Left Them Loved Myself (Stella Spencer) novel Chapter 157

After a few seconds, Jessica Slater finally came to her senses, her eyes a mixture of confusion and disbelief as she stared at Erica Russell. “Why did you hit me?”

They had never even met before, let alone had any reason to be enemies.

Erica shook her hand, which was stinging from the force of the slap.

Hearing the question, Erica came up with a quick lie. “There was a mosquito on your face. I was just helping you out. You’re

welcome.”

Erica hadn’t forgotten the nasty things Jessica had said about her Stella.

If she hadn’t run into her, she might have let it go. But now, with Jessica standing right in front of her, she couldn’t hold back.

‘s philosophy was simple: Act first, ask questions later. If you’ve got a problem, deal with it.

ugh furious, Jessica forced a smile, not wanting to lose her composure in front of Stella. “Oh, a–a mosquito,” she said hrough gritted teeth. “Well, thank you so much for that.”

Erica waved a hand dismissively. “Hey, what are friends for? No need to thank me. I’ll get the next one for you too.”

Her cheek was still throbbing. Jessica wasn’t about to fall for that again. “No, thank you. I’ll handle my own pest control”

Erica looked disappointed. “You sure? I’m an expert at swatting mosquitos.”

Jessica almost cursed out loud. ‘I think you’re an expert at slapping people, not swatting mosquitos.

“I said no! Really!” Jessica gritted her teeth, sick of Erica’s nonsense. Cutting her off, she shot a desperate look at Stella. “Stella, is it alright if I-”

“Mosquito!”

The shout echoed in Jessica’s ears, and her face went pale. Realizing what was coming, she tried to protest. “Wait, I-”

“Can’t wait.” Erica’s hand swung again.

Smack!

Jessica’s head buzzed, and a dull ache spread through her skull.

After a moment of dizziness, her vision cleared.

At least now both her cheeks were evenly swollen.

“Why?” Jessica’s voice was muffled but thick with anger. “I already told you I didn’t need your help. Why would you do that

“Hmm… Erica tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Maybe because I’m just a nice person?”

Stella nodded, suppressing a smile. “It’s true. My Erica is the kindest person I know.

She couldn’t stand to see her friends being pushed around

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Chapter 157

Erica placed her hands on her hips, looking smug. “See? Even Stella says I’m kind.”

Jessica was speechless.

She wasn’t an idiot; she knew that if she kept trying to talk to Stella, more “mosquitos” would magically appear.

But if she didn’t get the design drafts for Noreen Lloyd, she and the entire Slater family would be in deep trouble.

After a brief internal struggle, Jessica backed down.

She figured her face couldn’t take another one of Erica’s ‘kind‘ gestures. In contrast, the Slater family could probably weather Noreen’s attacks for a little while longer.

This wasn’t her only chance.

Watching Jessica turn and leave, Erica grinned victoriously. “So, Stella? What do you think? I got your back!”

gently rubbed Erica’s wrist, which she had been shaking out. “You’re amazing, Erica. But next time, be careful not to ourself.”

it’s nothing,” Erica said. “It’ll be fine in a couple of days.”

“I’ll grab you some ointment on the way, just in case,” Stella insisted, not entirely convinced.

Remembering she had a piano lesson the next day, Erica didn’t object. “Alright, fine.”

Just as they were talking, Jeremy Ford finished up his business and came outside.

“Have you been waiting long?”

“Not at all.”

“I’ll go get the car and pull around to pick you up here,” he said.

“Sounds good.”

**

As they drove, Jeremy, who was at the wheel, suddenly asked, “By the way, I saw Jessica on my way out. Why was her face so

swollen?”

Erica’s expression immediately turned proud. “Because I slapped her, of course.”

Jeremy was taken aback.

‘So the smoking gun was right here in my car!

He could guess the reason, so he didn’t scold her, only saying, “Try not to do that out in the open next time.”

Jessica might not press charges due to various pressures, but if she decided to make it a legal issue, it would be a huge headache for Erica.

Erica clearly understood this. She rubbed her nose. “I know. I just saw her and… I kind of snapped

Jeremy gave a silent nod. He just wanted to give her a heads–up. As long as she was aware of the risks, that was enough

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Half an hour later, the car pulled up smoothly in front of the restaurant Kane Carter had booked. Just as they were about to get out, a sleek, understated Cayenne pulled up beside them.

The door opened, and a man in a black suit with a deep blue tie and a ruby lapel pin stepped out.

It was Ernest Lloyd.

“Jeremy, did Kane invite him too?” Stella asked, her brow furrowing.

Jeremy’s expression darkened. “I didn’t hear anything about it. It might just be a coincidence. I’ll call and check”

Erica pouted. “What’s there to check? He’s totally doing this just to piss Stella off.”

“It’s fine,” Stella said, pinching Erica’s cheek. “Let’s just see what Jeremy finds out. Maybe it’s like he said…

Her words trailed off.

getting out, Ernest quickly walked around to the other side of the car, opened the door, and gently helped the woman

get out.

In the sunlight, the woman’s pale complexion looked almost sickly. Looking so frail, she practically melted into Ernest’s arms, letting him wrap an arm around her slim waist and guide her toward the restaurant.

‘Sylvia Jansen?”

Erica noticed the scene and frowned. “Isn’t she supposed to be recovering in the hospital? What is she doing here?”

Stella tore her gaze away. Her voice was flat, but there was a hollow note to it. “This is a restaurant. They’re here to eat, obviously.”

Erica pouted. “The hospital is miles away. They must have a lot of free time, not to mention worrying about Sylvia’s-

She was about to say something nasty but stopped when she noticed Stella’s strange mood.

Erica cut herself off and asked with concern, “Stella, are you okay? Don’t tell me you’re still hung up on that asshole.”

How else could she explain Stella’s current state?

Stella shook her head and managed a small laugh. “What are you talking about? I’m divorcing him. Do you really think I still have feelings for him?”

Remembering Stella’s seven years of devotion, Erica nodded and teased, “Well, you used to be such a simp for hun, who knows…

Before she could finish, Erica burst out laughing.

“Who’s a simp? Stella demanded, starting to tickle her.

“Me, me!” Erica shrieked with laughter, tears welling in her eyes. “Okay, okay, I’m the sump. I’m the simpl

Stella finally let her go, then said wistfully, I just zoned out for a second”

“About what?‘ Erica prompted.

“I

Stella looked out the window, her gaze unfocused. Seven years. Thousands of days and nights and I don’t risink he ever

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once treated me that gently

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