He Never Noticed Me Until I Loved Someone Else novel Chapter 272

The accusation hit Stella like a physical blow, instantly deflating her righteous anger.

A wave of intense humiliation washed over her.

She wanted to scream that she and Jarrod had no real feelings for each other, that she had simply acted on impulse that night.

But she could hardly blurt that out right in front of Jarrod. Furthermore, Lucca was right—she hadn't given a single thought to her husband's dignity, inadvertently making him the subject of vicious high-society gossip.

"My wife is simply trying to protect her best friend, not lecture you."

Jarrod smoothly wrapped an arm around Stella, pulling her securely to his side as his indifferent gaze swept over Lucca.

"As for that momentary lapse in judgment you mentioned, that was a long time ago. Besides, my own shortcomings drove her to prioritize someone else in that instance, so the blame doesn't rest entirely on her shoulders. I certainly didn't feel my pride was damaged. What happened then is entirely irrelevant to your current mess.

So, Mr. Sterling, I suggest you stop making a scene."

An indescribable emotion swelled in Stella's chest.

She had fully braced herself for Jarrod to explode in anger at Lucca's reminder. After all, in the aftermath of that island incident, every time she had tried to speak to him, he had looked ready to wring her neck.

Yet here he was, not only defending her in public but actually taking part of the blame?

Lucca clearly hadn't anticipated Jarrod stepping up like that. He hesitated. Glancing back at Summer, who was heavily slumped against Stella in a drunken stupor, a sliver of genuine guilt finally pierced his ego.

"Fine. You're a bigger man than I am, Mr. Fuller."

Backing down, Lucca stepped closer to Summer, his voice dropping to a gentle whisper. "Summer, I'll come pick you up tomorrow when you've slept this off."

Summer kept her eyes squeezed shut, refusing to acknowledge him. Taking the hint, Lucca turned on his heel and walked away into the night without another word.

Jarrod's defense echoed so loudly in Stella's mind that she remained rooted to the pavement long after Lucca’s car had disappeared.

Jarrod looked down at her, then over at the nearly unconscious Summer. "Come on. My car is just ahead. I'll drive you both back."

Stella finally snapped out of her daze.

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