The Returned Heiress Who Never Fit In

Chapter 19 Cutting Ties Cleanly

Finished

Madeline held onto Stella’s hand, as if she wanted to say more. But Stella’s stance was firm. “Madam Madeline, I’m sorry, Ethan is not someone I can entrust my life to.”

Madeline fell silent..

Stella continued. “I never expected his undivided loyalty, but he hasn’t even given me the bare minimum of respect,”

Madeline sighed. “This…”

but

She couldn’t deny it. Ethan hadn’t shown Stella even the most basic respect. Even as his mother, she couldn’t blindly defend

him.

“But what will you do? Without Ethan, your life in the Reed family will be even harder.”

Madeline reminded Stella of her standing in the Reed family. Even though everyone now despised Lillian, they still had to Jacknowledge that she held a significant position within the family.

Stella lowered her gaze without responding.

Madeline pressed on, “You don’t need to answer me now. I’ll talk to Ethan, and Lillian v

will be sent away as

as soon as possible.”

She was beyond furious. What hold does Lillian have over Ethan to make him so utterly bewitched?

and Ethan completely breaking things off, leaving Ethan free to be even more reckless with Lillian. made her

favors Lillian. If you keep pushing back against Ethan, things won’t be

her future mother–in–law, Madeline was making it clear–she would always

no place for Stella in the Reed family and that the Keene family

tough times before, haven’t I? Madam, this is the

far–there was no turning back. Stella’s

for anyone. Simply put, she hated unnecessary trouble. She wanted to cut things clean

her unwavering attitude and felt slightly embarrassed. “You

humbled herself and said everything she could, yet Stella was still this

a hint

now.

want to waste any

the necklace firmly into Madeline’s hands and

and then looking at the

being so proud about?

Ethan?”

be foolish

172

Cutting

Stella had left.

was purely driven

Madeline thought the same.

Finished

least pick the right place. She can fight with the Reed family all

was exceptionally auspicious–Madeline

furious at Ethan for being tangled up with Lillian, but she was even angrier that Stella had been