Chapter 46

A beat later, Stella slapped the invitation from Addie's grasp, her eyes narrowing with contempt.

"You wvant Damon there just so your White family can parade around pretending you're not ungrateful," she said with a cold, mocking laugh. "Forget it. Everyone's going to see exactly what kind of people your family really are."

Addie's gaze sharpened into a challenge. "You might want to think twice. If Damon doesn't attend, your family will find itself cut off from every circle that matters. And as for when your husband can walk free again..." She let the pause hang, her voice dripping with veiled menace. "That could take a very long time."

But Stella didn't flinch. Not even a hint of doubt flickered across her face. "Our family's affairs are ours to handle-your White family doesn't need to meddle. You'd do better to mind your own steps. One wrong move, and trouble might find you."

With that warning, she swept out of the room.

Eliana lingered for a heartbeat before stooping to retrieve the discarded invitation.

Her lips curved into a pleasant smile as she turned to Addie. "Mrs. White, would you happen to have another invitation? I'd like to bring Damon along."

The White family had been keeping close tabs on the Murray family and knew they'd just reunited with their long-lost daughter.

"So, you're her lost daughter?" Addie ventured.

"That's right," Eliana replied with a steady nod.

Addie's gaze swept over Eliana, lingering with faint appraisal.

Her features were striking, a flawless echo of Stella's youthful beauty.

In a wealthy household, such looks could be an advantage-but in a family stripped of its fortune, beauty this dazzling could just as easily turn into a burden.

A practiced smile curved across Addie's lips as she said warmly, course, I'd be delighted if you came along with Damon."

At her signal, the bodyguard beside her stepped forward and promptly produced another invitation.

Eliana reached out to take it, her expression composed.

Looking entirely satisfied,Addie clasped her hand in a graceful grip. "Your mother has always been a remarkable woman," she said, her tone sweet but edged. "If only she weren't quite so stubborn. You, on the other hand, are sharper-more sensible. When I'm idle, I like playing matchmaker, and if you and Damon attend, I'll see that you meet a man truly worth your while. Your family's no longer as prosperous as it once was, so it's best to secure a good match early. Don't repeat your mother's mistake of sacrificing everything for pride."

Sliding both invitations into her bag, Eliana offered a faint, courteous smile. "I'm grateful for your insight."

Without another glance, she turned and strode out.

Addie's eyes followed her retreating figure, and with a slight tilt of her chin, she signafed to the bodyguard at her side.

The bodyguard leaned closer, and Addie's lips curved faintly as she asked, "Has Barry been hanging around Qidence lately?"

Barry White-Zach's wayward nephew-was infamous for his aimless days and reckless antics.

Years ago, Zach had lined up a respectable marriage for Barry, but just before the engagement, news broke that he'd gotten another woman pregnant. The wedding collapsed in disgrace.

These days, Barry's illegitimate son was already four, and no decent young woman wanted to marry a man with that kind of baggage, no matter how hard his family tried to salvage his reputation.

But after seeing Eliana today, Addie's mind sparked with a scheme. If Eliana ended up with Barry, outsiders would have no grounds to accuse them of ingratitude.

Even without tying the knot with Damon, she thought Barry's marriage to Eliana made little difference.

The bodyguard gave a curt nod. "Yes, he's here."

"Tell him to stay home and mind himself until the engagement banquet," Addie ordered,her tone clipped.

"Got it," the bodyguard replied with a firm nod.

Outside, Eliana hurried to catch up with Stella. "Mom, slow down... Please, don't work yourself up. Your health comes first."

Meeting her daughter's worried gaze, Stella's eyes brimmed with tears.

"Lia.." Her voice trembled with regret. "I never should have trusted Addie enough to introduce Damon to Brenda. If they'd never met, Brenda wouldn't have pushed him to take her horseback riding. Then his legs wouldn't have suffered any injury. I'm to blame. I'm completely to blame!"

Eliana guided her gently into the back seat, one hand steadying her arm, the other smoothing her coat."Mom, you have to stop punishing yourself. None of this is on you," she said softly, her tone warm yet firm."If anyone deserves the blame, it's the White family. They're ungrateful and small-minded-we gain nothing by sinking to their level. Right now, what matters most is your health. If you let that woman's spite make you ill, you're giving her exactly what she wants. We can't let those we love suffer while our enemies laugh."

Stella let out a shaky breath, each word from Eliana settling deep in her chest, easing the weight pressing on her heart. Her sobs finally quieted, and she clasped Eliana's hand with renewed strength. "You're right.I won't let them gloat over my misery. I'lI take care of myself and wait for your dad's release."

"That's the spirit." Eliana's lips curved in agreement, though a faint unease tugged at her.

Stella was handling the news of Louis being taken far too calmly for the woman she knew.

/

Eliana couldn't reconcile this composed, almost detached demeanor with Addie's portrayal of her-or with the wife who would have been frantic over her husband's fate.

Was it because their marriage had grown cold? Or was Stella hiding something deeper beneath that steady voice?

Eliana leaned toward the latter suspicion.

After a pause, she asked gently, "Mom, do you have any plan for dealing with Dad's situation? Or anyone you can reach out to for help? I can help you track them down."

Stella gave a faint shake of her head. "He's been wrongly accused. Once the truth comes out, they'll let him go. You don't need to worry about it."

Her answer felt evasive, lacking the weight of cerainty.

The more Eliana listened, the stronger her unease grew-convinced now that Stella was keeping something from her.

After they returned home, Stella slipped away to her bedroom.

She didn't lie down to rest-instead, she reached for her phone and dialed a number.

The call connected almost instantly, and a deep, steady male voice came through. "Stella, what's happened?"

Taking a moment to weigh her words, she asked softly, "Louis has been locked up for nearly a week now.How much longer until he's released?"

The man's tone remained unruffled. "If we stick to the original plan, at least two months. We've been using Louis and a few of our other men as bait to draw out those pests and wipe them out. Why the sudden concern? Something wrong at home?"

Hearing his even voice, Stella realized her emotions had gotten the better of her. She had been far too impulsive today.

She drew in a steadying breath before answering, her voice low. "It's nothing seriouIs... We just found Lia after all these years, and she hasn't seen Louis since she came home. I guess I'm feeling a little on edge."

"I get it," the man replied gently. "But this isn't something we can rush. One wrong move could wreck everything, and I'm sure you understand that." After a beat, his tone softened even more. "Still, don't worry-l've got people on the inside keeping an eye on him. He won't be mistreated. Just make sure you don't let anything slip. Not even your sons can know about this."

"I know," Stella murmured, her expression firm. "I've kept it from them from the very start."

"That's fine. I have other business to handle, so I'll end the call here. Tomorrow, my son will attend the welcome-home party and bring Lia a lavish gift-though he might not be able to make a formal appearance,"the man said.

"I understand. It's perfectly fine if he can't come," Stella replied warmly.

"It's not about convenience-it's my personal gesture," he said firmly.

Realizing she couldn't refuse without offending him, Stellagave a quiet nod of agreement.

Soon enough, the day of the welcome-home party arrived.