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    Chapter 224 Payback


    Ethan hissed, “This is my advice to you: don’t abuse your power.”


    <i>Abuse </i><i>power</i>?


    Oh, he was really asking for it now.


    Ste snapped, fully awake and ready to fight: “Says the guy who never abused power for Lilian, huh? Ethan, did you forget how you tried to crush me for her? You tried to shut down my studio, cut off my living expenses, and leave me with nowhere to go. So it’s fine when you’re abusing power to destroy me, but the second I push back, you suddenly want to give me advice? You think I want your advice? Who the hell do you think you are? You should find a mirror and take a good look at yourself you really think you’re qualified?”


    He had the nerve to lecture her. To say people would end up hating her, that she’d be left with nothing.


    He was clearly hoping she would crash and burn.


    “Scumbag. Brain must’ve grown in your ass.”


    Ste kept going without a break.


    Ethan’s breathing turned rough with rage. “Stop with the nonsense, Ste! Just tell me what do you want? What will it take for you to leave Lilian alone?”


    Silence crackled through the phone.


    Hearing the sharp breathing on the other end, Ste let out a lightugh. “You never thought about letting me go back then. Why should I think about letting you go now?”


    “You


    Ethan was seething. “The Reed family and the Keene family have suffered huge. losses because of you. Isn’t that enough?”


    Ste’s smile faded.


    –


    Lilian’s situation probably had something to do with Abraham.


    Wait. Abraham had looked pretty grim when he heard about the car ident.


    “You’ve got guts, Ethan. I’m impressed.”


    He knew full well everything pointed to her, yet he still dared to use this tone


    with her.


    ——


    e my


    Ste snorted. “Let me remind you. two years ago, Lilian almost cost me life. And I’ve got one huge w: if someone owes me, I need to collect interest


    otherwise, I just can’t sleep at night.”


    What right <i>did </i><i>he </i>have to act <i>so </i><i>high </i><i>and </i>mighty?


    <i>When </i><i>they </i><i>tried </i>to <i>crush </i><i>her</i><i>, </i><i>they </i><i>thought </i>it was <i>just </i><i>business </i><i>as </i><i>usual </i>but now that <i>she </i>was <i>fighting </i><i>back</i>, <i>suddenly </i><i>it </i>was <i>immoral</i><i>? </i>


    Ste gave a cold chuckle and added, “Half a life times two


    me.”


    sounds fair to


    Ethan finally exploded. “Ste!”


    He roared into the phone.


    But before he could say another word, Ste hung up on him.


    It must’ve <i>been </i>Abraham.


    Even if it wasn’t, Lilian deserved everythinging her way.


    Originally, Rianne had said Lilian really was sick bothered to deal with her.


    But if Abraham had gotten involved…


    and Ste hadn’t even


    Thinking about how Abraham had always protected her from childhood until now, her heart warmed uncontrobly.


    She wondered where all of this would lead them.


    Ste felt drained, her whole body weak.


    She touched her forehead it was burning.


    She pushed herself up, intending to get some water.


    But the moment her feet hit the floor, her legs gave out and she copsed heavily onto the ground.


    <i>So </i><i>soft</i>… and <i>painful</i>.


    The soreness between her legs made it nearly impossible to even stand.


    The door opened – and Abraham stepped inside, catching sight of Ste sitting helplessly on the floor.


    Hearing the door, Ste turned her head.


    Seeing Abraham, she froze for a moment, then her eyes turned pitiful. “Abraham…”


    Abraham was still wearing his trench coat, with a few snowkes clinging to his shoulders and hair.


    Clearly, he had just returned from outside.


    He strode over in a few quick steps and scooped Ste off the ground. “What happened? Hm?”


    Ste burst into tears. “It hurts… I don’t have any strength left…”


    She had never felt this way before aching, weak, utterly helpless.


    As soon as Abraham picked her up, he felt the heat radiating off her body.


    He carried her to the bed andid her down, his hand pressing against her forehead.


    Sure enough burning hot.


    Ten minutester, Eddie was called over.


    As he took Ste’s temperature, the number shed: 39 degrees Celsius.


    “How did you get such a high fever? Did you get hurt?”


    Ste went stiff.


    Her face flushed bright red.


    Hurt… is an understatement.


    And it wasn’t exactly a convenient ce to exin.


    Seeing her not answering, Eddie frowned. “I’m asking you if you’re hurt.”


    There was an unmistakable edge to his voice now.


    Especially since Eddie was looking <b>at </b>her like he already knew she’d done something “bad” to Abraham.