Chapter 194 Stay Away from My Woman

Chapter 194 Stay Away from My Woman

Watching Mason beside her looking utterly smug and practically writing his provocation all over his face, Stella felt helpless. She raised her hand and gently patted the arm wrapped around her waist, signaling him to behave.

Then she turned to Richard, whose expression was dark and eyes filled with unwillingness. Her tone was calm yet firm, "Richard, call off your men."

Richard looked at her protecting Mason, still refusing to believe it. His brow furrowed tightly, his voice carrying urgent heartache, "Stella, you don't have to be afraid of him. Is he threatening you to say these things? Just nod, and I'll take you away immediately. No one can stop us."

Stella shook her head, lifting her gaze to meet his directly. "I'm not being coerced."

"I brought Mason back of my own free will."

Her voice paused briefly as she tightly gripped Mason's warm hand beside her. "Because we've decided to get married."

The moment those words fell, the living room plunged into deathly silence.

All four men froze in place without exception, the air seeming to solidify completely.

Sebastian was the first to recover. He stepped forward, looking at Stella with deep concern in his voice, "Stella, think this through. Don't act rashly. Marriage isn't a game."

Stella looked up, her eyes incredibly clear and serious. She gripped Mason's hand tightly, her gaze tender as she looked at the man beside her, speaking candidly, "I'm not acting rashly."

"I like him."

That simple statement floated lightly in the air yet crashed heavily on Richard and Sebastian's hearts, stirring up tremendous waves.

Richard's entire body trembled, blood rushing to his eyes, his face full of disbelief.

He couldn't comprehend how someone trapped in Astoria for a year could fall in love with the man who'd imprisoned her.

Mason felt the warmth from her palm, heard her straightforward confession, and warmth surged through his heart.

But seeing Richard staring at Stella with unwavering eyes, refusing to give up, jealousy flared instantly. His violent aura rose as he coldly retorted, "Mr. Howard, did you hear? My girlfriend just said she likes me. There's no need for you to keep flattering yourself."

Richard's emotions were already shattered, and Mason's provocation completely ignited his fury. Unable to restrain himself any longer, he clenched his fist and swung directly at Mason.

Mason had anticipated this and raised his hand to block. The two immediately grappled together.

Fists flew fiercely, neither willing to yield an inch, both harboring hostility toward the other in their eyes.

Finally, Stella had people forcibly pull the two violently fighting men apart.

The scene finally calmed. Stella rubbed her throbbing temples and said, "I want to talk to Richard alone."

The moment she spoke, Mason immediately tightened his arm around her, clearly unwilling, "I don't want you meeting him alone."

He was extremely possessive about her contact with other men, especially when that man was her ex.

Seeing his petty behavior, Stella sighed helplessly. "If you don't agree, then we can't resolve this mess between us, and the wedding will have to be postponed."

Hearing about canceling the wedding, Mason panicked instantly. All his jealousy and unwillingness evaporated. He immediately released his hold and obediently stepped back, pressing his lips together in compromise, "Go ahead. I won't stop you, but don't talk too long."

Marriage was something he'd longed for countless days and nights. He couldn't risk it even slightly.

Stella nodded, turned, and followed Richard to the quiet back garden of the villa.

The breeze was cool, the garden vegetation silent, no one around.

Richard turned, his eyes full of exhaustion and struggle. Finally, unable to give up, he asked once more, "There's no one else here. Tell me the truth—is he forcing you?"

Stella's expression remained calm as she gave her answer again, "No. I'm sincere."

Richard completely broke down, his voice hoarse with pain, "How can you like him? He imprisoned you, took away your freedom!"

"Why can't I like him?" Stella looked up, asking calmly in return. "His methods weren't exactly honorable, but..."

"He respects all my thoughts, tolerates all my moods, does everything to cherish and protect me. Every time there's danger, he shields me. He treasures me above all else. I'm being truly loved by him. I have no reason to refuse, and I don't want to refuse."

Richard's heart throbbed with pain. Eyes reddening, he asked humbly, "What about me?"

"Didn't I already tell you? We're in the past now." Stella's tone was relieved, completely letting go of what was. "From now on, we'll each be well. If you're willing, we can be ordinary friends."

This statement completely shattered Richard's final defense. Unable to control his obsession, he stepped forward, wanting to reach out and embrace the person he'd longed for, making one last attempt.

But just as his fingertips were about to touch Stella's shoulder, a dark shadow rushed forward fiercely. A vicious kick landed squarely on Richard's abdomen with brutal force.

Richard staggered back several steps in pain, his face paling.

Mason strode forward quickly, pulling Stella firmly into his arms and protecting her completely. Jealousy and violence intertwined around him as he looked coldly at Richard, his tone domineering and possessive, "Richard, stay away from my woman. Stop having designs on her."

"We'll be holding our wedding ceremony soon and officially registering our marriage. When the time comes, remember to come drink at our celebration."

He gave Stella no chance to continue talking with Richard. Lowering his head, he wrapped his arm around her waist, turned, and led Stella back toward the villa.

Richard, unwilling to give up, endured the abdominal pain and stubbornly pursued them, wanting to plead once more.

But just as he reached the corridor corner of the villa, his footsteps suddenly halted.

Under the dim corridor lamp, Mason abruptly stopped, forcefully pinning Stella against the cold wall. One hand braced beside her ear, he leaned down and, without allowing any refusal, domineeringly and forcefully kissed her lips.