Chapter 97
Stellar almost laughed.
The sheer audacity.
How could Percy possibly think he was better than Stephen?
How shameless did he have to be to say something like that with a straight face?
Just as she was about to respond, a sharp voice interrupted.
“Percy?”
Percy turned, only to see Yvonne approaching,
She was clutching a wine glass tightly, though her expression remained composed on the surface.
Inside, she was seething.
The heiress of the Seaton family, one of
of the owners of this very land, was part of her social circle.
That was how she had gotten an invitation to tonight’s event.
But the last thing she expected was to find Percy here–and worse, standing so close to Stellar, locked in a heated exchange.
They appeared to be laughing and chatting.
Had he deliberately turned down her invitation just so he could come here for Stellar?
Had he lied about his business meeting?
Fury burned through her veins, but she swallowed it down, composing herself as she made her way over.
“Percy?” she called again, her tone softer this time.
Then, without missing a beat, she slipped her arm through his, her grip possessive as she pressed closer.
Her gaze flicked toward Stellar–sharp, smug, and taunting.
“Miss Rivers, Percy is my fiancé now. I’d appreciate it if you could show some dignity and stop clinging to him.”
She lifted her chin, deliberately raising her voice just enough for the surrounding guests to hear.
It wasn’t just a declaration–it was a spectacle.
And sure enough, murmurs stirred in the crowd, curious eyes darting toward them.
Stellar took in the scene, her eyes narrowing slightly.
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Her tone, when she finally spoke, was colder than before.
One after another, they just kept coming.
Did they really think she was an easy target?
“Miss Harlow, you’re overthinking things. If anything, maybe you should focus on keeping your fiancé in check. He’s the one stopping me from submitting my bid.”
Yvonne’s expression stiffened for a second before her gaze darted to the bidding documents in Stellar’s hand.
Was she actually here for the auction?
Even if it was just a coincidence, it didn’t matter.
Stellar should have nothing to do with Percy now–no contact, no interaction, nothing.
The mere sight of them exchanging words was enough to irritate her.
Scoffing, Yvonne folded her arms and gave Stellar a slow, condescending once–over.
“You? You actually think you can compete for this land?”
Her voice dripped with mockery.
“Do you even know the minimum bid? Sixty million dollars. Do you have that kind of money? Does your tiny excuse for a company even have that much in liquid assets?
“Miss Rivers, a little self–awareness goes a long way. The last thing you want is to bid recklessly and end up making a fool of
yourself when you can’t pay up.
“Trust me, there’s no quicker way to become the laughingstock of the entire industry.”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
“Oh,
“Oh, I knew she looked familiar–that’s the fake Harlow heiress, isn’t she?”
“What’s she even doing here? These kinds of deals are for real business executives, not nobodies pretending to belong.”
“Talk about delusional. She thinks she can play in the big leagues with this crowd?”
Mocking whispers surrounded them, each word laced with disdain.
Yvonne’s smirk deepened as she turned to watch Stellar crumble under the weight of humiliation.
Meanwhile, Percy’s face darkened.
He wanted to say something and step in, but as he glanced around at the watching crowd, he hesitated, lips pressing into a thin line.
Chapter 07
With so many eyes on them, Percy hesitated.
If he stepped in to defend Stellar, it would only fuel rumors.
If word got out that he was siding with her over Yvonne, it could affect Moore Enterprises‘ stock value.
Just as he wavered, tom between self–preservation and impulse, a deep, commanding voice cut through the air.
“And who said she isn’t qualified? She’s here on behalf of our company.”
The crowd instinctively turned toward the source of the voice.
A tall figure stepped forward, moving effortlessly through the throng before stopping beside Stellar in an unmistakably
protective stance.
cher presence he commanded.
Stephen stood taller than Percy, his broad shoulders and long frame only adding to the sheer presence
Stephen had sharp, chiseled features and an aura that was both effortlessly refined and undeniably commanding
There was no mistaking it–he was impossible to ignore.
The room fell into stunned silence.
Then, hushed gasps and murmurs rippled through the guests.
“Wait… is that Stephen Ward? The CEO of Brighton Group?”
“The rising star of the industry? The one every major corporation is scrambling to partner with?”
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“I heard the projects he’s spearheaded have revolutionized the market–he’s basically a living legend in his field! But he never
makes public appearances. I only caught a glimpse of him once at an exclusive event…”
“I had no idea he was this good–looking-”
“Wait… does this mean Miss Rivers is working with him?”
“No wonder she was so confident. She has Brighton Group backing her!”
Stephen ignored the murmurs, his sharp gaze locking onto Yvonne,
His voice was crisp and cutting-
“Do you have an issue with my people?”
My people?
Stellar felt a strange, fleeting jolt at his choice of words.
But she quickly shook it off–he was just stepping in to defend her.
That was all
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After all, Stephen was a kind person. He wouldn’t just stand by while someone was unfairly targeted.
Yvonne, on the other hand, visibly tensed the moment she registered who was standing in front of her.
Her eyes
widened, and before she could stop herself, she took an instinctive step backward, momentarily overwhelmed by the
sheer intensity of his presence..
