Chapter 76
Chapter 75
Just keep that in mind.” Wade nodded, staying silent.
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Victor grumbled under his breath, but he wasn’t about to defy Sylvia’s words. He knew exactly how much the Finch family’s current prestige–and his own–depended on her support.
After dinner, Harvey asked Stella to stop by for dinner after she got off work that night, then drove Richard home.
Stella sat in her car, about to start the engine when someone knocked on her window.
She turned and saw Sylvia standing right outside, looking down at her from above, that familiar sneer on her face–like Stella was just another forgettable nobody.
Stella rolled down the window, frowning. “What do you want?”
Sylvia smiled faintly. “Heard you’re going to the jewelry exhibition?”
Stella didn’t answer, wondering what Sylvia was trying to get at.
Sylvia didn’t even bother with Stella’s silence, just raised an eyebrow and sneered. “So, you seriously think your designs can outshine mine?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Stella shot back.
“Let’s be real, shady moves won’t get you far. All they do is make people want to stay the hell away from you,” Sylvia said.
“You’re talking about Ernest?” Stella narrowed her eyes, suddenly understanding. Sylvia must have thought that Stella was going to the jewelry show because of Ernest.
Back in the day, Stella would’ve jumped at any chance to get close to Ernest. She would’ve done anything to grab his attention. So, it wasn’t exactly surprising that Sylvia would think that.
But now, Stella had decided to break free from that cage, to leave behind the chains of what she thought was love. Whether it was Ernest or Irene, she didn’t care anymore.
“If you think I’m going to the show for him, you’ve got it all wrong,” Stella said calmly.
Sylvia shrugged with a sly smile. “How about a little wager?”
“What are you betting on?” Stella asked.
“Simple. Let’s see whose jewelry design stands out the most at the exhibition,” Sylvia said, her gaze sharp with challenge.
“You’re on,” Stella said coolly. She’d already been thinking about this–her Auroral Tiara was designed to compete head–to–head with Sylvia’s Eclipsed Crown.
17:19 Tue, Oct 14
Chapter 75
Some things could be left behind, but some scars had to be settled
Stella was clear headed She didn’t just dump all the blame on Sylvia for meddling in her life.
If Ernest hadn’t failed to fulfill his duties as a husband and if Irene hadn’t ignored everything Stella did for het, none of this would have happened.
Though Sylvia wasn’t the start of her nightmare, she was certainly one of the people who helped build it.
So, Stella wasn’t going to let Sylvia’s past actions slide. She wasn’t going to just walk away, pretending she was free when she was really running from her problems. She would settle the score, one by one.
And first up was the jewelry world. Sylvia’s so–called glory would become nothing more than a stepping stone for Stella. She’d crush every ounce of Sylvia’s pride underfoot.
And she’d prove to Sylvia–and to everyone–that the so–called housewife, the woman who allowed herself to be treated like the Lloyds‘ servant, was never the real Stella.
In that instant, Stella’s eyes shone with a brilliance they’d never had before.
Even Sylvia found herself a bit surprised–just for a split second. Then her usual sly smile returned, and she drawled, “Who would’ve thought I’d actually misjudge someone for once?”
‘A housewife, huh? You really kept that well hidden,‘ Sylvia mused.
Sylvia chuckled and shook her head. “I’ll tell you what the stakes are when I actually come up with something. But if you win, you get to name your price.”
Drawing out her words, Sylvia leaned in, her smile wicked as she whispered in Stella’s ear, “Want me to back off Ernest for good? Or maybe pull some strings and help you win him back?”
‘Looks like Sylvia isn’t all that into Ernest after all,‘ Stella almost laughed at the thought, wondering what Ernest would think if he ever found out about this conversation.
“Whatever,” Stella replied, her face showing no emotion. She was already planning on divorcing Ernest–there was no need to try to win him back.
For seven years, Stella had received nothing from him–not even a word of care, not a glance. If there was any “feeling” left, it was just disgust.
Even disgust would’ve meant he cared enough to feel something. But with her–it was nothing but cold disregard.
“Not fun at all,” Sylvia scoffed, clearly disappointed she didn’t get the drama she was hoping for. She turned and walked away.
Stella didn’t notice that when Sylvia turned away, the smirk disappeared from her lips without a trace.
Sylvia was curious about what Stella had truly been after all these years of hiding. If it was power, a massive empire, and the fame everyone coveted–then being Ernest’s wife should have given her all of that.
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Chapter 75
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It shouldn’t have been left to Sylvia.
But the truth was, Stella hadn’t gotten any of those things. She was just what the rumors said: a servant to the Lloyd family, a puppet controlled by so–called love.
“Love.” Sylvia muttered, a laugh slipping from her lips. Love sounded nice, but for people like them, it was nothing more than a delusional dream.
All that romance crap is fake. Power is the only thing that actually lasts.” Sylvia’s ambitious mutterings faded into the air as her figure disappeared from Stella’s view. Find the newest release on ⓝovelFind.net
Stella didn’t care about Ernest. The only thing that still worried her was Irene.
Having lived through a broken family herself, Stella knew all too well the damage a blended family could do to a kid.
But at least Sylvia didn’t seem like the kind of person who’d be two–faced like her mother. She was patient with Irene and always seemed genuinely fond of the girl.
“Sylvia probably won’t treat Irene too badly,” Stella murmured, not wanting to dwell on it. If anything went wrong. Ernest would be there to handle it.
It wasn’t her place to worry anymore–not after she’d already given up her rights as a mother.
“Everything sorted out?” Jeremy asked when Stella walked into the designer’s studio at Lumière Group.
“Yeah,” Stella replied.
“How’s Richard doing?” Jeremy asked.
“He’s fine,” Stella said, giving him a quick rundown of what had happened.
Jeremy listened, then let out a laugh. “Damn, I didn’t expect him to still be so tough at his age.”
“Tell me about it,” Stella replied, a smile tugging at her lips. She couldn’t help but laugh herself, thinking about Richard’s impressive track record.
“Alright, you’re back–so the rest is all yours,” Jeremy said as he handed her the unfinished Auroral Tiara.
Since Stella had designed it, she should be the one to make it. Only she could put her heart into the piece–if Jeremy tried, it just wouldn’t feel right.
That was pretty much why he hadn’t even started shaping the crown until now.
Stella nodded and took the tiara from him. “Got it. Oh, and by the way, I ran into Sylvia after that.”
Jeremy’s eyes narrowed. “She giving you trouble?”
17:19 Tue, Oct 14
Chapter 76