Chapter 71

Charles was spouting nonsense again. Stella shot him a cold look. "Stella, sweetie, why didn't you tell Grandma you were hurt? You keep everything from me too. Why hide it all?" That familiar voice rang in her ears. Stella frowned. She never thought Charles would actually go and tell Old Mrs. Hart. She'd kept it quiet for so long just so the elder wouldn't worry. Thomas had been ready to argue more, but now that a senior from the Harts was here, he smartly stepped back and nodded politely to Old Mrs. Hart. She gave a kind smile in return. After he left, she walked over to Stella in tears. "Stella, is your hand really hurt because of one of Charles' men? What a mess... Charles, aren't you going to say sorry already?" Charles had eventually confirmed that someone under his command had indeed been responsible—but the deeper cause? That remained a mystery. All signs pointed to three possibilities: the Woods, Owens, or the Yeatss. But lately, he'd had a particular distaste for the Owens, so