Chapter 2 Do You All Take Me For A Monster

• “Stephy! My Stephy! My Stephy is finally back!”
• The moment Stephanie stepped out of the car, she was embraced tightly by a beautiful woman who rushed out. Her complexion was pale, and she radiated a sense of frailty. Her eyes were filled with longing as she cried out emotionally.
• Following closely behind was William Yarbrough. As he looked at Stephanie, his eyes also went slightly red-rimmed.
• He greeted in a gentle voice, “Stephy, I'm your father. Welcome home!”
• A sliver of warmth crept into Stephanie's heart. She nodded subtly with her exquisite eyes lowered.
• “Stephy, my darling daughter. You've finally returned to my side!”
• Conversely, Luna Simmons couldn't contain her excitement. With tears streaming down her face, she held onto Stephanie, unwilling to let go.
• Seeing her emotional state, William quickly stepped forward and supported her. “Luna, you can't get so worked up. Your body won't be able to take it. Besides, it's a good thing that our daughter is back. You should be happy. Don't cry anymore.”
• Taking in her state, Stephanie pursed her ruby lips and said somewhat unnaturally, “Mom, don't be sad. I'm back.”
• Upon hearing the word “Mom,” Luna immediately shook William's hand off. She hugged her daughter's arm, looking at her with eyes full of anticipation. “Stephy, could you call me 'Mom' once more?”
• Thrown aside, William was rendered speechless.
• Oh well, as soon as our darling daughter returned home, my standing in her heart took a nosedive!
• Stephanie's long and delicate eyelashes quivered slightly. But still, she softly repeated, “Mom.”
• “What a good girl!”
• A touch of vitality returned to Luna's pale face, an uncontrollable smile blooming on her beautiful and elegant face.
• “Stephy, I've prepared a few rooms for you. Come with me and choose the one you like.”
• While saying that, she gently took Stephanie's hand and led her into the mansion.
• Completely ignored, William sighed helplessly before he immediately followed closely behind.
• I've also got to parade myself in front of my darling daughter. I can't let her heart be occupied by her mother alone!
• The decor in the mansion was even more opulent and grand, oozing wealth and luxury.
• All lined in a row, the housekeepers greeted respectfully, “Ms. Stephanie, welcome home!”
• Luna's gentle voice subsequently drifted into the air. “Stephy, you still have five brothers. They're not at home right now, but I've already asked them to hurry back as fast as possible. You'll be able to see them soon!”
• Stephanie nodded, her expression as calm as ever. “Okay.”
• “Stephy, this is the room I specially decorated for you. Do you like it?” Luna led her upstairs, opened a room door, and looked at her with a face full of anticipation.
• Surveying the room awash in pink, Stephanie pursed her ruby lips lightly. Meeting Luna's eyes that brimmed with anticipation, she nodded after a moment of hesitation. “Yes.”
• “I just knew you would like it, Stephy!”
• Luna's smile brightened noticeably. She had a lot to say to her daughter, but taking into consideration the latter was travel-worn, she couldn't bear to keep her up.
• Patting Stephanie's head lovingly, she said gently, “Stephy, it's late today. Go and rest first. We'll talk about the rest tomorrow!”
• “Okay.”
• “Goodnight, Stephy!”
• Luna and William reluctantly left the room.
• Stephanie felt somewhat overwhelmed by their enthusiasm and affection, but it filled her heart with warmth.
• Earlier, she seized the chance when Luna was holding her arm to check the latter's pulse. Her mother was exceedingly weak, clearly because of some illness in her early years. Hmm, I'll have to nurse her back to health later.
• “Boss! The item you want has surfaced. Those from Shadow Gang is at Luminary Lounge right now!”
• Suddenly, Ulric's voice came through her earpiece.
• “Got it.” Stephanie's striking upturned eyes glinted with a chilling gleam. “Get ready. We're taking back what's ours.”
• “Sure, sure. I'll be waiting for you at Luminary Lounge, Boss!”
• “Okay.”
• Luminary Lounge was the largest entertainment venue in Jacaster.
• It was renowned for being a place for big-spenders, frequented by either moneyed or powerful patrons.
• A sleek black Maybach was parked ostentatiously at the entrance.
• “Mr. Walter, Old Mrs. Quillen called again just now. She said that the Yarbrough family has found their long-lost daughter and asked that you make some time to visit the Yarbrough residence personally since she is your fiancée, and it's only proper that you meet her.”
• The car window was half-open. An elegant and aloof man sat in the vehicle lazily, a cigarette between his defined fingers that were as beautiful as a work of art. That added a touch of wickedness to his icy and ascetic countenance.
• “If my memory serves, that young lady is only eighteen this year. Do you all take me for a monster?”
• Words eluded Cody Sullivan for a moment. “Mr. Walter, this is Old Mrs. Quillen's wish. I'm merely conveying it to you.”
• “Heh.”
• Snubbing the cigarette in his hand, Walter Quillen's strikingly handsome face went cold. The surrounding air also seemingly dropped in temperature, sending an involuntary shiver down one's spine.
• “Make the preparations. In a few days, we'll go to the Yarbrough residence to call off the engagement. She's too young, and I'm not a beast.”
• “Call off the engagement?” Cody was taken aback. “Mr. Walter, the marriage agreement between the Quillen and Yarbrough families was drawn by the elders. If you were to break it, Old Mrs. Quillen would definitely be furious were she to find out about it.”
• “Then, don't let her find out about it.”
• A profoundly conflicted look crossed Cody's face. “But Mr. Walter—”
• Walter, however, had no patience to listen to his chatter anymore. He swept a cold and indifferent gaze over the man and drawled, “Hmm?”
• That sound from him alone was enough to send a chill down Cody's spine. He obediently zipped his mouth, not daring to utter another word.
• At the same time, a heavy motorcycle roared past their car before coming to a stop on the other side.
• Stephanie dismounted from the motorcycle in a hip and brisk movement. She leaned against it languidly while waiting for someone, her long legs, which were so fair that they seemed to glow, casually bent. Coupled with her stunningly beautiful face, she immediately attracted countless gazes.
• As Walter lifted his gaze and swung it over, his eyes unintentionally landed on Stephanie's lowered profile and her long and slender legs. Instantly, his eyes darkened.
• How fair and slender...
• “Mr. Walter! Mr. Walter?” Cody called out several times.
• Just as he wondered what had Walter so engrossed, the man turned around. His piercing gaze bore into him, his cold voice laced with impatience.
• “What is it?”
• Startled by his terrifying demeanor, Cody inwardly mourned. Then, he immediately said respectfully, “It's a call from Old Mrs. Quillen again.”
• A rare hint of helplessness showed in Walter's usually cold eyes. He raised a hand and massaged his temples. “Answer it and brush her off.”
• With Hannah Burke calling at that hour, it was bound to be about the marriage agreement with the Yarbrough family. However, Walter had no intention of being a monster.
• Cody dared not defy the man, so he could only bit the bullet and relent, “Understood, Mr. Walter.”
• When Walter looked out of the window again, the young lady he saw previously was no longer there. His tapered and unfathomable black eyes narrowed, his gaze dark and indecipherable.