The Heiress With Seven Secret Identies (Stella Shaw) novel Chapter 21

21 Regrets and Miscalculations

Gideon was speechless.

Elias strode forward, his long legs eating up the distance. He didn’t even notice the small smile tugging at his lips, his sharp eyes softening, the corners crinkling slightly.

“Mr. Cross, Miss Shaw’s a math genius. She can probably clean a wound, sure. But a doctor? That’s way outside her expertise. It could be dangerous,” Gideon blurted out.

Elias shot him a glare.

Gideon clamped his mouth shut immediately.

Iam not wrong!

Miss Shawisn’t a doctor.

Why is Mr. Cross getting mad again?

Once Elias was out of earshot, Gideon suddenly smacked his forehead.

I am such an idiot!

Mr. Cross doesn’t need a doctor. He just wants an excuse to spend more time with Miss Shaw.

“Mr. Cross! Just you wait. I’ll get this done, I promise!” Gideon called after him.

Elias grinned, raising an eyebrow. “Good.”

Iris was half–reclining on the couch when Stella handed her a cup of throat–soothing drink.

She took a sip, closed her eyes, and smiled brightly, “That’s perfect!”

“I’ll handle the Harlow family myself,” Stella said.

Iris set the cup down. “I’m just worried you’ll act on impulse and regret it later. No matter how terrible he is, he’s still your father.”

“He’s not. I took a paternity test,” Stella replied flatly.

Iris froze for a second. “Really?”

“Mm–hmm.”

“Then what are we waiting for? Take him down!” Iris exclaimed.

Stella smiled, “Soon enough.”

She planned to visit White Pi Village that weekend–hoping to find something useful.

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Chapter 21 Regrets and Miscalculations

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Finished

The next day, at Azure Peak Detention Center, Derek had taken the fall for everything, and Ruby had been released on bail.

“Listen to me–go make peace with Stella. If she wants money, give it to her,” Derek ordered, eager to wrap this up quickly.

He didn’t want his past coming back to haunt him.

Stella wasn’t the naive girl she used to be. If she pressed charges, his criminal record would make it impossible for him to survive in Azure Peak City.

Stella was just a regular worker. Bribing her would be the easiest solution.

“Honey, what if she asks for an outrageous amount?” Ruby fretted.

Derek gritted his teeth. “Give it to her.”

“Jasmine, you have to hold onto Silas. With everything that’s happened, the Thornes will probably try to call off the engagement. They’re the best family you can hope to marry into,” Derek warned his daughter.

“I will, Dad,” Jasmine said, her eyes glistening with resentment.

“Honey, the cemetery managers are suing us too,” Ruby added, her voice trembling with regret.

She’d thought Stella was just a clueless country girl who’d let the grave incident slide. She’d never imagined things would spiral this far.

“Pay them off. Settle out of court,” Derek snapped. He didn’t want any more drama.

As for Stella? He’d deal with her once he was free. He’d seriously underestimated her.

“Dad… Azure Peak Cemetery went bankrupt,” Jasmine said hesitantly.

“What?” Derek’s eyes widened in shock.

“Bankrupt? How? Does Stella have that kind of power?” He couldn’t believe it.

She was just a top student–no connections, no background, nothing but a fancy job. There was no way she could pull this off.

It had to be a coincidence. Stella couldn’t possibly be behind it.

“Maybe it’s just a coincidence,” Ruby agreed, refusing to credit Stella with such a move.

“Try to settle with them anyway,” Derek ordered.

“I know, honey,” Ruby said.

After Ruby and Jasmine left, Derek’s heart sank.

He stared up at the ceiling, filled with regret.

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7:23 pm p p pp.

Chapter 21 Regrets and Miscalculations

Finished

He should’ve sent Stella back to White Pit Village years ago. The wedding gift would’ve been smaller, but at least he wouldn’t be in this mess now.

He regretted it more than anything.

At Azure Peak University, Stella only had one class that day, and she planned to leave right after.

“Miss Shaw!”

Ruby, looking haggard, approached her reluctantly. Jasmine followed, clearly unhappy. Silas‘ eyes lit up when he saw Stella–she was stunning, no denying it.

“Yes?” Stella asked coolly.

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