Left Them Loved Myself (Stella Spencer) novel Chapter 87

Not bothering with him, Stella turned to the car pulling up next to her. She caught sight of Simon’s unusually gentle smile behind the wheel.

Simon got out and asked, “Did something happen?”

“Yeah,” Stella replied, nodding.

She was about to call the police and her insurance company when Simon said, “Hop in. I’ll have someone handle it here.”

Worried she’d say no, he added, “Aren’t you going to the jewelry show? If you don’t leave soon, you’ll be late.”

Stella hesitated, pressing her lips together before she nodded. “Alright, I appreciate it.”

“No worries, I’m headed that way anyway,” Simon chuckled, opening the door for her. Once she was inside, they drove off toward the exhibition.

Half an hour later, they arrived. The entrance was packed with luxury cars, while people chatted in elegant outfits, their jewelry sparkling.

“Well, I’ll go ahead,” Stella said as she got out. She waved quickly at Simon and headed off without looking back.

Simon had just been about to join her, but ended up just standing there, a bit awkward and silent.

He thought, ‘It’s fine, there’ll be another time. No need to rush. If I annoy her and she thinks less of me, that’d really suck.‘

He was about to open the door when a woman with heavy smoky makeup suddenly appeared by the window, nearly giving him a scare. “Wait, are you… Sylvia?” Simon asked, squinting at her.

“Yeah, it’s me,” Sylvia replied with a nod.

“Wow. Your makeup today, well, it’s something.” Simon raised an eyebrow, having simply no words.

“It’s to match the Eclipsed Crown I designed,” Sylvia explained with a smile.

Simon looked puzzled. “Didn’t Ernest get you a professional model?”

“Yeah, but I turned them down,” Sylvia replied. Normally, Sylvia wouldn’t bother to model herself, but when it came to competing with Stella, she was determined to outshine her in every way.

‘Stella’s no match for me at jewelry design, and when it comes to looks, she can’t even come close, Sylvia thought, a smug smile tugging at her lips.

“Alright then,” Simon shrugged, letting the subject go. “So, what’s up? Need something?”

“I think I just saw Stella getting out of your car,” Sylvia said, trying to sound casual, but her gaze lingered a

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Chapter 87

little too long.

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Simon didn’t read into it. “Yeah, she ran into some trouble on the way over. I was just passing by, so I gave her a ride.”

“Wait, did you move?” Sylvia raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “Because, as far as I know, her place and your villa are two districts apart, right?”

“I had some stuff to do over there,” Simon said vaguely, brushing it off.

Not giving Sylvia a chance to ask more, he quickly opened the car door and left, looking like he was escaping. Sylvia watched him go, her lips pressing into a thin line, coldness flickering in her eyes.

“If today doesn’t make her realize she’s outmatched, I’ll have to take things up a notch,” she muttered, her voice swallowed up by the noise around her.

*****

Inside the exhibition hall, Stella headed straight for the Lumière Group’s display area.

Jeremy was already there, along with two employees, setting things up. When he saw Stella, Jeremy raised an eyebrow. “So, what do you think?”

Unlike the other display booths, theirs looked like something from a sci–fi movie–the cutting–edge lighting system made the Auroral Tiara shine with a stunning brilliance.

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“Absolutely you,” Jeremy confirmed. “You made the Auroral Tiara, and with your face, body, and whole aura, it suits you perfectly. The designer is always the best model.”

Then, he added slyly, “Besides, Sylvia’s the one showcasing for the Lloyd Group.”

Jeremy instantly clocked what Sylvia was up to. ‘So she wants to totally outshine Stella?‘ Jeremy mused, smirk lingering. ‘Let’s see who actually ends up on top when all is said and done!

“Sylvia?” Stella asked, surprised. Their booths were only a stone’s throw apart, and she immediately spotted Sylvia, dressed in a black floor–length dress with heavy smoky makeup to match.

Her blood–red streaked hair framed her face, and the black lace gloves on her arms looked like they were alive, with crimson veins running up her skin.

On the street, Stella would have called her a total goth, but here, at the jewelry show, with the Eclipsed Crown, Sylvia looked like a dark queen, in total control of everything.

“Well, Sylvia’s actually kinda stunning,” Erica said.

The unexpected praise snapped Stella’s attention back. She turned, startled, and saw Erica suddenly beside her. “Erica? When did you show up?”

“Are you kidding me?” Erica rolled her eyes dramatically. “My best friend is showcasing her stuff, and I’m the last to know?” If the Russell family hadn’t been invited as buyers, Erica would have had no clue.

“Erica,” Stella said, clinging to her arm. “I’ve just been so busy, I didn’t even think to tell you. I thought you’d hear about it anyway.”

“Yeah, right,” Erica said with mock disappointment, shaking her head. “I should’ve known better than to trust you.”

If Stella didn’t know Erica was such a drama queen, she might’ve been fooled by her puppy–dog face.

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