Chapter 204

Chapter 204

Stephanie shot Vincent a glare. “I need to check your wound again, the light was terrible earlier.”

Leaning back, Vincent propped his hands on the bed, an eyebrow cocked playfully, “You help me take it off.

Suppressing a smile, Stephanie bent over and, with a deft touch, gripped the hem of his clothes, slowly peeling it upward.

Suddenly, Vincent’s strong hands captured hers, pulling her into his embrace as he sat her down on his lap. His hot breath. tickled her ear as his fingers delicately stroked her slender knuckles, “Tell me, missed me this past week?”

Stephanie looped her arms around his neck, mindful of the distance to avoid hurting him, “You want the truth?”

“Yeah”

“Not at all.”

“Really?” Vincent caught her chin, turning her gaze toward him I don’t believe you.”

Stephanie’s lips curled into a coy smile, her rosy color enticing him even more. Vincent cradled the back of her head and claimed her lips in a hungry kiss.

They hadn’t been this close for a while, and Stephanie felt her whole body go weak, drained of all strength.

As Vincent gently laid her back on the bed, his hand slipped under her clothes, Stephanie’s eyes glistening with an unspoken invitation as she arched into his touch, spurring him on. Love smoldered in their gaze, powerfully impassioned.

“Stephie, he rasped, voice deep and husky, “it’s been so long!

Stephanie’s voice, sweet and tender, was cautious, “You’re injured. You need to recover

“You don’t want to

“I don‘

“But I do!” Vincent hovered over her, his kisses a prayer trailing from her forehead down to her lips, finally lingering on her sensitive earlobe.

Intoxicated by his affection, Stephanie’s hands clung to his neck.

As Vincent trailed lower, Stephanie’s shirt scrunched up to her collarbone, her fingers threading through his dark hair. His lips reached the tender skin of her belly, inching further down when Stephanie gently held his face, “Not now when we get home

Vincent lay down beside her, pulling her into his arms, a little too forcefully, perhaps, or maybe it was the sting of his wound

that furrowed his brow.

“I told you, not NOW.

Squinting mischievously, Vincent asked, “Not now?”

He drew her close, a subtle but intimate motion that flushed Stephanie’s cheeks crimson.

“Vincent!”

Vincent nipped at her car, “Can I?”

Biting her lower lip, Stephanie whispered, “You can”

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Chapter 204

“We’ll wait until we’re back.

Vincent hadn’t thought of pushing Stephanie: his body was still not fully recovered, and the unease of the surroundings dampened the mood. They lay quietly together, watching the candlelight flicker until it finally extinguished, enjoying the tranquil moments after so many trials and separations

During this period, they faced matters of life and death. Now, all they yearned for was to bask in these fleeting moments of peace. The night before dawn was the darkest, a time when most were plunged into the deepest slumber.

Several figures appeared in the woods near the Terodt Village encampment.

With the oil–soaked cloth in hand, Kiera directed them. “You four, head east. The rest, to the west. Don’t get caught, understand?

“Understood.”

From behind a tree, Kiera watched as the eight shadows swiftly disappeared into the woods.

Waiting endlessly, the expected conflagration never sparked to life. Kiera scowled, “What’s the hold–up? Why isn’t it burning?

“What’s supposed to be burning?”

Abruptly, a voice rang out. Kiera didn’t realize who it was and replied automatically, “Burn down their village! They all deserve to burn!”

Finishing her sentence, Kiera froze, slowly turning around to see Stephanie standing behind her, arms folded across her chest, leisurely observing.

Kiera, as if seeing a ghost, plopped onto the ground, scooting backward, stuttering, “You–you–you, stay away from me!”

Stephanie was bothered by insomnia, forever anticipating some impending trouble. After remembering Kiera’s resentful glare, Stephanie concluded that this person could not possibly mean well, and thus, she posted guards outside their village. Any sign of trouble, and they were to report directly to her.

Just in time, Stephanie got wind of Kiera’s plan and intercepted the eight involved. She knew that if a fire broke out in their village, it would quickly spread through the surrounding forest. Stopping a wildfire was an uphill battle. Both Foadew Village and Steop Village would inevitably suffer. Kiera’s plan was foolish beyond words.

Stephanie kicked Kiera squarely in the face. Kiera shrieked like a slaughtered pig, realizing her nose was gushing blood and her already swollen face was now streaked with crimson.

As Kiera tried to curse Stephanie out, her words were silenced by Stephanie’s ruthless punches.

“Your voice isn’t pleasant at all, playing mute would suit you best

Kiera spat blood, mixed with several teeth. Licking her lips, she noticed her incisors were gone. Before she could wail in anguish, a flash of silver swept by, and a piercing pain in her throat meant no sound would emerge

“Now

you’ve lost the ability to speak” Stephanie crouched down, and yanked open Kiera’s collar, pulling it close to her face, “You dare covet my man? You’re nothing!”

After pressing several acupuncture points with lethal precision, Stephanie flung Kiera to the ground. Kiera convulsed eyes askew and mouths foaming.

Zane approached briskly, surveying the crumpled figure on the ground, “Mrs. Fletcher, those eight confessed to Kiera’s plot.

Stephanie nodded briefly, “Toss them back to Poadew Village, and send a message to Zaiden, if he dares to play dirty again. 1. Stephanie, will make sure it’s the end for him.”

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Chapter 204

Zane nodded, understanding the command.

Stephanie strode toward the camp. Watching her retreating figure, Zane thought that she, like Vincent, possessed an iron and

Stephanie returned to the wooden cabin, where Vincent was wiping her hands for her.

“Do you know what you resembled when you walked in just now? Vincent asked.

Curious, Stephanie replied, “What?”

You looked like a bandit queen.”

Grinning cheekily, Stephanie pinched his chin, “Then you must be my pampered hubby.”

Vincent chuckled softly, “My queen, let’s rest up now.”

1

Stephanie laughed at his funny tone, “Vincent, if you ever quit being a CEO, you should consider opera, you have a knack

for it.”

Vincent, eyebrows arching playfully, retorted, “But you’ve already seen where my true talents lie, haven’t you?”

Knowing full well he was back at his teasing banter, Stephanie huffed lightly, stood up, snuffed out the candle, and lay back on the bed.

With a soft laugh, Vincent wrapped his arms around her, “Now we can finally get a decent night’s sleep.” Elsewhere, Zane dumped Kiera at the gates of Poadew Village along with the other eight battered men.

He fired a shot into the sky, alarming everyone in Poadew Village as they ran to the gates.

Zaiden and Briley were visibly shocked at the sight of Kiera. Briley broke down, crying as she embraced Kiera, “What have you done to her!”

Zane scoffed lightly, “Kiera led a group to set Terodt Village on fire, almost causing a forest fire. She got what she deserved, Let there be a next time, and none of you will survive.” With those words, he departed.

Briley shouted fiercely, “I will have your heads for this!”

Zaiden kicked her squarely in the back, infuriated, “This is what our children have become because of your coddling! Don’t start any more trouble, or I’ll end you myself!”

Briley’s eyes brimined with a deep–seated vengeance, her children’s fate was sealed, and she swore to exact her revenge someday!

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