Chapter 80
Chapter 80
Chapter 80
“Jeremy…” Stella started.
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She was about to speak when both men turned to look at her, their stares sharp and intense–almost like a showdown in a love triangle.
Jeremy raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on his lips. “Care to explain?”
Without a word from Ernest, the car door clicked open. His message was clear: he wanted her in the car.
Stella didn’t even glance at Ernest. She walked straight up to Jeremy. “Jeremy, there’s a reason for all this. Can I explain everything when I get back?”
“I’ll be waiting to hear your explanation,” Jeremy said, giving a reluctant nod–he didn’t want to embarrass her
out here.
“Thanks,” Stella said, her breath of relief obvious. “I’ll come find you when I’m back.”
“Go ahead,” Jeremy said.
“Make sure you head home early, Jeremy,” Stella said gently.
Without saying anything more, they each got in their cars and left.
Not long after, thunder rumbled in the distance, and the soft patter of rain against the car windows made the air inside even more heavy and tense.
In the back seat, Irene was chatting excitedly with Sylvia on her smartwatch, completely lost in her conversation. Meanwhile, Stella was absorbed in her phone, thinking about her jewelry designs.
It was like there was a wall between Stella and Irene, neither acknowledging the other. It felt like an entire world separated them.
Up front, Ernest kept glancing in the rearview mirror. If Stella didn’t know how much he despised her, she might’ve thought he was checking her out.
The silence lingered in the car. Finally, Irene couldn’t hold it in anymore. “Ms. Jansen, I’m so annoyed!
“I was supposed to go out with you today, but now I have to go home instead. I don’t want to go back, and the last thing I want is to see…”
She paused, giving Stella a pointed look. Stella had scolded her the other day, so now it was payback time. Irene was going to make her feel miserable.
Irene knew exactly how to get under her mom’s skin. So when she noticed Stella glancing her way, she let out an even louder, exaggerated sigh just to drive the point home.
“Ms. Jansen, you honestly have no idea how much I just adore…” Irene started, clearly putting on a show.
18:22 Wed, Oct 15
Chapter SO
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“You didn’t hit the voice call button,” Stella said calmly. “If you want to talk to her, you need to tap the voice chat first.”
Irene froze, her face turning red with embarrassment. “I know how it works. I just love Ms. Jansen so much that I can’t stop talking about her!” Irene yelled.
“Okay,” Stella replied coolly, pulling her gaze away. Back in the day, this would’ve honestly made her feel hurt. A while ago, she might’ve found Irene’s antics funny or even cute.
But after that whole scene with Daisy and the slide, Stella couldn’t ignore what Irene truly was. No matter how angelic Irene appeared on the outside, Stella could see the darker, mean–spirited side beneath.
Stella was done trying to change her. It was what it was. But Irene definitely didn’t feel the same.
Irene still wanted Sylvia to be her mom, and she was still holding on to the idea that the kind, patient Stella she used to know would come back to her.
Ever since Stella stopped taking care of her, everything in Irene’s life felt like it was falling apart–not just the day–to–day stuff, but everything else too.
And honestly, hoping Ernest or Sylvia would step up was pointless–she’d have way better odds counting on Betty.
Irene, once again ignored by her mom, finally couldn’t hold it in anymore. “Mom!” she screamed, standing up in the backseat.
Stella turned to her, her tone calm. “You better sit down, or you’ll fall.”
“I might as well just fall and die!” Irene yelled, voice trembling with frustration. “You don’t care about me anyway. If I die…”
“Suit yourself,” Stella answered, her eyes steady and cold. As a mother, of course she cared about Irene’s safety, but if Irene was determined to act like this, Stella wasn’t going to stop her.
Irene was trying to use her own life as a threat, but Stella was not going to fall for it. Stella had learned long ago that she was her own person first–being a mother came second.
Irene’s eyes widened, utterly stunned that her usual tactic wasn’t working. “You… you want me to just die?” Irene stammered, voice cracking with disbelief.
Even Ernest couldn’t help glancing over in surprise through the rearview mirror.
“I’m not the one telling you to do this–you’re the one who keeps saying it,” Stella replied, her voice steady.
“But why aren’t you trying to stop me?” Irene frowned. “You’re my mom. Aren’t you supposed to…” She trailed off, wanting her mom to beg her, to promise her anything to make her stay.
Before she could finish, Stella cut her off. “Yes, I am your mom, but I don’t have the right to control your life. Live or die, it’s your decision–and I’ll respect whatever you choose.”
