Left Them Loved Myself (Stella Spencer) novel Chapter 78

Chapter 78

Chapter 78

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With Sylvia in the shower, it was easy to guess what was going to happen next between her and Ernest.

Stella pressed her lips together, the bitter taste lingering in her mouth.

She had already decided to divorce Ernest, finally breaking free from the prison that had held her for so

many years,

But seven years wasn’t just a passing moment. The man she’d loved for so long was now hooking up with someone else without a second thought.

No matter how hard Stella tried to numb herself, there was just no way she could pretend she didn’t care.

“Are you okay?” Harvey asked, noticing how pale her face looked.

Stella forced a weak smile and shook her head. “I’m fine, Harvey. You’ve got that misunderstanding to clear up, right? Go ahead.”

“Then get some rest,” Harvey paused, like he wanted to say more, but in the end, he just left.

When it came to matters of the heart, no one else’s advice really mattered. Only Stella could work through it and find her own peace.

She wished she could let go, too. But the wounds inside her heart–only time could heal them.

Stella took a few deep breaths, forcing herself to push down her emotions and not dwell on it. She went upstairs to wash up.

‘Just sleep,‘ she told herself. ‘Once I fall asleep, maybe I won’t have to think about any of this anymore.’

*****

“Got something on your mind?” Sylvia asked, her voice direct and sharp. In the hotel room, she stood wrapped in a white towel, her skin smooth, exuding a soft, intoxicating scent.

She blocked Ernest’s way, frowning slightly. “I’ve been feeling it for days. If you have something to say, just say it. Don’t try to play the same games with me that you played with Stella.”

Then she tipped her chin up, full of pride. “I’m not like her, clinging to you for dear life. You say you don’t want me, and I’ll be gone before you even blink.”

But this was all part of her scheme. She had worked too hard to get Ernest–there was no way she’d walk away empty–handed.

But she wasn’t going to be like Stella either, softening up and begging for his attention. That wasn’t her style. And besides, Ernest wasn’t the type to be swayed by any of that.

Seeing Sylvia standing so confidently, Ernest’s resolve to walk away wavered, and a smirk appeared on his lips. “This meeting affects the company’s future. You’ve got thirty minutes.”

17:20 Tue, Oct 14

Chapter 78

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“That’s more than enough.” Sylvia looped her arms around his neck, her intoxicating scent surrounding him as she kissed him passionately.

)

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Stella’s internal clock woke her up right on time.

After a quick wash–up, she was about to head out to the office when Harvey called out, “Stella, hold on a sec. I’ll give you a ride.”

“Okay,” Stella replied. It was still early, so Stella wasn’t in a rush. She sat down in the living room, waiting.

Ten minutes later, Harvey came downstairs, looking sharp in a suit. “Let’s go,” he said.

Stella got up and followed him. Harvey asked, “Want me to take you out for breakfast, or you already got something lined up?”

“Up to you. I’m good with either,” Stella said.

“Then come with me. We’ll just grab a bite somewhere,” Harvey said.

Harvey drove her out and just stopped at a random breakfast shop.

“Two coffees, two sandwiches,” Harvey told the server. Glancing at Stella, he added, “Want anything?”

With time running short, Harvey had decided to focus on the local businesses for now. Today, he was planning to go have a word with Sylvia.

17:20 Tue, Oct 14

“So if Noreen wants something, you just hand it over?” Stella shot back, her tone sharp.

“If she insists, what am I supposed to do?” Jessica whined.

“No way, I’m not drawing anything,” Stella said firmly.

‘Seriously?‘ Stella scoffed inwardly. ‘Noreen’s endless demands are exactly why I cut her off in the first place. If I keep designing for her just to help Jessica out, what’s the point of me leaving at all?‘

Jessica hadn’t expected a flat refusal, and her smile stiffened. She quickly recovered, trying to sound sweet. “Stella, you don’t have to draw it right now. We could wait a few days, or whenever you’re free–it’s totally up to you.”

Actually, this wasn’t Noreen’s request at all. Jessica was simply pursuing her own interests. With a single design fetching five hundred thousand plus countless other benefits, of course she wanted to secure a few more.

Besides, she had seen Stella’s designs. The gem selection, setting techniques, and exquisite craftsmanship were all absolutely perfect. Even if she never showed them to Noreen, she could still make a fortune by producing the pieces herself.

Stella just replied, “We’ll see,” clearly not committing to anything.

Jessica, not wanting to push her too hard, thought about what kind of gift she could send to keep Stella on her

side.

After raking in so many perks, she knew she couldn’t just take and never give back–her golden goose deserved a little something.

‘Gotta give a little to get a lot, right?‘ Jessica mused to herself.

Having figured that out, Jessica chatted with Stella for a few more minutes before heading off to look for the perfect gift.

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Chapter 78

At lunch. Jeremy was out on errands, so Stella went to the cafeteria alone. She was brainstorming her idea for the “Tiara” piece when her phone suddenly rang and broke her train of thought.

Stella checked her phone, her face clouded with mixed emotions.

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