Left Them Loved Myself (Stella Spencer) novel Chapter 188

Tonight, silence hung over the place like a heavy curtain.

Kourtney and Noreen’s faces changed so much, turning pale and livid by turns.

In the end, Stella finally stepped in and dragged Erica away.

Just as everyone got settled in the living room, the front door opened. In walked a tall, lanky man, taking slow strides as he led a little girl by the hand.

Irene piped up, her voice bright. “Aunt Noreen?”

Irene didn’t waste any time; she rushed straight over to Noreen, totally ignoring Stella, who was sitting right next to them.

Noreen bent down and scooped Irene up, shooting Stella a triumphant glance. But Stella was completely unfazed, still laughing and chatting away with Sebastian like nothing had happened.

‘Go ahead and keep pretending. I’ll just watch and see how long you can keep up that act,‘ Noreen thought to herself.

Noreen kept her thoughts hidden, not letting anything show on her face. She scooped Irene into her arms and, on purpose, raised her voice as she joked with the little one, clearly trying to catch Stella’s attention.

But Stella never once looked back–not even for a moment. ‘What’s done is done, and there’s no going back now,’ she wondered.

Erica glanced back and saw Irene nearly glued to Stella with her eyes. Letting out a snort, she said, “Pretty slick for a little kid–she already knows how to work the room.”

At Erica’s words, Irene’s big, round eyes flashed with a guilty look, and she quickly turned her gaze away.

Noreen clenched her jaw, really wanting to throw a comeback at Erica. But after weighing her options, she reluctantly kept quiet, her annoyance obvious.

Meanwhile, Ernest had already taken off his coat and swapped his shoes with the help of the staff, then casually made his way to the sofa.

Before Ernest could even sit down, Stella’s brow furrowed first. She swiftly pulled Erica close, clearly on guard against someone.

That move instantly made the once–friendly atmosphere a bit awkward and tense.

Kourtney and Noreen had always disliked Stella–now one was frowning, the other looking displeased. But with Sebastian present, they held back, seething in silence.

Sebastian’s easy smile froze, his gaze lingering on Stella–so calm, so completely shut off. He tried to speak several times, but in the end, all he could do was sigh.

By contrast, Ernest looked cool and collected, almost detached from all the tension swirling around him.

He didn’t

pay any mind to Stella’s guarded move, like her pushing him away was nothing at all.

Unbothered, he found an empty spot and settled in, striking up a warm, casual chat with Sebastian as if everything was perfectly normal.

“Do you ever get the feeling?” Erica leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper, only for Stella. “Has he changed somehow?”

Stella kept her eyes down, voice flat and low. “Whatever he becomes, it’s got nothing to do with me anymore.”

Erica grinned, shrugging. “True enough.”

Once everyone was gathered, the living room chat didn’t last long before the butler popped in to announce dinner was ready.

Sebastian got to his feet with a beaming smile and waved everyone over. “Dinner’s up. Tonight’s a real feast, so don’t hold back–just wait till you see what’s been cooked up.”

Erica perked up, eyes wide. “Whoa, we’re seriously getting spoiled tonight,”

Stella gave a soft chuckle. “I’ll have to grab more for sure.”

With the two of them egging each other on, Sebastian was all smiles, his old warmth coming back. “Good, make sure you eat plenty. If it’s not enough, just say so–I will have them cook up more for you.”

Laughing and chatting, everyone headed to the dining room. Stella was about to pull Erica over to sit beside Sebastian when Irene, who’d been glued to Noreen’s side all this time, suddenly kicked up a fuss.

“Move over. I want to sit here.” Irene pointed her little finger right at Erica, who was sitting next to Stella.

Her sharp little voice rang out through the dining room and immediately drew everyone’s attention.

Knowing her daughter best, Kourtney glanced at Noreen and instantly realized she was the one who’d put Irene up to it.

So she kept quiet and just let things play out.

Ernest stayed completely out of it, not bothering to get involved.

Sebastian thought about stepping in, but honestly, a little girl wanting to sit next to her mom–how could that be wrong?

Erica didn’t hold back at all. She shot back, “You’re just a kid, but you sure have some big ideas. Didn’t your teacher ever teach you first–come, first–served? This is my seat; why should I give it up for you?”

Irene puffed up her cheeks, looking all serious. “This is my house. You have to let me sit here.”

Erica just snorted. Seeing everyone else staying quiet and practically giving Irene the green light, she dropped all pretense. “Let’s get one thing straight.

“Stella and I were invited here as guests. If this is how the Lloyd family treats the company, well, we’re not sticking around for it.”

Erica grabbed Stella’s hand, making as if to leave. But Sebastian stepped in, blocking them. “Erica, you and Stella are here as my guests. I’d like to see who has the nerve to disrespect you on my watch.”

Sebastian finished speaking with a piercing glare that swept across the room, his authority unmistakable. Not even Irene, his once–beloved granddaughter, escaped the chill in his eyes.

He was a man hardened by war and who’d built his legacy from the ground up. When he meant business, his aura alone sent shivers down everyone’s spine.

Irene shrank from his stare, her big eyes instantly going watery. She squeezed her eyes shut and yelled, “I hate you, Great–Grandpa.”

Normally, if Irene started crying her heart out like that, Sebastian would’ve spoiled her rotten, fussing over his little sweetheart and cheering her up. But tonight, he just shot her a look and didn’t bother with her at all.

Irene burst into even louder sobs, flailing in Noreen’s arms. “I don’t want to stay here. Aunt Noreen, take me away. I hate Great–Grandpa, I hate Mom, and I super hate that nasty woman.”

Before anyone else could react, Erica snickered. “What, are we doing roll call now? Should I say here so you know I’m around?”

Sebastian didn’t pay Irene any mind, just turned to Ernest. “You don’t need to eat, either. If she doesn’t want to stay, just take her and leave.”

After everything that went down with Stella, Sebastian knew enough. The way he used to dote on Irene was just out of the question now.

If Irene couldn’t stand him, then it was probably best that he just stayed out of her sight.

Ernest hadn’t expected to get caught up in this, and after a barely noticeable hesitation, he stood up, scooped Irene out of Noreen’s arms, and made his way upstairs without saying a word.

“I’ll take her upstairs first. You guys eat,” he said.

Sebastian’s lips moved as if to say something, but in the end, he just couldn’t bring himself to send both Ernest and Irene away.

“If you’re not eating, then don’t just sit here getting in my way.” Sebastian was definitely talking to Kourtney and Noreen.

Kourtney and Noreen tensed up when Sebastian suddenly blew his top. Not wanting any trouble, they picked the seats furthest from him and planted themselves there, doing their best to stay out of his line of sight.

Erica curled her lip and muttered just loud enough for Stella to hear, “What a pain. If you don’t want to be here, then just leave. Why sit there showing off those long faces? Don’t mess around and ruin dinner.”

my

Erica didn’t raise her voice, but with the dining room so quiet, everybody could hear her as clear as day.

Kourtney and Noreen looked utterly sick. If it weren’t for Sebastian’s glare, they probably would’ve flipped the table and stormed out right then.