The Heiress With Seven Secret Identies (Stella Shaw) novel Chapter 53

Chapter 53 Enjoying the Bitter Feast

“He fell on his own. Everyone saw it. So don’t come crying to me later.”

Stella held her hands up, palms out, and gave a small shrug.

“Stella, you obviously hit him!”

Jasmine’s voice cut through the room, shrill and desperate.

But no matter how loudly they protested, Derek was still led away in cuffs.

Finish

“You can’t do this! I never trafficked anyone–I just took Luna in when she had nowhere else to go. I didn‘ kill her either, I swear. I gave her a roof over her head. Since when is that a crime?”

Derek was terrified now, tears streaming down his face as he pleaded. But when he caught the look on Stella’s face–calm, certain, almost triumphant–his panic spiked.

Stella turned to the Thorne family, her expression carefully neutral, a polite smile fixed in place. “Since th Thorne family spent twenty–five million to have me at this wedding, it would be rude of me to leave before dinner.”

She walked calmly to her assigned table.

To be fair, the Thorne family had really gone all out for her. They’d put her at the head table.

She and Iris sat there eating and drinking like nothing had happened.

The other guests exchanged awkward glances, unsure whether to sit down for the meal or make a quiet exit.

Arthur’s face had gone pale. “What the hell happened with Derek?”

Ruby’s backside was still bleeding–standing hurt, sitting hurt. She wanted to go get patched up, but Arthur wasn’t done with her.

‘It’s a misunderstanding.”

‘A misunderstanding? The cops don’t just drag people away for no reason. Not at a Thorne family event.”

Ruby shrank under his gaze, too scared to speak. She just stood there in front of the Thornes, hands pressed awkwardly against her backside, looking like a scolded child.

“Arthur. We have to call off the engagement.”

Elaine’s voice was flat. She wanted nothing to do with the Harlows after this. The farther away, the better.

“No. We can’t. Silas and I love each other.”

Jasmine’s eyes glistened as she looked at them, but the Thornes seemed completely indifferent to her distress.

7:51 am

PPPP

Chapter 53 Enjoying the Bitter Feast

Finished

Zach glanced at the guests who had clearly stayed for the spectacle. All he wanted was to contain the damage. “Dad. Let’s dismiss everyone for now.”

“And waste all this food? It’s already served. We paid for it.”

Ruby’s protest earned her nothing but disgusted looks from the Thornes.

Arthur swallowed his pride and made his way to the stage. He smoothed his expression into something resembling composure, as if the last hour hadn’t happened.

“Thank you all for coming tonight to celebrate with our family. Dinner is served–please, take your seats, enjoy the meal, and have a wonderful evening.

“Also, the Thorne family will not be accepting any gifts tonight.

“A toast to all of you.”

He raised his glass, a polished smile on his face.

For the Thorne and Harlow families, every bite tasted like cardboard. The only person at that table who actually seemed to enjoy the meal was Stella.

Meanwhile, the internet had completely lost it.

[UserA: Wait, what’s happening? Did the stream die?]

[UserB: Anyone actually there? Give us an update.]

[UserC: I’m here. Derek got arrested. Haven’t seen the rest.]

[UserD: I’m literally hiding in the parking lot just hoping to catch a glimpse of Nirvana.]

[UserE: As a woman, I’m saying this loud: Derek deserves the worst. Everyone in White Pit Village involved in trafficking should rot. And anyone who knew and stayed quiet, or helped keep those women trapped? They should pay too.]

UserF: Can we just make Stella person of the year already? I’m honestly about to cry. She didn’t have to help those girls. But she fought for them. And she even gave them expensive medicine afterward.]

UserG: For real. Last time, Stella donated her breakup money to our town. I got one of her scholarships. I was about to drop out of high school. Now I’m still in school because of her.]

UserH: Someone tell Nirvana: You’re not alone. There are thousands of women behind you.]

[Userl: Death penalty for Derek. Death penalty for Derek. RT if you agree.]

Back at the banquet, the most uncomfortable people at the head table were Jasmine and the Thornes-

ere stuck sitting with Stella.

be

sing her glass to them. It was like adding insult to injury.

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