Chapter 98
But after the initial shock, jealousy hit her like a wave.
Why?
Why did Stellar, a woman she saw as nothing more than discarded leftovers, always have powerful men standing by her side?
What did she have that Yvonne didn’t?
Her gaze instinctively shifted to Percy.
No matter how she measured it–looks, intelligence, presence–Percy was leagues below the man standing in front of them now.
Even fate seemed to favor Stellar.
Percy, meanwhile, stood frozen in disbelief.
He had never imagined that this man before him was Brighton Group’s CEO, the industry’s most sought–after visionary.
However, Stephen paid them no mind.
Instead, he arched a brow, his voice carrying an effortless, almost lazy confidence.
“If Stellar were really trying to latch onto someone, she wouldn’t need to look elsewhere–I’m right here. She doesn’t even spare me a glance, so why would she be interested in him?”
His remark left Yvonne, Percy, and Stellar speechless.
The murmurs in the crowd only grew.
“He’s got a point. With a man like that by her side, why would she waste time on anyone else?”
“Seriously, the Harlow heiress just threw out baseless accusations. What kind of person drags another woman’s name through
the mud like that?”
“Wasn’t she just a nobody before the Harlows took her back? And now she’s out here acting like she’s above everyone?”
“She ought to apologize! You can’t just slander someone and get away with it.”
Yvonne’s face flushed red with humiliation.
But the worst part?
Percy didn’t even defend her.
Stephen’s voice cut through the whispers again–this time, carrying a subtle, unmistakable threat.
“Apologize. Unless, of course, I should start questioning whether Mr. Harlow is capable of raising a daughter properly.
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“And if that’s the case, I’m not sure working with the Harlow family would be in Brighton Group’s best interest.”
His words were casual, but the implication was razor–sharp.
The moment it sank in, Yvonne’s stomach twisted with both shame and panic.
This man wasn’t just powerful, he was dangerous.
If she refused, who knew what kind of consequences she’d be facing?
Yvonne’s face burned crimson.
“Sorry.”
She spun on her heel and stormed away.
But as she walked off, her eyes blazed with fury.
She refused to let Stellar walk away unscathed.
If this continued, Stellar’s reputation would be completely restored in no time.
That couldn’t happen.
Someone like her didn’t deserve to move on so easily.
No, she needed to be dragged back into the mud, into the same hell Yvonne had once suffered through.
Her expression flickered, sharp and calculating, as she slipped into a quiet corner and made a discreet phone call.
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With the scene finally settled, Stellar turned toward Stephen, her gaze unreadable.
For years, she had been slandered, humiliated, and dragged through the dirt.
And in all that time, no one ever stood up for her.
Not once.
Much less forced someone to apologize.
Yet here was Stephen, someone she hadn’t even known for long, standing in front of everyone, shielding her without hesitation.
It stirred something deep in her chest.
Something unfamiliar.
Something she had long convinced herself she wouldn’t feel anymore..
Stephen really was someone worth calling a friend.
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Chapter 58
“Senior, thank you for standing up for me,” she said, her voice light but sincere.
“I only spoke the truth.”
His eyes met hers, steady and unwavering.
“You are a remarkable person. You never should have had to endure their slander in the first place.”
A soft chuckle escaped Stellar’s lips.
“But… there was one thing you got wrong.”
Stephen raised a brow. “Oh?”
She blinked at him, her expression completely earnest.
“I do look at you. In fact, I look up to you and value my relationship with you, Senior.”
Stephen stilled for a moment, caught off guard.
Then, without realizing it, the corners of his lips lifted slightly.
His mood, already good, inexplicably improved even more.
“In that case, to show just how much you value me… you should look at me a little
tle more often.”
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Stellar blinked, momentarily stunned.
She knew he was joking, his tone was light, teasing, but for some reason, the words carried a strange weight she couldn’t quite
place.
Was she imagining things?
Lately, every time she spent time with him, there was something odd in the air.
She quickly shoved the thought aside, unwilling to dwell on it, and focused on the task at hand.
Without another word, she walked over to submit their bid.
Not long after, Mark finally made his decision.
Out of all the proposals, he had narrowed it down to two.
Moore Enterprises and Brighton Group.
Personally inviting both parties into a private lounge, he gestured toward a polished wooden table where tea and refreshments had already been set.
“Both of your offers meet my expectations. So now, I’d like to hear more about your plans for the land.
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Tell me exactly how you intend to develop it–this will help me make my final decision.”
His sharp gaze flickered between the two groups, patiently waiting for their response.
Percy cast a quick, almost unreadable glance at Stephen before sitting up straighter.
This was his moment.
With practiced confidence, he launched into his prepared pitch.
He wasn’t going to lose.
He would prove to Stellar that he was just as capable and worthy.
And when she finally saw that–when she realized what she had walked away from–she would regret it and come back.
