Chapter 16 Chapter 16 255 vouchers The butler , Keith , approached with a slight bow , holding a dark ceramic bowl of medicine . Steam rose from the bitter liquid , carrying its sharp , herbal scent into the room . When he saw the old master still seated , chest heaving with anger and his thin hand trembling on the desk , Keith's expression tightened with concern . " Sir , " he said urgently , " the doctor was very clear - you mustn't get upset . If your blood pressure spikes again ... " Ernest stood rigidly , his profile sharp and unyielding . His eyes flickered over his grandfather's pale lips and the medicine on the desk . His throat moved slightly , but he stayed silent . Stella watched as Keith handed the bowl to the old man . The dark brown liquid swayed inside , its bitter odor growing stronger - so potent it made her want to hold her breath . Sebastian frowned deeply as he drank , his throat working with effort . When he finally finished , he let out a long , weary sigh . Tiny beads of sweat dotted his temples . Quickly , Stella offered him a tissue . As her fingers brushed his thin , frail hand , she felt a pang of sadness . The images from Irene's Instagram was still vivid in her mind , but seeing Grandpa so weak now , the words of divorce she was about to speak were died away on her lips . The medicinal smell hung heavily in the air , stifling any thought of stirring more trouble . She handed him a glass of water next , and he drank gratefully , some color returning to his face . Calmer now , Grandpa looked at Stella with softened eyes . " You've always taken care of me , Stella , " he said , his voice gentle . " Not like this stubborn grandson of mine - all he does is upset me . " Ernest's brow furrowed . He opened his mouth as if to speak , but one look at his grandfather's stern expression made him . hold his tongue . " Don't be angry , Grandpa ," Stella said softly . " Your health is what matters most . " The old man gripped her hand tightly , as though afraid she might slip away . Then he turned to Ernest , his voice low but firm . " Listen carefully . I watched Stella grow up . She's the only granddaughter - in - law I will ever accept . If you lose her , you'll spend the rest of your life alone - I won't allow any other woman to enter the Lloyd family . " Ernest remained silent , his gaze fixed on Stella's face . Something complex and unreadable stirred in his eyes . Finally , he replied quietly , " I understand , Grandfather . " Seeing Ernest finally stop talking back , the old man let out a heavy sigh , his grip on Stella's hand tightening just a bit more . " Stella , I know these years in the Lloyd family haven't been easy for you . But a marriage isn't built on arguments - it's built on patience . I won't be around much longer . All I want is to see the two of you happy together ... and to know you'll always have someone to lean on . " His voice grew softer , thick with emotion , yet every word landed like a weight on Stella's heart . 1/3 3:25 pm Pppp . Chapter 16 She knew how much he cared for her - especially after her own grandfather passed and her stepmother took over . He was the one who brought her into the Lloyd home , who looked out for her all this time . He had even pushed for her marriage to Ernest , hoping it would give her the family she'd lost . Her gaze drifted almost unconsciously toward the man standing nearby . Dressed in a tailored suit , tall and composed as a pine tree - yet there was a chill around him , something icy and distant that made people want to step back . She used to believe she could melt that ice with warmth . Now ... she felt herself freezing alongside him . Seven years of marriage . They started out polite , respectful . Now they were little more than strangers . What Sebastian saw as stability had long been worn away by day after day of cold silence . " Grandpa , don't worry about us . Just focus on getting better , " Stella said , forcing a soft smile as she patted his hand . But unlike before , she made no promises . Sebastian looked at her , sighed deeply , and waved a tired hand toward Ernest . " Go on . Leave us . I want Stella to stay with me awhile ." His voice wavered slightly . " Who knows how much longer she'll be around to keep me company . " Ernest paused , but said nothing . He turned and left quietly . The moment the study door closed , a sharp voice carried in from the hallway . " Brother ? Why are you out here alone ? Did Grandpa keep that woman in there again ... " It was Noreen . She broke off abruptly , as if someone had cut her off , then quickly changed her tone . " I'm just saying - I don't get why Grandpa treats an outsider like some kind of treasure . Aren't we his actual grandchildren ? " Ernest's reply was too low to make out , but Noreen's complaining only grew louder . " It's true ! If Grandpa hadn't forced her into this family , none of this would've happened ... " Their voices faded down the hall . Inside the study , Stella's fingers curled slightly against her palm . Their words were like needles - sharp , painful , and impossible to refute . She had long grown used to the way the Lloyds treated her : polite at first , then distant , and now , with Noreen , outright hostility . Grandpa had heard everything too . The calm that had briefly returned to his face vanished , replaced by tension . His breathing grew uneven again . " Keith- " he began , ready to summon the butler to reprimand Noreen . But Stella spoke first . " Grandpa , let it go . Don't upset yourself over them . " Her voice was soft , soothing . 2/3 3:25 pm P P P P Chapter 16 What did it matter now ? She was leaving soon . She wouldn't have to hear these things anymore . There was no point making a scene . The old man looked at her forced composure , and his clouded eyes glimmered with pain . " Stella , don't listen to them . To me , you are family . No one has the right to look down on you . " He paused , his tone growing solemn . " As for Ernest ... You said you wanted to work , yes ? Come to Lloyd Group , I'll assign you shares . No one will dare make you leave ." Stella's eyes met his - full of concern and care - and she felt a sting in her nose . " Grandpa , Ernest ... hasn't mistreated me ." He just doesn't love me . But she couldn't say it . Not under that hopeful , weary gaze . So she swallowed the words unspoken . Their marriage had been doomed from the very beginning . 3/3