Left Them Loved Myself (Stella Spencer) novel Chapter 194

Silence hung heavy at the doorway.

Wade’s face went from pale to flushed in an instant. He cleared his throat awkwardly before finally finding his voice. “Ms. Russell, if I’m not mistaken, this is the Spencer place, isn’t it?”

He made it clear this was the Spencer family business, and she didn’t get a say here.

Erica was about to snap back, but Stella calmly cut in. “Even though this is the Spencer family’s home, Erica is family to me.”

“That’s right,” the rest of the Spencer family chimed in.

Seeing how everyone was teaming up against him like he was some comic book villain, Wade realized he’d only embarrass himself further if he kept pushing.

He put on his best cheerful front, chuckled, and said, “Alright then, wishing Mr. Spencer a long, happy life on his big day. I’ll leave you all to it.”

With that, he grabbed his present and made his exit without looking back.

Erica curled her lip in disdain. “Such a phony; he can really play innocent, can’t he?”

Stella gave Erica’s hand a reassuring squeeze as she led everyone inside. “Come on, today’s Grandpa’s birthday bash. Let’s just keep things happy and forget about all the downers.”

Erica muttered under her breath, her gaze lingering toward the living room. “Like that’s possible with the real mood–killer still parked inside.”

Stella fell silent.

When they stepped into the living room and saw Richard and Irene sitting together on the couch, Stella just didn’t have it in her to say a word.

But Harvey, being the host, politely started up a conversation with Richard.

“Great–grandpa,” Irene called out, her voice bright and eager. She hopped off the couch and ran over, her little feet pattering across the floor as she stretched out her arms. “Pick me up.”

It looked like a kid just being adorable, but from Stella’s perspective, she could clearly see the careful, searching look in Irene’s big, round eyes.

Getting brushed off by Sebastian had already put Irene on alert. If Richard started to pull away from her, too-

Richard scooped her up with a warm smile, and Irene’s chubby cheeks instantly bloomed with a radiant grin.

She was sure her spot in the family was safe; as long as Richard still treated her the same way he always had, it didn’t matter at all if her mom and uncle weren’t fond of her.

Irene really did know who ran things around here.

But she failed to notice that Richard didn’t rub his beard playfully against her face like he used to, that classic sign of grandpa affection.

Even the way he picked her up felt a bit off, almost like he was holding someone else’s kid.

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“Alright, Richard said, carrying Irene off toward the dining room. “No more visitors coming, and it’s already late. Let’s eat before we all start starving.”

Everyone stood up and trailed after him.

In the dining room, the chef had the whole feast ready, and the staff kept bringing out plate after plate. Delicious smells wafted through the room, making everyone’s stomach rumble.

“Smells incredible.” Erica took a deep sniff. “I’m so hungry I could demolish a whole cow right now.”

Richard couldn’t stop smiling at Erica’s joke, and just as he was about to say something, Irene suddenly blurted out, “Hey. mean lady, stop talking big; there’s no way you could eat a whole cow.”

With Richard backing her up, Irene felt untouchable–nothing could scare her now. Even facing the one who used to give her nightmares, she didn’t hold back from firing right back at Erica.

Seeing Richard and the others watching, Erica decided to let it go and didn’t argue back.

But Irene was just getting started. “You are a big liar. Don’t play with her. Ms. Jansen said liars aren’t good people, so you should stay away from her.”

Her words instantly sucked all the warmth out of the room. Everyone else’s expression shifted–except for Ernest, who didn’t bat an eye.

No one responded; after all, Irene was just a kid.

“Irene, don’t talk nonsense,” Evelyn chimed in with a token scolding, hoping to smooth things over.

But Irene wasn’t about to back down. She clung even tighter to Richard’s neck, her voice getting louder. “I am not making things up. Great–grandpa, I really hate that bad lady. Can you make her leave?”

“Shut up,” Stella cut her off.

Stella had truly reached her limit. A chill radiated from her gaze–so frosty it made Irene flinch, something she’d never experienced before. Her words were quiet but loaded with a fury that couldn’t be mistaken.

“You can stay if you know how to behave. Otherwise, just leave. Erica is here because I invited her–and unlike you and your father- Stella’s tone was full of disgust, every word an unmistakable warning.

Irene shrank back, recognizing that look instantly. She and her dad used to treat Mom the exact same way, but she never dreamed she’d be the one on the receiving end. Now, she finally felt what it was like.

“You’re the ones who crashed the party, completely clueless about boundaries–if anyone should leave, it’s you, a rude guest, Stella shot back, her words thick with scorn.

She lingered on guest, tossing a biting, sarcastic glance at Ernest–making it crystal clear who she meant.

Ernest, though, just sat there unfazed, like her jab didn’t even exist. He kept his cool, didn’t move an inch, and clearly had zero plans of leaving.

Irene just couldn’t process her mom treating her like this–her eyes went bloodshot in an instant, and huge teardrops smacked down her cheeks and hit the floor, making her look absolutely heartbroken.

She had a total meltdown, kicking and flailing around as she bawled at the top of her lungs. “I hate you, Mom. Get out. I never want to see you again. Leave, right now.”

Stella frowned, realizing it was pointless trying to reason with Irene. She just gave Ernest a look, basically telling him, Your

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Turn.

This time. Ernest didn’t pretend to ignore it. He walked over and scooped Irene up from Richard’s arms, softly ruffling her hair as he tried to calm her. “Hey, it’s okay. Your mom was just teasing you.”

“I wasn’t,” Stella interjected firmly, absolutely serious.

That was all it took–just as Irene had finally stopped crying, she burst into tears all over again.

Ernest had no choice but to keep coaxing her as patiently as he could.

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