Chapter 37
Chapter 37
Stella didn’t notice anything off about Ernest, but Michael’s expression was easy to read.
She almost laughed at herself. Years of heartfelt effort, and for what?
Even the people around Ernest had assumed she shouldn’t act this way toward him. Meanwhile, Ernest, cold and indifferent, treated it like it didn’t exist.
“Stella, you okay?” Seeing her break into a smile, though tinged with pain, Erica’s worry flared. “If it gets too much, we can bail. Plenty of time to deal with these two jerks later.”
“Let’s go,” Stella nodded, turning to follow her out.
She couldn’t help but wonder, why hadn’t Ernest blown up this time?
If he’d overheard Erica calling them a “jerk and a gold-digger” from the start, he’d have surely shot a cold glare and scolded them.
“Ernest, are you all right?” Michael finally asked, just as puzzled.
“I’m fine.” Ernest cast a long, unreadable glance in their direction, then strode back into the banquet hall, silent and mysterious as ever.
“So I’m the only one who got slapped?” Michael muttered; poking at his swollen cheek. “For nothing, too. What kind of nonsense is this?”
“This is pure satisfaction!” At a barbecue joint, Erica ate her food, gulping beer, with not a trace of her rich-girl upbringing.
Legs crossed, swaying slightly, she could’ve passed for one of those burly guys flexing at a grill.
“Stella, listen,” Erica said, animated, “next time you run into this, just slap them hard. Trust me, a few good smacks and you’ll know pure bliss.”
If Stella hadn’t held her back, she might have gone back to slap Michael another couple of times.
“Alright, enough,” Stella said, stopping her from pouring another drink. “Take it easy. Eat first, then I’ll drive you home.”
Erica groaned, reluctant. “Can’t we wait a bit? We haven’t seen each other in days. Aren’t you going to stick around longer for your old buddy?”
“Nope,” Stella said flatly, emotionless. She knew if she gave in, tonight would be lost to hanging out with this whirlwind.
“No way, you’re so cold. My heart is aching!” Erica even made a show of tearing up.
“Relax,” Stella sighed. “It’s because I’m heading back to Lumière Group soon.”
“Huh?” Erica’s genuine shock showed. “You’re really going back?”
She didn’t know much about Lumière, only that Stella had worked there briefly after graduation, giving the fledgling company a solid start.
Later, she left, sparking no small amount of gossip among colleagues-Erica had even gone to pick Stella up and sparred with them.
1/3
Hearing Stella was returning, Erica couldn’t help but worry. “Why not join my company? We’re in jewelry too. My dad could hook you up as a chief designer.”
Stella blinked, half-amused. “Erica, your dad isn’t mine. There’s no way he’d hand over such a key role.”
The chief designer was the heart of a jewelry company-the lynchpin of operations, marketing, and brand recognition.
Even if Stella’s designs were superior, it took years of reputation, client trust, and consistency to earn that position.
Returning to Lumière, she’d start as an ordinary designer, climbing one step at a time.
“But those people…” Erica frowned. “They blamed you a lot back then. I also heard a new designer, Jessica Slater, joined Lumière. She apparently didn’t hold back trash-talking you. Going back, you’re going to face obstacles.”
“Jessica?” Stella thought, drawing a blank. “Who is she? Why the gossip?”
“Who knows?” Erica shrugged. “I only asked around. Nobody really knows her-pretty mysterious.” Updates are released by.net
Both of them had no idea of the truth at that time. The Slaters were minor players in Seabrook, even if Jessica had connections with Noreen.
“I got it,” Stella nodded.
“Good. As long as you know what you’re getting into.” Seeing Stella determined, Erica didn’t push further. “If you can’t hold out, just say so. Quit work, and I’ll take you around the world to play.”
“Deal,” Stella said, smiling from deep down.
After finishing their meal and drinks, Stella drove Erica home. Back at her own apartment, her phone rang.
Thankfully, it wasn’t anyone annoying-just Irene’s teacher.
“Ms. Lee, is everything okay?” Stella asked politely.
“Mrs. Lloyd, the school sent a notice a few days ago about the parent-child activity,” Ms. Lee explained kindly. “The event is day after tomorrow, and Irene hasn’t submitted her participant list yet. I just wanted to check to prevent any issues.”
Stella frowned. Irene hadn’t mentioned anything. “She’s a bit under the weather today,” she replied. “I’ll ask her tomorrow when she wakes up.”
“Sure,” Ms. Lee replied. “Please submit the list as soon as possible tomorrow so the school can make arrangements.”
Irene attended Seabrook’s top-tier elite kindergarten. Their events weren’t just props and powder. Every detail involved time and expense. Even one extra or missing child could cause disruption.
“Understood,” replied Stella. “Thanks for letting me know, Ms. Lee.”
“No problem. It’s my duty,” said Ms. Lee.
After hanging up, Stella considered calling Irene immediately, but thinking back to today’s chaos, she hesitated.
2/3
Chapter os