Chapter 706

Chapter 706:
They were deep in conversation, and from the looks of it, they were hitting it off.
Josie excused herself to use the restroom, leaving Stella alone on the balcony. She heard footsteps behind her and turned slightly—Rutherford had joined her. “Ms. Gilbert, what are you looking at?”
Snapping out of it, Stella shifted her gaze from William, a little flustered. “Just the garden. The roses are blooming really well.”
Rutherford noticed Stella’s attempt to change the subject and chuckled softly. “That’s Amanda’s daughter. She’s twenty-five. Amanda’s been trying to set her up with William.”
The words landed like a blow. Stella froze, caught off guard.
After a long pause, Stella managed, “They… seem like a good match.”
They really did. Amanda’s daughter was beautiful, with elegant features and a graceful presence.
Out there in the garden, she looked like a fairy-tale princess.
And William, with his sharp looks and quiet confidence, really did seem like her perfect match.
Rutherford sensed the hurt in her voice but pretended not to notice. “Ms. Gilbert, about that question I asked before—have you given it a thought?” He was bringing it up again.
Stella’s fingers tightened around her wine glass. She knew Rutherford had always treated her well, and Josie’s words from earlier still echoed in her mind. She wanted to try to move forward with Rutherford… but seeing him didn’t stir anything in her.
Just as she opened her mouth to respond, a commotion broke out in the garden.
Stella instinctively turned and saw Amanda’s daughter holding onto William’s hand, panic written all over her face. Blood was dripping from his palm. A sharp jolt of pain tore through Stella’s chest. Without thinking, she nearly rushed toward him.
But just as she took a step, Rutherford said calmly, “Ms. Gilbert, William has someone with him now. If you went over… what would you be to him?” His words stopped her cold.
She watched from a distance as Amanda’s daughter called for help, clearly worried as she tried to take care of William.
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Stella wasn’t needed there.
Her shoulders slumped. She turned to Rutherford and said quietly but firmly, “Mr. Schoenberg, I’ve thought about it. No matter how long I consider it… there’s no chance for us. Don’t waste your time on me.”
Because just now, when she saw William hurt, her heart had clenched so tight it hurt to breathe. That—that was real.
And it was nothing like what she felt when she was around Rutherford.
It hurt to admit, but she didn’t want to lead him on.
“You’re still into William, aren’t you?” Rutherford asked. “You don’t want to admit it, but it shows.”
Stella’s heart skipped. “That’s not entirely why I said no…”
“You don’t owe me an explanation,” Rutherford interrupted. “I love you. That’s on me. I’d never ask you to feel the same. William’s a decent guy. If you end up with him, I’ll be happy for you.”
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