Trapped in a Secret Marriage with a Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 255

Chapter 255: Stephanie’s Intentions
Thirty minutes after Stella was taken into police custody, Detective Woods phoned Stephanie to inform her about the latest developments.

“You found my sister-in-law?” Stephanie asked, rising to her feet as joy swirled in her heart. “Where did you see her?”

“We received a tip-off earlier this morning about her being seen going into the spa from last time. So, my men and I went there and arrested her,” Detective Woods explained.

Stephanie still couldn’t believe her eyes. Stella had been missing for the past month without any leads to her disappearance, only for her to appear when no one else expected it.

But one thing baffled Stephanie. If Stella had run away, deliberately trying to avoid the police, why did she come out of hiding? And why did she choose that same spa to visit, amongst others?

Stephanie concluded that Stella was indeed very foolish. But it was a good thing she had been apprehended.

“Have you questioned her yet?” Stephanie asked, curious about Stella’s hiding place for the past month.

Regrettably, Detective Woods was yet to commence the interrogation.

“She is irrational at the moment. But the questioning will start this evening,” he assured her.

Stephanie nodded and finally released a sigh of relief. A smile appeared on her lips as she sat back down on the couch and concluded her conversation with the detective.

Dropping the call, Stephanie set her phone aside. “Where is Olivia?” she asked the housekeeper who just brought her a bowl of some freshly cut sweet melons.

“In her room. Would you like me to send for her?” the housekeeper asked, standing to the side cautiously.

Stephanie shook her head. “Inform her to be in time for lunch.”

After giving out her orders and watching as the housekeeper left, Stephanie relaxed on the couch, her eyes shining.

“Finally!” She muttered under her breath. “Let’s see how you would escape this one.”

—

Xander’s Private Residence

At the same time, Liam informed Xander about Stella’s arrest and updated him with the latest developments.

“…the interrogation will commence in three hours.”

“Good.” Xander slowly nodded as his thumb finger rubbed the index finger. “Let the commissioner know the first trial should be held as soon as possible. Stella should receive her sentencing this December. Her case shouldn’t cross over to the new year. We want an early Christmas gift.”

Liam bowed his head slightly. “I will let him know immediately.”

Xander nodded approvingly, and just then, Aurora came downstairs and walked into the living room, looking tired.

She had just woken up from sleep, which is why she had some sleep marks on one side of her face.

“Sweetheart,” Xander called, casting his gaze on her as soon as she walked in.

On the other hand, Liam bowed politely to her before leaving.

“I’m hungry,” Aurora announced tiredly as she found herself settling in beside him on the two-sitter couch. Leaning over, she rested her head on his shoulder and shut her eyes.

“Nene will get something for you to eat,” Xander assured her, sneaking his arm around her. “And while waiting for her, I have a piece of good news to share with you.”

“Did you win a contract?” Aurora inquired drowsily without opening her eyes.

Xander smiled, shaking his head even though she couldn’t see him. “Stella has been arrested and taken into the police custody.”

Instantly, Aurora’s eyes sprang open. The next moment, she leaned away and met his gaze. “Really? When?” she asked, surprised as her pulse quickened.

“It’s been over half an hour since she was found at the spa and taken away,” Xander replied and proceeded to give her more details on Stella’s arrest while making sure to leave out the other details relating to the Major.

But Aurora, being sharp-witted, inquired about how Major Walker had sent Stella to the store. Xander shrugged, saying he didn’t know anything about it.

“That’s not important. It is a good thing that Stella has been handed over to the police. Hopefully, her case should end this year, so we don’t have to carry it over to the new year,” saying this, Xander glanced down at Aurora’s small baby bump and placed his hand on it.

“I want our child to be born in a new year with no negativity,” he added.

Aurora smiled. She thought what he said made sense and wholeheartedly agreed with him.

—

Swift Family’s Residence.

During lunch, Stephanie sat at the head table, shimmering in a good mood as she dished food on her plate.

Shortly after a nap, Olivia arrived with a scowl on her face. As she took her place at the other end of the table, her gaze fell on Stephanie.

She saw the smile at the corner of her lips, and her frown deepened. It was so rare to see her Aunt looking so excited at the dining table.

Olivia could only think that something good must have happened to her. And for her, as long as any other person except for her was happy, it wasn’t good news.

No matter how tempted Olivia was by the news of Stephanie’s happiness, she didn’t ask about it. Instead, she grabbed the serving spoon and began to fill her plate.

And just when she was done and had picked up her cutlery to start eating, Stephanie finally fixed her gaze on her.

“Your mother was found at the spa a few hours ago and has been arrested and taken into police custody.”

As soon as Stephanie dropped the bomb, Olivia’s cutlery dropped on the table with a clanking sound.

“W-what? M-my M-mum has been found?” she stuttered, surprise filling her gaze.

“Yes,” Stephanie confirmed with a nod. “She will be interrogated this evening. And we will soon find out where she has been hiding for weeks only to visit the spa today.”

Olivia’s heart raced when she learned about her mother’s unfortunate situation. She had missed feeling about it.

Her mother killed her father and covered it up, and when evidence was found against her, she went into hiding only to show up and be arrested, ready to face trial.

This wasn’t anything to be happy about.

Olivia lost her appetite, sadness overwhelming her as her pulse increased.

Watching her Aunt eating happily from across her caused rage to overshadow her reasoning and without warning, she stood up and pushed her chair with the back of her knees harshly.

Stephanie lifted her gaze at that noise and saw Olivia staring hard at her, ready to leave. A smirk replaced the smile on her lips.

“Your cousins will be coming over in a few days,” Stephanie suddenly informed, causing Olivia’s frown to deepen. “You will have to behave if you don’t want them to see you as a crackhead.”

Almost immediately, Olivia’s gaze darkened. She felt insulted knowing that her Aunt had reduced her to nothing before her very eyes. Clenching her fists by her side, she posed a question through gritted teeth.

“How long will they be here for?”

Stephanie scoffed at her question and took her time eating and swallowing the food in her mouth before answering her.

“They haven’t even stepped their feet here, and you already want them gone?” Stephanie shook her head and picked up her golden spoon to continue eating. “My children will leave whenever they want to.”

Even if Olivia were a brat without senses, she should be able to understand the situation Stephanie just described.

Her cousins were coming to stay.

Olivia’s nails dug into her palms, and anger shimmered in her eyes. She was so furious that the air around her shifted. Even though Stephanie was pretending not to pay any heed to her, she felt her anger yet continued to eat.

“I know what you are trying to do, Aunt!” Olivia said in a low, dangerous tone as she leaned into the table, her dark gaze fixated on Stephanie. “…getting rid of everyone and finally taking over everything my Dad built and owned, along with your children. How nauseating!”

Stephanie finally dropped her cutlery on the plate, and the smirk completely disappeared from her face. She was furious now.

“Mind your words, Olivia,” she warned, pointing her index finger to Olivia’s face.

“I think you should mind your actions, Aunt!” Olivia retorted. “That my father put you in the position to oversee his family doesn’t mean you should betray his trust!” She sneered.

And right after saying her piece, she leaned away from the table and backed away. “I’m going to visit my mother. And I hope I’m permitted.”

Stephanie watched as Olivia turned her back and walked away before a deep sigh escaped from her lips.

“See who is lecturing me now when I’ve only just started,” she said as she retrieved her gaze and turned her full attention to her food after chasing Olivia away with the heartbreaking news.

What Olivia didn’t know was that Stephanie had deliberately driven her away without letting her have even a spoon from her lunch.