Honestly, Irene was still a minor, and as her guardian, Stella was stuck with the responsibility to keep her safe.
18:22 Wed, Oct 15
Chapter 79
[Yeah.] Ernest replied.
:
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Stella rushed to the window and peeked outside. Sure enough, that unmistakable car of his was parked right in front of the building.
She could see him in the driver’s seat, his hair ruffled by the wind, looking completely relaxed. In the back, Irene was fiddling with her smartwatch, probably complaining to someone.
[You gotta go, now!] Stella typed nervously, her fingers trembling. She was worried that Jeremy would run into Ernest, and that would be a disaster.
Ernest didn’t even bother replying or moving an inch. His Cayenne just stayed parked there, turning heads left and right.
“Oh my god! Is that car here to pick someone up from our office?” someone blurted out.
“No way. If you can afford a car like that, would you even work here?” another snorted.
“Who knows? Maybe they just want to try out normal life,” someone joked.
“Man, I wish I knew which woman is that lucky. Her husband’s loaded and even comes over to pick her up after work. Seriously, I’m dying from envy,” someone sighed.
The room was instantly buzzing with excitement.
Meanwhile, Stella was already rushing downstairs, praying that Jeremy and Ernest wouldn’t run into each
other.
Vroom! The roar of the engine shattered the silence, and suddenly, Jeremy’s car blocked the Cayenne’s path.
Jeremy stepped out, walking toward Ernest’s window. He leaned in, his tone laced with mock authority. “Mr. Lloyd, did you get lost? This is Lumière Group. Lloyd Group isn’t even in this part of town.”
Normally, Jeremy wouldn’t act this way, but after Stella turned him down and seeing Ernest parked here, it was pretty obvious where she was headed.
Although he didn’t think Stella would make a foolish decision, he couldn’t help but worry. She was determined to escape her miserable marriage, and the last thing he wanted was for her to fall back into that life.
Ernest replied calmly, a faint smirk in his eyes as he held Jeremy’s gaze. “As you can see, my car is on the public street, not your private property.”
Jeremy was left speechless. Honestly, he never imagined the cold, business–minded Ernest would throw a quip like that.
“Well, well, never thought you had a teasing side, Mr. Lloyd,” Jeremy said, amusement flickering in his eyes.
“People are full of surprises,” Ernest replied coolly, a hint of irony in his smile.
By the time Stella caught up, the two men were already exchanging jabs. She just stood there and let out a
18:22 Wed, Oct 15
Chapter SO Read full story at
Chapter 80
Jeremy… Stella started.
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She was about to speak when both men turned to look at her, their stares sharp and intense–almost like a showdown in a love triangle.
Jeremy raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on his lips. “Care to explain?”
Without a word from Ernest, the car door clicked open. His message was clear: he wanted her in the car.
Stella didn’t even glance at Ernest. She walked straight up to Jeremy. “Jeremy, there’s a reason for all this. Can I explain everything when I get back?”
“I’ll be waiting to hear your explanation,” Jeremy said, giving a reluctant nod–he didn’t want to embarrass her
out here.
“Thanks,” Stella said, her breath of relief obvious. “I’ll come find you when I’m back.”
“Go ahead,” Jeremy said.
“Make sure you head home early, Jeremy,” Stella said gently.
Without saying anything more, they each got in their cars and left.
Not long after, thunder rumbled in the distance, and the soft patter of rain against the car windows made the air inside even more heavy and tense.
In the back seat, Irene was chatting excitedly with Sylvia on her smartwatch, completely lost in her conversation. Meanwhile, Stella was absorbed in her phone, thinking about her jewelry designs.
It was like there was a wall between Stella and Irene, neither acknowledging the other. It felt like an entire world separated them.
Up front, Ernest kept glancing in the rearview mirror. If Stella didn’t know how much he despised her, she might’ve thought he was checking her out.
The silence lingered in the car. Finally, Irene couldn’t hold it in anymore. “Ms. Jansen, I’m so annoyed!
“I was supposed to go out with you today, but now I have to go home instead. I don’t want to go back, and the last thing I want is to see…”
She paused, giving Stella a pointed look. Stella had scolded her the other day, so now it was payback time. Irene was going to make her feel miserable.
Irene knew exactly how to get under her mom’s skin. So when she noticed Stella glancing her way, she let out an even louder, exaggerated sigh just to drive the point home.
“Ms. Jansen, you honestly have no idea how much I just adore…” Irene started, clearly putting on a show.
