Jasper Milton said in a low voice, “I have checked the God’s Eyes. The kidnappers were very cautious. They wore caps so I couldn’t see their faces. They had a fake license plate on their van and they disappeared into the road that did not have a surveillance system. It’s hard to find them.”
“Jasper, this matter is very simple. Your worry has blinded your judgment. If I was the one who had kidnapped Ralph, I will never hurt him. If Bettany had kidnapped Ralph, she will not hurt her own son either. Either way, Ralph is safe, so don’t panic,” Stella analyzed as she fired up the skillet and poured some oil into it.
Jasper remained silent and didn’t say anything.
Stella placed the fish into the skillet which she had not dried up before. The skillet sizzled and droplets of oil splashed onto the back of her hand.
Jasper covered the skillet with its lid and turned off the heat. He then turned on the tap and held her hand under the running water. “Are you angry that I don’t trust you?”
Looking at Jasper’s caring and guilty look, a sense of bitterness surged in Stella.
He was right not to trust her because she really did kidnap Ralph. She was taking off the credibility that he had in her. However, it didn’t matter to her, as long as he was safe.
“A little,” Stella said faintly. Not wanting him to know too much, she withdrew her hand and removed the lid again.
Jasper grabbed the spatula and stood in front of Stella, “Be careful of the splashing oil. Let me do it.”
Stella stood aside and said in a low voice, “Don’t worry, Ralph will be fine.”
“Well, how are you going to cook the fish?” Jasper asked.
“We are having stewed chicken tonight. Let’s just grill the fish then. The oil won’t splash anymore. I’ll do it,” Stella picked up the salt and added some into the skillet.
The splashing sound in the skillet suddenly quieted down.
Jasper returned the spatula to Stella.
She turned the fish over. She was preoccupied with her thoughts just now that she forgot to add some pepper. She quickly added the ingredients together with some minced herbs, then covered it with the lid.
Suddenly, her mobile phone rang. Seeing that it was from Bettany Hadley, she immediately declined the call.
Jasper had not left yet, so he said in a low voice, “Just pick it up.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Bettany called again. Stella answered the phone and turned on the loudspeaker.
“Natalie, what do you want?” Bettany asked calmly.
“What do you want?” Stella asked back.
“Ralph is still young. You should just deal with me directly. Don’t hurt innocent people. I promise you that I will never appear before Jasper again, and I won’t let Ralph snatch Jasper away from you too. Are you satisfied now?”
“First of all, I don’t care if you appear before Jasper or not. You can do whatever you want.”
“Secondly, Ralph is Jasper’s son. This is a fact that can never be changed. It has nothing to do with him snatching Jasper away. Blood is thicker than water after all. Also, Jasper won’t believe in you, so save your efforts in trying to ruin our relationship. If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up,” Stella said coldly and hung up the phone.
She put the phone aside on the counter and said, “I suspect that she had deliberately said so because she knew that you were here. What do you think? If I have kidnapped Ralph, my purpose was surely not to drive her away but to reveal the mastermind behind the scenes. You should know this.”
“I know, I’m sorry to have accused you,” Jasper said apologetically.
A tinge of guilt flashed across Stella’s eyes.
The more he trusted her, the more guilty she felt. “I’m cooking now. You can go out now. I don’t feel comfortable with you here. The food will be ready in half an hour.”
“Alright,” Jasper turned around and went out.
Stella broke two eggs into another pan, added some salt and pepper, and made scrambled eggs.
Bettany called again. Feeling that it was almost time, Stella answered the phone and pressed the recording button at the same time.
“Natalie Wheeler, let me tell you, don’t think that I will give in to you because you had kidnapped Ralph. I won’t. Even if I die, I won’t tell you the truth. Anyway, I don’t care about Ralph. Worst comes to worst, I will just have another child.” Bettany said ferociously.
Stella was silent. She began to feel a little sympathy towards Ralph.
Ralph’s love for Bettany was real. If someone had tried to hurt Bettany, Ralph would definitely put up a desperate fight. If Ralph knew that Bettany had treated him in that way, he would surely be hurt and disappointed.
“Everyone is making choices in their lives, and your own choice will determine the outcome. Although I don’t know why you kept laying wrongful accusation on me, I just hope you don’t regret it,” Stella hung up the phone.
The phone rang again. It was from Bettany again.
Stella answered for the third time.
“What do you mean?” Bettany sounded furious.
Stella chuckled and said, “From now on, I will block your number. Don’t call me anymore.”
With that, she hung up the phone and blocked Bettany’s number. She continued to cook. Half an hour later, the dishes were ready to be served.
Jasper frowned and ordered, “Continue to search thoroughly! I don’t believe that they would be able to hide so perfectly. I will seize them even if they fly up to the sky.”
Stella sat down in front of him quietly and began to tuck in.
Jasper took a deep look at Stella. “Stella, I know that you are desperate to know who the mastermind behind the scenes is. However, I don’t want to sacrifice someone else for my own safety.”
“I know,” Stella answered curtly and continued to eat with her head hung low.
Jasper frowned slightly. However, he did not say anything more and began to eat too.
An awkward silence befell that even the dog could sense it. It even barked twice.
Stella looked at Jasper and said, “Give me your phone.”
Without hesitation, Jasper handed his phone to her.
Stella searched through his contacts and found Anthony’s contact. After jotting down Anthony’s number, she continued to look for Bettany’s contact and blocked her.
Jasper frowned even more.
Looking at his frowning face, Stella’s heart ached, “Your people are following Bettany, so you know her movements well. Blocking her number won’t affect anything.
Of course, if you think that you must keep her number, you may wish to unblock her number. I didn’t delete her contact.
Also, you should know her identity. Since you have taken her here, this place is no longer safe. I will leave after dinner. You can decide whether to let your people follow me. It doesn’t matter to me.”
“You don’t have to make such a scene for this matter, do you?” Jasper did not conceal his grief and exasperation towards her action.
“I don’t want to make things worse. Perhaps it is necessary for us to be apart to calm down for a while. You know where to find me, and…” Stella paused for a moment and looked at him deeply. “Maybe you didn’t realize that your concern and trust in Bettany is beyond your imagination, so you began to suspect me once you saw her calling me. I think this is one of the main reasons why Hale has been wronged for so many years.”
Stella put down her cutlery and stood up. “I’m full. Take your time.”
Jasper held her hand. “I’m sorry.”