Left Them Loved Myself (Stella Spencer) novel Chapter 160

Chapter 160

Nothing.

Stella’s face was a blank mask. She didn’t even look up at them, treating them as if they were complete strangers.

‘So it’s true, Sylvia thought to herself, her pained expression unwavering.

“If anything happens to her, I’ll make you pay.”

Ernest was clearly frantic. He scooped Sylvia up and rushed out, completely forgetting about his daughter. His back quickly disappeared through the doorway.

Irene was dumbfounded.

So was Erica.

ously?” Erica almost laughed. “If you can’t handle the heat, stay out of the kitchen. What a sore loser.”

Licked her tongue. “Good riddance. They were ruining my appetite.”

lere, eat up,” Stella said, putting some more food on Erica’s plate, completely unconcerned about Sylvia’s condition.

Jeremy, however, furrowed his brow.

This had escalated things. If something actually happened to Sylvia, Ernest’s wrath would be swift and severe.

He knew he had to contact the Russell and Spencer families to prepare them.

Everyone was lost in their own thoughts.

But Kane, sitting among them, was practically in shock.

Great, I finally get him to see a show of force, and now he’s just angry.’

He seriously doubted the deal they had just brokered would survive this.

“Um…”

He opened his mouth as if to speak, but after mulling it over for a while, he simply kept quiet.

‘Forget it, he thought, ‘Just wait. Rushing him now won’t get me an answer, and there’s no point in panicking.

What’s the worst that could happen? The deal falls through. It’s not the end of the world.

After dinner, Stella, Erica, and Jeremy were about to leave when Kane called out, “Hold on a minute.”

“Is there something else, Mr. Carter?” Jeremy asked, turning back.

Kane was speechless for a moment before pointing to the side. “I’m fine, but I think she’s not.”

They all turned to look. Irene, who had been completely forgotten, sat there with eyes as red as a rabbit’s silent tears streaming down her face. It was a heartbreaking sight.

But “heartbreaking” wasn’t a word in Erica’s vocabulary at that moment.

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Seizing the opportunity, she leaned in close. “Well, well, if it isn’t Irene. Look at this pathetic sight.”

“Erica, she’s just a kid. You don’t have to be so harsh,” Kane interjected, unable to watch.

Et vouchets

Erica flashed a grin, completely unapologetic. “Oh, yes, I do. She didn’t appreciate it when people were nice to her, so now she gets to find out just how nasty I can be when I decide to stop caring.”

Kane was at a loss for words.

This woman is unhinged.‘

Remembering what had just happened with Sylvia, he decided against arguing with Erica. Instead, he turned to Stella. “Ms. Spencer, you know Ernest best. Maybe you could handle this?”

Stella gave a silent nod.

She didn’t want to, but a mother’s responsibility left her no choice.

ing that she’d agreed, Kane excused himself, leaving the three adults and the child alone in the private room.

at’s the plan? Take her to her dad?” Erica asked.

T’ll try calling him first,” Stella sighed, pulling out her phone to contact Ernest.

Unsurprisingly, there was no answer.

Jeremy frowned. “It’s getting late, and we have no idea which hospital they went to. Let’s just have someone take her home for now. You can sort it out tomorrow.”

‘No!”

A shrill voice cut in before Stella could reply.

Irene lifted her tear–streaked face, her neck stiff with defiance

Take me to Ms. Jansen right now!”

as

e screamed, “I don’t want Mommy! I want Ms. Jansen!

Irene had sent Sylvia a flood of messages, none of which had been answered. But she was sure it wasn’t Ms. Jansen’s fault. It was mean Erica who had made Ms. Jansen sick and sent her to the hospital. That’s why she couldn’t come for her.

It wasn’t her fault.

It was all Erica’s.

It was a good thing Erica couldn’t read her mind, or she would have been far less gentle. “Listen, kid, it’s dark out. Your dad isn’t answering his phone. How are we supposed to know which hospital your Ms. Jansen is at?”

Irene’s face was still red as she yelled back, “So go find her!”

“Oh, really?” Erica shot back. I’m trying to be nice here, but you’re really pushing it. If you can’t learn to speak respecthilly, I’m done playing games!

Irene flinched, clearly intimidated, and her pleading gaze shot toward Stella

But Stella had already been disappointed too many times, she wasn’t going to indulge her anymore.

“Looking at her won’t help you, Erica said, stepping into Irene’s line of sight

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er listen to me, or I’ll make sure you

The threat worked. Irene choked back her sobs and forced a smile.

Seeing this, Erica felt a pang of guilt and softened her tone. “Forget it. Cry if you want to. But there’s no way you’re seeing Ms. Jansen tonight. Your choice is to go home with Stella, or we can take you to the manor and have the housekeeper look after you.”

Without a second’s hesitation, Irene said, “I want to go home. I want Betty to take care of me.

Even though Betty wasn’t very good at taking care of her, it was better than staying with this mean lady.

Fine,” Erica agreed, turning to Stella. “You can take her home, then. I have classes tomorrow, so I can’t stay up all night with -ou.”

tella smiled. “It’s fine. You go home and get some rest. I’ll take her.”

have something to take care of, so I won’t be able to drive you,” Jeremy chimed in. “Just text me when you’re home safe.”

ot it, got it,” Erica said, waving dismissively as she walked out.

Be safe. I’m heading out,” Jeremy said to Stella before leaving as well.

ow there were only Stella and Irene left in the room, just the two of them facing each other.

cella let out a tired sigh.

eeing the girl’s red–rimmed eyes and the tear tracks on her cheeks, Stella let out a soft breath. She took out a wipe to clean er face. “Hold still. I’ll wipe your face, and then I’ll take you home.”

ears could be harsh on a child’s delicate skin; if they dried there, her face would be chapped by morning.

ene tilted her small face up to let her. Her voice, no longer defiant, was raspy and laced with a hint of panic. “Mommy, are ou really going to leave me?”

ella’s voice was calm. “Why would you ask that?”

ene bit her lip. “Because you haven’t been home in a long time. And…”

that, her eyes welled up with fresh tears, her voice thick with hurt.

you haven’t taken care of me in forever. You don’t give me my bath, you don’t sleep with me at night, you don’t read e bedtime stories, you don’t make me oatmeal, you don’t…”