Chapter 84
Chapter 84
Michael narrowed his eyes, suspicion creeping into his voice. “Are you really Stella?”
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Stella rolled her eyes. Everyone seemed to be so sure she could never leave Ernest. As if the moment she did, she would fall apart, lose her mind, or cease to exist as herself.
No one ever realized she was, first and foremost, her own person–before she belonged to anyone.
She was tired and didn’t want to waste any more words on him. “If you don’t have anything important to say, just stay away from me.”
Michael pursed his lips, unusually not retorting with sarcasm. Perhaps it was because he could really feel it this time–Stella had truly changed.
“How does a person’s character just suddenly change?” Michael asked.
Seeing Michael walk over and toss him such a deep question, Kane Carter looked completely lost. “Me? You’re asking me?”
Kane glanced around, confirming he was the only one on the couch. “Can’t you hold your liquor? How are you already drunk?”
“Cut it out,” Michael said, sliding down next to him, looking seriously troubled. “I’m actually being serious here.”
Kane snorted. “Come on, you’re asking the wrong person. Why don’t you go ask her directly?”
Michael just stared at him, lost for words. With how Stella was treating him right now, there was no way he’d have the guts to ask her.
“Whatever, just spill it. What’s going on?” Kane asked, massaging his temples. After all, it was his party, and if something’s up with a guest, he can’t just ignore it.
“See that woman over there?” Michael said, pointing at Stella.
Kane turned to look, and for a moment, his eyes flashed with surprise and a bit of awe.
Michael continued without noticing. He briefly recounted Stella’s story to Kane–how she had gone from being a housewife to someone else entirely. He skipped over the details of her marriage but asked, “What do you think made her change like this?”
Humans were naturally curious, and when one was interested in someone, that curiosity intensified.
Although Michael didn’t elaborate, Kane quickly pieced things together. Stella’s change was likely due to an unhappy marriage and feeling lost in her own home life.
Once someone’s had enough disappointment, they stop expecting anything at all.
“Come on, can’t you tell what’s up yet?” Michael urged, sounding impatient.
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Chapter 84
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Kane rolled his eyes at him and gave a mocking click of his tongue. “Seriously? For a player like you, this is basic stuff–how are you still clueless?”
“Messing around isn’t the same as actually having feelings,” Michael shot back.
“Alright, here’s what I’ll do.” Kane slowly stood up, elegantly holding a wine glass. The red liquid sparkled under the lights, and his face, casually handsome, seemed even more striking.
“I’ll handle this. No need to thank me–this is what a good host does,” he added with an easy grin.
“What do you mean? What are you planning? Don’t do anything stupid,” Michael said, a little panicked. If Ernest found out, Michael wouldn’t just get in trouble, he’d be in deep.
Although Ernest didn’t care much about Stella, she was still his wife, and messing with her meant messing with the Lloyd family’s reputation. If something went wrong, Kane could claim ignorance, but Michael couldn’t escape so easily.
“Just wait and watch,” Kane said, tossing a wink before walking toward Stella.
For a woman who had been hurt by marriage, all she might need was enough warmth to feel alive again.
Thinking that, Kane smiled gently and walked right up to Stella, meeting her puzzled gaze. In a soft voice, he said, “Beautiful lady, may I have the honor to invite you…”
“Then you must be having a pretty unlucky day,” Stella replied, sounding totally unimpressed.
Kane’s confident grin almost faltered. ‘Seriously? Is this for real? I mean, forget who I am–just with looks like mine, how is she not…‘ Kane thought.
Stella didn’t even glance at him, her eyes filled with disdain for his sleazy lines. “We don’t know each other, and I’m not drinking with you. If you’re not here for anything serious, just leave.”
Jessica had truly left her to fend for herself, and if it weren’t for her curiosity about Jessica’s intentions, Stella would have left long ago.
‘Wait, is she actually rejecting me?‘ Kane wondered, a flicker of disbelief on his face.
He didn’t let it show though, keeping up his smooth demeanor. But as he moved to sit next to her, Stella stood up, making it clear. If he sat down, she would leave immediately.
Kane froze, halfway to sitting, unsure of what to do.
‘Damn, she’s a tough nut to crack, Kane thought. But that only made him more curious about her–and sparked an urge to conquer the challenge she posed.
For a woman who used to be a housewife, no matter how much she had changed, she shouldn’t be this assertive–which only made him more curious about her past.
The atmosphere between them became thick with tension. Neither seemed ready to give in.
Watching from afar, Michael was freaking out–his nerves were shot.
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Chapter 84
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I’m so screwed. If Ernest gets wind of this… Maybe I should just spill the beans before he catches me, Michael thought.
He texted Ernest, explaining everything that had happened. No reply came, but the read receipt showed that Ernest had seen the message.
Michael sighed in relief. He was sure Ernest wouldn’t care–Stella was no longer a priority for him. As long as he was upfront, he wouldn’t face any consequences.
Ten minutes later, the doors opened, and Ernest entered. A chill fell over the room at his cold presence. The atmosphere shifted, and Michael was shocked into fear.
“Ernest, what brings you here all of a sudden?” Michael stammered, barely getting the words out.
“Where is she?” Ernest asked, with zero warmth in his voice.
‘So he really did show up for Stella?‘ Michael thought, shell–shocked. “Over there,” He said quickly, pointing to Stella, anxiety in his voice.
Ernest’s gaze locked onto Stella, who was sitting near Kane. The dim, flirtatious lighting highlighted the moment, with Kane leaning in just a little too close, while Stella clearly looked uncomfortable.
Ernest’s expression darkened as he walked toward them, with Michael watching nervously. Fresh chapters posted on.net
“Will you stop bothering me already?” Stella was truly fed up. “I’m not drinking, I don’t want to socialize, and I definitely don’t want anything else.”
No matter what Kane suggested, she shut him down instantly, not even giving him a chance to catch his breath.
Kane didn’t mind, still grinning, about to speak, when a tall shadow suddenly cut off his view of Stella. Kane looked up and found himself face–to–face with Ernest’s cold, piercing eyes. The confidence drained from his face.
“Mr. Lloyd, crashing other people’s parties–aren’t you a bit out of line?” Kane retorted, trying to play it cool.
“Crashing?” Ernest raised an eyebrow and let out a dry laugh. “Shouldn’t that be something you’re saying about yourself, or maybe your whole family?”
Yeah, the Carter family wasn’t some old–money locals–they run the top firm back in the neighboring city,
“What can I do?” Kane tossed up his hands with a roguish grin. “If someone’s starving, gotta fend for oneself and go hunt down a meal, am I right?”
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