The Heiress With Seven Secret Identies (Stella Shaw) novel Chapter 75

Chapter 75 Comfort by the River

“Ring…”

Ruby picked up the phone, her annoyance obvious.

The second she heard Derek was hurt, panic took over.

“We have to go. Your dad got beaten up.”

“I thought he was in holding?”

“Just move!”

Ruby and Jasmine rushed out the door to the hospital.

+5 Pearls

A black Rolls–Royce sat parked along the river.

Stella had been sitting on the bank for a while now, her eyes steady on the water as it caught the last of the light.

The sunset painted her face soft gold, making her skin look almost translucent.

“Ring…”

She answered the call, her expression flat, like she’d switched into autopilot.

“Stella, just let me handle Jasmine already. That girl must’ve been a professional rumor–starter in a past life.”

Tess‘ voice crackled through, hot with frustration.

“What now?”

“She’s out here saying you faked the whole thing about being Mr. Cross‘ woman. Claims you bought bots, staged the hate comments, the works. According to her, you only got this far by pretending to be with him. I’m seriously over it.”

Stella glanced over at Elias without thinking. He was on a call too, and just then turned to look her way, offering a small smile.

“You want me to shut her up?”

“We’ll handle it after the hearing.”

“Also, Derek’s in the hospital. Pretty sure he staged it–trying to get out on medical parole so he can run.”

No point in hiding it. “I’m the reason he’s there.”

“Wait, what?”

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Chapter 75 Comfort by the River

+5 Pearls

“I put him in the hospital.”

Tess blinked, then let out a surprised laugh. “Nice. Guess I’ll go cozy up to the Cross Group lawyers. Might need them again.”

“What’s wrong with our lawyers?”

“Theirs don’t lose. And Stella–he saved your life. Don’t overthink asking him for favors.”

“Get ready. We’re heading to Shaw Estate tomorrow.”

“Got it.”

Right as she hung up, Elias handed her a cup of hot latte.

“About everything online-”

She took a sip, looking up. “What do you want to do?”

“I want everyone to know that I’m the one trying to be yours. That I’m the one pursuing you. As for the people spreading lies–they’ll be hearing from our lawyers. And the one who started it? She can sit in holding and think about what she did.”

“Okay. I’ll follow your lead.”

Elias paused for half a second, then smiled.

Stella watched him and had to admit–it was a good smile. Warm. It made her chest tighten, just a little. She let herself smile back.

“I’ll be there with you the day after tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

They stayed there, side by side, watching the sun sink until the sky went dark.

*****

Imperial Crest Towers.

“Get some rest. Things will work out.”

Elias reached over, gently brushing a hand through her hair.

“See you

“Yeah.”

soon.”

He waited until she was inside.

The second he turned, the warmth left his face.

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Chapter 75 Comfort by the River

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He didn’t know why she’d gone off like she did today–but he didn’t need to. He’d back her anyway.

“Mr. Cross.”

“Get our legal team on it. Whoever’s targeting her–I want it handled.”

Gideon nodded. “Understood.”

“And the announcement?”

“By nine tonight, the whole city will know you’re pursuing Miss Shaw.”

“Post someone at the hospital. Make sure Derek doesn’t slip out.”

“On it.”

Elias walked toward his penthouse, loosening his jacket.

Once inside, he tossed it aside and opened his laptop.

He signed into a social platform and verified his identity.

“It’s Elias Cross. My goal? To be Stella’s man.”

One sentence. Didn’t just shake up the gossip blogs–even the other prominent families were baffled. Some wondered if he’d been hacked.

[UserA: Wait, this is really him?]

[UserB: And people were saying she faked being with him? Clearly he’s the one chasing her.]

[UserC: An account with nine million followers just got nuked for saying she wasn’t good enough.]

[UserD: We were supposed to cancel her. Instead we got a public confession.]

[UserE: Cross Group’s official account reposted. They’re going after everyone who talked trash.]

[UserF: Post a photo. We need to ship this.]

Stella ignored all of it.

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