Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Stella felt a rush of fluster and an unexpected pang of guilt. But when she noticed Sylvia standing beside Ernest, she couldn’t help but scoff at herself. ‘It’s not like I’m the one having an affair. What right does he have to look at me like that?
“Stella?” Jeremy noticed her whitened knuckles. “ If you’re not feeling well, you can head out early. He had brought her mainly to see the work of these new designers. Now that she’d seen them, she was free to leave whenever she wished.
Stella shook her head slightly, her gaze still fixed on Sylvia in the distance. “I’m alright, Jeremy. But seeing my own design worn by someone else like a trophy leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.”
Then she looked away, offering Jeremy a faint smile. “It’s okay, really. Weren’t you planning to meet some of the designers? Please, don’t let me keep you.”
Jeremy gave her a long, thoughtful look, then nodded. “Alright,” he said gently. “I won’t be long.” Then he turned and made his way into the crowd.
After he left, Stella viewed a few more pieces before slowly making her way to the terrace. The evening breeze carried a slight chill, cooling much of the restlessness in her heart.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind her. She turned warily, only to meet Ernest’s intense gaze. “Who said you could follow me here?” he demanded.
Caught off guard by his accusation, Stella froze. Through the terrace’s sheer curtains, she could just make out Sylvia chatting with other designers nearby. Then Ernest abruptly stepped in front of her, blocking the view.
“Keep your little games to yourself, Stella,” Ernest said, his tone sharp and clear. He was convinced she had come to the gathering for no reason other than to follow him.
She had to admit that she had really done something that foolish before. And unsurprisingly, all she got was Ernest’s icy stare. But now that she had decided to divorce him, she would never stoop to that again.
Still, since they had run into each other, she figured she might as well ask how the divorce was coming along and when they could finally get the certificate.
Unfortunately, Ernest didn’t give her a chance to speak. “Listen carefully, Stella,” he said coldly. “This design competition is extremely important to Sylvia. If you dare cause any trouble, I will make sure you regret it.” Without another word, he turned and walked away.
Stella stood frozen, her tightly clenched fists trembling slightly, nails digging deep into her palms. As she walked back from the terrace, she was met by a group of company bosses, who were apparently drawn by Ernest’s presence and eager to win Lloyd Group’s favor.
As the group drew closer, Ernest’s low, warning voice carried back to her. “If you dare say anything that harms Sylvia’s reputation, you can forget about remaining Mrs. Lloyd.” Without waiting for a reply, he strode toward Sylvia.
Stella let out a bitter laugh. ‘In Ernest’s eyes, I’d do anything to keep the title of Mrs. Lloyd. He’s so sure of it that he doesn’t even realize I don’t want it anymore.‘
“Hey, see that? That’s the Lloyd Group CEO’s girlfriend. Word is this whole event was thrown just for her,” said a woman in a shimmering dress.
Another woman, dressed in sleek black, chuckled softly. “Really? And here I thought marrying rich was all about compromise, but he clearly adores her.”
“ Of course,” the first woman replied with admiration. “I heard she’s a designer herself, plus from a wealthy family, gorgeous,
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Chapter 9
classy, and seriously talented.”
“Look, the minute those bosses came in, Mr. Lloyd rushed right over. He really doesn’t want her to feel uncomfortable. Seriously, where can I find a guy like that?” the woman in black nodded toward the couple.
Stella listened to the admiring whispers around her as she watched her husband rush to another woman’s side. Even though she had known about their affair for some time, a dull ache still spread through her chest.
Those bosses, who had all built successful businesses, knew exactly who to pay attention to. The moment they entered the room, their words were full of praise for Ernest and eager compliments for Sylvia.
“You’re all too kind,” Sylvia said, linking her arm through Ernest’s. “But Ernest is the one leading Lloyd Group. I’m just a designer. I don’t have much influence.”
She acted as if she were Ernest’s true wife. No one in the room gave one glance in Stella’s direction. To all who were watching, Ernest and Sylvia were already a couple.
It was profoundly ironic. Sylvia’s mother had been the mistress who destroyed Stella’s family, and now Sylvia was following in her mother’s footsteps.
As a child, Stella had often wondered why she carried her mother’s surname while other kids had their fathers. It wasn’t until later that she learned her father had always intended to throw her and her mother out with nothing.
Even though the Jansen family’s wealth had been built on the backing of Stella’s maternal grandparents, that didn’t stop them from being thrown out when she was just ten. The very next day, Sylvia and her mother moved in. Check latest chapters at.net
But that wasn’t all. The Jansens had even tried to sabotage their partnership with the Spencers. Furious, her uncle cut all ties, even paying a heavy price to end the deal. In a world that kisses up to the powerful, Spencer Group soon struggled, while the Jansens climbed higher than ever.
She had heard the Jansens poured everything into their daughter’s upbringing, teaching her all kinds of talents. Everyone knew the Jansen family had a treasured daughter, but few realized that the daughter had been changed from Stella to Sylvia.
Although Sylvia had been openly involved with Ernest for years, the two women had never actually met until now. Seeing Sylvia’s commanding presence, Stella had to admit the Jansen family’s investment had clearly succeeded.
‘Who would have thought that this rising designer, carrying herself like a wealthy heiress, was actually an illegitimate child and now following her mother’s path as a mistress?‘ Stella thought with bitter sarcasm.
With the arrival of those social climbers, the designers‘ gathering had completely lost its original purpose. It was now filled with nothing but flattery.
Stella had no desire to stay any longer. She took out her phone, texted Jeremy that she would start her work on Monday as agreed, and got ready to leave.
But Jeremy’s text said he was stuck upstairs with some bosses and asked her to wait for him in his car. As the CEO of Lumière Group, it was natural for people to seek him out for business talks, though very few knew his alcohol tolerance was surprisingly low.
Stella sat in the car, going through some materials she had found online. Suddenly, a familiar voice sounded nearby. She turned her head instinctively and saw a little girl hop cheerfully out of a car. ‘Is that Irene?‘
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Chapter 10