Chapter 71
[ 583 words ]
Ronald dropped Stella off at the Orient Nexus Building.
As she stepped out of the car, he mentioned that the driver would pick her up in the evening and advised her to have a good dinner when she got back.
Stella expressed a desire to dine with Susanna, to which Ronald agreed but insisted the driver take her to the restaurant.
Stella was unwilling, for she intended to have hot wings with Susanna, but Ronald’s attitude suggested she wasn’t allowed to do that.
“Alright then,” Stella responded meekly, clearly disappointed at missing out on the hot wings experience.
Ronald glanced at her, offered a smile, and instructed Idris to drive off.
Stella stood still, cheeks still flushed with emotions.
Returning from lunch, Tabitha noticed Stella’s reddened face at the entrance of the building. She approached, examining closely Stella’s expression. Startled by her moves, Stella stepped back, “What are you doing?”
“Boss, your face is all red. Are you in love?”
The mention of romance brought back memories of Stella’s engagement to Yorick, a time when everyone at the studio felt sorry for her.
It was well-known that Yorick’s heart belonged to Ursula, leaving many to believe Stella could do better and would be miserable if she married him.
But it turned out, Stella had never planned to marry him to begin with.
“What in love? Stop talking nonsense,” Stella denied.
That was his brother, the one who raised her!
“You’re free now, there’s nothing wrong with dating,” Tabitha pointed out.
Stella remained silent. She knew Tabitha was right, but she just didn’t want to. A hint of sadness flickered in her eyes that Tabitha couldn’t quite decipher.
…
The studio was bustling in the afternoon.
Stella was swamped with work, fielding calls from a couple of major clients.
Just before closing time, she received a series of personal calls, beginning with Yorick.
“Stella, tell me exactly who that man is!”
Yorick’s loud voice boomed with anger, clearly a sign showing he had recovered from his recent injuries.
Stella responded indifferently, “Why do you need to know?”
“I’ll tear his head off!”
Yorick was livid. The bruises he got at Silk-River Residences hadn’t recovered and today a broken wrist. His pride wouldn’t allow him to let the assailant off easily.
Hearing Yorick’s fury, Stella scoffed, “If you’re so capable, find out yourself. Why ask me?” “Stella!” Yorick roared again.
If Orion was able to find out that man’s identity, he wouldn’t have resorted to asking her.
Stella ended the call with a curt, “Crazy,” and promptly blacklisted the number.
…
Soon after, Cloudia called.
“What’s going on with your studio? How much are you hiding from me?”
Stella replied, “Hiding? Is there a need?”
She had never concealed anything, especially not from the Larkin family, feeling no obligation to disclose any details.
Cloudia exploded, “What do you mean by ‘is there a need’? I’m your mother!”
“Having Jaxon and Ursula, these two losers, call your ‘Mom’ should be enough. Don’t drag me in it.”
Stella was implying anyone called Cloudia “Mom” ended up a loser.
Cloudia was accustomed to Stella’s sharp tongue, but today’s venom was particularly potent, almost driving her to fury.
swnove
Especially since their recent conversations hinted at Stella wanting to cut ties, which Cloudia hadn’t understood until now.
Realizing Stella had made money last year explained her newfound boldness.
“Where are you? I’m coming right now.”
Stella retorted, “Better you look after Ursula, that sickly one. I don’t have time for you.”
1.n
Busy making money, Stella had no spare moments to waste. She hung up the phone, regretting not using separate phones for work and personal matters to avoid picking up every unknown call for fear of missing her clients’.
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