Chapter 143
+20 Bonus
Dawn approached again with a bright smile, this time with Percy trailing behind her, his expression unreadable.
“I really want to apologize for earlier. Actually, I’ve always admired you, Miss Rivers. Your speech just now was incredible! I’d
love to treat you to dinner as an apology. Would you be willing to join me?”
Her eyes shimmered with cautious hope.
“No need,” Stellar replied flatly, unmoved.
Dawn’s face faltered, a hint of disappointment flashing across it before she quickly turned to Percy for help.
“Mr. Moore, you and Miss Rivers know each other well, don’t you? Could you help me invite her? We could all have dinner together–my treat.”
Percy hesitated for a brief moment, but quickly masked it with his usual indifferent demeanor.
“You heard her, didn’t you, Stellar? Dawn is extending such a sincere invitation. Can’t you drop that high–and–mighty attitude of yours just this once?”
Right on cue, Dawn put on a pitiful expression, as if she had been wronged.
That was when Stellar finally saw the game for what it was.
She let out a soft chuckle and turned her gaze to Dawn.
“Dawn, you said my speech was incredible. Then tell me, what was the most difficult challenge I mentioned facing in my field?”
Dawn’s smile stiffened.
She hadn’t expected the question and suddenly went blank.
Seeing her hesitate, Stellar pressed on.
“How did I overcome that challenge?”
Dawn’s lips parted, but no words came.
“What was the reason I chose this profession?”
She hit Dawn with three questions in a row.
Dawn stood there like a deer caught in headlights, unable to answer a single one.
Even Percy glanced at her in surprise.
They had just listened to the same speech–it hadn’t been that long.
Chapter 143
How could she have already forgotten everything?
Stellar’s voice remained calm, but her words cut like a blade.
+20 Bonus
“So, this is what you call admiration and sincerity? You didn’t even bother listening to my speech, yet you came over here
pretending to be impressed, trying to cozy up to me.
“Don’t you find yourself the least bit fake?”
Just like that, she effortlessly exposed Dawn’s act.
Dawn’s face went pale. “I–I wasn’t…”
Even her attempt to defend herself sounded weak and unconvincing.
Stellar let out a cold laugh.
Now, Stellar finally understood.
Dawn’s earlier attempts to get close to her, along with the conveniently spilled water, had all been deliberate.
“Let’s be honest, you were just trying to play the helpless, innocent victim in front of Percy, making it look like I was bullying you
so you could gain his sympathy. Am I just a pawn in your little performance?
“You can play whatever game you want to win him over, but could you leave me out of it?”
Her words stripped Dawn’s pretense away, leaving her completely exposed.
“Miss Rivers, you’ve really misunderstood me…”
Dawn’s eyes welled up instantly, her expression shifting from panic to pitiful.
Within seconds, tears rolled down her cheeks.
“I was only trying to help Mr. Moore get a chance to talk to you–that’s the only reason I did it. I swear, I didn’t mean anything
else.”
At that, Percy snapped out of his moment of doubt.
Right.
Dawn told him from the very beginning that she was only doing this to help him win Stellar back.
That was the whole point.
Realizing this, he immediately stepped forward, positioning himself protectively in front of Dawn.
“That’s enough, Stellar. Stop twisting things. Dawn is kind and straightforward. She’s nothing like what you’re accusing her of.”
Stellar turned to him, her expression unreadable.
2/2
Chapter 143
Then, she gave him a look–one filled with pure disbelief, as if she were staring at the dumbest person on earth.
“Percy, I used to think you were just arrogant and selfish. But now I see it clearly–you’re actually just an idiot.”
She scoffed, genuinely baffled.
He was the heir of the Moore family, yet he couldn’t even recognize the most basic manipulation tactics?
Had she been under a spell back then?
What else could explain why she had ever liked such a fool?
Shaking her head in disdain, she took two steps back.
+20 Bonus
“They say you are who you surround yourself with. Stay away from me. I’d rather not risk catching whatever it is you have.”
Percy’s face darkened instantly.
But Stellar was already done with him.
Just then, Stephen returned, his sharp gaze flickering between them.
“What’s going on?”
At the sight of him, Percy clenched his fists, swallowing down the frustration burning inside him.
No matter how furious he was, he knew better than to lose control in front of Stephen.
