Now They Want My Forgiveness - Chapter 74: Chapter 74

Fiona stared at Stella anxiously, willing her to make a decision quickly.
Eleanor gripped Stella's hand tightly and declared, "With me here today, as long as you don't want to marry, I'll never let anyone force you into it."
Just then, Henry walked in. His smile sent chills down everyone's spine.
Eleanor felt Stella's hand trembling in her grasp.
"Eleanor," Henry greeted.
Eleanor said distantly, "Henry, so you're here."
Henry replied, "Yeah, you're all here. Stella, are you ready? Let's go get our marriage license right away."
His eyes crinkled with a smug smile, as if to say, "Stella, you must realize your predicament. What good did running back do? Even if I don't come for you, they'll deliver you to me themselves."
"Grandma, I won't marry him," Stella cried out. At this point, she couldn't care less about anything else. She thought, 'I'd rather die than marry Henry.'
"Alright then, you won't marry him," Eleanor affirmed firmly.
Fiona pleaded anxiously, "Mom, what on earth are you talking about? How can she not marry him? Henry's already here."
Eleanor said, "Let anyone else marry him if they want. Stella has suffered terribly for three long years out there. You may not care, but my heart breaks for her.
"Maybe I won't be able to protect her forever, but as long as I draw breath, I will never allow her to marry Henry."
"Mom!" Fiona cried out, frantic with worry.
Fiona was beside herself with anxiety.
Eleanor continued, "Henry, thank you for your prior investment in our family. I will repay you as soon as possible, and we'll handle any future matters ourselves."
Henry smiled condescendingly. He said, "With all due respect, Eleanor, what exactly can you repay me with? You may have quite a few shares, but they're practically worthless.
"And don't forget, my involvement went far beyond just investing in your family. It was my intervention that made Troy back off. So, how do you plan to repay a favor like that?
"Of course, I mean nothing else by it. I simply want to take the woman I want with me. I promised you I'd treat her well, Eleanor. Isn't your greatest wish for Stella to enjoy a life of comfort?
"Well, that's exactly what I can offer."
Stella kept shaking her head frantically. She pleaded, "No, Grandma, it's not like that. Please, don't believe a word he says."
Eleanor gazed intently at Stella and asked, "Stella, my dear, tell me what exactly they have done to you?"
Andrew shot Max a meaningful look, and Max came to Stella's side. He said, "Come on. Don't keep Henry waiting."
Stella shoved Max away and snapped, "I'm not going."
Seizing the moment while Eleanor was distracted, Max leaned in close to Stella's ear and whispered, "Don't make me hurt you."
Stella thought bitterly, 'I never expected Max to love me, but at the very least, he shouldn't be throwing me to the wolves. Since they show no mercy, neither will I.' Without warning, she sank her teeth deep into Max's arm.
Max let out a sharp cry, pain shooting through him.
Fiona rushed over and pulled Stella away, but when that didn't work, she pinched Stella's nose shut. Even after Stella had let go of Max, Fiona still kept her fingers clamped tightly over Stella's nose.
All at once, the room erupted into chaos.
Eleanor tried to reach out to help Stella, but Anna quickly stood up, blocking her path. Anna said, "Grandma, please don't go. Your body won't be able to take this."
"Get out of my way," Eleanor snapped.
Eleanor's attention was fixed entirely on Stella. When she saw Fiona dragging Stella away, she grew frantic with worry. In her panic, she inadvertently used too much force, sending Anna tumbling to the ground.
Anna screamed.