Chapter 54

Chapter 54:
The chaos in the banquet hall hadn’t died down in the slightest. Stella stood still, observing as Haley and Jazlyn tore into each other, exposing nearly every dirty secret they’d kept hidden.
Jazlyn wasn’t about to back down quietly. The moment Haley began throwing accusations, she fired back without hesitation.
“Haley, you’ve got some nerve,” she snapped. “You knew my son was married and still chased after him like a lost puppy. Everyone at Walsh Group has seen you throw yourself at him. And let’s not forget—you hired thugs to kidnap Stella!”
Haley’s face turned ghostly pale. “Don’t you dare pin that on me! You’re the one who told me to do it. I was following your orders!”
Stella listened quietly from the crowd, her eyes narrowing at Haley.
At first, she’d thought Haley was just another spoiled brat—pampered overseas, loud, and entitled. But after everything that had happened, Stella realized something far more unsettling. People raised in Achury acted as though the laws of Choria didn’t apply to them. They did whatever they wanted and expected to get away with it.
Haley had no conscience. She’d done all of it without a second thought—and would undoubtedly do it again if given the chance.
Even if Stella eventually divorced Marc, Haley was someone she would always need to keep an eye on.
She glanced at Marc, who had remained silent through it all. His expression was dark, as if the ground had just shifted beneath him. Good, Stella thought.
He probably never imagined that while he was busy thinking he had everything under control, the two women closest to him were running their own shady schemes behind his back.
What a sharp slap to the ego.
Realizing she was losing ground with Jazlyn, Haley quickly switched tactics. With tears welling in her eyes, she turned toward Stella and rushed over, pushing past Marc and his mother.
The tales you love are at gⱯlnσν𝓮ℓs․cøm
“Ms. Russell, I’m so sorry,” she said breathlessly. “This is all on me. I was tricked by Marc’s mom. I swear, I never meant to hurt you. Whatever compensation you want—money, anything—just say the word. My family will pay. Please, forgive me.”
The implication was clear—she was admitting that Stella had been violated. Stella let out a soft scoff. “Oh? And how much exactly were you planning to offer me?”
Haley’s face lit up, thinking Stella was willing to settle. “Whatever amount you want! Just name it. My family can afford it.”
Typical of the Achury elite. To them, money fixed everything.
Marc’s brow furrowed. Why would Stella even entertain this? Had he ever denied her money? Why go to Haley of all people?
Haley was still watching Stella with hopeful eyes, desperate for a number—any number.
But Stella? She was enjoying every second of it. The more hope Haley showed, the sweeter the fall.
“Haley,” Stella said coolly, “not everything in life can be solved by throwing money at it. I don’t want your money. I’m taking the evidence to the police. Let them handle it.”
Her voice was calm, but her smile was ice-cold.
Haley’s face fell in an instant. She opened her mouth to say something else, but Stella cut her off with another sarcastic smile. “Oh—and by the way. All that effort you put in? It was a waste. Your guys failed. There are no pictures. I just walked away with a few scratches.”
.
.
.