Chapter 382
Chapter 382:
Jamir let out a quiet sigh, steadying Sandra as she leaned heavily into him. He made sure she didn’t slip off her seat.
Seeing her condition, they all knew dinner was officially over.
After paying the bill, the group was about to leave when they ran into Doreen near the entrance.
Marc was dining with Doreen, and the moment his eyes met Stella’s, his fingers unconsciously loosened their hold on Doreen’s hand. Doreen stepped aside and called out sweetly, “Hey, Stella!”
Stella stiffened. She had never liked how Doreen called her name so casually. Their history was complicated, and they weren’t close—not enough for Doreen to speak to her that way.
Ignoring her, Stella turned away and helped Elbert balance Sandra as they headed out.
But Doreen, utterly lacking in discretion, pressed on. “Is this your new boyfriend, Stella? I thought you were with Mr. Briggs… Oh, and wasn’t there also someone named Smith?”
After tossing out her remark, Doreen peeked at Jamir—his face was cold and unreadable as he stood protectively beside Stella. Then, pretending to be flustered, she covered her mouth and said, “Oh no, I’m sorry—did I say something I shouldn’t have?”
Stella couldn’t help but laugh a little at Doreen’s act. Her eyes sparkled with mockery—she could see right through those little games.
As a woman herself, she knew exactly what Doreen was trying to do.
When Stella didn’t take the bait, Doreen switched tactics. She gently tugged Marc’s sleeve like a helpless child, her voice laced with worry. “Mr. Walsh, did I say something wrong?”
If Stella had shown the slightest hint of vulnerability—just a softened word or a pleading look—Marc might’ve instinctively defended her.
But her cold, indifferent stare made his chest tighten with irritation. That look of contempt was like a slap to his pride.
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Marc said, his voice sharp and cutting. “Some people just have no shame. Jumping from man to man—it’s no surprise people talk.”
𝗥𝖊𝖆𝗱 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝖔𝗇𝖑𝗒 𝗮𝘁
Doreen’s lips twitched upward, a glimmer of smug satisfaction flashing across her face before she quickly masked it again.
“Oh, Mr. Walsh, maybe this is all just a big misunderstanding,” Doreen said with a sweet but pointed tone. “Stella, say something—tell Mr. Walsh it’s not what he thinks. You’re not the type to mess with people’s feelings, right?”
Stella turned to her calmly, her eyes sharp. “Doreen, just cut to the chase. What exactly are you trying to say?”
Doreen’s breath caught, and a flash of panic crossed her face. “I—I didn’t mean anything by it. I just… I don’t really know who you’re with these days…”
Stella’s voice dropped an octave, calm but razor-sharp. “And even if you did know, so what? Who are you to me, Doreen? What makes you think I owe you any kind of explanation?”
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