The Rise Of Nicholas Hensaw

Chapter 14

"You think I'd ever come back to you? You're the delusional one here," Stella said, turning to Gabriel, whose arm remained around her waist.

"Trust me, Gabriel has done more for me than you ever have. There's no way I'd leave him for someone like you," she declared, causing a triumphant smile to spread across Gabriel's face.

"Stella, you don't mean that! I know you're only acting this way because..."

"Because of what? You're trying to make excuses for me? My God, don't be so pathetic, Nicklaus," she interrupted.

"Look here, buddy. I'm not going to charge you a dime for all the hospital bills you owe. I'll cover everything for you—just take your miserable self and get out of here," Gabriel said, sliding his hand down to Stella's backside and groping her in front of Nicklaus, who was instantly enraged.

Nicklaus shoved Gabriel back. "What do you think you're doing?"

He turned to Stella and took her hand. "I know your father has been hard on you, but that doesn't mean you have to act like this. Don't worry—I promise I'll give you everything you want. Let's just get out of here."

Stella laughed at his words, narrowing her eyes before pulling away from his grip.

"Don't touch me with those filthy hands! What could you possibly have to give me?" she sneered.

Gabriel chuckled softly, moving closer to Nicklaus.

"I'll do better! Come on... Gabriel doesn't mean you any good," Nicklaus pleaded.

"You don't have the right to tell me who's good for me. Now that Gabriel has decided to clear your debts, you better leave. If he changes his mind, you'll surely end up working in prison to pay it off," Stella said.

Nicklaus was still trying to comprehend how everything had turned out this way. He had planned and imagined his entire life with Stella.

"I don't need Gabriel's help..."

"Then you won't get it. You've just made me angry," Gabriel said.

Nicklaus furrowed his brow, confused. He had treated his sister—if he hadn't acted when he did, Rita would have died, and Gabriel knew this.

"Gabriel, when I came to my sister's rescue, if you had arrived at that moment, there would have been no saving her. People like you are the reason poor people get no help," Nicklaus said angrily.

"You've finally admitted it! You're a poor man, and you shouldn't be with a woman like Stella. Iron sharpens iron," Gabriel replied, and Stella nodded in agreement.

Nicklaus turned to his sister. Seeing the expression on her face, his mood immediately darkened. "Don't worry, Rita..."

"She should worry, because she might not see her brother again," Stella said with pure hatred in her eyes.

"Stella, why are you acting like this? You used to treat me like your sister," Rita said weakly.

"Don't say something like that! Who's your sister? What kind of delusion is that?" Stella snapped.

Rita went cold as ice. Nicklaus shook his head and looked at both Gabriel and Stella. He could see right through Gabriel—just from the smile on his face, Nicklaus could tell that once Gabriel was finished with Stella, he would discard her.

"I'll work to pay back every penny I owe this hospital," Nicklaus said, pausing to look at Stella. He shook his head and was about to speak when she raised her hand to stop him.

"Don't even try to give me advice. You need more guidance than I do," she said, turning to Gabriel, who was running his hands around her waist.

"Maybe Gabriel and other successful men can teach you how to make money and treat a woman properly. As long as you're broke, I don't see how anything could work between us. My father was right from the beginning," she declared.

Before Nicklaus could respond, Rita began coughing. "What do you need? Water?" Nicklaus's voice was gentle.

"Y-yes... water..." she stammered.

Nicklaus quickly looked around but found no water nearby. He rushed toward the door, but Gabriel blocked his path.

"Where do you think you're going? You're not leaving this room until you transfer the money you owe to the hospital's account," Gabriel said, walking to the door and locking it.

"You just said you don't need my help, and hospital policy doesn't allow anyone who hasn't paid at least a deposit to leave," Gabriel explained.

Nicklaus was furious. He clenched his fists and bit his lip. "You must be joking! It's bad enough I have to stand here and watch you manipulate my wife."

"You're delusional if you think I manipulated your wife. It was her choice," Gabriel said.

Stella didn't even bother to object. Nicklaus was finally beginning to realize that Stella was only concerned with material wealth. At first, he thought her behavior was due to pressure from her father.

Since their marriage, Mr. Johnson had never stopped complaining about how terrible the idea of marrying Nicklaus was. It was the family patriarch who had chosen Nicklaus as her husband before he died.

Nicklaus had helped the old man during a heart attack. At that time, Nicklaus had just graduated from college. The old man decided to repay Nicklaus's kindness by arranging his marriage to his eldest granddaughter.

Back then, Stella had been happy because all her friends were getting married while she was still single. Although her father opposed it, she had listened to her grandfather.

*Knock!*

The sudden knock brought Nicklaus back to reality.

"That should be security. They're probably here to arrest you for the money you owe this hospital," Gabriel smirked.