Left Them Loved Myself (Stella Spencer) novel Chapter 178

Chapter 178

“Yes,” they replied, wiping the cold sweat from their foreheads. Only they knew what was really going through

their minds.

“Alright,” Sylvia said, waving her hand. “You can all go now. I need to go back and rest up.”

As soon as Victor heard that, he turned and bolted, like he was being chased by a pack of dogs.

Louisa asked offhandedly, “Sylvia, you’ve been recovering for days now. Are you feeling any better yet? If it’s not working, I can just hit up your dad and have you switched to a better hospital.”

Sylvia gave a faint smile, her fingers brushing over the wound through her clothes. “It was a life–threatening injury, so of course, it won’t heal that quickly.”

“Alright, if you need anything, just let me know. I’ll take care of it for you,” Louisa said.

“Yeah,” Stella replied.

*****

Outside the hospital, Stella jumped into the car Erica brought over, and the two headed straight for the city’s antique district.

“Stella, as far as I know, your grandpa spent years on the battlefield. Are you sure he’s the type who’d even appreciate antiques?” Erica asked.

Stella rolled her eyes. “Come on, it’s not like I can give him fighter jets or tanks.”

Richard had spent his whole life defending his country. He didn’t really have any hobbies or interests outside of that.

Back when Irene was around, she could at least make him smile from time to time. But after that fiasco with the thugs, Richard definitely wasn’t having any of it anymore.

The Spencer family ever liked Irene because of Stella.

Now that they knew what Irene had pulled, it wasn’t just about not liking her anymore; they probably couldn’t even stand to be in the same room as her.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Erica nodded, then suddenly exclaimed, “Wait. When I was at the filming location the other day, I saw a few crews nearby.

“One of them was shooting a war movie, and they had all kinds of props–cannons, guns, the whole nine yards. Why not get him something like that?”

Just imagining herself showing up at Richard’s birthday party, lugging a cannon, made Stella’s mouth twitch. “Nah, I’d rather not get smacked with Aunt’s feather duster.”

Even though it was always Harvey who ended up getting hit.

“Whatever you say.” Erica shrugged, then dropped it and kept her eyes on the road.

Before long, they pulled up outside the antique district. As they got out and were about to head in, a sleek, understated business van suddenly swung in front of them, blocking their way.

The window slid down to reveal Wade’s beaming, friendly face.

“I knew I recognized you two. Guess my instincts were spot on,” Wade said, jumping out and swaggering over like they were longtime pals.

“Here to hunt for antiques, huh? Perfect timing–I’ve got the inside scoop on an old shop in the area. Want me to hook you up?” he added.

“Yeah, whatever,” Erica said, raising an eyebrow at him, looking thoroughly unimpressed. “First off, drop the fake smile, mister. And second, who are you even supposed to be?

“Do I know you? Why are you coming at me like we’ve hung out before?”

Wade didn’t miss a beat, flashing his big grin. “Erica, I’m Wade Finch. Sure, we’ve never actually met, but I’m pretty sure Stella’s told you about me. Besides, it’s like we’re old friends from afar, right?”

Erica just stared at him, completely lost.

‘Seriously? Is that even how you’re supposed to make friends?‘ she thought.

“Stella did mention you,” Erica said with a nod.

Wade was just about to get chummy when Erica shot him down. “But honestly, you don’t exactly sound like one of the good guys.

“And with that grinning tiger face of yours? The more I look at you, the sketchier you seem.”

As if to prove her point, she yanked Stella back with her, putting a few extra steps of space between them.

Wade shot Stella a wounded look, like he was saying, ‘Wow, you really talk smack about me when I’m not

around?‘

Stella just shrugged. “What can I say? You kinda give off sketchy vibes.”

He was always grinning like he had a secret, seriously like a fox in sheep’s clothing.

Wade blinked, momentarily at a loss for words.

Even with all his self–control, getting roasted by both of them back–to–back was more than he could handle.

For a split second, that ever–present smile of his faltered, and he couldn’t quite hide the edge in his voice. “You guys are seriously here to buy antiques or not?

“I swear I know a legit century–old shop with actual quality stuff. Want me to hook you up or not?”

Erica eyed him like he was a walking scam alert. “You’re way too eager about this. What’s the real deal? Is this

some kind of scheme or what?”

Stella got on guard, too, crossing her arms. “If you’ve got some secret plan, then just save it–we are absolutely not following you anywhere.”

Wade looked totally pissed. He shot them a glare, didn’t bother replying, and just marched off.

Erica rolled her eyes. “Told you he was up to something. Why’d he run off the moment we exposed him?”

Wade hadn’t gotten far when he heard this, tripping over his own feet and almost face–planting right there.

With their loud, unfiltered laughter ringing out behind him, Wade’s face was as dark as ink. He hurried off, disappearing into the antique street before they could say another word.

“Alright, let’s go check it out,” Stella said.

“Yeah,” Erica replied.

Stella and Erica headed into the antique street, walking shoulder to shoulder.

The squat buildings around them looked straight out of old times–blue bricks, green tiles, and an old–world charm in the air.

Antique shops lined both sides of the street, and everywhere, street stalls were piled high with eye–catching trinkets as vendors tried to out–holler each other for business.

Stella and Erica, two obviously well–heeled girls, swept in dressed to kill.

In the blink of an eye, their come–hither chant about antiques the boys will love flipped to. “Step right up— three hundred bucks, just three, and you can take home Elizabeth’s magic wand.”

“Miss, I’ve got the very gown Juliet wore when she plunged into the sea–passed down for generations. I’ll take a hit. five hundred thousand dollars, and it’s yours.”

“You must be joking. She sank into the ocean–where did you fish that dress back up? Forget it, look at my family heirloom instead-”

Erica couldn’t stop twitching her lips at all the ridiculous sales pitches flying around them.

Erica leaned in close to Stella and whispered, “Do they seriously think we’re total suckers?”

Stella just shrugged, not even in the mood to roll her eyes. “Forget them. Those street vendors are just out to scam people who don’t know any better.

“If they hook someone, they make a quick buck. If not, they’re only wasting their own breath.”

“A magic wand? Seriously, who on earth would actually bite-” Erica muttered, half amused, half incredulous.

Just then, someone nearby piped up, actually sounding excited. “Wait? Is there really a magic wand for sale?”

Erica blinked, completely speechless. ‘Wow, that was instant. It sure works fast,‘ she thought, suppressing a

Chapter 178

laugh.

She was now legit curious to see who’d be clueless enough to fall for this kind of nonsense.

Erica turned sharply, her eyes narrowing like she’d just spotted something off.

55 vouchers

Stella followed her gaze and saw a little girl with delicate features, practically glued to the spot as she gazed longingly at the magic wand displayed on a nearby stall.

The woman holding her hand seemed pressed for time, half–dragging the little girl away.

Stella noticed something off about Erica’s expression and quietly asked, “Erica, do you know her?”

Erica hesitated, then said, “I’ve run into that little girl once or twice at those boring parties I used to go to with my old man.

“If I remember right, she’s the heiress of the Lynn family. Her name’s something like Yvonne Lynn.”