Chapter 254

Chapter 254:

On the other end of the line, RK asked, “Who are you going with?” Stella was speechless.

Did this man really need to know everything?

First, he controlled her when she went to the KTV, then he snooped on her messages with Steven. That was already bad enough, but now he even needed to know who she was going to the bookstore with?

Since when did the president become so nosy? Wasn’t he busy with work every day? If so, why didn’t he come home more often? Why did he stay at the company all the time?

Stella sighed and replied, “I’m going with Kelly! Just me and her, no one else! Can I go now?”

“Let Mrs. Cassidy go with you,” RK said from the other end of the line.

Stella felt utterly deflated. Why did she have to bring someone along when she was just meeting Kelly? Was it so impossible for her to spend time with her friend alone? If Kelly found out she brought someone from the RK mansion with her, she’d never hear the end of it! Plus, it would be impossible for them to talk freely.

“I don’t want to!” Stella refused. “I want to go alone! I don’t need Mrs. Cassidy following me!”

She had already been under constant surveillance in the RK mansion for far too long. Now, even outside, she still had to be watched?

“You can either take Mrs. Cassidy with you or stay at home,” RK stated coldly, then hung up without another word.

Who did he think he was? How could he be so unreasonable? Not only did he restrict her freedom, but he also controlled her every move!

Fuming, Stella tossed her phone aside in frustration, trying to vent her anger.

At that moment, Mrs. Cassidy approached. “Miss Richard, would you like me to go to the bookstore with you?” she asked politely.

gαℓησν풆ℓs．çоm takes you away Stella had no choice. If she refused, she wouldn’t be allowed to go out at all. Begrudgingly, she agreed. “Fine, let’s go.”

At the bookstore, after making plans with Kelly, Stella arrived. The moment Kelly saw her accompanied by Mrs. Cassidy, her jaw nearly hit the floor.

“Stella! It’s a miracle you’ve come out... but what’s going on?” Kelly asked, eyeing Mrs. Cassidy with thinly veiled disdain.

Stella lowered her head, not wanting to explain.

Mrs. Cassidy spoke up instead. “Hello, Miss Kelly. Mr. Kingston asked me to accompany Miss Richard. She’s still recovering from her sprained ankle, and I’m here to take care of her.”

Though Mrs. Cassidy’s explanation seemed innocent enough, everyone knew it was just a cover. She was there to keep an eye on Stella.

With no other option, Stella and Kelly wandered through the bookstore and later went shopping for clothes. Mrs. Cassidy followed closely behind, making it impossible for them to have a private conversation.

After a while, Kelly suggested, “Stella, let’s go have some afternoon tea!”

Stella agreed, thinking it might be a chance to finally get some time alone with her friend.

Once they were seated at a café, Stella turned to Mrs. Cassidy and said, “Mrs. Cassidy, would you mind waiting for me in the car? I’d like to spend some time alone with Kelly.”

Mrs. Cassidy hesitated but eventually agreed, asking the driver to park the car near the entrance. Though she left, it was clear she was still keeping an eye on Stella.

As soon as Mrs. Cassidy was out of sight, Kelly shook her head and sighed. “Stella, I really feel sorry for you. You’re like a bird trapped in a cage. Even if you want to spread your wings, you can’t.”

Then Kelly added, “And you’re not even officially married yet! RK already treats you like you’re his. Keeping an eye on you, even when you’re just shopping at a bookstore? Don’t you think he likes you?”

Stella’s face turned bright red.

“Don’t be ridiculous! How could he possibly like me?” she muttered. If RK really had feelings for her, their relationship wouldn’t be this awkward.

But as she said this, an inexplicable feeling stirred in her heart.

Kelly raised an eyebrow. “Who knows? It’s pretty common for older men to fall for younger women these days. Maybe RK’s into you! I think you two are a perfect match.”

Stella was speechless. Was Kelly seriously calling RK an uncle?

She took a sip of her orange juice to cool off, then mumbled, “Anyway, there are only five more days until college starts. I won’t have to stay in that house all day, bored out of my mind. At least I’ll be free when school starts.”

The RK mansion may have been luxurious, but living there was suffocating, like being a prisoner. The only difference was that her prison came with better living conditions.

Stella slouched in her chair, clearly unhappy.

Kelly grinned and patted her on the shoulder. “You’re right! Once college starts, we’ll be in the same dormitory, free to do whatever we want. We’ll make up for all the fun we missed out on during the summer!”

Stella smiled faintly, but the feeling in her heart remained conflicted.

.

.

.