Chapter 430 - 440: Won’t Let Her Get Her Way
Chapter 430: Chapter 440: Won’t Let Her Get Her Way
Although she was very displeased with this woman’s arrogant attitude, she was pragmatic enough to be flexible.
Rather than making a permanent enemy over a petty grudge—especially without knowing the true cost of taking her down—it was better to resolve the conflict.
She might even be able to ease tensions and win the woman over to her side.
A person this powerful would be a major asset to Sanctyr Base if she joined.
They would have more power when Boss Saint decided to move against the major bases in the south.
Besides, even if they did decide to take her down, they didn’t have to be so confrontational about it.
’We can always find another opportunity to deal with her later!’
She would find a way to reclaim the dignity she’d lost today, but for now, the main priority was to get this woman to stop.
If this woman kept berating them without any response, even their own members would begin to question the base’s strength. The fallout from that would be terrible.
Hearing this, the expression of River Larkin, who was beside her, changed. "Selene, how can you just let her leave? She’s been so unbelievably arrogant!"
His voice was tinged with urgency. He’d finally gotten a chance to get revenge on Stella Sterling. If she left today, she could just find some place to hide, and he might never see her again.
’Does that mean all the humiliation I suffered at her hands was for nothing?’
’No, that can’t happen!’
’Stella Sterling can’t leave. Now that I finally have her in my grasp, how can I just let her go so easily?’
"River, this situation is more than we anticipated. It’s not worth it if we have to expend too much energy to capture her!"
Selene Larkin turned to explain to River Larkin.
River Larkin was desperate to keep Stella Sterling there, so he immediately argued, "But she just humiliated us! Even if we didn’t have a major feud with her before, things have reached this point. If we don’t deal with her, won’t we lose all face?"
Selene Larkin fell silent. Of course she knew what River Larkin was talking about. ’Did he think she wanted this?’
’But as things stand, our options are to either send a massive force to wear her down until she’s at our mercy...’
’...or bring out the heavy weaponry.’
Selene Larkin was unwilling to resort to either option unless it was absolutely critical. If anything went wrong, the consequences would be more than she could handle.
Suddenly, Selene felt something was off. She turned to River Larkin, a puzzled look on her face. "Isn’t it possible she’s a relative of yours? Wouldn’t letting her go be a good thing?"
She was only just now realizing how strange River Larkin’s attitude was. He seemed to know the woman, yet he wasn’t in any hurry to acknowledge her. In fact, when she was about to let the woman go, he was the one urging her not to.
’That really is strange!’
Even if she had forbidden him from pleading on the woman’s behalf, there was no reason for him to push things to this extreme.
River Larkin’s expression didn’t change at her words. He simply said, "From the moment I joined Sanctyr Base, I have been completely loyal to it. I don’t care who she is. Even if she were my own kin, I would not allow her to insult our base."
Selene Larkin was quite satisfied to hear that.
Then she heard River Larkin continue, "Besides, I just said she felt a little familiar. I’m not even certain."
Selene Larkin nodded.
Seeing her expression soften, River Larkin pressed his advantage. "This woman is so arrogant to our faces. If we don’t capture her today and just let her go, who knows what kind of nonsense she’ll spread out there."
"I’m afraid she’ll use what happened today to ruin our base’s reputation. If that happens, our prestige will take a massive hit, and then..."
He trailed off, confident that Selene Larkin understood his meaning.
Selene Larkin’s expression changed abruptly. She had been so focused on ending the incident quickly that she’d overlooked the most crucial point. If this woman was allowed to leave and spread word of what happened today, their base’s prestige would be devastated. It would severely weaken Sanctyr Base’s future dominance in the region.
The impact would be enormous. ’If Boss Saint found out...’
At that thought, Selene Larkin’s expression turned icy. ’This masked woman must die!’
But she quickly concealed the murderous intent on her face, turning to whisper something in River Larkin’s ear.
However, they had no idea that Stella Sterling had heard every word they’d just said.
With her enhanced hearing, she could clearly make out every word they were saying, as long as she chose to listen.
She had especially heard River Larkin’s words, but she didn’t try to stop him.
What he was doing played right into her hands. She wasn’t afraid of things escalating today; she was afraid they wouldn’t escalate enough.
’The bigger the mess, the more fun I can have.’
At this thought, a glint appeared in Stella Sterling’s eyes, and she glanced over at River Larkin.
’It’s been a few years, but he’s the same as ever—always putting on a nice-guy act while secretly plotting and scheming.’
’He’s probably trying to use Selene Larkin and the power of Sanctyr Base to get his revenge on me.’
Thinking this, she cast another pitying glance at the woman named Selene Larkin.
’She seems to treat River Larkin well, but who knows how much of his affection for her is genuine.’
Noticing Stella Sterling’s gaze, River Larkin looked back at her, then shot her a covert, challenging look.
’As long as I’m here, I won’t let Stella Sterling just walk away.’
In his opinion, Selene Larkin was just overthinking things. ’How hard can this woman be to deal with? Sure, she’s strong, but everyone has their limits.’
’With Sanctyr Base’s full strength, taking her down would be a piece of cake if they just got serious.’
He even believed that Stella Sterling’s earlier arrogance and deliberate provocations were all just an act.
’She was deliberately putting on a front, acting all-powerful and fearless, just to mislead them into being wary of her so they wouldn’t dare to make a move.’
’And then she could just walk away, plain and simple.’
’And she would have achieved her goal. Isn’t that exactly what Selene was thinking of doing just a moment ago?’
’But he would never let her get her way.’