Chapter 574

Chapter 574:
She nodded inwardly at her evaluation.
That kiss? That confession? Just tipsy nonsense.
She wasn’t going to overthink it. He was probably just looking for a fling.
Back at the private room, Stella pushed the door open—and spotted Steven among the group.
Keeping her expression steady, she walked over and sat beside Sharon. “Sorry. I just needed some air, went up to the rooftop for a bit.”
Sharon gave her a sly look. “Air, huh? All by yourself, or did someone tag along for the breeze?”
Stella’s brows twitched, and she glanced at William, who had quietly taken the seat next to her again. “I ran into Mr. Briggs by the restroom,” she said calmly. “So we went up together.”
Sharon raised an eyebrow. “Oh, good. I was worried someone might take advantage of you out there.”
Sharon’s jab only made things worse. Everyone around the table was already sneaking glances at Stella, their smirks saying everything she didn’t want to hear.
Sandra, sitting right beside Sharon, had that all-too-familiar glint in her eye—the one she got whenever juicy gossip was brewing.
She leaned forward, eyes fixed on Stella like a cat about to pounce. “Sylvia,” she said sweetly, “your lipstick’s a little smudged…”
Stella froze. Her face went red in an instant—thankfully, the room was dim enough to mask most of it.
The rest of the table picked up on the comment and immediately broke into knowing laughter and whistles.
Even if she’d wanted to play dumb, it was too late now.
Everyone knew. They all knew what she and William had been doing on that rooftop.
She didn’t have to guess—Steven and Josie had obviously caught them there.
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Josie might’ve zipped her lips, but Steven? That man couldn’t keep a secret to save his life.
And Stella… wanted to disappear into the floor.
She had never expected everyone to find out about the kiss. She thought she could just pretend it had never happened, like she told William.
But now? With those smirks and glances being thrown her way? How was she supposed to stay here with a straight face?
“Stel, come on, spill it—how did it feel just now? You liked it, didn’t you?” Sharon, ever the blunt one, went straight to the point.
Stella’s face froze. Without missing a beat, she covered Sharon’s mouth. “Sharon! Cut it out!” she hissed, flustered. “It was nothing, okay? Just an accident. We were drunk, these things happen. We’re adults—let’s not make it a big deal!”
Seeing how genuinely embarrassed she looked, Sharon finally let up. She chuckled, waved it off, and raised her glass, urging the others to return to their drinks.
As the night wound down, even Sandra—usually the last one standing—was done. No one could manage another drop, so the party finally broke up. Sharon and the others booked drivers. Sandra left with Elbert and Jamir. Josie had planned to go solo, but Steven was practically glued to her side, refusing to back off. Eventually, they ended up leaving in the same car.
That left just Stella, Sharon, and William standing by the roadside.
.
.
.