Chapter 1
“It’s breathtaking!”
Stella Quinn was clad in a wedding dress; her slender waist accentuated by the dress’s voluminous skirt, she looked every bit the princess in a fairy tale.
Even without makeup, her face looked exquisitely stunning, earning her praises from the shop manager adjusting her dress.
“Why didn’t Mr. Yorick Quarry come with you to check it out? Men and women see things differently, you know.”
Stella’s lips curled into a polite smile, “Work’s got him tied up. He couldn’t make it.”
As if on cue, her phone buzzed. Glancing at the caller ID, she answered, “Susie.”
“Star, I just saw Ursula and Yorick together!”
The original joy on Stella’s face slowly faded away at the news, her gaze turning icy as well.
Yorick Quarry, her fiancé, and they were planning to marry in a week. While Ursula Larkin, just the mention of her name stirred a sense of distaste in Stella.
Stella signaled the shop manager, who was fetching the dress. The latter nodded in comprehension. With a wave of her hand, all the staff immediately went away with the manager.
Left alone, Stella gazed at her well-manicured nails and asked nonchalantly, “Where did you see them?”
Susanna replied, “At the hospital, the gynecology and obstetrics.”
Stella laughed, raising an eyebrow, “Interesting choice of location, indeed.”
Men and women visiting gynecology and obstetrics together usually hinted at certain implications.
Susanna continued, “That Ursula is nothing but a siren, and Yorick’s no better. You should call off the wedding!”
Susanna had got irked before Stella did.
Stella took a sip from her water glass, “Every time she makes a move, I’m the one who suffers. Why are you getting worked up?”
Two years back, Ursula hoped to be forgiven by her before leaving. Now she was back, getting entangled with Yorick. Did she think Stella was too kind, too generous?
Susanna snapped, “Choosing to stir things up right before your wedding, she’s clearly up to no good.”
Stella’s gaze hardened, “Gotta go.”
Susanna asked, “Where are you going?”
“If someone’s stirring the pot, might as well see it for myself,” Stella quipped before hanging up.
Staring at her reflection in the wedding dress, she reached for the bodice and tore the dress apart, leaving the broken attire scattered on the floor.
Upon seeing the scene, the staff nearby turned in shock. Yet, none dared to approach her, given the stern look on her face.
Once the call was connected, the man’s stern voice came over the phone, “Come to the office once you’re done with the dress.”
A trace of sarcasm flashed across Stella’s eyes. Not bothering to give him a reply, she hung up without hesitation.
Half an hour later, Stella entered Yorick’s office to find him making a call near the floor-to-ceiling window.
Noticing Stella, he quickly said to someone at the other end of the phone, “Have lunch without me. Bye.”
He looked over at Stella, “Come here.”
The click of a lighter filled the room, followed by the scent of gasoline.
“Ursula’s back,” as he spoke, a flicker of guilt passing through his eyes. Even though it still couldn’t stop him from continuing with “We need to postpone the wedding.”
After receiving Susanna’s phone call, Stella had already anticipated this.
“What do you mean?”
Ursula was back, so they needed to postpone their wedding.
“She’s sick, very serious,” Yorick explained, handing her a document. He kept on, “Here’s your acceptance letter to St. Pete’s University. You should go study first.”
His tone was condescending as if offering her a way out or, more accurately, making space for Ursula.
Stella looked at the document in his hand but didn’t take it, her lips curling into a mocking smile. “Sending me abroad to clear the way for her?”
Yorick’s face darkened, “Isn’t it the school you always wanted to attend? Now…”
“Yorick!” Stella cut him off sharply. She snatched the envelope from his hand and tore it to shreds, the fragments scattering across the office. The last piece clung to her finger before she flicked it towards Yorick’s face.
At the sight of her defiance, Yorick’s last bit of warmth vanished.
Stella didn’t hold back either, declaring, “No need to postpone. Just cancel the wedding.”
Why delay? Canceling it would save everyone the hassle!
Chapter 2
Yorick’s face turned drastically. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing from Stella. Her stance took him by surprise.
Call off the wedding? Had she…lost her mind?
Yorick’s voice wavered with emotion, “She’s sick, once she recovers, she’ll leave again, and then I’ll give you the grander wedding you deserve.”
“Is it sickness, or is she pregnant?”
The moment those words were uttered, the air around them seemed to be still.
Yorick stared at her, his eyes cold, “What have you found out?”
Stella didn’t respond directly; instead, she said, “You and her, showing up unashamed at the hospital, at the gynecology and obstetrics of all places. Talking about giving me a grander wedding, don’t you find it ironic?”
