Chapter 221

Stella stared at Arthur's tense jawline, then suddenly chuckled, "Well, if you insist that much, I'll go along with it." She casually tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, voice light and natural—like the argument just now had never even happened. "But this is a big call. I should at least give Charles a heads-up. Wouldn't be great if he's drawing up tactics and notices I'm missing, right? Might throw off the whole plan." Arthur's pupils shrank a fraction. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, his tall frame blocking the doorway, casting a long shadow that seemed to press down on her. "Mr. Hart's busy with the weapons system right now. Interrupting him might—" "It'll only take a minute," Stella tilted her body, slipping past him and reaching for the doorknob. "What's wrong, Mr. Evans? You can't even spare that little bit of leeway?" She gave him a glance over her shoulder, the playful lift at the corner of her eye carrying a chill under the surface. The dim hallway flic