Heiress Returns Family Shocks (Nina Swanson) novel Chapter 178

Chapter 178 Compensation

“If you pretend to be a waiter, I can get you in,” Stella said.

Bradly felt a surge of anger and humiliation. He wanted to say no, but then remembered this summit was his company’s one chance to make it.

With no other options left, Bradly swallowed his pride in front of Stella. “I can pretend to be a waiter. Can you really get me in?”

If Stella was making this demand, it meant she had a way to get him inside.

Bradly looked at Stella, his eyes practically begging her.

For a split second, their eyes met, and Stella felt herself zone out.

Even though they were divorced, and she knew she shouldn’t feel any sympathy for him.

But when he stared at her with those watery eyes, Stella couldn’t help it. All those old memories came rushing back.

Yet the more she remembered, the more bitterly ironic it all felt.

Deep down, she’d already accepted her feelings for Milford, so there was no way a few memories would stir up anything for Bradly now.

In her heels, Stella was almost as tall as Bradly, but she looked down on him with a sense of superiority. “Of course,” she replied.

“Come on, let’s head to the back kitchen,” she said.

Stella walked ahead, and she could hear Bradly’s footsteps following close behind.

She didn’t feel a thing.

Everything with Bradly was done and dusted the moment they got divorced.

But with Bradly following close behind, his frequent glances made Stella feel uneasy.

“This is the kitchen. I’ll go find you a uniform, then you just pretend to be a waiter and you’ll be fine,” Stella said.

When she spoke again, her tone was unexpectedly gentle.

No matter how she said it, it just sounded ironic to Bradly. “Did you come here with Milford today?” he asked.

“Who else would I come with? Didn’t you see the news about him coming to the banquet?” Stella replied.

Bradly suddenly balled his fists at his sides.

Knowing the truth just made it sting even more.

Stella walked away without another word.

After Bradly changed into his uniform and joined the other waiters as he stepped out, he caught sight of the two of them across the room.

Stella was nestled close to Milford, and he stuck by her side the whole time. They were practically glued together.

During the break, Milford made sure Stella got a stomach–friendly meal.

“Your stomach’s only just recovered, so watch what you eat. A little flavor’s fine, but don’t go eating anything and everything again,” Milford reminded her.

Ever since the start of the year, it felt like Stella just couldn’t catch a break.

Every time Milford thought about it, his heart would clench.

That was why he was extra careful with everything when it came to Stella.

Stella looked at him, a little embarrassed. “Everyone else is eating the same thing. Did you get this just for me?”

There was all kinds of food at the banquet, but set meals weren’t something you saw every day.

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Chapter 178 Compensation

Milford nodded. “It’s no trouble at all.”

But honestly, having a meal prepared just for her made Stella feel truly cared for.

At least for now, she was in a good mood.

As they sat together, enjoying their stomach–friendly meal, Bradly couldn’t help but watch them from across

the room.

Stella looked absolutely radiant.

Thinking about how she’d walked in with her head held high earlier, Bradly felt a rush of something he couldn’t quite name.

Watching Milford and Stella together, Bradly felt a strange mix of emotions he couldn’t quite name.

One thing was clear: they were a lot closer now than before.

Just thinking about what might be going on between them, Bradly felt jealousy threatening to eat him alive.

His ex–wife was right there, by another man’s side.

But they were divorced now. Whatever Stella did was her own business.

Bradly really had no business getting involved anymore.

But once jealousy started burning in his chest, it was enough to scorch every last bit of reason.

A moment later, Bradly glanced at the shiny floor nearby, and a wicked idea popped into his head.

He walked over and deliberately mopped the floor with water mixed with a ton of dish soap.

Stella and Milford were just a short distance away, but at that moment, another waiter pushing a cart happened to pass by, blocking Bradly from view.

No one caught the sneaky move Bradly just made.

After soaking the floor, Bradly headed back to his spot and watched every move Stella and Milford made from a distance.

Stella finished her meal but didn’t get up right away.

Instead, a well–dressed, heavyset man strolled over, and the moment he stepped onto the slick floor, he wiped out spectacularly.

Everyone nearby started freaking out, gasping and shouting as the guy hit the floor.

From the chatter around him, Bradly finally realized that the guy who just went down was actually the CEO hosting the whole banquet.

He’d meant to mess with Milford and Stella, but now he’d ended up screwing over the boss instead.

Bradly’s heart skipped a beat as he quickly ducked to the side, trying.to blend in and stay out of sight.

People were gossiping all around him, saying the CEO already had a herniated disc, and now that he’d taken a spill, he was being rushed straight to the hospital.

Hearing all that, Bradly felt even more anxious.

‘How did things end up like this?‘ he thought, panic rising in his chest.

Less than half an hour later, a man’s voice rang out from the crowd.

“Who was in charge of cleaning this area? This floor is way too slippery!”

Everyone went quiet, not daring to say a word as the boss started looking for someone to blame. That was when Stella spoke up, her voice clear and almost innocent. “The waiter responsible for this area is Bradly Woodard over there.”

Right in front of everyone, Stella sweetly and calmly called out her ex–husband without a hint of hesitation. All eyes were on Bradly now.

Most folks here knew Bradly.

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Chapter 178 Compensation

His company had made a splash, and he and Stella were always seen together as the perfect couple.

But after the divorce, Bradly’s reputation was in tatters.

Now, with Stella calling him out in front of everyone, people looked from her to Bradly, then over to Milford

standing off to the side, and started whispering among themselves.

People had already seen Milford and Stella come in together, so now everyone was wondering what was really going on.

Hearing all the murmurs around him, Bradly’s pride couldn’t take it anymore.

He spoke up immediately. “Yes, it was me. I’ll take responsibility and cover the costs.”

Before anyone could react, he took off his waiter’s hat and walked straight out.

Someone would get in touch with him and send him the bill anyway.

The CEO really did send Bradly the bill.

Seeing that seven–figure compensation, Bradly felt like his brain was about to explode.

He was already flat broke, not a dime to his name. With no other options, he turned to Shanna and said, “How about we sell that house I bought you? Just for now.”

Bradly promised, “Once the company gets back on its feet, I’ll buy you a new place, and then we’ll get married.”

Shanna had been stressing about this for ages, but when Bradly finally said it out loud, she just stared at him, eyes wide in shock.

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