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?

off, leaving Ethan free to be even more reckless with Lillian. made her

Lillian. If you keep pushing back against Ethan,

to endure it. As her future mother–in–law, Madeline was making it clear–she would always be on Stella’s

in the Reed family and that the Keene

Madeline. I’ve gotten through tough times before, haven’t I? Madam, this is the end for Ethan and

had already come this far–there was no turning back. Stella’s tone was resolute

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

and felt

everything she

a

now.

didn’t want to waste

shoved the necklace firmly into Madeline’s hands and

Stella’s determined posture and then looking at the necklace in her

her. “Madam Madeline. What is she being so proud about? Who else would

Ethan?”

else in Rivermount’s elite circle would be foolish enough to

172

19 Cutting Ties

butler glanced in the direction Stella had left. “She’s young. She can’t swallow this

Stella’s reaction was purely driven by the injustice she

Madeline thought the same.

Finished

scene, she should at least pick the right place. She can fight with the Reed family all she wants, but acting self–righteous in

Stella’s birth chart was exceptionally

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