Their wedding was just a week away. He and Ursula were seen at a gynecology and obstetrics, and another second he was here to talk about the scale of their wedding?
Did he really think she wouldn’t have the guts to leave him if he was playing both sides?
As Yorick heard her words, his expression grew even more grim, “She’s not pregnant, she’s ill.”
“Ill enough to need you accompanying her to the hospital? What exactly is your relationship with her now?”
Her sharp counter-question made Yorick’s face darken further.
Stella didn’t want to see his face anymore, standing up to walk towards the office door.
As she walked, she said, “Since she’s back, she might as well stay. After all, she won’t be able to repay her debts to Portis City overnight.”
Two years of calm and now, turmoil. Yorick, because of Ursula, had torn a rift, and Stella, following suit, had made it irreparable.
Relationships, after all, were about mutual effort, not one person striving alone.
Yorick’s face darkened, “Don’t make it hard for her!”
Stella let out a cold laugh, her hand already on the doorknob.
Yorick clenched his teeth, “The wedding, do you think you can just call it off? Or do you think you have a way out with the Larkin family?”
The Larkin family, the mention made Stella’s gaze grow colder, a family that couldn’t differentiate between their own.
No way out, so be it.
She didn’t care.
The Larkin family, her blood relatives, also raised Ursula. Years ago, Ursula’s biological mother, a maid of the Larkins, was pregnant at the same time as Stella’s mother. Desperate for her girl to grow up in affluence due to her unreliable, gambler husband, Ursula’s mother switched the babies at the hospital after the delivery.
Ursula’s mother wasn’t exactly conscience-stricken; after taking Stella, she didn’t raise her herself but abandoned her.
She continued working as a maid for the Larkins, watching her biological daughter enjoy a better life and staying constantly by her side.
It wasn’t until Mrs. Larkin’s car accident three years ago that it was revealed Ursula wasn’t her biological child.
What followed was a dramatic search for the real daughter.
Yorick was right…
Yorick stepped forward, grabbing her delicate wrist, “Once she recovers, I’ll send her away, okay?”
Stella glanced at him, her eyes icy, slowly pulling her hand away.
Stella couldn’t bother with another word, turning to leave the office.
Yorick, always adored and sought after, was left fuming, unbelieving that Stella would actually call off their wedding.
With that thought, Yorick didn’t chase after her, instead slamming the door behind him with a loud ‘bang’.
…
The secretarial department, having heard the commotion, all harbored their own thoughts.
The dramatic events from two years ago had everyone thinking Stella was trying to steal Yorick from Ursula. So now, with Ursula’s return, they relished in the drama.
Whispers among the employees went like, “Ursula has finally come back, serves Stella right!”
“Exactly, Ursula was forced to leave because of her two years ago. What’s stolen will eventually have to be returned.”
Overhearing the chatter, Stella, heels clicking, walked directly towards them.
The two gossiping assistants were suddenly overshadowed, hurriedly silencing themselves.
Stella reached out, forcefully tilting one of their chins up, the assistant was quite beautiful up close.
As their eyes met, the assistant was visibly shaken by the fierceness in Stella’s gaze, “Ms. Quinn!”
Stella’s eyes narrowed slightly, “Enjoying the gossip about me?”
The assistant went pale, “No, I wasn’t…I…”
Seeing the fear, Stella released her with disgust, her gaze sweeping across the secretarial department with intimidating sharpness.
Everyone quickly looked away, too scared to even breathe too loudly.
Chapter 3
Stella had just left the office when she spotted Ursula stepping out of a car.
Yorick’s assistant, Orion, was at the ready, holding the door open for her as she handed him a few shopping bags.-
“Distribute these among the secretaries, will you?”
Her demeanor screamed of a lady of the manor.
Orion, ever respectful, took the bags, “Thank you, Ms. Larkin.”
Ursula offered a soft nod in acknowledgment and turned, her gaze meeting Stella across the distance.
Stella’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Ursula paused for a second before she approached Stella with a tone as soft as an elder sister’s, “Star.”
When the Larkins had brought her back, they mentioned Ursula was older by just an hour.
Her tender voice was for Orion’s benefit. But her eyes, locked on Stella, were full of challenge.
As she drew closer, Ursula’s voice dropped to a whisper, “You’re his fiancée, yet he has me come to his company. What does that tell you about your place?”
Stella’s expression turned ice cold. She scoffed, “As long as I wish, I can have any position within his family. But what about you? Aside from visiting him here, can you even step foot in any Quarry property?”
Ursula’s face faltered. Her gaze, fixing on Stella, suddenly dripped with malice. Obviously, she couldn’t; those old coots in the Quarry family wouldn’t approve.
