Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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“Oh?” Ernest drew out the last syllable, curiosity sparking in his cold eyes. “So you’re speaking for the Russells now?”
Not easy, but manageable. Blocking a few deals, stirring up minor trouble, letting the Russells deal with her-Ernest believed he could handle that.
Erica was close to Stella, sure, but Ernest didn’t think the entire Russell family wouldn’t sacrifice their interests just to cover Stella.
Stella thought of this too. She didn’t want to drag her best friend into her mess.
“Erica…” she tried to stop her, but Erica cut her off.
“Don’t say a word,” said Erica, stepping forward, locking eyes with Ernest without a shred of fear. Each of her word fell like a hammer, “Me standing here doesn’t represent myself, nor the Russells. My only identity right now is Stella’s best friend!”
As her childhood sister-in-arms, she couldn’t turn a blind eye to what Stella was going through. To do so would make her unworthy of that “best friend” title.
“So what exactly do you plan to do?” Ernest’s question seemed aimed at Erica, but his icy gaze was firmly on Stella.
Even if it was Erica’s idea, he knew she was undeniably involved.
“Go ahead, Stella,” Erica said, glancing at her. “Do we slap this scumbag and his gold-digging sidekick, or expose their deeds to the world?”
A powerful head of the Lloyd Group, cheating on his wife and kids? That would certainly make waves in Seabrook.
“Hey there!” Just then, a sudden voice made all three turn.
Erica swiveled to see a man in a floral-patterned suit, hands in his pockets, swaggering toward them with a mischievous grin.
“Michael, this isn’t your business,” Erica frowned.
In Seabrook’s elite circles, two eccentrics stood out. One was Erica, born into wealth but living as a carefree little social butterfly. The other of course, was Michael, a playboy extraordinaire, chasing pleasure, always surrounded by women.
“Erica, your brain still half-baked?” Michael smirked. “Ernest and I go way back. His business is my business. How could it not concern me?”
“No wonder he looked so decent before, and now his true scumbag nature comes out,” Erica said, disgust etched on her face. “Birds of a feather, huh? You two are cut from the same cloth.”
“Thanks,” Michael said shamelessly, grinning proudly. “I’ll take that as a compliment. But…”
His playful smirk faded, replaced with a cold glint. “Even if you complimented me, you’re not causing a scene tonight.”
Tonight’s banquet was for Sylvia. Michael wouldn’t allow anyone, under any circumstances, ruin it.
“I’m saying no.” Erica’s tone was steel.
“You really don’t want to see what I can do…” replied Michael, but before he could finish-smack! Erica landed a sharp slap across his face.
“You talk big, but what are you doing here, huh?” Erica wasn’t letting him get away with his attitude.
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Chapter 36
If the Crawfords had Lloyd-level clout, Erica might have tossed a few jabs verbally first, just to stir the pot without escalating.
But she knew the Crawfords were still a rising house-nowhere near the Russell legacy. Acting cocky in front of her? Not on her watch. Content originally comes from.net
Michael, caught off guard by two stinging slaps, instantly remembered school days.
Simon, Ernest, Erica, Stella and him had gone to the same school, just different years and departments. Little interaction, except Michael had taken his fair share of Erica’s wrath.
Ernest had been the golden boy. He was handsome, rich, flawless, and everyone adored him, including Stella.
But compared to her passion for jewelry design, fleeting crushes were nothing. She’d only mentioned them to Erica, which had sparked Michael’s teasing.
Back at school, Erica had her back. But after that incident, Stella had been completely alone.
Thinking of this, Stella almost raised her hand to slap him herself. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, and held back Erica, who was bouncing with adrenaline. “Erica, that’s enough.”
“Aren’t you going to slap him too?” Erica’s cheeks flushed with excitement. “Slapping a jerk like this? Feels amazing!”
“Nope,” Stella shook her head, smiling slightly. She refused to waste her energy on people unworthy of even a flicker of emotion. They didn’t deserve it.
She then faced Ernest again to continue, “Believe it or not, my intention wasn’t to make a scene today.”
Ernest was stone-faced, eyes sharp as ice. “So you came here, caused a ruckus, and slapped my people, just to tell me you weren’t making trouble?”
“I slapped him, not Stella!” Erica shouted.
Ernest ignored her, eyes locked on Stella, demanding an explanation.
The mess was bad enough. He knew that without accountability, the banquet would be ruined.
Stella read his gaze but didn’t flinch in fear like before. She straightened her back slightly and met his stare calmly. “Think whatever you want. I’ve said my piece. Believe it or not, it doesn’t change the facts.”
“Oh, and plus,” blocking Erica, Stella added, “If you think it was me, fine. I admit it. But I will never apologize.”
She knew an apology would only turn Erica into a laughingstock, and she refused to backstab anyone.
If anything came, it came for her. Seven years of endurance had toughened her.
Ernest arched an eyebrow, surprised by her attitude. Even Michael, still reeling from Erica’s slaps, gawked.
He didn’t expect to see Erica here, nor did he think the usually quiet and meek Stella would be so steely.
And she dared to stand up to Ernest? Not a hint of fear? This was just unbelievable.
Michael could still remember that in the past, the slightest frown from Ernest would have her trembling as if her life depended on it.
Had she lost her mind? He wondered.
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