After hanging up the phone, Stella felt her temples were popping. Her heart was racing as if it would
jump out of her chest.
She tried to calm herself down. Then she dialed Sherry’s phone.
Sherry was taking photos of models. She swiped to answer the call. “Yes, Stella? What’s up?”
Stella asked, “Are you in the studio?”
“Yes, I am. I’m quite busy now. I'll call you back later.”
Stella said, “Sherry, listen. Something happened in Riverside City. I’m not certain if those people have
the plan to carry on in City N. I’ve asked Chan to find you all. You must be careful in the following few
days.”
Sherry was taken aback. She nodded subconsciously, “Oh, I see. Okay. I’ll go find Elaine right after
shooting.”
“Okay. Call me if you need any help.”
Putting away her phone, Stella took a deep breath.
Although she might have been oversensitive, she could tell how ruthless those people were because
they had killed several elders in Riverside City in just one night.
Hence, Stella must guarantee the safety of her family and friends.
She tried to call Archer and Dolores again, but their phones were still powered off.
Stella heard a weak voice from the bed when she was about to walk out of the ward. “Stella...”
At first, she thought she had misheard.
Then William called her again, “Stella...”
Stella hurried to the bed, only to find that William had opened his eyes. However, his eyes had no focus
yet. Raising his hand, he seemed to be trying to grab something.
Stella bent over and held his hand. She said between sobs, “I’m here.”
William stared at the ceiling for a while. Then his eyes finally got the focus. He tilted his head to look at
her with a weak smile. “Dad is here. Don’t be afraid,” he whispered.
Upon hearing it, Stella couldn’t hold back her emotion any longer. Fear and the unknown horror surged
in her heart. She burst into tears.
William tried hard to raise another hand, patting her on the head. He comforted her, “It’s alright.”
Stella cried for a long time before gradually calming down. She wiped off her tears and said, “I’ll call the
doctor over.”
Soon, the doctor came in to have an overall checkup on William.
Except that he was still fragile, William was fine.
The doctor said he needed to recover in peace. It would be better if he had limited visitors.
After the doctor left, William sat up while leaning against the bedhead. He said, “Stella, you said
something had happened in Riverside City on the phone.”
Stella poured a glass of water for him. “You heard it?”
“Yeah, faintly. But I didn’t hear it clearly. What happened?” asked William.
Stella said, “The doctor said you need to recover in peace. Please leave those matters alone.”
William took the glass, had a few sips and coughed. “What about Daniel? Has he been found?”
Stella frowned slightly, shaking her head.
After a pause, she added, “Clarence is helping you manage the company. Don’t worry.”
William was silent for a moment.
Stella knew that Clarence didn’t leave him a good impression before.
She didn’t continue with this subject. Stella stood up and said, “I’m going to check with the doctor about
your diet.”
Then she walked out of the ward.
While walking in the corridor, Stella received a call from Channing. He said he had arrived at the studio.
Later, they would do what they should do. He asked her not to be worried.
Stella nodded and said, “Okay. Just wait and see. There shouldn’t be no other matters.”
Noah had been missing now, so she didn’t want any of them to be hurt again.
Moreover, something had happened in Riverside City, so Stella wondered if those people’s next target
would be Elaine.
After hanging up the phone, Stella adjusted her breath and entered the doctor’s office.
The doctor said William could only take liquid food for now. He could have some light dishes in two
days.
Coming out of the office, Stella went shopping in the convenience store downstairs. When she returned
to the ward, Clarence and William’s assistant had arrived.
Since they were talking about business, Stella closed the door in silence and waited for them while
sitting on the bench outside.
She unlocked the phone, staring at Noah’s photo. Her eyes were reddened.
Her tears dripped on the screen of her phone.
After a moment, she raised her head and closed her eyes to hold back her tears.
Then, her hands were held by someone. He whispered to her, “Have you seen the news?”
Stella opened her eyes, only to find that Clarence had come out of the ward. He was squatting in front
of her.
She lowered her head and muffled, “I couldn’t get in touch with Archer and Ms. Anderson. I’m afraid...”
Clarence pinched her reddish nose. “Don't be afraid. I’m here with you.”
Stella was taken aback. Suddenly, an idea came to her mind. “You...”
“After the incident happened in the James family, they were taken to a secured place,” said Clarence.
“Wasn’t Noah under medical treatment in the lab? Since something happened to Darnell James, what
about the lab?” Stella asked.
“They are all quite safe. But it's a big group of people, so they are also a big target. For the time being,
they can’t leave Riverside City. Don’t worry, OK?”
Stella choked with sobs, “But... I’ve called Archer and Ms. Anderson, and I couldn’t reach them at all.”
Clarence explained, “It’s because a lot of people are looking for them. I’ll contact them in the evening,
all right?”
Stella raised her hand to wipe off her tears. “I see.”
Clarence saw that she was still upset, and his heart softened. Approaching her, he pecked on her lips
and said, “You look so adorable when crying.”
Stella was speechless.
When she reached out to push him, her hands were pressed by Clarence.
Clarence curled up his lips into a faint smile and slowly moved backward. “Where have you been just
now?” he asked.
Stella whispered in a crying tone, “I bought something downstairs.”
“Had lunch?”
“Not yet...”
Clarence said, “Come. Let’s go for lunch.”
Stella looked back at the ward. “The doctor said he needs to rest more...”
“No worries. His assistant is briefing the work status simply. It’ll end soon,” said Clarence.
Stella suddenly thought of something. She kept silent and left with him.
Clarence asked, “What would you like to eat?”
“Anything is fine.”
“Since William has woken up, you should rest assured. Let’s dine out.”
Stella nodded in agreement. “Okay.”
Clarence might be surprised because she was so cooperative. He turned to look at her, raising his
brows.
Under his gaze, Stella tidied her hair up and said solemnly, “I just think you are too pitiful to be kicked
out. I decided to be obedient to you.”
After a few seconds of silence, Clarence asked, “Said who I was kicked out?”
“That’s pretty obvious, isn’t it?”
62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda