Chapter 201 Myriad Worlds Are Not Worth One You

Chapter 201 Myriad Worlds Are Not Worth One You

At the sound of Mason's voice, Nicole's hand froze mid-swing, all arrogance draining from her face in an instant.

Mason's gaze locked directly onto Stella. His heart felt as though it had been pierced by a blade, overwhelming heartache flooding his entire being.

With long strides radiating coldness, he quickly reached Stella's side. He removed his coat and gently wrapped it around her trembling, thin frame, pulling her firmly behind him. With his own body, he shielded her from all malice and oppression ahead.

His movements were infinitely gentle, yet when he looked at his father before him, his eyes were ice-cold, filled with distance and hatred.

"Who gave you permission to touch my woman?"

Mason's thin lips parted slightly, his voice so cold it held not a trace of emotion, each word carrying decisive finality.

Larry's expression remained composed. Even seeing his son's fury, he maintained the dignity of a patriarch, slowly rubbing his thumb ring as he rebuked coldly, "I'm your father. Do I need your permission to discipline a woman unworthy of the Stafford family?"

"She's divorced, from an ordinary background—completely unsuitable to marry into the Stafford family, let alone become its matriarch. I brought her here today simply to make her leave you sensibly. It's for your own good."

"For my own good?" Mason laughed lowly, the sound devoid of warmth, dripping with mockery. "Everything you've done your entire life has only been for the Stafford family's power, for controlling everyone. When have you ever considered me even slightly?"

"In my youth, you forced me into the dark business, forced me to abandon all emotion, forced me to become a heartless puppet. When Mother died from depression, you didn't care—only family interests mattered. I broke ties and left the Stafford family thinking we were done."

"But I never imagined you'd dare interfere with my relationship... control my life."

His words brutally tore open all the ugly history between father and son.

Larry's face darkened completely as he shouted harshly, "Insolent! I'm your father—your life is mine to control!"

Seeing her father apply pressure, Nicole quickly chimed in, speaking timidly, "Mason, Dad only wants what's best for you. This woman isn't right for you. Listen to Dad and leave her, please..."

"Shut up."

Mason's cold gaze swept over her. Just two words silenced Nicole instantly, not daring to say another word.

He withdrew his gaze, looking back at Larry, his arm tightly protecting Stella behind him, his attitude firm and unyielding. "Listen carefully—I will marry no one but Stella in this lifetime."

"You threatened her, harmed her, crossed my bottom line. From this moment forward, I sever all ties with the Stafford family. We have no relationship whatsoever."

As his words fell, deadly silence filled the room.

Larry's eyes widened, unable to believe his son would truly cut off blood ties for a woman.

Mason didn't spare him another glance. He looked down tenderly at Stella behind him, his tone instantly shedding all hostility, filled with heartache and gentleness. He reached out to gently wipe the tears from her eyes. "Are you frightened? Don't be afraid. I'm taking you home."

He bent down, carefully lifting her into his arms, intending to leave this oppressive villa immediately.

"If you dare step out that door, I'll have her killed!" Larry roared furiously, his bodyguards instantly raising their weapons, gun barrels all aimed at the couple.

Cold muzzles pointed at their hearts—danger everywhere.

Mason's steps halted. His arms holding Stella tightened further. He turned sideways to shield the girl in his embrace, looking back at Larry with murderous intent in his eyes, each word deliberate and resolute.

"You can try."

"But if a single bullet touches her, I will destroy the entire Stafford family today. Even if my opponent is my biological father, I will show no mercy."

Seeing his son's absolute determination and refusal to yield, Larry finally dropped all patriarchal pretense. The authority in his eyes faded completely, leaving only naked greed and calculation.

He slowly lowered his raised hand, speaking coldly, revealing the true selfish motive behind this kidnapping. "Since you insist on this woman, then give me your assets."

Mason heard this and let out a low, cold laugh, the sound full of mockery and heartbreak, his eyes utterly frozen.

He should have known all along.

This biological father never cared about his happiness or his life—from beginning to end, only power and profit mattered.

Larry continued, "As long as you hand over all your forces, I'll release you both immediately and never interfere with you and this woman again. Otherwise, neither of you leaves this villa today."

On one side lay the empire he'd fought for through blood and countless brushes with death, the power he'd earned with his life. On the other stood the love he cherished above all, the woman he wanted to spend his life with.

Without a moment's hesitation, Mason looked down at Stella in his arms, clinging to him tightly, her eyes full of worry for him. His heart melted completely.

His thin lips parted, each word calm and accepting. "Fine. I agree."

As his words fell, complete silence reigned.

Larry froze briefly, then burst into laughter. "I never imagined this woman meant so much to you that you'd abandon the empire you fought for with your life, just like that."

In his eyes, power always trumped everything. He could never understand someone sacrificing supreme authority for love.

Mason looked down, tenderly protecting the person in his arms, his long arm firmly around Stella's waist. He raised his eyes to his cold, selfish father, his tone carrying extreme detachment. "You've been trapped by power your whole life, seeing only profit, naturally unable to understand human warmth."

"Not everyone is as cold-blooded and heartless as you, utterly devoid of humanity. To me, all the kingdoms in the world don't compare to a fraction of her."

With that, he didn't spare Larry another glance, turning to leave with Stella in his arms.

Passing Nicole, whose face had gone deathly pale and who trembled uncontrollably, Mason's steps suddenly stopped.

He turned his head slightly, his dark eyes devoid of warmth, looking coldly at his rigid sister, his voice low and icy, carrying an undeniable warning. "I'm remembering today's account."

One day, he would settle it.

Nicole's body shook. She didn't dare say a word in response, only watching helplessly as Mason carried Stella out of the villa without looking back.

Evening wind hit their faces, dispersing the bone-chilling coldness around them.

Mason carefully placed Stella in the car, driving back to the hotel in silence the entire way.

The moment he closed the hotel room door, he immediately dropped all defenses, hurriedly cupping Stella's face, his fingertips carefully tracing her reddened shoulders and disheveled hair, checking her entire body inch by inch, terrified she might have hidden injuries, his eyes full of unconcealed fear and heartache.

After confirming she was only frightened with no actual external wounds, Mason's spine, tense the entire journey, finally relaxed. He pulled her tightly into his embrace, the force so strong as if trying to meld her into his bones and blood.

Stella leaned against his warm chest, her nose tingling, speaking softly with a heart full of unease and heartache. "Was it worth it, giving up all your power and empire for me? That was everything you earned with your life."

That was the kingdom he'd exchanged through countless gunfights and near-death experiences. Handing it over just like that—her heart filled with guilt and anxiety.

Mason looked down, his forehead against hers, his eyes full of gentle certainty without a trace of regret, laughing softly. "Silly girl, of course it was worth it."

"Money and power are external things. If they're gone, I can earn them back from scratch. If I lose my empire, I can rebuild it. But I only have one wife. If I lost you, I could never get you back in this lifetime."

His tender words struck the softest place in her heart. Stella's eyes instantly reddened, all anxiety dissipating.

Looking at the man before her whose eyes held only her, who would abandon everything for her, she could no longer restrain the surging love in her heart. She actively raised her hands around his neck, stood on tiptoe, and tilted her head to kiss his lips first.

A gentle yet reverent kiss, carrying all her love and heartache.

After the kiss, she pressed against his lips, softly confessing, "Mason, meeting you is the greatest fortune of my life."

Mason's heart shook violently. He tightened his embrace, holding the girl in his arms close, his eyes full of cherishing what he'd nearly lost.