Stella found Ursula’s reaction deeply satisfying.
Ursula glared back venomously, “Don’t get too comfortable. As long as I’m around, your wedding to him will never happen.”
Stella’s lips curved into a smirk, her demeanor nonchalant.
“There are plenty of fish in the sea. I’m not fixated on marrying him.”
The notion of breaking off the wedding as soon as possible with a man who still harbored certain feelings for his first love seemed less of a loss and more of a relief.
Ursula stiffened, “What do you mean?”
She gazed at Stella in disbelief.
Was Stella not madly in love with Yorick? Stella’s indifference seemed like a facade, given the drastic scene caused two years ago.
Stella replied, “Isn’t it clear? Without Yorick, I cannot find someone else. But you? He’s the only man willing to marry you, yet you can’t even have a proper wedding.”
Ursula, already pale, turned livid at Stella’s words.
Stella felt utterly pleased at the sight of the warmth on Ursula’s face falling. The latter’s disrespect seemed to Stella that she must have forgotten how she was dealt with two years ago.
Stella snapped, “Let go.”
The impact sounded like a toad fell to the ground from high above, seemingly quite serious.
So, Ursula was staging another scene, and her audience had arrived.
Ursula screeched in pain, “Ah…”
“Help, Ah!” Ursula pleaded the moment Stella pulled her out, while she was plunged back into the water after a few seconds.
Ursula was choked as if her chest was about to burst open, her hands flapping crazily.
Yorick came, thrusting Stella away. He pulled Ursula to safety.
Ursula was all drenched, while Yorick looked expressly concerned, “How do you feel?”
“I…” Ursula gazed at Yorick, her eyes welling up. Because of the pain in the lung, she couldn’t even utter a complete word.
Yorick looked at Stella callously, while Stella walked over and stepped on Ursula’s wrist, eliciting another scream.
“Ah!’
Yorick’s anger flared, “Stella!”
He thrust her away, while she responded by tossing her purse at him, striking him on the head.
Yorick was caught off guard by the strike, and the fury in his gaze deepened.
This woman…
Stella didn’t wait for his reaction, instead kicking Ursula once more for good measure.
The confrontation left Ursula gasping for air and nursing a swollen leg.
Chapter 4
After a chaotic frenzy that could rival a barnyard uproar, it was Orion who finally managed to pry Stella away.
Ursula’s face was twisted in pain, tears welling up in her eyes as she glanced at Yorick, “Rick, I…”-
Yorick’s face was a shade of thunderous gray!
He barked at Orion, who was holding Stella back, “Just take her away, now.”
Stella tried to break free from Orion’s grip, but he wasn’t about to let her go.
This woman, her strength was unbelievable.
“Ms. Quinn, let’s head out,” Orion urged.
Stella exclaimed, “Purse, my purse.”
She had used her purse to hit Yorick earlier, and now it lay by his feet.
In a fit of rage, Yorick grabbed it and threw it at her.
Orion caught it and quickly stuffed it into Stella’s arms, “There, you’ve got your purse back.”
What a mess.
Eventually, Stella was dragged into the car by Orion.
Orion wanted to drive Stella home, but she wouldn’t have it, especially not Yorick’s man driving her. So, she took the wheel and left.
Yorick, still reeling from the impact, took a while to come back to his senses.
Seeing Ursula’s disheveled hair and swollen leg, he grew even angrier at Stella.
He scooped Ursula up, “I’m taking you to the hospital.”
Ursula nodded through her tears, looking utterly pitiable.
Orion was tasked with driving, but when he checked where he had parked, the space was empty.
“Ms. Quinn took the car.”
In the confusion earlier, Orion planned to drive Stella, but she had taken the car herself.
This only added fuel to Yorick’s already blazing temper.
Seeing Yorick’s face darken further, Orion said, “I’ll go to the garage and get another car.”
He had to grab the keys from the office first.
…
Meanwhile, Stella was stopped at a traffic light when her phone vibrated. It was a call from her biological mother, Cloudia Lawson.
“Come home tonight, there’s something I need to talk with you about.”
Stella opened a water bottle and took a sip, “Can’t do, I’m swamped.”
Cloudia, annoyed at the refusal, snapped, “What could possibly be keeping you so busy? It’s not like you’ve been caring much for Yorick.”
Stella retorted, “So, you’re bringing Ursula back to care for him?”
Stella was well aware of what Cloudia intended to discuss with her. Two years back, she and Ursula had fallen out. If Ursula hadn’t decided to leave, she probably would be in jail now.
Realizing Stella learned of Ursula’s return, Cloudia eventually didn’t try to hide. She softened her tone slightly, “It’s been so long since that incident. You need to let it go.”
With the car window slightly open, a cold breeze swept in, cooling Stella and her heart as well. But just a few moments later, she quickly shrugged off the cold discomfort.
When they found Stella, she had spent two months in the hospital recovering.
And now her own mother was asking her to let it go?
Stella tossed her empty water bottle into a nearby trash can with a perfect arc.
“So, she claims I’m being malicious, and you all believe her! If you’re so convinced, why bother with me, your own daughter? Maybe you should pretend you never found me. In fact, I’ll make it easier for you – I’m blocking you!”
“Stella! Can’t you be rational for once? Not every conversation about this topic needs to end in an argument!”
Cloudia was livid.
Every discussion about Ursula ended the same way, leaving Cloudia extremely infuriated.
After berating Stella for being unreasonable, she got to the point. “You always had issues with her before, but this time it’s different; she’s seriously ill.”
Stella scoffed, “So, she’s sick, and that means my wedding with Yorick needs to be postponed, with him by her side the whole time?”
Not that Stella cared much for Yorick, but the twisted values of these people still irked her enough to make a pointed comment.
Cloudia, fuming even more, said, “She and Yorick grew up together. She relies on him deeply. Don’t worry, Yorick will surely end up marrying you. Can we just focus on Ursula’s illness for this period of time?”
They were treating Ursula like a precious gem, expecting Stella to step aside too.
It was all too annoying.
Cloudia noticed Stella’s silence, “Are you even listening?”
But Stella had had enough of their brainwashing and manipulative tactics. Without another word, she hung up and blocked the number.
She had blocked it before, yet somehow, it always got unblocked.
Chapter 5
Back at the Silk River Residences.
Walking into the elevator lobby, she saw Susanna sitting on the sofa.
Upon seeing Stella, she quickly got up and embraced her, “Honey, a man is worth nothing. I’ll hook you up with someone way hotter tomorrow.”
Stella simply nodded, “Okay.”
Susanna, comforting her, was puzzled by Stella’s unusual calmness.
Stepping back to give her a once-over, Susanna gasped upon noticing blood stains on Stella’s coat.
“Oh my God! Are you hurt? Where’s the injury?”
Stella glanced down to find a few droplets of blood on her beige coat.
“It’s not mine.”
“Whose is it, then?” Susanna asked, her voice laced with panic.
“Probably Ursula’s or Yorick’s.”
“What?!”
“I gave Ursula and Yorick some beating.”
Susanna’s brows twitched at the words. She had just seen Yorick and Ursula at the hospital this morning, and by noon, Stella had already served them a piece of her mind.
She couldn’t help but give Stella a thumbs up.
“Being hot-headed can be a hassle, but when it comes to dealing with jerks and mean girls, you’ve got the right spirit.”
Even Susanna felt her temper rising at the thought, let alone Stella being the victim. She had worried Stella might come back sobbing over Ursula’s antics. Instead, Stella handled it with a fist.
Even though Susanna was confused about her behavior, she felt more pleased. In fact, it wasn’t like Stella had a bad temper; the thing was when it came to something related to Ursula, she would easily lose control.
“Forget going upstairs; let’s grab some lunch. It’s about that time.”
Stella nodded, “Did you especially take the day off?”
Susanna replied, “Kind of. I left early. Gotta head back after lunch.”
With Stella’s wedding a week away and her facing such turmoil, Susanna was genuinely concerned that she might be unable to think it through.
…
They settled for a nearby restaurant.
Stella struggled with her steak, “Let’s not do this next time; it’s not hitting the spot.”
She had always preferred something more comforting, like a hearty stew, which Susanna knew all too well.
Lunch breaks during workdays were usually quick and uneventful.
The mention of Yorick made the steak taste even blanded to Stella.
Susanna paused upon hearing it, her utensils in midair, “Did both the Larkin family and the Quarry family agree to this?”
Stella answered, “No need for their agreement.”
The engagement had been arranged without Stella’s consent.
The Larkin family was expressly anxious due to the fact that multiple projects in their company needed reliance on the Quarries. Having discussed with Blaise Larkin, Stella’s father, Cloudia hastily promised Stella to Yorick.
Stella had thought he’d seen through Ursula’s true colors that time. Now, it appeared to have been a strategy to keep Stella pacified during these two years.
After all, Stella was hell-bent on sending Ursula to prison back then.
Understanding the complexity of their relationships, Susanna cursed Yorick for his deceit, “He’s the worst. Speaking of which, you knew well what kind of person Yorick was two years ago, right? Why did you agree to the engagement then? Today you even went to try the wedding dress, were you planning to go through with the wedding in one week?”
Susanna couldn’t make sense of it.
At Susanna’s question, Stella’s gaze darkened with unspoken thoughts.
Why? Because they all meant to get what they needed, though harboring different thoughts?
“Let’s not dive into that. Just make sure to include those hospital photos of him and Ursula.”
Seeing Stella’s reluctance to discuss further, Susanna didn’t push. As long as Stella wasn’t blindly in love with Yorick, that was all that mattered.
“Alright, I’ll post it now.”
With a few taps on her phone, Susanna, a former journalist with significant social media influence, set the digital realm abuzz.
The Quarry family was the top clan in Portis City; Yorick’s wedding news was naturally a hot topic there. If it was handled unsuccessfully, Stella’s reputation would take a hit.
Within half an hour, two headlines dominated the online world: “The Larkin family’s adopted daughter seemingly returned from abroad, spotted at the hospital with Quarry family’s heir” and “The Larkin family’s true heiress calls off engagement with Quarry’s son!”
The adopted daughter and the true heiress, the news reignited public interest in the family’s past drama, placing Stella and her decisions under the spotlight once again.
Then, Stella’s phone was bombarded with calls.
Chapter 6
Susanna watched as Stella’s phone lit up, then dimmed, only to light up again in a relentless cycle.
It was non-stop!
Unable to hold back, Susanna suggested, “Why don’t you just turn it off?”
By now, blocking numbers was futile; they were all unfamiliar numbers calling. It didn’t take a genius to figure out it was Cloudia using the household staff’s phones to reach Stella.
Taking the advice, Stella promptly shut her phone off.
However, Cloudia’s retaliation was swift.
As paying the bill, Stella rebooted her phone for payment, and a message flashed, “Your bank card has been disabled, please select another payment method.”
The payment card linked to her phone was one Cloudia insisted on binding for her a few years back, shortly after Stella had returned to the Larkins.
Now, the card was useless.
Seeing Stella’s payment fail, Susanna glanced at her phone, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Stella replied, “They’ve blocked the card.”
Susanna’s mouth twitched, “Over Ursula? What kind of family does that?”
The news that the Larkins had directly blocked Stella’s credit card left Susanna feeling as if she had swallowed a fly. How could they treat their own daughter this way, just for the sake of a foster child?
Stella just shrugged it off with a smile, “It’s not the first time.”
Susanna insisted, “Let me take care of it.”
She pulled out her phone from her purse.
Stella protested, “Don’t, I have money.”
But Susanna had already paid the bill.
Leaving the restaurant, they got into the car, and Susanna said, “I’m transferring twenty grand to you. Don’t let them intimidate you.”
The idea that they would stoop to such disgusting tactics just because their own daughter was spending some money was infuriating.
Hearing Susanna’s generous offer, Stella was visibly moved.
“No need, I really do have money.”
Susanna remarked, “You haven’t been working, what money could you possibly have? The Larkins, what a bunch of beasts.”
Stella said, “I have money, seriously. Well, it’s a long story.”
It was really difficult to explain about having money. Although she was with Yorick these years, that didn’t mean she relied completely on him and the Larkin family.
Susanna waved her hands nonchalantly, “Alright, you have money. But take this twenty thousand too.”
For someone who had centered around Yorick, receiving financial support from the Larkin family, how could she possibly own money? Susanna didn’t buy it the least bit.
Stella insisted, “I really don’t need it!”
Susanna pressed, “Why are you being…”
No matter what, Susanna wouldn’t believe Stella.
Susanna finally believed her, her eyes lighting up at the sight of Stella’s black card, “Where did you get this black card? Who gave it to you, Yorick?”
Stella, caught in the moment of urgency when she had to use the card, paused.
Yorick would never give her access to such funds.
Not Yorick, or the Larkin family?
A softness flickered in Stella’s eyes at the mention of the card’s true owner, but she remained silent.
…
Yorick, visibly annoyed and checking his watch, had been waiting for two long hours.
Stella simply replied, “Too noisy.”
She hadn’t heard from them with this much urgency in a month, yet today, for Ursula, the calls were relentless.
Taking out her keys to open the door, Yorick grabbed her wrist, “Stella!”
Stella looked at him coldly.
“Your dear Ursula is all alone in the hospital, pitiful.”
The mention of “dear Ursula” only fueled Yorick’s anger.
“Let’s talk this through.”
Stella uttered, “No need.”
She shrugged off Yorick’s grasp, opened the door, and was about to shut it.
Yorick, quick as ever, blocked the door with his arm, preventing it from closing.
As he tried to push his way in, Stella aimed a kick at his most vulnerable spot.
Yorick clenched his teeth, “You!”
Dodging just in time, he withdrew his arm, but Stella was quick to try and shut the door again. Yorick was faster, though, pulling the door open and squeezing through.
Stella glared at him coldly, “I advise you to leave, now.”
“How dare you do that?”
Yorick realized just how inurbane Stella had become, far from the demure woman he expected she should be.
Chapter 7
Yorick marched straight to the sofa and plopped down, itching for a smoke.
No sooner had he fished out a cigarette from the pack than Stella swooped in, snatching it away and tossing it into the trash.
Yorick’s face darkened, “What the heck?”
When had he ever been treated like this? Back when he was with Ursula, she wouldn’t utter a peep, no matter what he did.
Stella stated, “I can’t stand the smell of smoke.”
Yorick was speechless.
This woman!
Fine, he wouldn’t smoke.
Yorick bit back his anger, his mind drifting to the morning’s trending gossip that nearly crashed his family’s phone lines.
“Was it Susanna who spread today’s news?”
He couldn’t believe she actually wanted to call off their wedding. Was she overreacting?
Stella didn’t reply, heading to the fridge instead to grab a slice of cheesecake.
Lunch had been a light affair, followed by a shopping spree with Susanna for two hours.
Seeing Stella ignore him completely drove Yorick up the wall.
“A wedding is supposed to be about us. Why turn it into a public spectacle?”
It was tolerable if she hurled some harsh lines at him, but now their news was the talk of the town. He couldn’t forgive her for this.
Stella countered, “Is it really just about us?”
If it were just between the two, things would be simple.
She shot Yorick a cold look, adding, “Either way, if I hadn’t made it public, someone else would’ve stirred the pot. Better I take the initiative.”
Yorick knew exactly whom she meant by “someone”.
“Don’t always paint Ursula in a bad light.”
Stella chuckled, spooning cheesecake into her mouth, “If she’s not the villain, why the rush to send her packing two years ago?”
Yorick fell silent. Mentioning the events from two years ago only darkened his mood further.
“That time, you were so aggressive about that incident. If Ursula hadn’t left, you would’ve really had her jailed, right?”
After another bite of cheesecake, Stella nodded, “Yes.”
Yorick’s expression grew even grimmer. Remembering those moments, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of disdain for Stella.
Her knack for causing drama had landed her in her current precarious standing within the Larkin family.
Now, he felt stuck, unable to actually call off their wedding.
Stella merely gave him a frigid glance and stayed silent.
He knew all too well the Larkin family’s tactics against Stella. Her financial support had likely already been cut off.
Remembering that Stella had rented this apartment after moving out from the Larkin family’s estate, he knew the rent at Silk River Residences wasn’t cheap. Stella’s unit alone would set her back one thousand at least.
Stella responded, “You should leave.”
Yorick’s frustration deepened. Just as he was about to retort, his phone vibrated. Ursula was calling.
What was this?
Despite his reluctance to upset Stella further, he unashamedly took this call from another woman right in front of her?
Stella’s ensuing uproar led to Yorick’s raw anger, and his two years of pretence being exposed subsequently.
Whatever Ursula said on the phone had him standing up, “Don’t worry, I’ll be right there.”
After hanging up, he glanced at Stella.
“Think over what I just said. No matter what you do, everyone’s primary concern will be Ursula’s health for the time being.”
His stance was clear – Stella’s protests were futile.
Ignoring him, Stella went straight to the foyer to bring in the shopping bags she and Susanna had accumulated, all from upscale brands.
Yorick eyed the bags, momentarily taken aback.
“You still have money to go shopping now?”
Had the Larkin family decided against punishing her this time?
Previously, her rebellious acts would result in her credit card being disabled for weeks, a reminder of her status. Recognized as a Larkin, she was their daughter; otherwise, she was nothing.
Stella shot him a look, “Since when is shopping a crime?”
Yorick was left speechless.
This woman…she had a knack for infuriating others.
Chapter 8
Yorick stormed into the car, his face a mask of fury.
Orion caught a glimpse of him through the rearview mirror, “So, did Ms. Quinn cool down yet?”
Clearly, to everyone, Stella was just throwing a tantrum, pushing Yorick to send Ursula packing once again.
Yorick massaged his temples, clearly agitated, “Cool down? As if it’s that easy.”
Orion couldn’t help but agree silently.
Ursula’s sudden return had taken everyone by surprise, with no one bothering to inform her in advance.
“Is she serious about calling off the wedding?”
Yorick went silent.
Serious?
Remembering moments when they were together during these two years, Yorick let out a bitter laugh, “What do you think?”
He didn’t believe at all she could really let go.
Orion thought, “Seems unlikely.”
After all, the Larkins couldn’t stand her. Marrying Yorick seemed her only way out. Besides, she had invested a lot of emotions in Yorick over the past two years.
Thinking this, Orion felt Stella was merely acting out, although she might have taken it a bit too far.
…
At the Silk River Residences.
Stella stared at the pile of items before her, her head throbbing at the thought of the card mix-up.
She had a foreboding feeling: a storm was brewing.
She decided not to dwell on it. After a day of trying on wedding dresses and shopping with Susanna, her legs were killing her.
She opted for a bath instead, and just as she was settling down, the doorbell rang urgently.
Instead of opening the door, she just shouted out.
Upon opening the door, Stella was greeted by Cloudia, clad in a chic cocktail dress, radiating elegance with a string of pearls around her neck. Her makeup was impeccable, but her expression was stern.
Stella closed the door, drying her hair.
“Tell me, what exactly are you trying to do? I told you, Ursula wasn’t behind it. But you hit her the moment she’s back.
Cloudia’s anger erupted, her words flying like sparks.
Stella, dropping her towel, met Cloudia’s glare with a frosty look.
As Cloudia faced Stella’s icy stare, her anger flared even more.
“Do you want to let the entire Larkin family become the laughingstock before you’re satisfied? I should’ve never brought you back.”
In her frustration, Cloudia expressed her regret. In her view, had she not brought Stella back, none of this would have happened. This wasn’t just bringing back a daughter; it was inviting disaster, a curse.
Hearing Cloudia’s regretful words, Stella scoffed coldly, “I also wish you hadn’t found me. If you hadn’t, I wouldn’t have been in that accident.”
It wasn’t just Cloudia regretting finding her; Stella wished they had never found her at all.
“You…”
Stella continued, “Like I said earlier, let’s pretend you never did find me. From now on, we’re strangers. And, you’re actually aware your precious Ursula has no shame, huh? Afraid the public might find out?”
Having hardly spent any time with the Larkins, Stella felt no attachment to them.
Chapter 9
She was relentless in her verbal assault, leaving Cloudia fuming, “You, you’re driving me insane.”
Their conversation had hit a dead end.
Cloudia stood up decisively, “You better do some serious thinking. When you stop targeting Ursula, that’s when I’ll consider reinstating your card.”
It seemed the only way Cloudia could think of to punish Stella was by cutting her off financially.
With those harsh words, Cloudia stormed out. She believed that by cutting off Stella’s financial support, Stella would eventually come crawling back.
And when that happened, she’d like to see Stella try to cause any more trouble.
…
After Cloudia left, Stella, unfazed, washed an apple for herself to eat, showing no signs of introspection whatsoever.
Her phone rang, and Stella answered, “Hello?”
“Boss, we’ve got a big one, a really big one.”
“How big?” Stella asked.
“Three times the fee we got last time.”
Hearing this, the apple in Stella’s hand tasted even sweeter. She took another bite and got up, “I’ll be right there.”
She changed her clothes in record time.
Half an hour later, she arrived at the studio, where her assistant Tabitha greeted her with an excited face while handing over the project file with eagerness, “Boss, it’s a huge project.”
Stella flipped through it, “Another one from StarRiver Corp.?”
It seemed like StarRiver Corp.’s tourism sector was booming. She had already landed two major projects from them this year.
The design fees they offered were nothing to scoff at, reaching hundreds of thousands, and this time it was even more outrageous.
The words “extremely pleased” brought the first smile of the day to Stella’s face.
“Got it.”
Meanwhile, after leaving Silk River Residences, Cloudia headed straight to the hospital.
Before Cloudia’s arrival, Jaxon had been consoling Ursula. Having grown up together, Jaxon had always naturally sided with Ursula in any dispute between Stella and Ursula.
Seeing Cloudia, Ursula looked aggrieved and apologetic, “Mom, I’m sorry, I think I made Star upset again.”
Cloudia, feeling sympathetic, approached her, “Silly child, it’s not your fault. I know what her temper is like.”
Mentioning Stella’s temper darkened everyone’s mood further.
Cloudia sighed, “I wonder what kind of upbringing she had to become so spoiled.”
All they knew about Stella’s adoptive family was their surname, Quinn. Whether they were from the countryside or the city, the Larkin family had no idea. Stella wouldn’t say when asked.
