Left Them Loved Myself (Stella Spencer) novel Chapter 107

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“It’s not that serious, is it?” Theodore stammered, swallowing nervously. He just wanted to help Sylvia out, never thought it would end up like this.

Sylvia, clearly fed up, shot him an impatient look. “Where is he?”

“Who?” Theodore asked, still confused.

“The person who helped you do this. Before the wealthy families figure out it was you, you need to deal with him,” Sylvia snapped.

Theodore hesitated, his voice unsure. “Can’t I just send him abroad? No need for killing…”

“You idiot!” Sylvia snapped, her frustration boiling over. “You think those people don’t have power abroad? What if they trace it back anyway? Think about it–if every powerful family is after the Jansen family, what do you think will happen to us?”

Theodore was sweating bullets, still wavering. “But what about the Lloyd family? Aren’t they supposed to cover for us?”

He was only ever tough when he had someone powerful backing him up, showing off for the crowd. But when it came to actually getting rid of someone, he was a coward.

If he had any backbone, the Jansen family wouldn’t be leeching off the Lloyds through Sylvia in the first place.

Theodore was the perfect example of a coward who was only tough with people weaker than him. At that moment, Sylvia’s eyes turned ice–cold, and Theodore nearly collapsed to his knees. But put him in front of Stella, and he’d suddenly find his nerve.

“The Lloyd family?” Sylvia sneered. “You seriously think they’re that dumb? Don’t even get me started on Kourtney–she never liked me anyway.

“And after everything I’ve dragged them through, you think Ernest’s feelings for me are worth more than the damage I’ve caused to the Lloyd Group?”

She was always clear–headed, never fooling herself into thinking she meant more to Ernest than she really did. If she had, she wouldn’t have to play this game at all.

“Understood,” Theodore managed to nod, each word squeezed out reluctantly. “I’ll handle him as soon as possible.”

“Not as soon as possible,” Sylvia cut him off coldly. “I mean right now. Every second you waste, the risk of being found out grows.”

“Yes,” Theodore said, barely above a whisper. He didn’t dare linger–he turned and ran. He never noticed the cold, piercing look Sylvia shot at his back as he ran off.

“If I didn’t still need the Jansen family,” she muttered between clenched teeth, “I would’ve gotten rid of you long ago, you fool.”

17:32 Sat, Oct 18

Chapter 107

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When it came to absolute interests, father was just a meaningless title.

*****

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The next morning, just as dawn broke, Stella had finished washing up and changed into her usual clothes with Erica’s help. The team leader and two officers arrived to pick her up.

“Want to grab some breakfast first?” the team leader asked, turning to look at Stella from the passenger seat.

Before Stella could respond, Erica patted her stomach and jumped in, “Of course we do. You can’t expect us to do it for free, right?”

“Of course not,” the team leader chuckled. “I can at least treat you to breakfast.”

At an upscale café, the team leader’s face turned pale as he stared at the bill–so long it almost touched the floor. He quickly did the math–his salary, plus a two–month advance, might just be enough to cover it.

“Seriously,” Erica shot him a look. “I was only joking. I’ll pay, so no need to look like you’re getting robbed.”

17:32 Sat, Oct 18

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“Miss, it’s all my fault. I never meant to frame you. I just wanted to leave something for my family before I die. This is all my fault,” Hugh cried.

Stella froze, unsure whether to sit or remain standing. Hugh had already laid out the truth, and she felt there was no need to ask more.

“Just have a seat,” the team leader said gently, then stepped forward to help Hugh, who was still kneeling, begging for forgiveness. “If you just come clean and tell us who made you do this, Ms. Spencer might even let it slide.”

Stella wasn’t about to forgive him. Yes, Hugh’s situation was tragic–sick, with a bedridden mother, a disabled wife, and a young child. Anyone would feel sorry for him. But that didn’t give him the right to ruin someone else’s life.

If he hadn’t grown a conscience, Stella would have been facing a nightmare–her reputation destroyed, her future ruined. Even if the truth came out, she couldn’t get back everything she lost.

Stella might feel sorry for his family and even offer some help out of sympathy, but there was no chance she would forgive him.

Of course, Stella wasn’t dumb enough to talk back to the team leader–she just kept quiet.

After what felt like ages, Hugh calmed down enough to speak. “That day, I was heading home from the construction site when someone approached me.”

“Do you remember what he looked like?” the team leader asked urgently.

Hugh shook his head. “No, I can’t. He was wearing a hat and a mask, only his eyes were visible. He told me if I helped him out with a job, he’d pay me two million dollars.”

Hugh’s voice cracked, and he began to sob again. “I’m sick and don’t have much time left. I just wanted to leave money for my wife and kid, so their lives wouldn’t be so hard.”

Erica leaned in, clearly curious. “So what made you change your mind?”

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