Chapter 100
Stellar could hear the malice dripping from the reporter’s words.
She took a deep breath.
This incident hadn’t been a secret back then.
But after all these years, for someone to bring it up now–so deliberately, so calculated–it was obvious this wasn’t just a casual
question.
Someone planned this.
But they seemed to have forgotten one thing–she was no longer the same Stellar Rivers from back then.
Her therapist had told her once that running from the past would never free her from it. The only way to take back control was to
face it head–on.
She refused to let this moment break her.
She had rebuilt her life from the ground up.
She was not that helpless girl anymore..
And yet, the weight of the stares and the judgment seeping into the air had pulled her straight back into the nightmares of her
past.
She tried to speak, tried to force out a response.
But no sound came.
The memories clawed at her, her stomach twisting violently, her body betraying her despite every ounce of resolve she had.
Then, a presence stepped in beside her, solid and unwavering.
A low, steady voice reached her ears.
“Stellar, look at me. It’s okay.”
Warmth spread from where he touched her, slowly chasing away the numbing cold in her chest.
Her vision, which had blurred for a moment, slowly came back into focus.
“Senior, 1…”
Stephen’s gaze softened, but beneath it was something fierce and sharp
He shook his head lightly, silencing her.
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Chantel 100
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“I’ll handle this.”
Then, without hesitation, he turned, his piercing gaze locking onto the so–called reporter who had dared to speak.
“Which media outlet are you from? Is this your standard of journalism?”
The so–called reporter flinched under his piercing gaze, instinctively stepping back before forcing himself to stand his ground.
“I–I was just stating facts. Mr. Ward, are you trying to intimidate me?”
Stephen’s expression didn’t change, but his next words carried the weight of absolute authority.
“When did being a victim become a culprit? Does reputation outweigh a person’s life? She fought her way out of hell and survived.
“That is something extraordinary–something most people wouldn’t even have the strength to do.
“And yet, instead of recognizing that, you stand here questioning her ‘purity‘ as if that defines her worth. Who the hell do you think you are?”
The room fell into stunned silence.
The reporter’s confidence shattered, his gaze darting around nervously.
There was no defense against logic that brutal, that undeniable.
Because Stephen was right.
Even those in the crowd who were whispering, letting their curiosity and bias shape their opinions, couldn’t deny the truth in his
words.
Stellar stood frozen, staring at the man in front of her.
Looking at his unwavering stance and the way he shielded her so fiercely, Stellar could feel a warmth spread through her chest, something deep and unspoken stirring inside her.
This is different.
This is nothing like before.
Because this time, she wasn’t standing alone.
This time, someone was standing beside her, fighting for her, and protecting her.
The realization sparked something within her, reigniting a fire she thought had long been extinguished.
She took a deep breath, steadying herself.
And then, before anyone else could speak, she took a step forward, lifting her chin, her eyes clear and voice firm.
It wasn’t loud.
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But it was enough to command the room.
“I was never the one in the wrong. The traffickers were. I have nothing to be ashamed of.
“But the ones who insist on tying a woman’s worth to her so–called purity? They are the truly ignorant and shallow ones.
“In their eyes, women aren’t people–we’re objects, tools. And if we lose our so–called ‘purity, we’re meant to be shamed for
life?”
Her voice didn’t waver.
“The press should be using their platform to go after the real criminals–the traffickers, the abusers–not the victims.”
A fire reignited in Stellar’s chest as she turned her gaze toward Yvonne, her eyes sharp, unwavering
“And let me make one thing clear. My abduction was not an accident. Someone orchestrated it. And I will find out who was behind
- it.
“When I do, they’ll pay dearly for what they did.”
Yvonne stiffened under the weight of that stare.
For the first time, a sliver of panic crept into her chest.
She took a step back, her fingers tightening around her glass.
She could feel something was slipping out of her control.
But before she could gather her thoughts, Stellar turned and walked away, her posture straight, her steps steady.
The room was silent.
Then, a voice rang out.
“She’s right. The ones to blame are the traffickers, not her.”
Someone else followed.
“The way some of you spoke just now… it was disgusting. As journalists, you should know better. Spreading this kind of narrative does nothing but harm the victims.”
“Yeah! Which news outlet is responsible for this? Expose
them!”
