Page 40 of King of Rage

Stella's hands curled into fists at her sides.

“If you don’t want me to go to her again, then give me fifty thousand dollars. And I promise I’ll disappear for a week.”

He said it with a sweet smile, as though he had just offered her a generous bargain.

Stella's anger grew with every word.

Aunt Darla had been married to this man for a long time, and during those years, he had taken advantage of her again and again. He had beaten her, controlled her, and completely ruined the years she should have been able to live freely.

It had taken her far too long to finally see him for what he was and divorce him.

But even after the divorce, David had refused to disappear.

He had continued haunting Darla like a parasite she could never completely get rid of.

Stella glared at him, her patience finally gone.

“If you don’t leave, I’m calling the police. This is my private property. It’s not yours, and you have no right to be here.”

She didn’t wait for an answer.

She reached beneath the counter, grabbed her phone, and immediately dialed the police. The call began to ring.

“Hello, this is the police department—”

David’s expression changed instantly.

The smugness vanished from his face, replaced by sudden fear. He took a step backward, his eyes darting toward the door.

“Fine. I’m leaving.”

But before he turned away, his face twisted with anger.

“But don’t think I’m going to forget this. And don’t think I won’t take revenge on Darla.” His voice dropped into a threatening tone. “You’ve finally tested my patience. You’ve displeased me, and I’m going to make sure I get what I want from her.”

He pointed a threatening finger toward Stella before turning around and storming out of the restaurant.

Stella remained behind the counter, her body stiff as she watched him disappear through the glass doors.

The anger on his face disturbed her more than she wanted to admit.

She let out a deep, frustrated breath and rubbed her forehead with her fingertips, trying to ease the tension that had gathered there. After a moment, she lowered the phone and ended the call.

Outside, David walked away from the restaurant, his anger quickly giving way to desperation.

Money was the only thing he cared about.

He had been drowning in debt for years. Darla had paid off his debts several times, but it had never been enough to change him. He had a habit of getting involved in card games and buying lottery tickets, always convinced that one lucky break would make him a billionaire overnight.

He kept trying.

And trying.

But he had never won even once.

Instead, he had accumulated more and more debt until the people he owed money to were practically breathing down his neck. The loans had piled up so high that he knew they were done waiting.

“If she doesn’t give me the money today, they’re going to cut off my fucking hands!” he screamed, his voice cracking with panic. He grabbed his wrists as though he could already feel the blade against his skin.