Chapter 206

“Mr. O’Brien, you really should be asking him, not me,” Stella snapped, her voice dripping with irritation. “If you called just to grill me about this, I won’t be answering your calls anymore.”

Haynes’ voice came through the line, sharp and cold. “Stay where you are. If you try to leave with Keen, I’ll have no choice but to have you detained.”

Stella’s heart skipped a beat. Haynes mentioned that Keen was at the amusement park, and she had planned to search for him there. But Haynes’ condescending tone quickly soured her mood.

“Mr. O’Brien, you once said that if you want a favor, you should at least act like you need it,” Stella retorted.

Haynes sounded incredulous. “A favor? You think I’m asking you for a favor?”

“Are you not? Or do you think you can just order me around?” Stella didn’t wait for his response. “Who do you think you are? Why should I listen to you?”

“Haynes, you need to remember your place. I’m not some servant you can boss around.”

With that, Stella ended the call.

Returning to the park bench by the lake, Stella realized that Neville, who had been waiting there, was nowhere in sight. Marvin had gone to the restroom, which was tucked away behind some trees near the lake.

Stella was just about to head in that direction when she heard a sudden splash followed by gasps from people nearby. “Someone fell in the water! Two kids fell in!”

“Oh my God, they look so young, maybe just five years old!”

“Where are their parents?”

“Can anyone swim? Somebody needs to help them!”

Hearing the frantic voices, Stella’s heart tightened with fear. She dashed towards the commotion at the lakeside. Through the crowd, Stella caught sight of Marvin struggling in the water.

Oh no, Marvin can’t swim!

Her face went pale. She shoved her way through the bystanders and leaped into the water without hesitation, pulling Marvin to safety. Marvin had swallowed quite a bit of water. “Marvin, are you okay?” Stella asked anxiously, pressing on his chest to help him cough up the water.

He sputtered and coughed, finally spitting out a mouthful of water. Marvin blinked groggily, his eyes meeting Stella’s worried gaze. Seeing her, his eyes welled up. He threw his arms around her. “Stella, I thought—I thought I’d never see you again.”

Stella hugged him tightly, comforting him until his breathing steadied. “Marvin, how did you end up in the water?”

Just then, the other child who had fallen in was pulled from the lake. He seemed in better shape than Marvin, more alert and having swallowed less water. But when Stella saw who it was, she froze. Keen… what are you doing here?

Keen was soaking wet, water streaming down his face and body, making it impossible to tell if it was water or tears. For a moment, Stella’s heart softened at the sight of his vulnerable state.

With red-rimmed eyes, Keen accused, “You saved him first and left me to drown!”

Stella frowned, about to explain, but Keen’s bitter gaze stopped her.

She spoke calmly, “Keen, if I remember correctly, you know how to swim, don’t you?”