StartNovelChapter 535
Skyler couldn't find the words at first.
After a long pause, he finally sighed. "Alright, you can call yourself whatever you want. | won't argue with you
about that anymore.
The reason | chere today was to ask you to chome. Raven-Star-what happened before, | was too rash. |
owe you an apology, and | hope you won't hold it against me."
That was one thing about Skyler-he knew when to bend and when to stand firm. If he hadn't, Stella's mother
would never have relented so many times when he tried to make peace.
Stella's expression remained unreadable. "I accept your apology. But | have my own life now, and | don't want to
go back. I hope you'll cooperate with the paperwork for the nchange."
Skyler tried again, "Star, please, don't be stubborn. | know life hasn't been easy for you these past years. The
O'Briens didn't know your worth-they had the nerve to mistreat my daughter. Star, I'll stand up for you if you
wantto."
Stella shook her head. "That's not necessary. I'm an adult. | can handle my own problems. If there's nothing else,
I'll be going."
Skyler wanted to say more, but Jonathan gently stopped him, shaking his head. "Dad, Stella's still upset. Let's
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtgive her stto cool off."
Skyler's voice was heavy. "But if she agrees to let the Watsons adopt her..."
"She won't." Jonathan said calmly, "We've already made our position clear. If she agreed to their adoption, it
would mean choosing their side over ours. The Williams family has never wronged her. After she cback, she
never lacked for anything. And you were never as strict with her as you were with Aurora. What happened
between her and Sherman at the party would have been humiliating for any family, not just ours. Besides, you
gave her a choice. She has no reason to resent you for that. No matter what happens, you're still her father."
Skyler let out a heavy sigh. "I hope you're right."
After leaving Skyler, Stella didn't go to see Nicolle right away. Instead, she called Antoney.
"Hey, are you free right now? | need to talk to you."
Antoney already knew that Mr. Burton had called her away, and he'd seen Nicolle at the concert earlier. He could
guess that Stella had learned the truth about his family.
After a moment's silence, he replied, "I'll be in the back garden. Meetthere."
When Stella arrived, Antoney was sitting on a bench in the gazebo, shoulders slumped, his whole face clouded
with gloom. He'd worn that look for weeks now, and until she'd met Nicolle, Stella hadn't understood why. Now,
everything was clear.
She sat beside him. "I ran into Mr. Watson just now."
Antoney's head snapped up, a sharp glint chasing away the shadows in his eyes. "What did he say to you? Did
he threaten you?"
"No." Stella shook her head. "Mr. Watson wants to adoptand he offeredten percent of his company's
shares."
Antoney stared at her, stunned. "You're sure he didn't try to intimidate you? Star, promiseyou're not hiding
anything."
met
"There's nothing to hide." Stella looked out at the peaceful garden, her voice calm. "We grew up together you
know what kind person | am. Do | look like someone who'd just swallow my problems
instead of speaking up?"
Sof the tension left Antoney's face. He knew she'd never keep something
from him out of smisguided sense of protection.
He drew a slow breath, and then told her everything-his whole story, from beginning to end.
When he finished, he said quietly, "Star, | never meant to keep this from you. I just... | don't want to go back."
He knew that once Stella heard the truth, she'd try to convince him to return.
She asked Why don't you want to
go? From what | saw, your mom and Mr. Watson don't seem to have any deep
o resentment between them. Or... is it because you can't accept having a half-sister?"
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