The Heiress With Seven Secret Identies (Stella Shaw) novel Chapter 2

"Boss, over here!"

Tess Marlow swung open the passenger door, waving Stella over. The black Jeep Wrangler roared away, kicking up dust.

Ring... ring...

Stella glanced at the screen and answered, her tone respectful. "Mr. Voss."

"You're coming to Azure Peak City?"

A flicker of confusion crossed Stella's eyes. "How did you know, Mr. Voss?"

"It's all over the city. People are saying a young nun left her convent to ruin someone's relationship," Julian fumed. "That Derek is a monster. He's letting it happen just to set Jasmine up with Silas. He doesn't deserve to be your father."

"Mr. Voss, don't get worked up. He's not worth it," Stella said calmly. She'd grown used to Derek's neglect—her heart was too broken to feel anything else.

"Stella, since you're coming, why not teach at Azure Peak University?" Julian offered.

"I'll think about it."

"I'll have an office ready for you," Julian rushed out, hanging up before she could decline.

A faint, mocking smile tugged at Stella's lips. When Silas was four, he'd been kidnapped. Her mother had saved his life. To repay the debt, Arthur Thorne had arranged their engagement. Now the Thornes were not only ungrateful—they were spreading lies about her.

Stella never let anyone walk all over her.

"Boss, you're getting cyberbullied," Tess said, glancing at her phone at a red light.

"Keep it going," Stella replied.

"Huh?"

A cold smile curved Stella's lips. "We need more people watching. This show isn't exciting enough yet."

"Got it." Tess nodded. She knew someone was about to get hurt.

"First, take me to the cemetery."

"Sure thing."

Stella closed her eyes, replaying what she knew about her parents' relationship.

—

Gideon returned, nervous.

Elias leaned forward, eager. "What's her name?"

Gideon blinked, tongue-tied.

"Did you get her contact info?" Elias pressed. He'd never doubted Gideon's skills. But this time, he was disappointed.

Leo raised an eyebrow. Elias was never this worked up. It was a first.

"Mr. Cross, I didn't see anyone," Gideon admitted.

Elias' excitement faded instantly.

"Aren't you a sprint champion?" Leo teased, though he felt bad for his friend.

Elias' injuries had been severe. Yet a few needles and a pill had turned things around. As a doctor, Leo was dying to meet the person who'd helped him.

"Mr. Cross, what did she look like? I'll find her right away," Gideon insisted. He was confident—no one in Azure Peak City could hide from him.

"She's around twenty, about five-foot-seven. Pale skin, long straight hair—shiny and healthy," Elias described. He paused. "She's the most beautiful woman in Azure Peak City. Breathtaking."

Gideon and Leo stared, stunned.

"A woman?" they blurted in unison.

Elias nodded, calm. "Well? Go find her."

"Right away, Mr. Cross! I won't let you down," Gideon said, hurrying to make calls.

Leo looked at his friend with a smirk. "Elias, are you smitten?"

"If I wasn't, I'd be dead," Elias replied, closing his eyes. He was either too tired or just didn't want to talk about it.

Leo rolled his eyes. Elias had never cared about women's looks. He'd called countless beautiful women "ugly." Leo had even wondered if his friend had bad taste. Now he was dying to see this mystery woman.

—

At Azure Peak Cemetery, Stella froze. Her mother's grave had a "for resale" notice taped to it.

What's going on?

People said Miss Harlow was ugly and mean. But anyone who called her ugly was blind.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify