Chapter 6: Should I Send a Helicopter for You?

Stacey was patiently waiting for Conor in the pavilion, confident of his arrival. Suddenly, her phone broke the silence with its familiar jingle. "Hey, sweetheart," she greeted, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Mom, your GPS shows you're smack dab in the mountain. I've been tracking you on my laptop. Are you alright?" Ethan's voice was filled with concern. "I'm fine, my little man. Don't worry," she reassured him, touched by his thoughtfulness. "Mommy, if you're in trouble. Should I send a helicopter for you?" Ethan proposed, his voice displaying a maturity beyond his tender age. "There's no need for such a dramatic move, sweetheart. Someone will pick me up shortly," Stacey replied. "Alright." Ethan sounded slightly let down. "But mom, you better tell me if anyone's giving you a hard time. I'm big enough to stand up for you now." Stacey laughed, "Sweetie, you're only five. It's not clear who's protecting whom. But don't worry. Anyone who dares to bully your mommy is asking for trouble." "I might only be five and not super strong, but I'm brilliant," Ethan countered. "Of course, I know that. Now, I see headlights approaching. It looks like my ride is here," Stacey said. "Listen to Grandpa Butler, okay?" "Okay, mom. You worry too much," Ethan shot back before hanging up. Stacey slipped her phone back into her pocket and returned to the massive boulder Delaney had pointed out as her waiting spot earlier in the day. Atop the mountain, the rain was icy and chilling. She shivered slightly. Yet, she knew she should appear vulnerable to win Conor's sympathy. Before long, the bright beams of a vehicle's headlights lit up the boulder where she was waiting. Stepping out of the car with an air of icy detachment, Conor was met with the pitter-patter of rain against the umbrella held up by his chauffeur. His eyes immediately landed on the pitiful figure curled up under a boulder. She was shivering, hugging herself tightly, and looked utterly helpless. Two men lay unconscious next to her. "Stacey?" Conor walked over, squatted down, and reached out, lightly touching Stacey. Stacey lifted her head, eyes as clear and innocent as a fawn, wet trails marking her cheeks. "Conor?" "It's me." Conor's brow furrowed. "Why did it take you so long, Conor?" Stacey threw herself into his arms. Conor was known for his obsession with cleanliness. But he allowed the drenched and trembling Stacey to cling to him right now. He felt warm. Even though she'd only been in the rain for a while, Stacey was freezing. While she was an exceptional healer and knew martial arts, she was delicate. She burrowed into Conor, seeking warmth from his embrace. It doesn't matter. She wouldn't be in this mess if it weren't for him. Seeing her in this state, Conor felt a stab of guilt. She wouldn't be in this condition if he hadn't been so negligent. "Check on them." Conor curtly ordered his driver. The driver handed Conor his umbrella, grabbed another one, and went to check on the two men. "Young master. They've been hit at the back of their heads. I can't tell if they were attacked or if they fell accidently," the driver reported. "Get in touch with Lennox. He'll know what to do," Conor ordered, his good-looking face stern and cold. Lennox Robinson, a close friend and trusted assistant, was perfect for handling such situations. "Alright, sir," replied the driver, taking out his mobile. "Stacey, let's go home," Conor said, standing with Stacey clinging to him as if she were a sloth. With an intense, deep gaze at Stacey, Conor lifted her into his arms and entered the car. Immediately, the car was filled with warmth. Stacey released her hold on Conor and sat in a corner. The abrupt absence in Conor's arms left a mild sinking feeling in his heart. Why did he have this feeling of being utilized and then discarded by her? The driver, having finished his call, also got into the car. They were taken back to the Burton family villa. Delaney had yet to leave. She knew that if she left, Conor would surely suspect that she had plotted everything. Fortunately, she had planned, making arrangements with the driver to take the fall for her. With a hefty sum, the driver agreed to shoulder all the blame. She decided to stay to prevent Stacey from telling the truth. "Stacey, you're back! You had me freaking out!" Delaney rushed over, trying to embrace Stacey. Startled, Stacey dove into Conor's embrace, her arms tightly wound around his lean, muscular waist. "I'm scared," she sobbed. Conor looked at Delaney Green with icy eyes, and his thin lips spat out three words, "Don't touch her." Delaney bit her lip, "Stacey, what are you afraid of? The bad guys? It's okay. Laney will protect you." Her tiny head trembling, Stacey managed to squeak out, "Conor, she reminds me of the evil stepmother." "The evil stepmother?" Delaney was surprised. "Yeah, the one from Snow White," Conor caught on instantly. Stacey pointed at Delaney, "I'm scared of her...like the stepmother." "What did you just say?!" Delaney was furious. Stacey was visibly shaking with fear. "Why are you scaring her?" Conor defended Stacey. "Conor, she's slandering me," Delaney argued, "How can she compare me to the evil queen from Snow White? I haven't done anything to her." "She left me," Stacey said in a trembling voice, "She took me to play hide-and-seek and then just abandoned me." "Stacey, how can you lie like that? The driver left you, not me," Delaney retorted. Stacey asked through tears, "Did you change your sex?" Delaney frowned, "What are you talking about?" "The person who left me was a woman, not a man. So, did you change your sex?" Stacey asked innocently. "I am a woman, and a beautiful one too!" Delaney was livid. Stacey turned to Conor with wide, curious eyes, "Is being a beautiful woman like being a cabbage? Common and available everywhere?" "You're the cabbage! Can't you see how ugly you are?" Delaney raised her voice. "Delaney, this is the Burton family. No matter what, she is Mrs. Burton," Conor's eyes flashed angrily. He was never fond of the Green family. Especially after that incident. The incident that involved the Green family and tied them to it forever. At first, he thought Delaney Green was the one who has a night stand with him. But according to Lennox, Delaney was under his watch the entire night. It was clear, then, that the woman was not Delaney Green. He guessed the woman was another social climber. He waited for her to reveal her true identity. But six years went by. He still didn't understand her intentions. She had achieved her goal, so why hadn't she come forward to claim it, to hold him accountable?