Jaxon commented, “What kind of family could it be? With her attitude, she must’ve been raised in the countryside, completely wild.”
Jaxon had always found Stella’s temper and coarseness unbearable.
Cloudia sighed again.
Jaxon added, “You’ve blocked her card; don’t cave and turn it back on so easily this time. Let her feel what it was like to be without money, see if she dared to act so arrogantly again.”
Chapter 10
The moment they mentioned blocking Stella’s credit card, a smug satisfaction flickered in Ursula’s eyes.
“Stella,” she thought, “not a dime of the Larkin fortune belongs to you. There can only be one daughter in the Larkin family, and that’s me.”
While she reveled in her thoughts, her façade of concern was impeccable, “But blocking her card, how will she survive? She’s been living off the Larkin’s for the past two years without a job.”
Jaxon chimed in, “Ursula, stop making excuses for her. It’s time we taught her a lesson.”
Ursula looked hesitated, glancing towards Cloudia, who nodded in agreement, “Listen to your brother. It’s about time she learned to be a proper lady.”
Just the thought of Stella’s fiery temperament gave Cloudia a headache. She couldn’t believe Stella would let go of her feelings for Yorick so easily. To her, the debacle two years ago was all because of Yorick. Accusations flew that the car accident was orchestrated by Ursula, all because of her obsession with Yorick.
Ursula’s gaze then shifted to Yorick, who frowned but remained silent, evidently agreeing with Cloudia and Jaxon’s approach.
Cloudia then turned her attention to Ursula’s ankle, “How’s the injury? Is it serious?”
Ursula shook her head, “It’s nothing serious. Rick insisted on bringing me to the hospital.”
Cloudia reassured, “It’s better to be cautious. Your dad arranged for the best specialist to re-examine you.”
“Thank you, Mom.”
“Silly child, there’s no need to thank me.”
As Cloudia heard Ursula’s gratitude, her heart ached for her.
So, the family gathered, and their concern for Ursula mingled with discussions on how to discipline Stella. They unanimously decided to cut off her two thousand monthly allowance, hoping this would force Stella to compromise and drop the matter with Ursula.
In the end, their confidence stemmed from believing that Stella’s love for Yorick was intense and that she was just acting out. This time, they wouldn’t even give her any chance of being petulant.
…
Meanwhile, Stella had spent the entire afternoon in a meeting at her studio.
This was a major project, a historic moment for the design industry, and Stella was giving it her all. Securing the financial backing was crucial.
As she left the studio, it was already six.
“Star?” Susanna’s voice echoed nearby, sounding a bit astonished, almost as if she couldn’t believe she’d run into Stella there.
The area was bustling with people leaving their offices at peak hours.
Turning around, Stella saw Susanna approaching, “What are you doing here? Looking for a job?”
The three buildings around were all office spaces, home to numerous small firms.
Before Stella could reply, Susanna blurted out, “I offered you money, and you refused. Now you’re here job hunting?”
Her studio was unknown to Susanna, and it wasn’t something she could explain in a few sentences.
If Susanna was in the dark, then the Larkin family and Yorick were likely clueless too.
That made sense to Susanna. They had met abroad and usually discussed girl stuff. Even when Susanna talked with Stella about her work, the conversations were brief.
Stella nodded affirmatively, “Yeah, been a year.”
That was the crucial question. If Stella was financially independent, she wouldn’t need to concern herself with Yorick.
Susanna’s jaw dropped. The scale of “a few” was evidently different between them.
Most startups barely broke even their first year, yet Stella’s was thriving.
Stella cautioned, “The design is satisfactory, and so is the profit. Let’s not broadcast this.”
“Understood,” Susanna nodded, realizing the implications.
Ursula, that wretch, always thought of snatching away whatever Stella had, and she remembered, Ursula was also in this major.
And Yorick, with questionable morals and now after the altercation with Stella, could likely cause trouble behind their back.
“You don’t have to care about them anymore. They’re trying to strong-arm you financially by blocking your card,” Susanna concluded.
Stella’s card had already been disabled, their ulterior motives evident. It was all to silence Stella about the alleged accident orchestrated by Ursula.
For the sake of that foster daughter, the family seemed to pull all their efforts.
“Does Tegan James know about the studio?”
Stella replied, “No, we haven’t been in touch lately. She’s always busy with the hospital.”
Tegan, their mutual best friend and a prodigious professor in gynecology was undoubtedly the busiest among them.
Susanna nodded, “That makes sense. She’s so busy. I haven’t seen her in a month either.”
お金金
SEND GIFT or GCASH: +63.936.139.8714
COMMENT
Subscribe
Daisy Novels 