chapter 3

The moment Stella stepped out of the company, she saw Lillian getting out of a car.

Ethan’s assistant, Jason Harrison, personally held the door open for her. Lillian handed him several shopping bags.

"Distribute these to the secretarial department." She carried herself like a proper lady of the house.

Jason took them respectfully. "Thank you, Miss Lillian."

Lillian gave him a soft nod, then turned—and her eyes met Stella’s.

Stella narrowed her gaze.

Lillian froze for a split second, then walked over with a warm smile. "Stella."

Her voice was gentle, like that of an understanding older sister.

Back when the Reed family had found Stella, they told her that Lillian was older than her—by one hour.

This softness in Lillian’s voice was for Jason’s ears.

But the look in her eyes? Pure provocation.

She lowered her voice as she reached Stella. "You’re his fiancée, yet he sent me here to find him. Tell me, where does that put you?"

Stella’s expression turned cold. She let out a quiet laugh. "As long as I want, I can have any position I want in the Keene family. But you? Besides showing up at his office, can you go anywhere else in the Keene household?"

Lillian’s face stiffened, and her gaze turned venomous.

Obviously not. The Keene family elders would never allow it.

Her reaction made Stella quite satisfied.

Lillian glared at her. "Don’t get too full of yourself. As long as I’m here, you’ll never have that wedding."

Stella smiled, completely unbothered. "You do realize there’s more than one man in this world, right? It’s not like I have to marry him."

A man like Ethan—clinging to an unattainable love? No thanks. Might as well end it early.

Lillian’s expression stiffened. "What do you mean?"

She stared at Stella in disbelief. Didn’t she love Ethan? Two years ago, she had fought so hard—so what was with this nonchalant act now? Was she faking it?

Stella smirked. "What’s not to understand? If I lose Ethan, I can find another man. But you? He’s the only one willing to marry you, and yet he still won’t give you a grand wedding."

Lillian already looked bad, but after hearing that, she was seething. The fake sweetness on her face shattered, and Stella couldn’t be more pleased.

Did Lillian really think she could get away with this? It looked like she had forgotten how Stella had put her in her place a couple of years ago.

Stella was not interested in wasting more time with her. She turned to leave.

But of course, Lillian had to pull her usual tricks. She suddenly grabbed Stella’s wrist. "Stella, I only came back for medical treatment. I never wanted to ruin your relationship with Ethan. Don’t misunderstand me, okay?"

"Let go."

The moment Lillian touched her, disgust flashed across Stella’s face. She only meant to pull her hand back, but somehow—

Smack!

Lillian went crashing to the ground.

The sound was awful, like a wet sandbag hitting the pavement. Just from the noise alone, anyone could tell it was a nasty fall.

Before Stella could even react—

A furious voice rang out from not far away. "Stella!"

Well, that explained the sudden dramatics. No wonder Lillian had gone all out with the theatrics—her biggest fan had just arrived.

Stella looked down at the pitifully sprawled-out Lillian, then glanced at the fountain near the building entrance.

A slow smile spread across her lips.

She stepped forward, grabbed a handful of Lillian’s hair, and yanked.

Lillian let out a sharp scream. "Ah—!"

Splash!

Lillian’s face was shoved into the freezing water. Her chest slammed against the edge of the fountain, pain shooting through her ribs. A suffocating pressure filled her lungs as the air was yanked from her body. She flailed wildly, struggling for breath.

Stella’s face remained cold as she pressed down hard on the back of Lillian’s head, not giving her even a sliver of air.

Lillian wanted to put on a show?

Then fine, let’s make it real.

"Help! Ah—!"

The second Stella pulled her up, Lillian shrieked for help.

But it was only for a moment.

Because Stella shoved her straight back into the water.

She wouldn’t kill her—but she’d make her wish she was dead.

Again and again, Lillian flailed helplessly.

Not far away, Ethan finally reached them, his voice thundering in anger. "Stella, are you insane?"

Lillian felt like her chest was going to explode. Her lungs screamed in pain as she thrashed desperately.

Ethan stormed forward, shoving Stella aside and pulling Lillian out of the fountain.

Lillian was completely drenched, shivering from head to toe. Ethan’s eyes were full of concern. "Are you okay?"

Lillian’s face was pale as she coughed uncontrollably, her lungs burning. "I… ugh…"

She looked up at Ethan with teary eyes, barely able to form a complete sentence.

Ethan’s gaze turned ice-cold as he looked at Stella.

But Stella didn’t hesitate.

She stepped forward and stomped down—hard—on Lillian’s ankle.

Lillian screamed. "Ah—!"

Ethan was furious. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

She dared to attack Lillian right in front of him?

Angry, he shoved Stella back.

She barely stumbled, then stepped forward again and swung her purse—smashing it straight into Ethan’s head.

His vision blurred for a second as rage flared in his eyes.

This woman…

Before he could react, Stella kicked Lillian’s leg several more times.

Lillian could barely breathe, and now her legs were swelling up too.