Queen of Wild Cards novel Chapter 206

After all, you're both young and might find it easier to communicate. I didn't mean anything else by it, so please don't misunderstand."

"Understood, I won't overthink it. Thank you, Grandpa Orville. I'll take my leave now. Take care of yourself."

With that, Stella finally departed.

Steward followed her out.

"You don't need to see me out, Mr. Shipley. I can walk myself." Stella tried to stop him.

"Ms. Todd, do you really hate me that much? You won't even give me your number?" He had never been so blatantly rejected by a woman in his life.

Stella answered honestly, "I wouldn't say I hate you, but I definitely don't like you either."

"Why?" Steward was genuinely hurt. He was used to women fawning over him, not the other way around.

"No particular reason. I'm already married, so I'm not interested in other men."

Hopefully, that would soothe his bruised ego a bit. It wasn't a lie—she was, in fact, married.

She figured the man had probably never been rejected by a woman before, especially not by someone dressed as a plain Jane like her. His pride was undoubtedly wounded, which was why he was being so relentless.

If he knew that Vernon Lowell had even taken a punch from her, he might feel a little better, but she couldn't say that.

"Seriously? You don't look very old. You got married that early? You're not just making this up, are you?"

He did feel slightly better. So her refusal had nothing to do with him; it was because she was taken.

"It's true. Why would I lie? I'm leaving."

After finishing her sentence at the door, Stella turned to leave. But as she stepped forward, her foot caught on a stray banana peel. Her center of gravity shifted, and she was about to go tumbling down.

She fought to stabilize herself, refusing to end up sprawled on her back in front of Steward.

With quick reflexes, Steward reached out and caught her.

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