Chapter 61
Chapter 61
Everyone was caught off guard and felt a little embarrassed, totally not expecting to get called out by a kid. But it wasn’t really the kid’s fault. They were the ones who had disturbed her first.
“Sorry. Wait, Mr. Nunn?” one of them said.
They were about to apologize, but they turned around and found that the person sitting next to the little girl at the round table in the hotel lobby was not Cameron, who didn’t come to the company today.
Looking at the other people at the table, even if they hadn’t met them in person, they had definitely seen their faces on TV.
There were Simon Wood and Michael Crawford, heirs to two powerful families; Sylvia Jansen, the rising star in the jewelry world; and, most notably, Ernest Lloyd, the man who ran the entire Lloyd Group.
With a group like that, no one in their right mind would believe Cameron was just there for a casual meal. They all realized he was there to switch sides.
The thought kept growing in everyone’s mind. No one had ever expected that Cameron would actually choose to leave.
But Jeremy, who had known how this would play out, remained unfazed. He just nodded at Cameron, almost as if offering him a blessing for his future.
But when Stella saw Irene leaning against Sylvia, who was sitting at Ernest’s right side, exchanging intimate glances, a strange tightness formed in Stella’s chest. She couldn’t help but feel unsettled.
“They’re really putting on a show,” Stella said to herself, a hint of bitterness in her mind.
“What?” Jeremy asked, turning to her when he didn’t catch it.
Stella just shook her head, smiling faintly. “Nothing, I just didn’t expect we’d bump into them here.”
“Want to head somewhere else?” Jeremy offered.
“It’s fine, let’s just stay here,” Stella replied. She didn’t want her own situation to trouble anyone else.
“Alright, let’s grab a table then,” Jeremy said, nodding. He led the group to a table and they all sat down.
The hotel did have the option of larger private rooms, but everyone figured they’d feel too stuffy and cramped, especially with such a big group. So, they decided to hold the party out in the lobby instead.
But no one expected to run into Cameron here-especially not right as he was switching allegiances. The atmosphere turned awkward instantly.
“Do you think we should say something?” one of them muttered awkwardly. It just felt so awkward in here.
Not far away, the once lively buzz at another table had suddenly gone quiet.
Spotting his old crew now crowded around Stella, Cameron’s grin vanished and his face turned stormy. “Bunch of fair- weather friends,” he scoffed, unable to hide his irritation.
“Well, that’s just how people are,” Michael said with a smirk. “Wait until you join the Lloyd Group-then watch how fast they start sucking up to you again.”
Michael elbowed Simon. “Hey, the person you were so obsessed with last time is here. Aren’t you going to say hello?”
Simon shot him a glare but didn’t say a word.
1/3
Sylvia chimed in, “We really ought to say hello. I mean, she’s Irene’s mom-we can’t just pretend she’s not here.”
“No way, I’m not going.” Irene pouted.
The little girl definitely held grudges. She hadn’t forgotten how her mom had refused to see her last time. Unless her mom came over and begged her, she would never talk to her mom.
“Irene,” Sylvia sighed, looking helpless but with a hint of spoiling in her voice-she clearly wasn’t really planning to push Irene too hard.
If Sylvia really wanted to get Irene to go, she’d just pick Irene up and take her. There was no need to keep asking.
“Ms. Jansen, I really don’t want to go,” Irene whined, tugging on Sylvia’s arm and putting on her cutest pout. “I can’t stand my mom. Just seeing her makes me so annoyed. Please don’t make me go.”
Her voice wasn’t loud, but in the silent, awkward lobby, every word rang out, impossible for anyone to miss.
Though most didn’t understand the situation, it was obvious who Irene was referring to as “mom.” She kept glaring at Stella, and everyone could guess the rest.
Her real mom was right there, yet the girl kept saying she hated her, staying close to Sylvia instead. What a complicated mess of relationships.
No one even dared to think more about it, but they were starting to grasp what the whole Tear of Thorns was really about.
There was no clearer example of pain and redemption than what they were witnessing right then.
“Boss,” someone asked in a small voice, “are you alright?”
“Absolutely,” Stella beamed, “This is my first get-together with everyone since joining the design team. Honestly, I’m in the best mood I’ve been in for ages.”
She’d felt a little down just now, but it was only for a moment.
Everyone relaxed and even felt a bit happy for her. It seemed like Stella had finally pulled herself out of her past struggles and found redemption. That was definitely worth celebrating.
The room came alive again with laughter and chatter, and even the folks at the next table couldn’t help sneaking glances their way.
“What the hell are they so happy about?” Michael muttered, baffled. “It’s not like anything good has happened at Lumière Group lately.”
To him, Cameron leaving was a big loss for Lumière. As for Cameron’s claim that he left because he lost, Michael wasn’t buying it.
Seven years, not seven days. After all that time, Michael was convinced Stella was nothing but a stay-at-home mom. He didn’t believe she could design jewelry.
And he wasn’t the only one who thought that. Even Sylvia, who knew Stella fairly well, didn’t think she could outshine Cameron, who was already a big name in the industry.
She figured Cameron’s decision to leave probably had a lot to do with Jeremy.
Thinking this, Sylvia reassured him, “Now that the Lloyd Group has your back, Jeremy won’t dare to give you any trouble.”
Cameron was taken aback. He wasn’t really concerned about Jeremy. In fact, Jeremy had tried to convince him to stay.
But he didn’t think much of it and just assumed Sylvia was speaking up on Ernest’s behalf.
2/3
His gaze lingered on Ernest, sitting beside Sylvia, and the way she fussed over him. Cameron’s expression darkened for a moment. He almost said something but chose to remain silent.
At one table, everyone was chatting happily, enjoying the meal as if it were a celebration. At the other table, the silence was so thick that the chef started wondering if he’d messed up the food.
“Did everyone enjoy the meal?” Jeremy asked with a grin.
“Perfect!” Everyone chimed in together. “Thanks, Mr. Ford-so generous of you.”
“Alright, I’ll go settle the bill then,” Jeremy said, getting up.
As he went to pay, the group waited at the table. Stella, however, seemed to have drunk a bit too much and wasn’t feeling well. She told everyone she’d be right back and went toward the restroom.
“I’m heading to the bathroom. If Mr. Ford comes back, just let him know he doesn’t need to wait for me-you all go ahead if I’m not back yet,” Stella said.
“Boss, are you sure you’re alright?” someone asked, sounding genuinely concerned. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ~net
“It’s nothing, just had a bit too much to drink,” Stella replied, brushing it off.
“See? I told you, if you can’t handle it, don’t go chugging so much. Feeling any better now?” Simon teased.
At the restroom entrance, Simon was trying to steady Michael, who was very drunk. Just as they were about to go in, saw Stella walking toward them.
For some reason, she just didn’t feel like the same Stella they thought they knew.
A5
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