Left Them Loved Myself (Stella Spencer) novel Chapter 86

50

(55 vouchers

“h might take a little longer, Stella said, rubbing her forehead. If she hadn’t wasted so much time yesterday, the Auroral Tara could have already been finished.

“No worries, Jeremy reassured her. “The jewelry expo’s still two days away. As long as you get it done before then, you’re good.

The team was ready, and once the piece was ready, they’d immediately be able to build the perfect story around it.

“Got it, Stella nodded, quickening her pace as she ate.

Soon, they were back at the office, and Stella headed straight to the workshop. By the time she came out, night had already fallen.

“Jeremy,” Stella called, walking into the CEO’s office with the Auroral Tiara she’d just completed in her hands. “The jewelry piece is ready.”

“Great, just leave it here for now. I’ll make all the arrangements for the expo,” Jeremy said, taking the tiara and placing it safely aside.

“Alright,” Stella replied without a second thought.

As they talked, neither of them noticed the frosted glass window outside, where someone was holding up a phone, clearly snapping photos,

The ping of a new message caught Noreen’s attention as she was working on her jewelry.

She picked up her phone and saw a photo of the Auroral Tiara sparkling under the lights. Her eyes widened. “Wow, it’s beautiful.”

But after a few moments, her awe twisted into jealousy. She bit her lip and muttered, “Such a gorgeous design and all I get is some lousy snapshot?”

If she hadn’t already submitted her design for the contest, and production was already underway, she would have tracked Stella down to steal that tiara design for herself.

But even though Noreen couldn’t use it, that didn’t mean others couldn’t. She saved the image and sent it straight to Sylvia.

Noreen knew both Stella and Sylvia were set for the jewelry expo. That was exactly why she had Jessica shadow Stella–so that whenever Stella finished a piece, Jessica could secretly snap a pic and send it over.

Now, with the inside scoop, Noreen would help Sylvia tailor her designs to outshine Stella’s at the expo.

Just imagining how things would go down made Noreen smirk with satisfaction. ‘Serves Stella right,‘ she thought to herself. ‘She actually had the nerve to turn me down–who does she think she is?‘

17:23 Fri, Oct 17

Chapter 86

(50)

55 vouchers

Time passed quickly, and the day of the jewelry expo arrived.

Stella was just getting ready at home when her phone rang—it was Jeremy.

“The team and I still need to get everything set up for the expo and take care of a bunch of things. Since you’re the mastermind behind the Auroral Tiara, make sure you arrive early,” Jeremy reminded her.

“I know, Jeremy.” As she spoke, Stella was already grabbing her car keys and heading out the door. “I’m on my way to the car now. Should be there in about half an hour.”

It was still way early before the expo kicked off, so Jeremy didn’t say much. “Alright then, just don’t be late.”

“Yeah,” Stella answered. She hopped into her car and drove off.

Just as Stella was about to enter the next intersection, a car cut her off and crashed into her rear passenger door. The force of the impact was so violent that it ripped the rear bumper clean off.

The car jolted violently, and Stella’s head nearly hit the steering wheel. She hit the brakes gently, and the car slid about a foot before finally coming to a stop.

Getting out of the car, she immediately spotted a scruffy man walking over, looking way too casual. Before she could say anything, he complained, “Another woman driver. You women can’t drive. Why don’t you just stay off the road if you’re going to cause trouble?”

Stella rolled her eyes. “You cut me off, then rear–ended me. How is that my fault?”

The guy scoffed. “I was trying to get through. Couldn’t you just let me pass?”

17:24 Fri, Oct 17

For years, every time he spotted a female driver, he’d cause trouble on purpose. When they got out of the car to argue, he’d act like he was enraged and use the opportunity to grope them.

Female drivers were always easy prey. Some were so timid, even if he crossed all kinds of lines, they’d never say a damn thing.

And even when one did call him out, it was just some back–and–forth bickering. He’d brush it off as “accidental contact,” and nobody ever really punished him for it.

A couple hundred bucks could get him a chance to touch a beautiful woman who would never even look at

him.

Stella was just another target he’d been lying in wait for at this intersection. But Stella wasn’t one of those women. She’d seen right through his scheme, and now he was the one paying the price.

Stella stared down at him, unimpressed. She wasn’t dumb enough to just stand there and wait for him to pull something like that.

Stella was about to head back to her car when the guy, still doubled over in pain, managed to stagger after her. “Hey, don’t think you’ll get away that easy. If you just let me touch you, we can settle this right here…”

Before he could finish his sentence, the guy got slammed and launched straight over.

He didn’t land far–right at Stella’s feet, almost like he was asking her to step on his face.

‘Well, since he’s being so polite, how could I refuse?‘ Stella thought to herself, her eyes glinting with

amusement.

She snuck a little jab with the tip of her shoe, scraping his mouth. The guy instantly let out another high- pitched scream.

17:24 Fri, Oct 17

Chapter 87

Chapter 87