Left Them Loved Myself (Stella Spencer) novel Chapter 159

Chapter 159

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not.”

Erica puffed out her chest, looking smug. “As of today, I’ve officially cut ties with my old man… I mean, with Mr. Cody

Russell.”

Sylvia was stunned.

‘Is she for real? How could I not have heard about this?‘

Even though she had been cooped up in the hospital, she was hardly out of the loop. With Mark Worley and his family feeding her information, she had a firm grasp on the goings–on outside.

Including….

is gaze flickered between Stella and Ernest, a look of possessive confidence in her eyes.

dn’t notice. All her attention was on Erica. “Erica, did you really… with your dad?”

a nodded matter–of–factly. “Of course. Why would I lie about that?”

It was just a verbal threat because the old man packed my schedule with classes all day, she thought. ‘But hey, cutting ties is cutting ties.‘

‘You…”

Stella was at a loss for words.

Just as the atmosphere grew heavy, Kane, the host of the dinner, finally arrived.

He tried to smooth things over. “Everyone, this is a celebration of our partnership. Let’s all be happy. There’s no need for all his…”

Shut up!”

Before he could finish, Noreen cut him off with a furious shriek. “I’m the one who got hurt. Who are you to play >eacemaker? Mind your own business.”

Kane frowned. Knowing she was Ernest’s sister, he held his tongue and shot a look at Ernest, silently telling him to get his

ister under control.

Ernest finally spoke. “That’s enough, Noreen.”

Ernest!” Noreen’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I’m the one who got bullied, and you’re telling me to stop?”

Ernest’s expression hardened, and he met her gaze with a calm, unwavering stare that carried an immense pressure. “Did I

not make myself deart”

T

Noreen bit her lip, unable to withstand the pressure, and ran off in tears.

‘Satisfied?”

Ernest didn’t bother with her. He looked from Erica to Stella, his gaze finally settling on the latter. His eyes were devoid of

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emotion, as cold and indifferent as frost on a mountaintop, light and chilling, yet capable of freezing life itself.

Erica nodded with satisfaction. “Yep, we’re good”

Stella remained silent, but she didn’t move an inch from Erica’s side, her actions speaking for her.

“Alright, now that everyone’s here, let’s get inside and eat. The food’s all been ordered, and the waiters will be serving it on schedule. I’m afraid it’ll get cold if we wait any longer, Kane said with a smile, trying to get things back on track.

Without another glance at Stella, Ernest turned and helped Sylvia inside.

Erica pursed her lips. “He’s not even pretending anymore.”

Jeremy walked over to Stella, his brow furrowed. “I have a bad feeling about this. Watch your back for the next few days.

Erica didn’t understand. “What do you mean? You think that bastard is going to retaliate against Stella?”

Teremy nodded. “I can’t be sure, but it’s better to be prepared in case something does happen.”

me, Stella said, unconcerned. “I’m holding onto Noreen’s written confession from last time. If they dare to try ing, I’ll dare to release it.”

i hat would be a major scandal for the Lloyd family.

A scandal involving Seabrook’s leading family would undoubtedly cause a massive uproar.

The media frenzy alone would be enough to give Lloyd Group a major headache.

Not to mention the many rival families eager to take their place, who would surely fan the flames and stir up chaos to fish in troubled waters.

As long as Ernest had his wits about him, he would never push things to that point.

Inside the private room, the group sat around the table, the atmosphere thick with an awkward tension.

The round table was effectively divided into three zones. Kane was in the middle, caught between two factions. On his left were Ernest, Sylvia, and Irene, looking for all the world like a perfect family. On his right were Stella, Erica, and Jeremy whispering and laughing among themselves.

Kane felt like the odd one out.

He wanted to liven things up, but no one was playing along.

Splatt

Suddenly, a hot piece of roast beef flew through the air in a graceful arc, landing right in front of Stella, nearly splattering on

her

Before Stella could even react, Erica looked up and glared at Irene What do you think you’re doing?”

Irene acted as if she hadn’t heard a thing, completely ignoring her

Sylvia feigned a chiding tone. “Irene, cat your food properly. Don’t waste it, and don’t throw it at people

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At her words, Irene’s expression changed in a heartbeat, and she instantly became the model of a well–behaved child. “I understand, Ms. Jansen.”

Watching their little performance, Erica was so annoyed she almost laughed.

‘Alright, so that’s how we’re playing it.”

Splat!

A greasy slice of beef flew from her plate and landed squarely on Irene’s stunned little face.

Compared to the little girl with her weak arm, Erica’s aim was far better.

Seeing her direct hit, Erica grinned. “Come on, keep going. I thought you liked this game. Why do you look like you’re about to cry?”

Ms Jansen,” Irene whined, her lip trembling as she looked at her.

ook the slice of beef off her face, wiped her forehead clean, and looked at Erica with disapproval. “Ms. Russell, Irene

hild. There’s no need for you to stoop to her level, is there?”

aughed, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “That’s a funny thing to say. Aren’t we all someone’s child? I’m my family’s precious baby, you know.”

Thinking of how Erica constantly infuriated her own father, Stella let out an amused snort, unable to hold back her laughter.

Seeing Erica shoot her a look that screamed, ‘Hey, I’m in the middle of a showdown, don’t bail on me, Stella pressed her lips together, suppressed her smile, and played along with a nod. “That’s right. Our Erica is just a two–hundred–something- month–old baby.”

“Exactly!” Erica agreed shamelessly.

Sylvia’s mouth twitched, her voice laced with thick sarcasm. “Two–hundred–something months… so that explains your bizarre behavior. It’s a case of arrested development.”

Erica shot back, “So what?”

Sylvia was speechless. ‘I’m insulting you, you idiot!

Seeing her falter, Erica pressed her advantage. “At least a person with arrested development can have a clean slate. That’s better than being desperate to play stepmom, don’t you think, Ms. Jansen?”

This line clearly hit harder than anything Sylvia had said.

The color drained from Sylvia’s face, leaving it deathly pale. She clutched her chest, looking as if she were about to suffocate.

Erica rolled her eyes at the display. “Are you serious? You’re not going to try and pin this on me, are you?”

“Ernest, I feel so sick… I… I can’t breathe, Sylvia gasped.

Ignoring Erica completely, she turned and collapsed into Ernest’s arms, right in front of Stella, her eyes tracking stellas expression from the corner of her vision.