When Love Comes Late by PASSION

Chapter 2507

The night before their departure, Stella kept a solitary vigil by Matthews bedside in the hospital.

Out of the blue, her phone rang, flashing an unfamiliar number.

Intrigued, Stella answered.

Silence hung on the line after she connected, sending a shiver down her spine as she suspected it might be Sanford.

Sure enough, the silence was broken by a familiar voice, its low tones slicing through the quiet.

Stella, I know Matthew hasnt woken up yet.

I want to send my doctors over-maybe they can find a way to wake him up sooner.

Predictably, Stella rebuffed his offer.

She felt a complex brew of emotions toward Sanford, thinking they might have been friends if his lineage hadnt cast such a long shadow.

Sensing her coolness, Sanford quickly apologized.

Stella, Im really sorry. He didnt mention how he had tried to stop Declan and make amends.

you really a student that my father sponsored? Sanford sighed, his voice tinged

to get

my true identity right from

I wont deny, the time I spent with your family taught me

that, Im deeply thankful to both your

as much, pressed

what was your real agenda? Was I always a target for Declan? Sanfords response

rumored to have a treasure map, which was supposedly

what Declan was after

furrowed in

heard of any

with a

It doesnt matter now.

owe you more than

Im at your service, no

this conversation, I plan to step back and not

emotions swirleda blend of

the castle, theres

best we lead our separate

prolonged silence before Sanford finally spoke,

Declan is dead.