Chapter 1240 No Slight Unpunished
Randy and Charles didn't return home until seven that evening. Kaylee immediately served dinner, and as Charles ate, he inquired about Hannah's appetite.
"She enjoyed tonight's meal very much, sir—had two servings of oatmeal with no morning sickness symptoms," Kaylee reported respectfully.
"Good to hear," Charles nodded, then continued discussing wedding details with Randy over their meal.
Just as they finished eating, Stella and Hannah descended the stairs arm-in-arm. Randy rubbed his tired eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose before approaching Stella with renewed energy.
"It's still early. Want to go out for a walk?" he offered gently.
Stella gave him a cool glance before looking away dismissively. "No need. I'm heading back to the hotel."
Her cold tone created an invisible wall between them. Randy was taken aback—she'd been perfectly fine at lunch. What had changed in just one afternoon? Was she angry he hadn't spent time with her?
"Let me drive you back then."
"That won't be necessary," Stella refused curtly. "The driver can take me. You've had a long day—get some rest."
She turned to Hannah instead. "I'm leaving now. I'll probably stay at the hotel tomorrow, so I won't be coming over. If you get bored, come find me there."
Hannah squeezed her hand affectionately. "Of course! Drive safely and text me when you arrive."
"Will do. Bye." After bidding Hannah farewell, Stella grabbed her purse and walked away without a backward glance.
Randy stood frozen, watching her disappear from sight before turning to Hannah in confusion. "What's wrong with her? Did someone upset her?"
Hannah shrugged helplessly. "No idea. She's been like this all afternoon—completely listless. Maybe she's just tired."
Unsatisfied with that answer and worried about Stella traveling alone, Randy hurried after her. He found her waiting outside the garage while the driver pulled the car around.
"Let me take you," he said, gently grasping her wrist. "I'd feel better driving you myself."
Stella pulled her arm free and turned away, her expression blank. "There's no need. I'm not Hannah with Austin always after her, so I don't need 24/7 protection. I have no enemies, no lovers, and no rivals. I'll be perfectly safe on my own—there's nothing for you to worry about."
Her tone was sharp and bitter, making Randy wince. He wasn't stupid—he knew Stella well enough to recognize when something was seriously wrong.
"Stella, are you angry?"
She neither confirmed nor denied it, simply stood there refusing to meet his eyes. This only strengthened Randy's suspicion.
"Who made you angry?"
Stella shot him a pointed look filled with accusation.
Randy pointed at himself in bewilderment. "Me?"
She glared at him with puffed cheeks but remained silent, her fury speaking volumes.
"Even if you're going to convict me, at least tell me what crime I've committed," Randy said with a helpless laugh.
The driver pulled up at that moment. Stella shot Randy one final withering look before climbing into the backseat and slamming the door.
"Drive. Now."
The black Maybach glided out of the estate while Randy stood there completely baffled, tapping his nose thoughtfully. He had absolutely no idea what he'd done wrong. She'd been fine that morning—maybe she was upset he hadn't texted her that afternoon?
But that didn't make sense. Despite Stella's spoiled and fiery temperament, she wasn't unreasonable. She knew he'd been busy and wouldn't hold something so trivial against him.
So what was it?
Randy returned to the house still puzzled, finding Charles and Hannah relaxing on the sofa watching television.
"Didn't you drive Stella back?" Charles asked, noticing Randy's return. "I thought that's why you ran after her."
Randy slumped into the adjacent sofa, running his hands through his hair. "She's furious with me."
"What did you do to her?" Charles asked with amusement.
Randy spread his hands in defeat. "I have no clue! She was fine when we parted at lunch, then suddenly this. When I asked, she wouldn't say anything."
Charles nudged Hannah. "You two spent the whole afternoon together—you must know why Stella's upset."
Hannah shook her head. "I asked, but she wouldn't tell me. Sometimes women just have bad days. It'll pass."
Charles immediately understood and chuckled, giving Randy a sympathetic look. "You're on your own, buddy. I can't help you when you've crossed Stella—I can only pray she leaves you breathing."
A chill ran down Randy's spine, his eye twitching nervously. "You make her sound terrifying. She's just spirited—otherwise she's wonderful."
Charles had never heard anyone describe Stella as merely "spirited." He gave Randy a thumbs up. "I admire your courage. Stella's notorious for her explosive temper and vindictive streak. She seems harmless enough normally, but cross her and you'll face serious consequences."
Randy felt increasingly uneasy, though he couldn't quite believe Stella was as dangerous as Charles suggested.
Charles continued his warning. "Once, a male classmate pursued her at school. She wasn't interested, but another girl who had a crush on him accused Stella of seducing him. This girl spread rumors about Stella sleeping around with multiple guys and somehow got photos of Stella eating, studying, and shopping with various male friends, posting them on bulletin boards and school forums.
"The scandal exploded across campus, and Stella became the target of vicious online harassment. When she asked the guy to help clear her name, he was too cowardly to get involved and actually avoided her completely.
"Stella was so enraged that she beat the girl senseless, then during the school talent show, she dragged her by the hair onto the stage and forced her to apologize publicly in front of everyone.
"The girl was already black and blue when students and faculty tried to intervene, but Stella had stationed hundreds of bodyguards around the venue. No one could get in or out until that girl confessed everything and begged Stella's forgiveness."
Randy's jaw dropped in shock. This ruthless, no-nonsense approach did sound exactly like something Stella would do—swift, brutal justice without hesitation or mercy.
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