18:23 Wed,
Chapter 80
65 vouchers
“You didn’t hit the voice call button,” Stella said calmly. “If you want to talk to her, you need to tap the voice
chat first.”
Irene froze, her face turning red with embarrassment. “I know how it works. I just love Ms. Jansen so much that I can’t stop talking about her!” Irene yelled.
“Okay,” Stella replied coolly, pulling her gaze away. Back in the day, this would’ve honestly made her feel hurt. A while ago, she might’ve found Irene’s antics funny or even cute.
But after that whole scene with Daisy and the slide, Stella couldn’t ignore what Irene truly was. No matter how angelic Irene appeared on the outside, Stella could see the darker, mean–spirited side beneath.
Stella was done trying to change her. It was what it was. But Irene definitely didn’t feel the same.
Irene still wanted Sylvia to be her mom, and she was still holding on to the idea that the kind, patient Stella she used to know would come back to her.
Ever since Stella stopped taking care of her, everything in Irene’s life felt like it was falling apart–not just the day–to–day stuff, but everything else too.
And honestly, hoping Ernest or Sylvia would step up was pointless–she’d have way better odds counting on Betty.
Irene, once again ignored by her mom, finally couldn’t hold it in anymore. “Mom!” she screamed, standing up in the backseat.
Stella turned to her, her tone calm. “You better sit down, or you’ll fall.”
“I might as well just fall and die!” Irene yelled, voice trembling with frustration. “You don’t care about me anyway. If I die…”
“Suit yourself,” Stella answered, her eyes steady and cold. As a mother, of course she cared about Irene’s safety, but if Irene was determined to act like this, Stella wasn’t going to stop her.
Irene was trying to use her own life as a threat, but Stella was not going to fall for it. Stella had learned long ago that she was her own person first–being a mother came second.
Irene’s eyes widened, utterly stunned that her usual tactic wasn’t working. “You… you want me to just die?” Irene stammered, voice cracking with disbelief.
Even Ernest couldn’t help glancing over in surprise through the rearview mirror.
“I’m not the one telling you to do this–you’re the one who keeps saying it,” Stella replied, her voice steady.
“But why aren’t you trying to stop me?” Irene frowned. “You’re my mom. Aren’t you supposed to…” She trailed off, wanting her mom to beg her, to promise her anything to make her stay.
Before she could finish, Stella cut her off. “Yes, I am your mom, but I don’t have the right to control your life. Live or die, it’s your decision–and I’ll respect whatever you choose.”
Honestly, Irene was still a minor, and as her guardian, Stella was stuck with the responsibility to keep her safe.
18:23 Wed, Oct 15
Chapter 80
That was why, despite everything, Stella couldn’t fully break free from her.
Blood ties and legal responsibilities meant there was no escaping this connection
She said all this just hoping Irene could finally grasp the reality of it all.
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“Irene, I want you to actually think before you make any choice,” Stella said, keeping her voice calm but clear. “Just mouthing off or messing around with your own safety–none of that ever ends well.”
She paused, then added coldly, “And don’t try to use your life to threaten anyone. All you’re doing is making a fool of yourself.”
“But…” Irene tried to come up with a comeback, but nothing came out–she just sat there with a pitiful look and shot Ernest a desperate glance. “Dad, don’t you care about me either?”
Ernest barely looked up, his voice steady and indifferent. “Your mom’s right.”
When even her dad backed her mom up, Irene was completely deflated. Her little game of guilt–tripping and trying to manipulate her mom into coming back was over.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to keep trying, but the truth was–she was out of tricks. ‘Guess I’ll have to get some advice from Ms. Jansen next time,‘ Irene thought glumly.
With that thought, Irene picked up her smartwatch to reach out to Sylvia again—clearly, Stella’s words had gone in one ear and out the other.
Stella wasn’t fazed. She’d said her piece, and whether Irene listened or not was up to her. But if Irene thought she could manipulate her again, that wasn’t going to happen.
A while later, they finally arrived at the Lloyd family estate.
Before anyone could even get out, Sebastian was already hurrying over with his cane, a huge smile on his face. “Come on, let me see my precious Irene.
“And Stella, I brought you some nutritional foods this time—make sure you have plenty later. Trust me, it’s good for you.”
It was clear how much Sebastian missed Irene and Stella. As for Ernest, Sebastian didn’t greet him or even look his way.
“Sebastian,” Stella said as she opened the door and got out of the car. Irene bounced out right after her, calling out, “Great–grandpa.”
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