Left Them Loved Myself (Stella Spencer) novel Chapter 138

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Stella couldn’t help but chuckle at Erica’s completely fearless, nothing–can–phase–me attitude.

“Alright, I was just messing with you,” Stella said as she let Erica out. “Mr. Russell told me to let you go.”

Erica snorted in triumph. “I knew that old softie couldn’t bear to keep me locked up.”

“Come on, let’s go do some damage to his booze stash,” Erica then said, giving Stella a sly nudge.

Stella just shook her head, half–laughing, half–exasperated. ‘Wow, she totally knows she’s causing trouble,‘ she thought.

But in the end, they didn’t get to drink–Stella’s eyes still hadn’t fully healed, and alcohol was on her list of things to avoid.

“Ah, well, Erica sighed, shaking her head. “Looks like you’re not getting any of the good stuff tonight.”

“Just take it easy, okay? Don’t get yourself wasted,” Stella said seriously.

Stella was never much of a drinker anyway, but Erica always loved sneaking a sip whenever she could.

“Yeah, yeah, I hear you,” Erica replied with a playful wave.

When Erica actually started drinking, she had absolutely no clue when to stop.

After a few drinks, her face and neck went bright red, and her whole world started spinning.

“Stella!” Erica called out, her words all slurred together.

Stella answered her, and Erica just kept calling her name over and over, like she’d stumbled upon the best

game ever.

“Erica, you’re wasted. Let me get you upstairs,” Stella said, slinging Erica’s arm over her shoulder and helping

up as they headed for the stairs.

her

Erica was still stubbornly insisting, slurring, “Seriously, I’m not drunk, I-” She barely got the words out before she started retching.

A nasty combo of reeking alcohol and spicy barbecue hit Stella full force–it was truly disgusting, and she almost blacked out on the spot.

Fortunately, the Russell family’s butler, Peter Heffner, heard all the noise. When he found the two girls, he quickly summoned the staff to help Stella wrangle Erica upstairs.

“Ms. Spencer, the guest room’s all ready, and the toiletries are set. You can crash whenever you need,” Peter chimed in helpfully.

“It’s alright,” Stella said, shaking her head. “I’m sticking with Erica tonight.”

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Chapter 138

“Understood, Ms. Spencer.” Peter nodded.

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In Erica’s bedroom, the maid had quickly freshened her up and slipped her into cozy pajamas. Erica was sprawled out on the big, soft bed, already fast asleep.

Moments later, Stella stepped out of the bathroom with just a towel wrapped around her. Her skin was soft and flawless, with droplets still glistening as her damp hair fell messily down her back.

Clouds of steam spilled out behind her, and under the bright lights, she looked absolutely magical–like some sparkling fairy who’d just dropped in from another world. Gorgeous and unreal, she totally stole the show.

Erica, who’d been dozing off with her eyes barely open, suddenly popped them wide open.

Before Stella even knew what was happening, Erica had glued her face to Stella’s side, mumbling in a giggly, tipsy voice right in her ear, “Stella, cuddle time!”

Stella helplessly tried to push Erica’s head away, but Erica clung on, tipsy and stubborn. “Hey, I wanna cuddle!” She insisted, all whiny, just like a little kid.

Stella had no choice but to indulge her. “Alright, alright–cuddle time! Just let me dry my hair first, okay? If I get you all soaked, you’ll end up having to change again.”

“Fine,” Erica agreed, pouting adorably.

Erica reluctantly let go, flopping down on the edge of the bed and giving Stella the biggest puppy–dog eyes, watching her every move.

‘Stella’s so cool to the touch. Hugging her is seriously so comfy, Erica thought, tipsy and grinning.

Stella didn’t keep her waiting long. She quickly dried her hair, then slid into bed and wrapped her arms around Erica, gently patting her back like she was soothing a little kid.

It didn’t take long before Erica’s eyelids started to droop. Just as she was about to drift off, she mumbled, “Stella, make sure you stay happy.”

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Ernest ignored him, cutting straight to the point with a cold tone. “How’s the investigation going?”

Michael finally let out a breath, his anger fading a little. “Fine, I’ll back off for now.”

‘Once Ernest handles this, I’ll make sure Stella pays for what she did,‘ Michael thought grimly.

At that moment, Sylvia lay on the hospital bed, hooked up to a ventilator. Her eyelashes fluttered twice before she slowly opened her eyes.

Under the bright overhead lights, her gaze looked hazy and unfocused–clearly, she wasn’t really awake yet.

After two close–call surgeries in just a few days, no matter how strong Sylvia was, she was still just flesh and blood. Nobody could power through something like that.

Michael was the first to spot that she’d woken up. He rushed right over to her side, relieved. “Sylvia, you’re awake! How do you feel? Anywhere hurting?”

“Never mind, I’ll go get the doctor,” he said, spinning around and hurrying off to find someone.

On the bed, Sylvia slowly turned her gaze toward Ernest, her voice barely a whisper, “Ernest…”

Ernest couldn’t quite hear her, so he leaned in closer, tilting his head so he could listen better. “I’m here. What

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Chapter 138

do you want to say?”

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“Sorry for making you worry,” Sylvia murmured, her voice barely there.

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Ernest gently brushed her hair back, a faint smile on his lips. “As long as you’re awake, that’s all that matters.”

Just then, Michael came rushing back with the doctor. The doctor stepped up to check on Sylvia, wearing that classic “you might want to brace yourselves” look that was honestly kind of terrifying.

“Doc, if you’ve got something to say, just say it already. Don’t stand there holding back,” Michael said, unable to keep the impatience out of his voice. “Seriously, that stone–cold look is making me nervous.”

Ernest kept quiet, trying to look calm, but with those deep frown lines, it was clear inside he was nowhere near as chill as he pretended.

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