Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 17

Besides, who wants to air their dirty laundry for the world to see?

No one can truly empathize; they just turn your pain into gossip.

Your misfortune merely satisfies their curiosity.

Cecilia fell silent, then wrapped her arms around Stephanie, her eyes full of sympathy. “Oh, my sweet Stephanie, my heart breaks for you…”

After the car crash that killed Mr. Jackson and her two older brothers, Stephanie was left to hold the massive Jackson family legacy together all by herself.

If they were still alive, they would never stand to see the little princess they had doted on be bullied like this.

“So, what are your plans now?” Cecilia asked. “By the way, does your mother… know about this?”

“Focus on work, of course. I can’t just give up on life because of one failed relationship. My father didn’t raise a girl who throws her life away for a man.”

Stephanie managed a small smile, grabbing a throw pillow from the sofa and hugging it to her chest, resting her cheek against it.

“As for my mother…” She looked down. “She probably doesn’t care much about what happens to me. I’d rather not bother her with it.”

The mention of her mother brought a clear look of disappointment to Stephanie’s face. Cecilia wanted to say something more but held back, not wanting to upset her further.

The two friends talked late into the night, drifting from matters of the heart to the latest celebrity gossip.

Eventually, they fell asleep talking.

Stephanie’s sleep was restless, filled with dreams.

In her dream, she was small and alone in the dark, with nowhere to go. Then Quennel took her hand, his smile gentle. “Stephanie, this will be your room from now on.”

The scene shifted to her eighteenth birthday party. She was descending a grand spiral staircase in a beautiful gown and crystal-heeled shoes. Quennel, dressed in a sharp suit, left his friends to greet her.

“Stephanie, be my girlfriend. I’ll cherish you for the rest of my life…”

Their friends started cheering, and Stephanie’s face flushed crimson…

Then, the dream shifted again to tonight. Quennel stood in front of another woman, his expression cold as he shielded Victoria from her, afraid she might get hurt.

“Stephanie, where did you go? Why didn’t you come home last night?”

It was Quennel. The moment Stephanie heard his voice, she hung up.

A few seconds later, he called again. This time, Stephanie didn’t even answer.

She was about to block his number when a text message came through:

[Stephanie, don’t make me worry. Are you at Cecilia’s? I’m coming to get you.]

It was clear she couldn’t stay with her friend long-term without disrupting her life.

Stephanie quickly got dressed and left. On the way, she spotted a real estate agency and walked in. “Hello, I’d like to sell a property.”

The multi-million dollar mansion, a gift from the Gonzalez family, was listed online by Stephanie for half its value.

It was a wedding gift from his family, so she hadn't paid a dime. Whatever it sold for was pure profit, and cashing out was better than letting it sit empty. She was never going back there anyway.