The Returned Heiress Who Never Fit In

Chapter 551 Scars and Settlements Stella had never been fond of parties.

O X Finished Especially the kind where everyone gathered just to show off, trade shallow pleasantries, and put on fake smiles.

She had no patience for that kind of social circus.

Abraham gently pinched her cheek, indulgent as ever. "This birthday banquet's special. You don't have to go to any others after this, okay?" Stella groaned, "Fine." Her tone couldn't be more reluctant.

She slid off him and trudged upstairs to call Marie.

Meanwhile, Abel approached Abraham respectfully. "Abraham." "We're keeping eyes on Dan-and Lance too." A "Mrs. Evelyn already met with Lance today. I don't think he'll dare make any further moves." Over the years, Lance had shown nothing but greedy ambition when it cto resources.

But he lacked the courage.

This time, sneaking around with Dan had landed him face-to-face with Marie-worst-case scenario.

Even if Mrs. Evelyn hadn't stepped in, he probably would've backed down. But the warning made sure of it.

It was an indirect but effective way of cutting off Dan's connections in Falvaria.

Abraham hummed in acknowledgment, the depth of his eyes sharpening with understanding.

"Keep the heat on Dan." LE Abel nodded. "Understood." He hesitated, then added, "As for Mr. Derrick... looks like he plans to use Miss Marie as a way to crush the Tom family." It was a quiet but pointed reminder.

Then he added thoughtfully, "You know how Miss Marie is-once she loses her temper, she doesn't exactly have limits." If Derrick wanted to go head-to-head with the Tom family, they were bound to retaliate-and Marie would inevitably get caught in the crossfire.

1/4 Mon, Aug Chapter 551 Scars and Settlements Finished Relations between the Tom family and the Dawson family had already grown thin over the years. If Marie stirred things up further...

Abraham caught Abel's drift and gave a low chuckle. "No limits? That's exactly what Derrick's banking on.' Abel: "..." Well. Fair point? Abraham chuckled again, colder this time. “If she had limits, Derrick wouldn't be so desperate to pull her in.” This so-called marriage between Derrick and Marie-at its core-was a strategic partnership.

Just then, Derrick walked in, catching the word "desperate".

His face darkened instantly.

Desperate? * Only people marrying for love got labeled that way. His deal with Marie was a collaboration-nothing more.

But in Abraham's mouth, it sounded downright pathetic.

THE E Noticing Derrick from the corner of his eye, Abraham smiled faintly. "Tell Marie to rein in that temper of hers. Just a little." Abel blinked. "Huh?" Rein it in? He was just about to ask when he turned and spotted Derrick standing at the door, arms crossed, face like thunder.

Abraham added, "Can't be too helpful, you know?" Abel nearly choked. "Cough... cough..." Yikes.

Derrick's face went even darker.

Noticing Abel's warning cough, Abraham turned and met Derrick's death glare.

That was a murderous look.

But Abraham only smiled more. "Don't you agree, Mr. Derrick?" Derrick was livid.

With a cold snort, he strode over on his long legs and sat down across from Abraham.

"Isn't this a little low? Stabbingin the back like this?" 011 23:49 Mon, Aug 4 OG Chapter 551 Scars and Settlements "I just don't want to make things too easy for you." 70% 0 X Finished They both knew the truth about the Tom family.

Derrick's father wasn't showing restraint out of affection for the Dawson family. He was afraid.

If Marie got involved in the internal power struggle between Derrick and the Tom family, it would be far easier for Derrick to take back what had once belonged to his mother. Yes, Derrick was a Tom-but he held a blood feud against them.

Three years ago, he'd already broken ties with the family and reclaimed nearly everything that was rightfully his mother's.

But nearly wasn't enough.

Because the Tom family had only risen thanks to his mother's marriage into it-during a tof crisis, no less.

And what did his father do? When Derrick was fourteen, the woman his father truly loved reappeared. While Derrick's mother was dying in childbirth, that woman's presence caused her to suffer a fatal breakdown.

His mother and baby sister died together.

And yet his father brought that woman and her child into the Tom XO family-letting them enjoy everything that was supposed to belong to Derrick's mother. That betrayal had never left his heart.

He didn't just want justice for his mother.

He wanted the entire Tom family.

And if he couldn't have it, he'd burn it to the ground.

"Abraham, you can stabin the back on anything else-but not this," Derrick said coldly.

Before Abraham could respond, “Į Derrick continued, "I know you blme for what happenèd between you and Stella-those three years lost." "But don't forget, she was my fiancée. I never meant to hurt her.” His voice grew more heated with every word.

Honestly, the one thing that old bastard had ever done right... was arranging Stella to be his wife.

No one knew the feeling Derrick had when he first learned that someday, Stella would be his bride.