While Stella Sterling was on the phone with Ms. Jennings, Ariana Grant was busy looking for an "actor."
As it happened, a man not far away had been secretly watching Stella for a little while.
For so reason, he seed hesitant, his appraising gaze not quite daring to be overt. Yet, he would regularly dart a glance at Stella every few seconds.
The man was tall with very short hair, sharp brows, and bright eyes. He didn’t look very old, and he was far easier on the eyes than the flock of playboys who had tried hitting on her earlier.
He wore a baggy, unbranded white T-shirt, and on his left wrist was a Praying Bead Bracelet of so unidentifiable material.
The next ti he glanced over at Stella, Ariana called out, "Hey, handso. My best friend is gorgeous, isn’t she?"
The man’s eyes landed on Ariana. "You’re her best friend?" he asked, seeking confirmation.
Ariana gave a noncommittal shrug, getting straight to the point. "I think you’re good-looking. Want to help with a little favor? I’ll pay."
The man blinked, a disarmingly innocent look on his face, but his words were anything but. "I’m not cheap, you know."
Ariana mimicked his tone. "And I’m not short on cash, you know."
anwhile, Stella’s good mood for the day had vanished without a trace after just a few words from Ms. Jennings.
Even when Stella said nothing, Ms. Jennings was perfectly capable of carrying on a monologue.
"Who do you think Owen Rhodes is? Is he soone you can afford to ss with? He says a few polite words about you being his savior, but don’t you dare get a big head and push your luck. The Sterling Family can’t afford that kind of embarrassnt!
"Owen Rhodes is no ordinary man, so you’d better watch what you say in front of him! When you have a chance, you should invite him over to the house more. That way, you can at least say you’ve finally made a contribution to this family."
Stella had to stop herself from laughing.
It was so clearly this family that had always been taking from her, yet they twisted their words to make it sound as if she were the one constantly receiving their charity.
She took a deep breath. "Ms. Jennings, I have three things to say, and you’re going to listen. First, whatever Kiana is missing has nothing to do with . I only took what was mine. If she’s not going to use her eyes, maybe she should donate them to soone who needs them.
"Second, I have no intention of coming back, and I certainly won’t be bringing Owen Rhodes with . He owes a life-debt. What do you think would happen if I used that favor to ask him to bankrupt the Sterling Family?
"And third, don’t call again unless it’s an ergency. With all this free ti you have, I suggest you go to a hospital and get your head examined."
With that, regardless of how Madeline Jennings was roaring with rage on the other end, Stella hung up.
Perhaps it was the alcohol that gave her the courage to say all the things she’d never dared to before.
But after saying it all, she didn’t feel the catharsis she’d expected.
’I still lack experience,’ Stella thought. ’That’s why my performance was so poor.’
’I’ll just have to try harder next ti.’
Her "tactical advisor" applauded from behind. "Not bad, that’s progress! But Stella Sterling, you were having an argunt, not writing a dissertation. In a fight, you just have to go off. Who cares about your ’firstly, secondly, thirdly’? Still, not bad for today. I’ll send you so classic coback lines to study later. We’ll aim for an even better performance next ti."
Her good mood ruined, Stella listlessly forced a bitter smile for Ariana.
Just then, the man with the Praying Bead Bracelet walked over to them.
His gaze landed directly on Stella, his eyes crinkling with a smile.
"Miss Stella?"
Hearing this, Stella looked at him in confusion. "Do you know ?"
The man’s lips curved into a smile. "Of course I do."
With that, he made a show of wiping non-existent sweat from his palm on his shirt before extending a hand to Stella. "Hello, I’m Julian Chandler."
Stella didn’t take his hand. A polite but distant smile touched her lips.
"Hello. But I don’t know you."
Julian Chandler didn’t seem to mind Stella’s coldness and pressed closer with a smile.
"I’ve introduced myself, so now we know each other. Oh, right," Julian pulled out a business card and offered it to her. "I own this club. If you co back, just let know. Have fun, it’s on ."
Of course, it wouldn’t really be on him. Julian would just turn around and put it on Owen Rhodes’s tab.
Julian’s enthusiasm was a bit much; it was so intense that it was starting to unnerve Stella.
She instinctively pulled Ariana a few steps away and refused him. "I appreciate the offer, Mr. Chandler, but I prefer to pay my own way."
Julian retracted the business card and shuffled sideways, following her.
"I like a woman who keeps clear accounts, even among friends. Since you won’t take my card, Ms. Sterling, how about we exchange contact info instead? If you ever bring friends here and need anything arranged, you can just find ."
’This Julian Chandler is like glue,’ she thought.
She was getting annoyed. "Mr. Chandler, I don’t know you, and I have no intention of changing that. Please leave. I’m waiting for soone."
"Waiting for soone? Who? Where are you headed? I can give you a ride."
Stella had never t soone so persistent.
It wasn’t as if n hadn’t hit on her when she was living abroad.
Most of them would take the hint and walk away when they saw she wasn’t interested.
But occasionally, she’d run into a persistent one.
Back then, either Joel Joyce would be there to chase them off, or she’d have already pulled out her gun to offer a "greeting."
But now, Joel Joyce wasn’t here, and she didn’t have a gun.
She turned to look at Ariana, who simply shrugged, clearly enjoying the drama far too much to intervene.
"Stella."
Just then, a clear voice drifted over from nearby.
Owen Rhodes had arrived.
Overwheld with relief, Stella saw Owen Rhodes standing behind Julian. She grabbed Ariana’s hand and hurried over to him.
She whispered, tattling like a child, "That man over there won’t leave alone..."
Owen didn’t seem particularly concerned. He didn’t even glance at Julian.
Instead, his gaze fell on Ariana.
Noticing his gaze, Stella made the introduction. "Owen Rhodes, this is my best friend, Ariana Grant."
At that, Ariana smiled and extended her hand. "President Rhodes, I’ve heard so much about you. Ariana Grant, of Crestwood of Sudleigh. I never thought that by the ti we finally t, you would have already snatched my foolish best friend away."
Crestwood Group, an enterprise with a hundred-year legacy, was now in the hands of a "re girl"—or so most people said when they discussed the company.
Owen gently took her hand, his grip covering only half her palm. "President Grant, a pleasure."
"How is your health, President Rhodes? If you need, I can introduce you to a few specialists."
Stella: "..."
She frantically tugged on the corner of Ariana’s shirt, which only made Ariana’s smile widen.
"My health is excellent, but thank you for your concern."
With that, Owen finally addressed the man standing nearby. "Julian, escort President Grant back to her hotel."
"You got it, Owen."
It finally dawned on Stella. "You... know each other?"
Julian nodded ekly. "Hello, sister-in-law. I’m Julian Chandler, one of Owen’s best friends. If you need anything in the future, just give a call."
’No wonder I couldn’t get rid of him,’ she thought.
Ariana let out an ambiguous little laugh. Then, in the dim light, she "accidentally" stepped on Julian’s shoe.
"So you’re all friends. In that case, my dear friend, shouldn’t you be giving a refund?"
The stiletto heel ground rcilessly onto his toes. Julian winced in pain. "President Grant, only an idiot turns down a paying gig."
Ariana wasn’t one to be trifled with. Julian wasn’t getting off easy tonight.
Owen turned and led Stella away.
His clear voice drifted back through the air. "Next ti you run into a persistent creep like that, just call the police, understand?"
"Okay."
The creep, Julian Chandler: "..."
"And don’t follow the wrong sort of people to nightclubs. These places are no good, understand?"
"Okay."
The "wrong sort of person," Ariana Grant: "..."
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