After She She Stopped Loving Him

Chapter 203

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The long hair of the two girls fluttered in the evening breeze as they stood side by side, looking up at the starry

night.

Chapter 203

“Joelle, I'll take you hand send two of my Jasper Clarks to protect you, Charles said softly.

Joelle nestled into his arms, nodding slowly. In that moment, she felt so broken that she couldn't even find words

—'It's like the whole world has abandoned me, Joelle thought.

Yolanda had tangled with Joelle before, but now their paths couldn't be further apart. Joelle was after Charles's

devotion and body, while Yolanda only cared about the power he wielded.

As for his affections? She couldn't care less-let whoever wants his love have it.

That morning, Yolanda woke up and went straight to Frank Doyle. Both of them reviewed the stock transfer

agreement one more tto make sure everything was in order. Then Yolanda called Charles, asking him to let

the police know about the situation.

Frank's car was waiting outside the police station. When he saw Eric cout, he finally let out a sigh of relief.

But Eric wasn’t having it—his face twisted in rage, and he was about to start cursing when a guy dressed in black

stepped out from the car and grabbed him, shoving him inside before he could protest.

Frank sat inside, his expression calm. “I've bought you a ticket to go abroad. Don’t ever cback.”

Eric started thrashing around, like he'd just heard the funniest joke. “You wantto be your son’s slave? You

wish! Frank, | know you look down on me-well, guess what, | don’t need you. Letout! I'm after Yolanda now,

and I'm going to ruin her-make her regret ever crossing me!”

Frank slapped him hard across the face.

you

One of the bodyguards spoke up softly, “Mr. Doyle gave Yolanda eight percent of his shares just to bail out. Mark

got into trouble a few days ago, and now he’s burned across ninety percent of his body-he’s nothing but a

shadow lying in bed, not even human anymore. Mr. Doyle’s doing this for your own good.”

Eric’s malicious glare slowly faded, lips pressed tight. ‘Mark got messed up?‘ he thought, disbelief flickering in his

eyes.

Just a few days ago, Mark was acting all cocky, flaunting how he was going to hook up with schick.

Frank stared out the window, his tone flat. “I have no idea what kind of crap Mark's been whispering in your ear

all these years. Eric, I've always treated you like family-like you were my own blood. My own son left the country

because he thought | was playing favorites with you; he got mad, packed his bags, and cutout of his life. |

never sent him away. When my sister died, it crushed me. She meant everything to me. I've been trying to make

up for losing her by looking after you, but you always take it the wrong way. Mark was obsessed with Yolanda

back then, and look at what he’s become-do you really think none of that is connected to her? The only reason

you're out is because | had something she wanted. You may have been caught up in someone else’s gthis

whole time, and you don’t even realize it.”

Eric felt a chill sweep over him as he suddenly recalled the person who’d made him do it. He hadn't even seen

their face clearly that day-he’d just wanted to prove himself and grab enough cash to escape overseas.

His lips started to tremble as Frank went on. “I’ve put ten million in your account; it’s everything | got from

selling several houses. | gave my shares to Yolanda, so | can’t stick around at Starlight anymore. Edward Sinclair

won't ever letgo. If anything ever happens to me, just go live abroad with Jack. Don’t cback.

Jack was Frank’s son, and Eric's cousin.

Eric wasn’t a total idiot-he knew Frank meant every word.

It felt like someone had his throat in a vise; Eric was stunned into silence, not knowing what to say.

Of course Eric hated Frank-hated him more than anyone else. If his mom hadn't died, he never would've fallen

this far. He used to be a straight-A student, but everything changed in a flash. The pain of losing his mom, his

own dad kicking him out with that mistress-his whole world flipped upside down. He was still just a kid. How was

he supposed to handle all that?

“Eric...” Frank was about to say something more when his face suddenly tensed up.

One of the bodyguards leaned forward, voice low and urgent. “Mr. Doyle, someone's tailing us.”

Frank didn’t hesitate for a second. “Get Eric to the airport-go, now!”

The car stopped abruptly and the bodyguard rushed Eric out of there.

Just seconds later, the car pulled away and disappeared down the road.

Three minutes after that, a massive truck smashed into the car-there was a fiery explosion, and the wreck was

reduced to ashes. No one inside stood a chance.

Eric was completely numb, his whole body frozen as he watched the fiery scene play out-he barely registered

anything before he was roughly forced into the back of a taxi.

His pupils were blown wide with shock, staring blankly. The moment reality sank in, Eric lunged for the car door.

Eric yelled, “Letout! Letout!”

The bodyguard held Eric back, his expression cool and unfazed. “Mr. Long, my only job is to get you to the airport

safe.”

