Chapter 39

Chapter 39:
Stella glanced at the pair and let out a bright, unrestrained laugh. “I’m just laying out the truth here. That membership card you’re so fond of? My friend owns the salon—I got you a ninety percent discount. The health supplements you’re taking every month—why not ask Marc who’s really footing the bill? And everyone at the casino knows exactly how many toes you’ve stepped on.”
All those perks Jazlyn enjoyed had never meant anything to Stella before. Just the monthly supplements alone added up to a hefty sum, but Stella had never gone to Marc for a single cent—she’d always covered the cost herself. Now that the divorce was underway, she saw no reason not to reclaim every last bit, plus interest.
Jazlyn’s expression soured with each word.
She might have outranked Stella socially, but Stella wasn’t known for spinning stories.
Jazlyn was thoroughly used to her regular beauty appointments, and those supplements felt indispensable. If she lost access to either, her body would almost certainly show it.
The thought left Jazlyn uncertain, her gaze dropping for a moment.
Those perks were nothing if not real.
Haley, picking up on her hesitation, felt a rush of nerves. She clutched Jazlyn’s hand and blurted, “Please, Mrs. Walsh, don’t worry. From now on, I’ll make sure you have everything you need. Your standard of living won’t drop, I swear! Supplements, salon treatments—I have plenty of connections. I’ll handle it all.”
Stella caught the desperate edge in Haley’s voice and fought the urge to roll her eyes.
Everything she’d named so far barely scratched the surface.
Jazlyn’s condition was fragile, and ordinary supplements weren’t enough—she relied on an elusive remedy that couldn’t be bought, no matter how deep your pockets were.
Stella herself had once flown overseas and spent more than two weeks tracking it down.
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Jazlyn cared deeply about appearances and chased after every opportunity to climb the social ladder.
After Stella married Marc, she’d gone out of her way to secure Jazlyn a prestigious—if mostly ceremonial—professor title at a university. That title had opened countless doors for Jazlyn.
At every school function, she could step onto the stage, soaking in the admiration that fed her pride year after year.
But now, with Stella out of the picture, the university would almost certainly strip her of that honor.
Haley might grit her teeth and try to pull strings, but as the heiress of the Smith family, would she really go that far for Jazlyn’s sake?
That seemed highly unlikely.
If she refused to comply, Jazlyn would kick up a storm, dragging the entire Walsh family into chaos.
With that thought, Stella found herself almost anticipating the spectacle.
Haley, oblivious to the amusement flickering in Stella’s eyes, poured all her effort into manipulating Jazlyn, urging her to pressure Stella and Marc into splitting up.
Jazlyn’s patience finally snapped. She jabbed a finger in Stella’s direction, her voice quivering with frustration. “Fine. If you claim all that’s gone, then so be it. But I want you to divorce my son—right now!”
Stella just gave a weary shake of her head. Predictably, Haley only needed to prod a little to get Jazlyn riled up.
Settling back against the armchair, Stella studied the two women facing her, their postures stiff with self-importance. “Alright. But a divorce requires both parties to show up. If you can get Marc here, I won’t stand in your way.” She’d expected some grand ultimatum, but this was all they had—just another ploy to make her file for divorce first.
What a pointless waste of time.
Neither Jazlyn nor Haley could come up with a response.
They were painfully aware that Marc refused to even discuss divorce—if he hadn’t, they wouldn’t have dragged Stella out here in secret.
Jazlyn’s temper snapped. “I’m Marc’s mother. Doesn’t that count for anything? I want you out, and even if you refuse, you’ll have to leave!”
Stella found the whole thing faintly ridiculous. “Jazlyn, I’m not doubting your authority, but you can’t sign those papers on Marc’s behalf. If you’re so determined, maybe spend your energy convincing him instead of wasting mine.”
Stella had gotten what she needed from the meeting. With a cold nod, she slung her bag over her shoulder and headed for the door.
Jazlyn instinctively tried to block her path but couldn’t find any justification, so she was forced to let Stella walk out unchallenged. Still, Jazlyn refused to feel anxious—she comforted herself with the thought that it wouldn’t be long before Stella paid the price.
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