âYou could have rejected her invitation.â âEven if I did, she would be able to find another way to probe me,â Stella said mockingly, âMr. Ford, youâre very similar to her. You should be aware of how people like you and Ms. Cohen behave. Even though I refuse to meet with you, I find myself in your car against my will.â
Free will was a false notion given the difference in their status.
It was a pity that Stella only understood this cruel reality after paying a hefty price. The car stopped in a suburban neighborhood.
It was a relatively deserted place, with no cars in sight even after a long period.
Weston flicked the ashes of his cigarette as smoke wrapped around his fingers. The deep, dark lines along his side profile looked even more mysterious under the smoke.
Stella waited for a long while, but he never opened his mouth. She unfastened her seatbelt. âMr. Ford, what exactly do you want?â âKeep away from Gwen.â
The four words sliced through her heart like a knife.
Stellaâs eyes trembled. Her heart had long been torn to pieces; how could she still feel that subtle throb of pain? But it was subtle and no longer as deep and searing as before.
do She remained silent for a while before saying, âYou should tell her that instead. Or rather, tell yourself that. Anyhow, stay away from me, you bothâ
Weston put out his cigarette and folded his arm back into the car. He looked straight into Stellaâs eyes and said, âYour face makes her suspicious. If you donât want your new life to be rudely interrupted, keep your distance from her.â
Stella pursed her lips. âIn that case, why didnât you send Roger and me to an even further and more secluded city? Or even to another country? You should have considered something like this happening by settling us down in Freemont City.â No one offered an explanation to her question.
Weston looked at the cigarette he had put out between his fingers. Emotions stirred deep within his dark eyes, but it was difficult to tell what he was thinking.
Ben had asked him the same question too. âMr. Ford, isnât Freemont City too risky? Although it does allow us to keep a close watch over Ms. Sealey and her brother, it also increases the risk of someone else finding them out.â
He himself did not know what he was thinking.
By the time he snapped back to attention, he was clear about only one thing: He had to keep Stella right under his nose.
It was an accident that day at the Quirkâs residence. Weston naturally knew that Stella lacked the ability to deliberately appear before them.
He should have quickly defused the situation and minimized the impact that Stellaâs appearance had on Guinevere.
That was the most rational way.
Yet, as if he was possessed by a ghost, he made the most ridiculous proposal: To send her home along the way.
Even Yvonne could tell that something was fishy, what more Guinevere.
Weston suddenly hated himself for losing self-control. He collected himself and said in a tone cold as ice, âSince you requested it yourself, I can send you and Roger out of the country.â
Stella lifted her head and looked at him in disbelief, âWhat do you treat us as? Sending us away wherever you please?â She pushed the car door open agitatedly, âWe have no relationship whatsoever, Weston Ford. Ever since you made that decision, you have no right to interfere in my a Since she had been given a new identity, from that moment on, she was Ella Steele.
Ella Steele had nothing to do with Stella Sealey of the past.
âStella Sealey!â
Weston yelled her name with a subtle hint of emotion. âSit down.â
It was that same cold, commanding tone as if the entire world should be at his beck and call.
Stella gritted her teeth and pushed the door open with force. She slammed the door in his face and turned around to leave.