Yvonne didn’t press Stella further, but she couldn’t shake the hesitation in her gaze. She seemed to be weighing whether or not to voice what was on her mind.
Stella, sensing this, decided to ease the tension. She didn’t want Yvonne to feel awkward, so she spoke up first.
“If you want to ask me anything,” she said, “just ask. I won’t hide anything from you.”
Seeing Stella’s openness, Yvonne decided there was no point in dancing around the subject. “So, are you and Weston…?” she trailed off, studying Stella’s face with a serious look.
Stella didn’t answer right away, offering only a smile. But it wasn’t a smile of joy. It was hollow, almost resigned.
Yvonne immediately understood the unspoken words.
“How dare he!” she snapped, her voice sharp with anger.
Stella shook her head, her expression softening as she reached for Yvonne’s hand. Her face had gone pale. “Please, don’t worry about me, okay?” she pleaded. “I don’t want to drag you into this.”
“But how could I not worry?” Yvonne shot back. “You’re my friend! How can I just stand by and watch him push you around?”
“I know you’re worried about me,” Stella said quietly, her voice hoarse, her head lowered. “And I’m grateful for it. But someone like Weston Ford… I can’t involve you. He’ll definitely drag you into trouble.”
“Let’s see if he dares!” Yvonne snarled. “My family won’t take it lying down!”
Stella sighed, her gaze distant. “Would you really want your family to clash with the Ford family just because of someone like me?” she asked softly. “It’s not worth it, Yvonne.”
She knew Yvonne’s anger was driven by loyalty and concern, but the world wasn’t as simple as that. While Yvonne’s desire to help was heartwarming, Stella couldn’t afford to have her friend embroiled in her mess.
Yvonne, feeling the weight of the conversation, walked over to the water cooler. She poured herself a glass and took a few sips. As she drank, her anger seemed to subside.
“I’m really curious, though,” she said, her voice more measured now. “Isn’t Weston Ford about to marry Guinevere Cohen? I heard people saying he took her to the doctor for a premarital exam. What is wrong with him? He’s clearly a two-faced hypocrite!”
Stella’s response was a quiet silence. Her eyes seemed distant, her thoughts far away.
When she heard that Weston had taken Guinevere for a premarital exam, a small, bitter smirk tugged at the corner of Stella’s lips, though it never fully formed. How disgusting, she thought. He pretended to be the doting lover with Guinevere, while forcing Stella to stay in his house behind her back. How had she not seen how shameless he was before?
Stella closed her eyes, memories flashing through her mind. She thought of the argument between Justin and Tina at the restaurant yesterday, their panic when they realized Bryce was missing. She let out a heavy sigh.
“Yvonne,” she said quietly, “I’d like to resign…”
Yvonne froze, stunned into silence. It took a few seconds for her to regain her composure. “No!” she replied firmly, shaking her head. “I won’t allow it!”
As Stella left Yvonne’s office, she bumped into Joyce Duxton. Joyce flinched in surprise when the door opened, but quickly regained her composure. When their eyes met, Joyce straightened her posture and snapped, “What are you looking at?”
Stella met her gaze coolly but said nothing. Joyce had probably been eavesdropping, but the thick, soundproof walls ensured she couldn’t have heard the conversation. Stella had no desire to engage with her, so she turned and walked away.
Joyce, offended by being ignored, chased after Stella, frowning. “Didn’t you hear me talking to you?” she demanded. “Do you have a problem with me? You’ve always ignored me when I’m speaking to you—”
Stella abruptly stopped and turned around, her gaze freezing. “We’re all adults here, Joyce,” she began, her tone icy. “I don’t want to be blunt and hurt your feelings, but you know exactly what your intentions are. I’m not going to pretend to be something I’m not. I don’t have the time or the interest to play games with you.”
With that, Stella turned and walked away, leaving Joyce standing there, stunned and speechless. The image of Stella’s cold stare lingered in Joyce’s mind long after she had gone.
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