Now his anger was boiling over.

He slammed the phone down and immediately dialed Derrick’s number—only to hear it was switched off.

Next, he tried Marie’s phone. Also off.

Artemis even glanced at the butler, as if seeking silent reassurance.

Lenny bowed his head slightly but stood tall, maintaining his quiet composure.

Artemis turned her gaze back to Dale, opening her mouth as if to speak—but ultimately, she remained silent.

Dale took another slow drag from his cigar.

Dan dropped onto the couch opposite him, crossing one leg over the other with a casual but challenging air. “What’s wrong? You used to love them so much. What happened? You don’t see them as your kids anymore?”

Dale’s cold eyes flicked up to meet his.

Dan smirked, a cruel edge to his voice. “Isk, tsk. That’s a rare sight. What changed? Finally ready to show your true colors? I thought you’d never be able to let go.”

Artemis and Manny stayed silent.

But the mockery in Dan’s tone sharpened Manny’s glare instantly.

Artemis’s heart pounded in her chest.

For years, Dan had harbored hatred toward her because of his late mother—and she was painfully aware of it.

If he ever got the chance to crush her, he wouldn’t hesitate.

But now…

“Dan, Manny and Lina have always been your younger siblings. Why are you doing this?” she asked softly, her voice trembling slightly.

“Whether they are or not—that’s what we’re here to find out, isn’t it? Works for me. I want to know the truth too,” Dan replied, his voice cold but determined.