Left Them Loved Myself (Stella Spencer) novel Chapter 193

Stella nodded, and Erica launched into a vivid retelling of the whole story.

When she finished, everyone’s expressions shifted subtly, clearly wondering what Kirk was really after.

‘I don’t think we need to overthink it,” Stella suddenly said, bringing up the thank–you gifts the Campbell family had sent a couple of days ago. “Maybe they’ve just wanted to thank us for a while.

And even if they do have an agenda, we’ll find out when they show up. We can just play it by ear then.”

“Well, look at you,” Harvey said, ruffling her hair in surprise. “Since when did you get so sharp, huh?”

Stella snorted, thinking to herself, ‘Does he seriously still see me as that weak little girl from the hospital? Come on, this is the Spencer family. I’ve got a whole squad backing me up now.

“Uncle, Aunt, Harvey’s picking on me again,” Stella called out dramatically.

With that cry, Marvin grabbed his trusty belt, while Evelyn started swinging her Hermes bag–family chaos unleashed.

Harvey yelped as the blows landed, “Stella, just you wait,”

“Oh, threatening Stella now, are you? Marvin, give him a little more,” Evelyn shouted with a laugh.

Smack.

After that belt hit, Harvey got a taste of that sweet, stinging family pain.

“Today’s my birthday, and you guys are roughhousing again?” Richard called out as he came down the stairs.

Harvey, spotting his would–be rescuer, immediately pleaded, ‘Grandpa, save me.”

But before Richard could even react, Stella zipped over and grabbed his arm, loudly tattling, “Grandpa, Harvey was bullying me again.”

Under Harvey’s accusing stare, Richard’s face transformed dramatically–first, he comforted Stella with a gentle pat on the head, then turned and shot Harvey, who was sprawled out across the couch mid–beating, with a glare.

“Boy, picking on Stella? That’s what you get,” he said.

Harvey slumped in defeat. “Yeah, I get it. Guess no one loves me. Am I really your son?”

Evelyn, eyeing him with feigned surprise, jumped right in. “Wait, how’d you know? One snowy night, your dad and I were out walking and happened to spot you sitting by a trash bin—*

Harvey could only stare, speechless.

Just as everyone was joking around and the place was buzzing with family energy, the sudden appearance of unexpected guests instantly killed the mood, plunging the whole room into an awkward, stone–cold silence.

Outside, Ernest made an unusual appearance; instead of his signature designer suit, he was dressed down in a midnight- blue, casual set.

His hair was slightly tousled, his demeanor carefree, and under the sunlight, the contours of his face softened, giving off relaxed vibes–a far cry from his usual distant persona.

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Staying close by his leg, Irene wore a matching father–daughter outfit with him; her two little pigtails bounced with every step, making her look extra sweet and adorable.

If it were just Ernest and Irene, the Spencer family could probably fake a smile and deal with it.

But nope–the Finch family from across the street had crashed the party, too.

Wade grinned as he handed over a gift, “Heard it’s Mr. Spencer’s birthday today. Sorry for dropping by unannounced–hope you don’t mind. This is a little something for you, Mr. Spencer. Hope you like it.”

No one reached for the gift, not even bothering to give him a polite smile.

Erica, acting as the family’s spokesperson, swept her dress aside with a dramatic flair and stormed in, oozing attitude. “Oh, so you actually know you’re not welcome?

“Seriously, who invited you here? I mean, who exactly asked you to come? Let me break it down–absolutely no one. Zero invites, zero people wanted you here. If I lined up everyone who invited you, it’d be the world’s loneliest party.”

Erica’s relentless roast just about fried Wade’s brain circuits; he could barely keep up.

Victor, who’d been right beside him, had already retreated a solid few feet away.

Victor grinned when Erica glanced his way, his wrinkled face all smug. ‘She roasted him, so I’m safe for now, he wondered.

“Hey, man, what are you gawking at?” Erica fired back instantly. “Don’t think you can hide over there just by backing up. You hustled in here all shameless, but I’m not done with you yet-”

Victor was quick on the uptake this time and didn’t even wait for her to finish. He spun around and made a speedy getaway

with his cane.

With those two dealt with, Erica zeroed in on Ernest. “So, you want a roast before you leave, or are you just going to bail now?”

Ernest didn’t bother even glancing at her. He looked straight past and fixed his gaze on Marvin, his voice soft but so chilling you could feel the tension in the air. “So this is how the Spencer family welcomes their guests?”

Marvin was usually the easygoing type, but when it came to Stella, he was a total mama bear–no one messed with his little girl.

‘Someone who’d hurt Stella and thought the Spencer family would roll out the red carpet for him? Yeah, in his dreams,‘ he wondered.

Marvin was busy rummaging through every swear he’d ever heard, ready to go full Erica on Ernest, when Richard suddenly spoke up. “Well, since Mr. Lloyd’s here, why don’t you come in and have a seat?”

“Dad?” Marvin called out, his tone tense.

Evelyn shot Richard a look, her voice sharp with disapproval. “Richard, having him here is just going to bother Stella.”

“Uncle, Aunt, I’m really fine,” Stella reassured them, shaking her head.

Stella stayed calm, her voice even. “Anyone who comes through the door is a guest. Plus, it’s Grandpa’s birthday; the birthday star calls the shots. Whatever Grandpa says, goes.”

“Ernest, why don’t you take Irene inside first?” Richard said quietly.

Once Ernest had led Irene in, Richard let out a sigh and spoke with measured calm. “Whatever happens, Sebastian was once

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