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

Eric suddenly burst out laughing, almost manic. “Impossible! Frank’s got ice in his veins-he’d never die for

someone else, it's a total lie! And Jack? Please, Frank just shipped him overseas. Jack's at stop university,

chasing foreign girls and living the dream. Everything's easy for him, while the whole damn world turned its back

on me-hell, even the dogs wouldn't have me!”

The bodyguard’s reply was calm but firm. “Mr. Long, Jack got into that college with his own effort. He hasn't

taken a dfrom Mr. Doyle all these years. Every cent Mr. Doyle saved was for you. That eight percent of

shares? Worth tens of millions-and he gave it all up for you. Hate him if you want, but don’t blhim for stuff

he never did.”

Eric buried his head in his knees and started sobbing uncontrollably.

Chapter 200

The bodyguard stayed silent, just telling the driver to step on it.

But when the car turned the corner, Eric saw his moment. He threw the door open and jumped out into the

street.

The bodyguard was completely stunned-he’d barely moved to give chase when another car whipped by, nearly

sideswiping the door and forcing him to pull back.

Eric’s hands were bound with rope, streaked with blood from his struggles. He gnawed at the restraints around

his wrists like a wild animal, frantic to break free, but they were tied way too tight. His mouth was smeared with

blood.

Eric dashed blindly through a cramped alley, stumbling and half-running until he burst onto a new street. The

glare of the sunlight hit him so hard he was nearly blinded, forcing him to blink and stagger for a

moment.

Then he heard a voice. “Eric?”

Yolanda was standing just ahead, bag slung over her arm and phone in hand, brow furrowed as she looked at

him. Her voice was cool and detached. “Wasn't Frank supposed to ship you out? Why are you still here?”

Eric collapsed to his knees, frantically bowing his head over and over. “Yolanda, | messed up-please, I'm begging

you, just untie me! | was wrong, | shouldn't have treated you the way I did. Please, I'll do anything, just help me

get these ropes off!”

Yolanda gave his bloody wrists a quick glance, her tone icy and detached. “Forget it. We've got bad blood-ask

someone else.”

“My uncle's dead! Edward Sinclair killed him! Yolanda... | know I'll never get your forgiveness, but | swear, | just

want revenge for my uncle! It hurts so much-everything feels fake, everything’s messed up. My head's

tearing itself apart!”

It was

insane-the guy Eric hated most actually gave a damn about him, while Mark, the one person he thought might

redeem him, had been lying to his face the whole time.

His mom was gone, his uncle was gone, and now-honestly-who would even care about him now? Not even the

dogs would bother with someone like him.

They seemed to be beseeching the stars to bear witness to the promise that had been dispersed by the wind and

to await the final day when that promise was fulfilled.

A short while later, Hazel put away the helicopter and went downstairs with Lorrayne.

Rose Castle was massive. It was divided into three areas, each with its own tower. The individual towers were all

linked by passageways suspended high in the air.

Hazel stayed in the central area while Lorrayne stayed in the lower area. They bade each other farewell on the

passageway and returned to their respective dorms.

March cto an end in the midst of persistently gloomy, drizzling rain.

With April's arrival, the barren hills on the outskirts turned into a sea of lush greenery. In the mulberry garden,

the young mulberry saplings cast off their protective straw blankets and extended their fresh green leaves to

greet the warm sunshine and nourishing spring rain.

In the backyard of Starrowe Cottage, the compost was finally ready. At Lorrayne’s request, the workers had raked

it apart to ensure that the cow dung had decomposed to form a crumbly texture with a rich, earthy smell.

Now it was tto plow the earth for wheat planting.

Early April was just right for planting spring wheat. Bella had already selected a few different types of wheat

seeds at Lorrayne’s request.

Various types, including those with tall stems, short stems, long ears, thick husks, etc., were put through the

respective selection and treatment processes to weed out the shriveled and diseased grains.

It only took three months for the spring wheat to ripen and be ready for harvesting. Though it had a short

growing cycle, seeding half a month earlier would have achieved better vernalization.

Nonetheless, it wasn’t too late to plant now. Lorrayne issued instructions beside the field as the workers tilled the

field and spread the compost.

“Make sure you plow at least eight inches deep. Then add a layer of earth on top. The spacing in between each

row should be...”

Lorrayne tried her best to recall what she had learned in her previous life and explain it in simple terms to the

workers.

After she was done with the experimental plots, Lorrayne headed to the ceramics factory for a look.

The merchant who visited Eskray Dessert House last year to inquire about the ceramics business ctwice this

year. Troy did sinvestigation and found out the merchant's nwas Tim Swift. He hailed from a tiny

principality down south and was born into an aristocratic family that had declined. His father was a

Chapter 203

baron, but the title would be handed down to his older brother,

Tim was well-known in all the major cities as a collector who sourced for rare and unusual goods to sell at high

prices to the well-connected Highborn families in the cities. Folks said he had a good reputation

Lorrayne had earlier indicated to Theresa that it was fine to strike a deal with this particular merchant and let

him sell the ceramics they produced.

