Chapter 193 I Have a Girlfriend Looking Out for Me—Do You?

Chapter 193 I Have a Girlfriend Looking Out for Me—Do You?

After more than a year away, Stella finally set foot on Novarian soil once again.

The car pulled smoothly to a stop outside Windsor Villa. The moment she pushed open the front door, the familiar furnishings rushed to greet her, and the homesickness she'd suppressed for so long surged forth all at once.

In the living room, Nelson sat on the sofa reviewing documents. Hearing the sound, he looked up. The instant he recognized the young woman's face in the doorway, his entire body froze. The papers slipped from his hands and fell straight to the floor, his expression filled with disbelief.

The girl before him still had those same delicate features, only she'd shed her former timidity and sensitivity, replaced by a composure and gentle warmth. This was his daughter—the one he'd yearned for day and night, whose whereabouts had been unknown for an entire year.

After several long seconds, Nelson finally snapped out of his daze. He stood quickly and strode forward, his eyes instantly reddening, his voice carrying an imperceptible tremor: "Stella? Is it really you?"

"Dad, it's me. I'm home." Seeing how much older and more haggard her father looked, Stella's nose tingled. She hurried forward and wrapped her arms around Nelson.

Nelson held his daughter tightly, the heart that had been suspended in anxiety for a full year finally settling. Fear and heartache mingled in his voice: "This past year you were missing, trapped in Astoria, I couldn't sleep night after night. I exhausted every connection and drained our savings, desperately trying to find any trace of you. But no matter how hard I searched, every lead vanished into thin air. I couldn't find even a scrap of news about you. During that time, I was terrified... that I'd never see you again."

At his words, Stella's heart stirred. She instinctively glanced back, shooting Mason a reproachful look.

She knew perfectly well that all her father's investigative leads hadn't disappeared by chance—Mason had deliberately orchestrated it all.

This past year, to keep her by his side, Mason had completely severed all her contact with the outside world. Anyone from Novaria who went to Astoria seeking information about her had been quietly intercepted by his forceful, violent methods, every avenue cut off.

Caught red-handed by the woman he loved, Mason lost all trace of his ruthless exterior presence. Guilt immediately flashed across his face. He touched his nose sheepishly, his narrow eyes dropping slightly as he stood obediently in place, not daring to meet Stella's reproachful gaze—looking exactly like a grown man who'd been caught misbehaving.

This stark contrast made Stella both exasperated and amused. His subordinates really should see what their formidable leader actually looked like.

Noticing Stella's gaze, Nelson looked over as well.

"Stella, who is this?"

Before Stella could introduce him, Mason immediately stepped forward, naturally positioning himself beside her. His posture gentlemanly and proper, he nodded respectfully toward Nelson, his tone both deferential and direct as he announced: "Hello, sir. I'm Stella's boyfriend, Mason."

The moment those words left his lips, the villa's front door swung open and two figures entered one after the other.

Richard's body froze in the doorway, every movement halting instantly. His dark eyes locked onto the couple standing close together, that phrase "Stella's boyfriend" echoing repeatedly in his ears. His heart felt as though a massive hand had seized it and squeezed mercilessly. Bitterness, unwillingness, regret, heartache—a hundred emotions churned and tangled together in a complex mess.

He'd struggled desperately to escape Astoria, never giving up the search for Stella. The moment he'd finally learned she'd returned home, he'd rushed here—only to be greeted by this piercing scene.

But his first reaction wasn't to accept reality. Instead, he instinctively decided that Stella couldn't possibly be with Mason willingly.

Mason must have threatened her—with her life, with her family—forcing her to compromise, to pretend to accept him.

The next second, Richard's expression darkened completely, violent energy erupting around him. He raised his hand in a cold gesture.

Instantly, dozens of black-suited bodyguards poured through the villa entrance, surrounding the entire living room in moments. The atmosphere turned explosive.

The sudden massive show of force drained the color from Nelson's face. He quickly stepped in front of his daughter, frowning at Richard: "Richard, what are you doing?"

Richard's gaze remained locked on Mason, his eyes filled with icy battle intent and fury. His thin lips parted, each word deliberate: "In Astoria, he controlled the local forces with absolute power. I was helpless, unable to take Stella from him."

"But this is Novaria. This is my territory. Away from Astoria, no matter what supernatural abilities he possesses, he can't make waves here."

As his words fell, the last trace of warmth vanished from Mason's eyes. Sharp killing intent erupted from their depths, the pressure around him plummeting. He was about to step forward and face Richard's provocation directly.

But a slender figure moved quickly forward, positioning herself squarely in front of Mason, shielding him protectively behind her.

Stella looked up, her expression firm as she met Richard's eyes, her tone serious and resolute: "Richard, don't do this. This is my home."

Her unhesitating action to protect him registered clearly in Mason's vision.

The next second, the killing intent in Mason's eyes vanished instantly.

He switched to vulnerable mode in one second, leaning down slightly to nestle intimately and dependently against Stella's shoulder, his arm circling lightly around her waist, his entire body leaning on hers—the picture of someone in need of protection.

Then he raised his eyes. His gaze traveled past Stella to land on Richard's livid face, his lips curving into a provocative smile both bold and unmistakable as he drawled slowly:

"I have a girlfriend to protect me. Do you?"