Chapter 476
Chapter 476:
Stella could only let herself be swept along, overwhelmed but secretly grateful for Sharon’s enthusiasm.
As the staff led Stella off for hair and makeup, the studio door banged open.
Someone strode in, their voice bright with surprise.
“Stel? I didn’t expect to see you here!”
The second Sharon laid eyes on Josie, her grin vanished. “Who said you could call her Stel? Show some respect!”
Josie—Stella’s college roommate and longtime ride-or-die—was tight with her, no doubt.
But even best friends had their petty moments, and Sharon? She couldn’t stand Josie. She was convinced she was Stella’s real number one, always lowkey battling Josie for the title.
But Josie wasn’t the type to back down. “Damn, Sharon, dial it down. Stel’s cool with it, so why are you so pressed? If you’re that insecure, I can help cover your therapy bill.”
Josie didn’t yell or throw fits—her weapon of choice was lethal shade. Sharon never won these back-and-forths, yet she still kept coming for Josie, leaving Stella sandwiched between the two, beyond exasperated.
“Alright, enough! You two chill. We’re all friends here.”
“I’m not her friend,” Sharon snapped.
“No way I’m her friend either,” Josie shot back, both of them talking over each other.
They glared like two queens fighting over one throne.
From them, Stella had truly learned that two strong personalities couldn’t coexist.
Thankfully, Josie shifted gears and beamed at Stella. “Stel, that dress! You look like a total mermaid princess!”
Sharon scoffed. “Yeah, thanks to me—I picked it.”
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Josie rolled her eyes, unfazed. “Anyway,” she said, turning back to Stella, “you heading to a party tonight?”
Stella narrowed her eyes. “Wait. You’re going too? The masquerade on the cruise ship?”
The look on Josie’s face said it all—she hadn’t expected Stella to know. They all got dressed, touched up their looks, and were just about to leave the boutique when a few new customers walked in.
Stella, Sharon, and Josie turned—only to see Marc stroll in with Doreen. The second Marc spotted Stella, he instantly let go of Doreen’s hand, like he’d been caught cheating in broad daylight.
Sharon rolled her eyes. “Ugh. What a sleazebag. Let’s go, Stel.”
Stella held back a laugh and walked out with the girls. Marc didn’t say a word, but his eyes followed Stella all the way out, lingering way too long.
Meanwhile, Doreen stood fuming beside him.
She’d practically begged Jazlyn to make Marc bring her along today, only to run straight into Stella the minute they stepped inside the styling studio.
She swallowed the jealousy and tugged at Marc. “Mr. Walsh, we’re running out of time to find a dress.”
A while later, Marc had just slipped into a new suit and was admiring himself in the mirror when the door opened again—and William walked in, Willow at his side.
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