The Heiress With Seven Secret Identies (Stella Shaw) novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36 Defending Stella’s Honor

“Thanks, Miss Shaw.”

“You’re welcome.”

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Finished

Stella stepped outside. Near the entrance, a small crowd had gathered, and they were watching her with strange expressions.

She didn’t think much of it and kept walking until Elias fell into step beside her.

“Would you like to grab dinner tonight?”

“I’ve got plans.”

A flicker of disappointment crossed his face, but he managed a warm smile. “Next time, then.”

Gideon watched the exchange, once again caught off guard.

He’d always figured Elias was the type to go after whatever he wanted, no questions asked.

Seeing him actually respect someone else’s boundaries? That was new.

“Miss Shaw, you’re trending again.”

A few classmates who couldn’t just stand by came over to fill her in.

“But I still believe you. Everyone knows Jasmine lies.”

“Yeah, Miss Shaw, we’ve got your back.”

“Like only some musical prodigy has the right to use the name Nirvana? Nobody else is allowed?”

“Stealing from a convent? People are just throwing accusations around with zero proof. Do they even know defamation is a crime?”

“Exactly! Why would Miss Shaw need to do that? She’s brilliant–she’s on full scholarship!”

“But that luxury car she drives… that’s what’s really getting people riled up.”

Hearing that, Stella paused and pulled out her phone. A message popped up instantly,

Iris was asking if she wanted to go public with her identity to shut down the noise.

Elias glanced at Gideon’s phone. The screen was flooded with hate.

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Chapter 36 Defending Stella’s Honor

[@User123: @Iris, someone’s pretending to be your friend Nirvana. Send her a cease and desist!]

[@MusicFan88: Stealing from a convent? Doesn’t she believe in karma?]

Finished

[@TruthSeeker42: Being a genius doesn’t give you a free pass. Wrong is wrong. An adjunct professor driving a Porsche? No way that’s clean money.]

[@Gossip Girl: She even drove Azure Peak Cemetery into the ground. Twenty–one, orphaned, raised in convent… how’d she get that kind of pull? Someone needs to investigate. Now.]

[@CuriousCat: I heard she prepaid decades of burial fees. Yeah, right–she was on financial aid all through school. Where’d that money come from?]

[@SkepticalSam: All those donations to Haven’s Rest Convent? Bet someone lined their pockets.]

[@FormerFan: I used to look up to her–valedictorian, stood up to her cheating ex, donated to underprivileged kids. Guess it was all for show.]

Elias‘

eyes narrowed, a cold edge creeping into his gaze. “Gideon, handle it.”

Stella looked up from her phone. “Don’t bother. I’ll deal with it myself.”

“We’re friends. Friends look out for each other. It’s only natural.”

The moment he said it, Leo and the others couldn’t help but roll their eyes.

Jax thought. I’m your actual nephew, and you’ve never once offered to help me out.

“Let them talk. I’ll shut it all down in one go. Next time someone wants to drag my name through the mud, they’ll think twice about whether they can handle the fallout.”

“Whatever you think is best.”

Elias respected that kind of no–nonsense, take–no–prisoners attitude.

“You believe me?” Stella asked, genuinely curious.

“You’re not that kind of person.”

The immediate response caught her off guard. A small smile tugged at her lips. “I should get going.”

“Let me drive you.”

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Chapter 36 Defending Stella’s Honor

Stella grinned and jingled her car keys. “I’ve got my own ride.”

This time, she didn’t stick around.

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Finished

She slid into her Porsche and drove off without looking back.

Elias watched until the car disappeared from sight.

“Elias, you’re being so soft, I barely recognize you,” Leo teased, unable to resist.

“Uncle Elias, are you sure I’m your nephew? You’ve never once looked at me like that,” Jax muttered, pinching his thigh just to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.

“Back to the office. Overtime.”

Gideon’s smile froze instantly.

He thought they were done for the day. Back to the office?

Right. Elias was still the same relentless boss. That gentle version from earlier? Reserved for Stella only.

Imperial Crest Towers.

Iris and Tess had both shown up.

“Stella, after I left last night, did Jasmine give you more trouble?”

Iris‘ fists were clenched, practically vibrating with anger.

“She didn’t get the upper hand.”

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