Each of their white porcelain plates was priced at one gold coin, but Tim had to handle the packaging and

shipping himself. When Tim arrived, he agreed to the deal without a second thought.

Tim was ambitious. He placed an order for a thousand sets of bowls, plates, and soup spoons at once. The

workers had been working overtat the ceramics factory to meet the deadline.

Troy was just as busy, flying out to the west coast on his griffin to source for porcelain clay and kaolin.

The heat from the kiln was scorching, and Lorrayne could feel sweat dripping off her body as she stood nearby.

She had a quick check of the factory before returning to the academy.

On the academy campus, everyone was discussing heatedly next month’s Magic Tournament.

“Hey, have you heard? This year, St. Tenorsey Academy is coming to Syrria too. It's not just the usual top ten

academies!” a student gushed.

“St. Tenorsey Academy? | thought the Holy Curia declared that they won't participate in secular contests?”

another asked.

“They didn’t say that. They were just too arrogant and did not want to lower themselves to participate in the

earlier ones,” someone answered.

“Then why are they participating this year?”

“It was Prince Alfred’s suggestion. He said the Holy Curia exists to help people who are struggling out here in the

real world, and its members should not remain so lofty and unapproachable. So he suggested that even students

of theological institutions should cout into the real world and participate in the Magic Tournament,”

someone explained.

“Prince Alfred is the best!”

“Yeah, he’s the most down-to-earth of all the nine princes. | really hope he becomes the next pope,” someone

else chimed in.

“Prince Alfred has the most support. He will definitely get elected to be the next pope!”

Lorrayne was eavesdropping on the chatter around her when Winnie crunning to her, her cheeks flushed

with excitement. “Ms. Lorrayne!”

“Winnie? Why are you in such a hurry?” Lorrayne asked.

Winnie pulled out a tattered rag from her pocket and said with sembarrassment, “I just got a reply from

home. They have agreed to visitin Syrria!”

200

“That's great! I'm so happy for you!” Lorrayne said with a laugh. “Once they're here, they'll finally stop trying to

marry you off. When are they coming, by the way? | will get the staff to prepare two guest rooms.

“Oh, it’s not necessary. | can’t keep imposing on you,” Winnie demurred quickly. “I have already booked an inn

for them. They'll be fine there.”

Lorrayne objected at once. “It's no trouble at all. The Magic Tournament is around the corner, and Syrria will be

packed. Inns aren't exactly safe with all these crowds. It’s better to let your family stay at my place.

“But...” Winnic hesitated.

“No buts! We're friends, after all. Surely you won't turn down a small gesture like that from me?” Lorrayne

insisted.

Winnie was so moved that her eyes glistened with tears. “Ms. Lorrayne, thank you!”

“If you really want to thank me, then work hard to becan Arcane Swordbearer as soon as you can. Who

knows, maybe someday I'll need you to protect me,” Lorrayne said half in jest as she gently dabbed at Winnie's

tears with her own handkerchief.

Winnie also declared with conviction, “Ms. Lorrayne, when | becan Arcane Swordbearer, | swear to be your

bodyguard and ensure that nothing will harm you!”

“Gosh, there's no need to swear! Do you still consideryour friend?” Lorrayne protested with a stern face.

“Yes, yes, yes, of course! You're my best friend!” Winnie blurted out.

Lorrayne’s eyes twinkled cheerfully. “Alright, tell me. When are your parents coming?”

Winnie unfolded the tattered rag and peered at the circles and crosses scribbled on it. “They, uh... they have to

plant the peas and the wheat first before coming. Oh, and this... er... this is the pig pen. They have to wait for

the piglets to be born, too. So | guess they won't be able to leave until almost the end of this month.

“It's a seven or eight-day trip from our village to Syrria, so when they set out, they probably won't be here until

the very end of the month,” Winnie concluded.

She had sent a letter hat the end of February, but her family said they wouldn't come. She sent two more

letters in March, and only then did they agree to cvisit.

However, the period of March and April was a busy farming season. Therefore, her family could only delay their

trip until near the end of the season.

“That's a long journey... Where's your village? Is it very far from Syrria?” Lorrayne asked.

“Mm-hmm. It's quite far. It’s way up north of Syrria, about 180 miles away,” Winnie replied.

“180 miles isn’t that far. Why do they need seven or eight days?” Lorrayne thought to herself that even the

slowest horse could still cover 50 miles a day as she gave Winnie a quizzical look.

Winnie lowered her head and mumbled, “They don’t know how to ride horses. They will be walking all the way

here.”

Chapter 203

baron, but the title would be handed down to his older brother.

Tim was well-known in all the major cities as a collector who sourced for rare and unusual goods to sell at high

prices to the well-connected Highborn families in the cities. Folks said he had a good reputation,