Chapter 51: Dragging Forward

Stella Sterling!!!

What is she doing here!!!

Yara Sterling wondered if she was seeing things. Maybe getting beaten just now had scrambled her brain and she was hallucinating?

The thought that Stella Sterling had seen her looking so pathetic after being beaten made her burn with rage, but in a strange way, it brought her back to her senses.

She looked at Lawrence, softening her attitude. Her voice was weak as she said, "Lawrence, I was wrong. I was just desperate to get home, that’s why I lost my composure just now. Don’t worry, it won’t happen again. As long as you get me home safely, I’ll make sure my dad rewards you and your men handsomely!"

As if afraid her words weren’t enough to persuade them, she continued to up the ante. "When the heavy snow first started, my dad had someone deliver a large shipment of supplies. So even in this situation, my family isn’t short on food or water. My dad has always doted on me, so he must be worried sick these days. If you just get me back to him, he’ll be incredibly grateful!"

Lawrence’s eyes flickered. Yara Sterling knew she was getting through to him.

She suppressed the hatred in her heart, her expression growing even more fawning as she looked over at Stella Sterling.

’No matter why Stella is here, since she showed up, I have to make good use of her.’

But the next moment, her gaze froze. She saw Stella standing not far away, arms crossed, watching her as if enjoying a good show.

The anger she had worked so hard to suppress instantly threatened to boil over.

Stella Sterling watched her mockingly. Seeing Yara Sterling look over, she started clapping again. "You really are Marcus Sterling’s good little girl. If he knew what you just said, do you think he’d want to strangle you?"

But Yara Sterling just smirked. "You think I’m you? Dad would only feel sorry for me!"

She took two steps forward, looking Stella Sterling up and down. From head to toe, Stella was dressed warmly. Compared to her own tattered clothes, held together by a single scrap of cloth, Stella was far better off.

’But I wonder why she’s covered in bloodstains.’

She said confidently, "Stella Sterling, Mom and Dad must have sent you to find me. It took you this long, don’t you think they’ll be angry?"

"Now, give me your down jacket, hat, and scarf. When we get back, I’ll put in a good word for you with Mom and Dad!"

Stella Sterling just stood there listening to this tall tale as if it were a joke. Only after Yara finished did she ask, "Are you done sleep-talking?"

"You!"

Yara Sterling pointed a trembling, angry finger at her, her face flushing crimson. She looked like she was about to explode, but then a thought seemed to strike her, and her expression instantly returned to normal.

She looked Stella Sterling up and down and said, "My dear sister, from the looks of it, you haven’t been doing so well yourself, running around outside in this snow. Why don’t you come back with me? We can live the good life together in the Sterling Family estate!"

’If I can drag Stella along with me, I’ll feel safer than being alone.’

’What Lawrence said earlier... I’m still scared. If Stella is with me, she might be useful in a pinch.’

The show was over. Stella Sterling had no desire to listen to her anymore. After fighting with this person for two lifetimes, she knew exactly what was going on in that head.

Without sparing Lawrence and his men a glance, she walked straight toward Yara Sterling. "Why trouble others? It would be much better if I took you there myself. No need to bother anyone else!"

A flash of delight appeared in Yara Sterling’s eyes. They weren’t far from the Sterling Family estate anymore, and it would be great to get rid of this group. Still, just the two of them, two women—

Lawrence’s eyes narrowed. "You’re her sister? Isn’t it a bit tasteless to burn the bridge after you’ve crossed it?"

"Yeah! We’ve been escorting her for days. We’re almost there, and now you’re telling us you don’t need us anymore? What about our losses?!"

In the heavy snow, the men stood up from the fire and surrounded the two women.

Yara Sterling said in a soft voice, "Don’t worry, my friends. Yara would never mean that. It’s my sister here. She’s always been ungrateful. She isn’t favored at home—in fact, my parents kicked her out. She probably only came looking for me so she could use me to get back into the family. Now she’s afraid you’ll take a share of her things."

After speaking, she unhesitatingly moved away from Stella Sterling, choosing to side with Lawrence and his men.

’Even though I hate these men too, and I can handle Stella, it’s safer to stick with Lawrence for now.’

’I’m almost home. I can’t afford any mistakes.’

Sensing the hostile gazes from the men around her, Stella Sterling just smiled faintly. Without another word, she knocked Yara Sterling out with a single punch.

Only then did she look at the others. "This is between her and me. It would be best for you all to mind your own business. As for your reward for all this time—"

Stella Sterling paused, then pulled out the relief supplies Yara Sterling had received today and tossed them to the man named Lawrence. "Here. Don’t even think about getting anything else. You wouldn’t have gotten more even if you did take her home. Take this and go survive!"

With that said, she wasted no more words. She pulled a hemp rope from her pocket and started tying up Yara Sterling.

Of course, the men weren’t so easily dismissed. They moved forward to teach Stella Sterling a lesson, but Lawrence stopped them. "Forget it!"

Facing his men’s confused looks, he just looked at Stella Sterling and said, "I can see you’re a person of your word. We’ll give you face this time!"

With that, he gestured for Stella Sterling to take her away.

Stella Sterling didn’t say a word. She pulled the rope and started dragging Yara Sterling away, sliding across the snow.

Lawrence’s pupils contracted. He watched the two of them—one sliding, one lying down—disappear into the distance, but said nothing.

"Isn’t that woman the Sterling girl’s sister? How can she just drag her through the snow like that? Isn’t she trying to kill her—"

Hearing this, Lawrence said, "She knocked someone out with her bare hands, and the bloodstains on her clothes aren’t even dry yet. She’s probably no simple character. These rich sisters have their own dark secrets. Best we stay out of it!"

Stella Sterling dragged Yara along, the wind and snow freezing her face red. But she was thrilled. It was cold, but she knew that Yara Sterling, lying on the ground being dragged along, was definitely colder.

At some point, Yara Sterling woke up. Her entire back felt ice-cold and soaked, a fiery, stinging pain spreading across it...

Before she could even process it, she realized she was being dragged forward—

"AHHH, Stella Sterling, what are you doing?! Stop it, right now!!!"

"Stop, stop it—"

"It hurts so much! It’s so cold! What are you trying to do?! Mom and Dad will kill you when they find out!"

"You psycho, you lunatic—"

None of her screams received any response. Stella Sterling just kept dragging her toward some unknown destination. Whenever Yara cursed at her, Stella would deliberately drag her over uneven ground or into the sides of buildings. Before long, Yara Sterling didn’t even have the strength to curse anymore, leaving only an endless stream of miserable screams.

The sounds were agonizing to hear, but to Stella Sterling’s ears, they were like music, allowing her to release all the frustration pent up from being stuck at home all day—