A second 4

 

4 

Kaelen stayed by Stella’s bedside in the VIP ward until she woke up. 

“Kael…” she whispered, her voice frail with fear. 

He held her, gently wiping the sweat from her brow. “I’m sorry. I didn’t protect you.” 

Stella shook her head, then seemed to remember something. “The other lady who was with me… what happ 

ened to her?” 

Kaelen’s expression darkened. He avoided the question. “You’re too kind. I won’t let anyone hurt you eve 

again.” 

He soothed her until she drifted back into an uneasy sleep, then gave his orders. “Clean out the villa on th hill. Throw away anything that shouldn’t be there. Stella will move in when she’s discharged.” 

His subordinate nodded and handed him a document. “The compensation agreement for Miss Zoe, as yo 

instructed. Two casinos and twenty percent of company shares have been transferred. It’s enough for her t 

start over somewhere else.” 

“Good,” Kaelen grunted. “Have it delivered to her. Make her sign.” 

In his mind, this was a magnificent act of generosity, a clean break. Zoe had been with him for eight years She knew her place. 

But a day passed. Then another. No response. His calls and texts went unanswered. 

He called the villa’s housekeeper. “Where is she? Hasn’t she come back yet?” 

“The madam has not returned, sir.” 

3/9 

14:33 

Chapter 2 

14.33 

A flicker of unease crept through Kaelen’s irritation. Besides by his side, where else in Canaan could she 

possibly go? 

“Boss,” one of his men suggested, “could she still be at the hospital? She was badly injured…” 

Only then did Kaelen remember the dagger he’d driven through her palm. He pushed down the strange feeli- ng in his chest. “Find out which hospital she’s in. Take her the papers.” 

The man took the file, but Kaelen stopped him. “And when you find her, post two smart men to watch her. She’s a viper. I wouldn’t put it past her to try something against Stella.” He added, as an afterthought, “If she makes a move, grab her brother. A little pressure on him, and she’ll know what to do.” 

That night, Kaelen found himself back in the penthouse. This had been their home. Through the floor-to- ceiling windows, the city glittered below, a river of neon stars. Zoe had once stood here, pointing to the 

ights, and laughed that it was all their kingdom. 

He tore off his tie, agitated, and thought he heard a faint sound from the bedroom. 

She’s back? 

Of course. Where else would she go? 

But knowing Zoe, a quiet return wasn’t a surrender. It was either the prelude to a war, or she was planning a 

nuch more vicious attack, with Stella as the target. 

His eyes went cold. He strode to the bedroom and threw open the door. 

A slender, graceful silhouette was outlined against the city lights. 

But when she turned, Kaelen’s blood ran cold. “What are you doing here?” 

Stella flinched, a delicate, press-on nail clutched in her trembling fingers. “Kael…” she stammered, looking ike a frightened deer. “I just wanted to see… The men at the door said no one lived here. Please don’t be ingry with them…” 

Caelen’s gaze fell to the false nail. It was one of Zoe’s creations-thin as a cicada’s wing, but reinforced to be sharp enough to slice through skin or thin metal. Not just her nails, but her earrings, her hairpins, even her ipstick could be a weapon. The Queen of the Cards was never just a title for the poker table. 

He looked at Stella’s frightened, innocent eyes, and the fury in his chest dissipated. He went to her, pulling her into a gentle embrace. “I’m not angry with you. It’s just… these were my late wife’s things. If you like them ‘ll have a new set made for you.” 

Stella looked up at him, her eyes shining with emotion. She had chosen the right man. A man so devoted to his deceased wife would surely be a good husband and father.