Guinevere’s eyes swept over Stella’s expensive dress, and a smug expression spread across her face. It was as if she had just come to a realization. “Yvonne is indeed generous. Her family owns an haute couture production line, and those garments can’t be bought even if you have the money. She’s a candid and righteous person. Having friends like her would save you a lot of trouble and bring many benefits.”
Stella’s eyes flickered as she turned toward Guinevere, her voice steady but with an edge. “Sorry, but were you trying to imply it was me?”
Guinevere was momentarily stunned, not expecting Stella to confront her so directly. She recovered quickly, taking a step forward and leaning in closer to Stella. “I’m just casually chatting, making a passing remark about Yvonne. I didn’t expect you to take it personally.” She smiled, but the gesture seemed more practiced than sincere. “Don’t take it to heart. I wasn’t referring to you. If I made you misunderstand, I apologize.”
Stella’s lips twitched, but she didn’t allow herself to smile. She clenched her fists, then released them slowly. “There’s no need for an apology. I just hope you won’t say such misleading things in the future.”
Guinevere’s face darkened as her smile vanished. She flung Stella’s arm away with a sneer. Stella turned to leave but paused mid-step, an idea forming in her mind. She turned back to face Guinevere. “Ms. Cohen, I’m someone who doesn’t like to beat around the bush. After all, I don’t know you, and this is my first time seeing you. If you have any thoughts or opinions about me, please feel free to make them clear. Otherwise, I’ll be clueless as to how I’ve offended you.”
Guinevere’s brows shot up in surprise. “Why do you think you’ve offended me?” She said this with an air of condescension, implying that Stella wasn’t even worth being offended by in the first place.
Stella pursed her lips. “I know I resemble someone you used to know. I don’t know how much I look like her, but Yvonne keeps mentioning her, so it seems we do. I don’t know what history or grudges you share with her, but forgive me, Ms. Cohen, I don’t know you. I suggest you don’t take out your anger on me for something that happened with her. I won’t just stand there and take it.”
Her words were quick, but not dismissive—she wanted to make it clear that she was drawing a firm line between herself and the woman from the past, Stella Sealey.
Guinevere, having been in the entertainment world for years, wasn’t one to trust people easily. Her eyes narrowed as she studied Stella. A cold glint flashed behind them as she spoke. “I did have some issues with the woman you resemble. But I wouldn’t call it a grudge. She was simply a woman who overestimated herself and tried to seduce Weston. Honestly, I can’t even remember what she looked like. I only recalled her existence when I saw you.”
Stella’s gaze sharpened, but she forced herself to remain calm, her curiosity piqued. “I see. What happened to that woman in the end?”
Guinevere seemed to draw the memories out slowly, her voice languid. “What happened to her?” she echoed. “I think she failed in the end and… committed suicide by jumping off a building. It’s been almost a year now, so I don’t really remember the details. Weston and I were helpless in the situation. Women were always throwing themselves at him, but she was the first one to go that far.” She frowned. “I don’t understand women these days. Why would they throw themselves at men who are already married and have families?”
Guinevere’s eyes remained fixed on Stella, trying to gauge her reaction. But Stella’s expression remained neutral as she smiled back at Guinevere. “Yeah, why do such women exist? Why would they try to force an already married man to divorce his wife?”
Guinevere paused, as though recalling something. Back then, Stella had been married to Weston.
Stella, sensing the subtle shift in Guinevere’s face, smiled inwardly. “There’s still something I don’t understand. Why is it, when a man is clearly at fault, that women always like to shift the blame to other women? Especially when they know the other woman is innocent. They accuse women of seducing their men and ruining their relationships, but then they turn back to the very men who wronged them and act like nothing happened, becoming all lovey-dovey again…”
Stella stood tall and shook her head. “Not everyone is like you, Ms. Cohen. Not everyone sees Mr. Ford as some kind of precious treasure.”
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