Weekends at the training center were always a whirlwind. The schedule was far busier than on weekdays, and today was no exception. Many students were attending their final class, and the entire place buzzed with energy. For Stella, it was also a bittersweet day—a chance to see some of her students and fellow instructors for the last time.
After wrapping up her class, several children came up to her personally to say goodbye. Touched by their affection, Stella knelt to speak with them, sharing warm words and offering a few last pieces of advice before they parted ways.
The heartfelt moment was suddenly shattered by a shrill, commanding voice that rang through the center like a siren.
“Who is Ella Steele?!”
A woman burst into the room, dressed head-to-toe in high-end designer fashion. Her outfit screamed luxury—complete with a limited-edition handbag, dazzling diamond earrings, and enough makeup to turn heads from across the street. She stormed in like royalty on a warpath, eyes blazing with fury.
“I’m Ella Steele,” Stella responded, standing slowly, confused by the outburst. “Is there a problem?”
“So you’re Ella Steele?” the woman narrowed her eyes with a sneer. Without warning, she charged forward and raised her hand to slap Stella.
But Stella stepped back just in time to avoid the blow. “Someone call security!” she shouted. “There’s a madwoman here trying to attack me!”
“Madwoman?!” the woman screeched. “You’re the mad one! You’ve been fooling around with my husband, and now you dare play the victim?!”
Gasps rippled through the room. The woman tossed her head indignantly and pointed a manicured finger at Stella.
“Go ahead, call security! I want everyone to see what a shameless tramp you really are!”
Her voice rose another octave as she glanced at the group of children behind Stella.
“And to think they trusted you with teaching innocent children!” she spat. “Disgusting! You’ll poison their minds for sure! What parent in their right mind would allow that? You filthy fraud!”
By now, a crowd had begun to gather. Colleagues and parents alike were watching with disapproving eyes, and the murmur of gossip grew louder. Stella’s reputation—built on professionalism and trust—was unraveling in mere seconds.
Among the crowd, Joyce Duxton stood silently, her arms folded smugly as she watched the chaos unfold with thinly veiled satisfaction.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?” the woman shouted, growing even more incensed at Stella’s silence. “What? Cat got your tongue? Is that how you seduced my husband—by playing innocent?!”
“I don’t even know who your husband is!” Stella finally replied, voice trembling but firm. “You must be mistaken. I’ve never—”
“Mistaken?!” the woman snapped. She yanked out her phone and shoved it toward Stella’s face. “Explain this! These filthy messages—aren’t they from you? You’re Ella Steele, aren’t you? Stop pretending! You might have tricked some pathetic men, but I’m not one of them!”
Stella glanced at the screen. The messages were graphic, vulgar—completely inappropriate. And yet… the number. Something about it looked familiar. She fumbled to pull out her own phone, quickly checking her contacts.
Her stomach dropped.
It was Mr. Smith—Ruby’s father. One of her students.
“You’ve got this all wrong, Mrs. Smith!” Stella said quickly. “I’m Ruby’s tutor, nothing more. I’ve never—”
“WHAT?” Mrs. Smith screamed, her voice cracking with fury. “You’ve been sneaking around with my husband while tutoring my daughter?! You shameless witch! What kind of monster are you? Corrupting children while seducing their fathers? You’re the lowest of the low!”
Her words were vicious and relentless, venomous with every syllable. Stella turned pale as the insults kept pouring out, and the whispers around her grew louder. Eyes narrowed. Fingers pointed.
And in the background, Joyce watched it all with a gleam in her eyes, relishing the moment she’d been waiting for.
“Let’s see how smug you are now, Ella,” she thought coldly, a wicked smile tugging at her lips.
Skip to content