Chapter 78 No Going Back
Chapter 78 No Going Back
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Stella shook her head, pulled a mask from her pocket and handed it to Nancy, then took out another for herself.
“We’re going in together.”
Everyone living here was homeless, and the way they looked at strangers was unfiltered and blatant.
Even Nancy, who had grown up in this area, looked a little scared.
Stella held her hand and walked forward calmly, her gaze sweeping over each person lying on the ground.
At last, at the very end of the underpass-
She saw a thin boy crouched on the ground, holding a cup to the lips of a middle–aged woman.
It had only been a day since they last saw each other.
The boy who’d once looked clean and decent was now filthy, with dried blood matted in his hair.
She inhaled sharply but exhaled just as quickly it smelled awful.
She walked over, crouched down, and gently touched his head. “Jimmy.”
That warm, melodic voice rang softly beside his ear, and her gentle touch landed on the crown of his head.
Jimmy, who hadn’t slept all night, reacted a second too late. When he finally turned his head, his eyes widened.
“You…”
Realizing Stella had touched his dirty hair, he hurriedly pulled a tissue from his pocket and offered it to her. “My head’s dirty. Wipe your hand.”
Taking the tissue, Stella’s heart ached with anger and tenderness. She pinched his nose. “You little punk! You made me look everywhere for you! You’re coming back with me.”
The woman lying on the ground suddenly sat up and clung to Jimmy tightly. “No! We’re not going back! We’re not going! Get out! Leave!”
She grabbed a nearby cup and hurled it at Stella.
Before Stella could react, Jimmy stepped in front of her.
The cup slammed into the boy’s back. He let out a pained grunt, and his eyes, shadowed beneath his long bangs, were full of guilt. “You should go. I can’t go back with you.”
Stella frowned and pulled Jimmy aside, her voice gentle, her face soft. “I’m not the bad guy. I’m here to protect you.”
The woman’s expression eased a little, her eyes foggy. “Pro….tect us?”
Stella’s words hit Jimmy like a knife to the chest.
He bit down hard on his lip. “We…”
Stella shot him a glare. “Shut up. You’re coming with me. Now.”
The commanding tone in her bloodline silenced any refusal.
Shouldering his backpack, Jimmy helped the woman up. “This is my sister. We’ll go with her.”
As the woman stood, she stared at Stella for a long time, her eyes slowly turning red. “You’re so pretty.”
The roads in the slums were too narrow for cars, so the vehicle was parked outside.
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3:55 PM P
Chapter 78 No Going Back
Jenn’s condition was bad–she’d coughed up blood several times on the way.
Nancy came over to help as well, and the four of them made their way out together.
Just as they reached the street, they ran into Lucas again.
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Lucas wrinkled his nose at the sight of the two filthy figures but still stepped forward eagerly. “Stella, need a hand?”
Ashford was huge–larger than several small countries combined.
Running into Lucas again? That was no coincidence.
She hadn’t thought much of it yesterday.
Now, Stella’s delicate face darkened slightly, and her tone turned cold. “Lucas, are you following me?”
Lucas didn’t even flinch at being called out. Instead, he smiled. “I’m not following you. I hired a private investigator to find out where you were. You wouldn’t answer my calls–I didn’t have a choice.”
After chasing her for three years, Lucas knew Stella well.
Better to admit it outright than try to cover it up. She’d be mad, but not as mad.
But seeing him still smiling made Stella’s expression freeze over completely. “Oh? And that’s something to be proud of? You violated my privacy. I could call the police.”
The beautiful girl’s face turned cold, her icy elegance striking and intimidating.
Lucas was quick to adapt and instantly apologized. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to. I just missed you too much!”
Stella stared at him flatly. “What is this, a ‘try not to laugh‘ challenge? You win.”
Right now, getting to the hospital was more important..
She turned to Jimmy. “Help Jenn into the car.”
From under his long bangs, Jimmy’s cold gaze flicked toward Lucas.
This guy was just like before–clinging to his sister like a leech:
As he helped Jenn toward the car, Jimmy deliberately rammed into Lucas.
The impact jolted Lucas hard enough to send him stumbling back several steps, his arm flaring with pain. His temper flared instantly. “What the hell is wrong with you?!”
Jimmy froze, turned his head slowly, and his eyes gleamed with a cold, vicious glint. “Stay the hell away from my sister.”
