Chapter 11

Chapter 11:
Without giving Marc’s office a second glance, Stella composed herself and walked toward the legal department, as if she hadn’t seen a thing.
Inside, Marc happened to glance toward the hallway mid-flirt. His heart skipped a beat when he caught sight of Stella walking past.
A sharp breath lodged in his throat, and his smile instantly vanished, replaced by a grim scowl.
“You need to leave. Now,” he said curtly, the warmth in his voice gone.
Haley blinked in confusion, lips still curved in a teasing smile. “What’s gotten into you?”
His grip on her wrist tightened unintentionally, making her flinch in discomfort. But before she could press further, Marc stormed out of the room, his steps purposeful and tense.
He caught up to Stella, softening his voice. “Stella, why are you here? What you saw back there… it wasn’t what it seemed.”
Stella cut him off with a calm flick of her wrist. “Relax. I get it—just work, right? You two enjoy yourselves. I’m just here to handle the paperwork and go.” Her tone was so casual it almost sounded like indifference, but the message was clear—she hadn’t come to spy.
Still, Marc stood stiffly, the tension in his body betraying his guilt.
From the doorway, Haley peeked out and noticed their strained exchange. Her manicured fingers curled into fists, while her eyes narrowed with suspicion and irritation.
With deliberate elegance, she strutted toward them with a syrupy smile on her face. Tossing her curls, she purred in Achure, “Marc, you were amazing last time. I haven’t stopped thinking about it. Honestly, working with you is the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Then, shooting Stella a smug glance, she added with a wink, “Sweetheart, I’ll be waiting at the hotel. Got a surprise for you—brand-new lingerie, just how you like it.”
Of course, Stella knew Haley was being deliberately provocative.
She knew full well Stella spoke Achure, and yet she flaunted it right there, loud enough for anyone nearby to hear.
Truly, the woman had no shame.
Marc’s jaw tightened, his expression darkening as he turned to respond—but Stella cut in again.
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“Really, Ms. Smith? Aren’t you bold? Maybe I should remind you that Mr. Walsh and I are still legally married, and yet here you are, shamelessly throwing yourself at him. Where I come from, women like you have a name—homewrecker, or worse, a tramp.”
She spoke in clear Ushainese, loud enough for everyone to hear. The moment the words left her lips, the room fell silent, and all eyes turned toward her in shock.
Everyone already knew Marc and Haley were close, but no one expected them to flaunt it so openly, right under Stella’s nose. And Haley trying to stir things up in Achure, thinking Stella wouldn’t understand? That level of arrogance was almost laughable.
Haley, fluent in Ushainese despite her act, hadn’t anticipated Stella firing back so sharply and so publicly.
Her face flushed deep red. With everyone staring, she wished she could melt into the floor.
She stumbled over a feeble lie. “Sorry, didn’t catch what you said.”
Stella chuckled coldly. “Oh, that’s no problem. I’ll be happy to say it again—in Achure this time.”
Then, without blinking, she pronounced “homewrecker” and “tramp” in perfect Achure.
Stella’s calm demeanor only made Haley’s humiliation feel more severe.
Surrounded by stares, Haley felt like the ground was slipping beneath her. She had always been spoiled, used to being adored and protected, never once enduring this kind of public embarrassment.
Her face twisted with rage, and with a shrill voice, she screamed, “You frumpy old bitch! Who do you think you are? I’ll kill you—” She lunged forward, her hand raised to slap Stella.
But before she could land the hit, Stella caught it mid-air with a grip of steel, and without hesitation, slapped her—once, twice. Then she yanked Haley’s hair and didn’t stop.
Slaps rang through the hallway, mingling with Haley’s high-pitched shrieks, shattering the stunned silence of the office floor.
Meanwhile, Marc’s face contorted in panic. “Stella! What the hell are you doing?” He charged forward and shoved her with force.
The sudden push caught her off guard. She stumbled, and her head slammed into the wall with a sickening thud. Pain exploded across her skull as the world tilted slightly around her.
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