Written Off as Trash, I Activated My Hidden Queen Mode novel Chapter 136

Chapter 136 Stella’s Welcome Dinner

“Pick out a few more, okay?”

“Okay. I will.”

Stella felt a tightness in her chest.

So this was what it could’ve been like for her mother.

Compared to this, her mother’s life had been a living hell.

The hatred she felt for Amber and Tiffany burned hotter than ever.

In the end, Stella picked five. The designer grabbed her size and had someone model them. After the fitting, she stayed for dinner with the Shaw family before heading home.

When she pulled up to Imperial Crest Towers, she spotted a truck loaded with white tulips. She shook her head, smiling. “Rich people really know how to be extra.”

“Evening, Miss Shaw,” the doorman greeted her warmly.

“Hey.”

She didn’t think much of it.

“Miss Shaw, these are for you. Need you to sign.”

Stella blinked, glanced over, and sure enough, printed on the side of the truck in big letters, “Stella, I love you!”

“They’re from Mr. Cross,” the doorman added.

Hearing that, her confusion melted into a bright smile.

“Can they leave them inside?”

“Yeah, we can use the crane to put them up in the sky garden. Your balcony’s got the best view of it.”

“Thanks for handling that.”

Before heading inside, Stella couldn’t resist snapping a photo.

“Want to take one together?”

Elias appeared behind her, holding a smaller bouquet of white tulips.

“Why do you always have to be so over the top?”

“Just marking my territory.”

She laughed despite herself.

12:03 pm

PP

Chapter 136 Stella’s Welcome Dinner

Finished

They took a sweet photo together in front of the massive truckload of flowers.

Stella carried the smaller bouquet he’d given her personally back up to her apartment.

As the sun dipped below the skyline, she leaned against the balcony railing, looking out at the sea of tulips in the distance. Her eyes curved into crescents, something warm stirring in her chest.

The night of the Shaw family’s welcome dinner arrived.

The place was packed. Politicians, industry titans, old money, new money–everyone who mattered had shown up.

“The Shaws really hit the jackpot. The girl they found is a genius.”

“Shame she’s already taken.”

“If it wasn’t Elias Cross, any guy in this room might’ve had a shot. But Elias? Among the young heirs in this city, who even comes close?”

The Moores are unbelievable. Throwing away a granddaughter like this? Luck like that doesn’t come around twice.”

“Mr. Moore walked away from them. And now, with a daughter this talented, they not only shut her out but spent months running their mouths about her. Looks like the four prominent families might be down to three soon.”

Tiffany’s face tightened as the whispers reached her ears.

Then the lights dimmed..

A single spotlight hit the curved staircase. Stella’s hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, loose and

effortless.

She wore a strapless gown in pale lavender, the skirt layered in soft, floaty tulle. Hand–painted purple flowers trailed up one side of the bodice. She looked like something out of a dream–like she’d stepped straight out of a field of wildflowers.

“God, she’s gorgeous. Like something from another world.”

“Everyone said she was beautiful, but seeing her now? She makes the angels jealous.”

“Hey. You’re staring.”

Amelia elbowed Elias, who hadn’t blinked since Stella appeared.

Stella’s gaze drifted across the room and found his. For a second, it was just the two of them. Her smile deepened.

Then she felt it–someone watching. Not warmly. She glanced to the side and met Tiffany’s eyes.

12:03 pm

Chapter 136 Stella’s Welcome Dinner

Finished

“Thank you all for coming. Tonight’s just a small gathering–nothing formal. I wanted to introduce my granddaughter, Stella.”

Vincent took Stella’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, his eyes shining.

“Hi, everyone. I’m Stella Shaw.”

She caught Jasper’s gaze across the room. He raised his glass slightly, looking at her like she was everything.

The room filled with applause.

“There’s been a lot of ugly talk about my granddaughter. Let me be clear–anyone who comes for her comes for the entire Shaw family.”

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

Truth was, aside from Amber–who had never thought twice about anything–who in their right mind

would touch Stella now?

Behind her stood the Shaws. Behind her stood Jasper. Behind her stood Elias, a man who’d burn the world down for her. And behind all of them? Connections in places that mattered.

Unless someone had a death wish, they’d keep their mouths shut.

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