Yvonne thought nothing of Stellaâs response, but she did stare at Stella and hesitated whether she should say what was on her mind.
Stella noticed this. Now that she had got her gift, she was sure that Yvonne would have something to say to her. She didnât want Yvonne to feel awkward, so she took the initiative to bring it up herself.
âIf you want to ask me anything,â she started, âthen just ask it. I wonât hide anything from you.â
Seeing that she was so straightforward about it, Yvonne saw no point in beating around the bush.
âSo are you and Weston nowâ¦â Yvonne studied Stellaâs face with seriousness.
Stella said nothing in reply, but merely responded with a smile. It was a joyless smile though and she looked more resigned than happy.
Yvonne immediately understood what Stella was trying to say.
âHow dare he!â she snapped.
Stella shook her head repeatedly and grabbed Yvonneâs hand. Her face was turning pale. âPlease donât worry about this, okay?â Stella begged Yvonne. âI donât want to involve an innocent bystander like you!â
âBut how could I not worry?â replied Yvonne. âYouâre my friend! How could I just watch him push you around wherever he likes without doing anything?â
âI know youâre worried about me,â Stella said in a hoarse voice with her head hanging low,â and I thank you for it. But with someone like Weston Ford⦠I really canât get you involved. Heâll definitely get you in trouble.â âLetâs see if he dares!â Yvonne snarled. âMy family definitely wonât take it lying down!â âWould you really want your family to be at odds with the Ford family just for someone like me?â asked Stella.
âItâs not worth it, Yvonne.â Stella knew that the anger Yvonne felt now was temporary. She was truly grateful for her loyalty to their friendship, but the real world was much too complex to just rely on earnest loyalty.
It was more than good enough that Yvonne genuinely wished to help. Getting her in trouble was the last thing Stella wanted.
Yvonne suddenly felt thirsty, so she went over to the water cooler and got herself a glass of water to drink. Once sheâd taken a few sips her anger gradually subsided. âIâm really curious though,â Yvonne began speaking again. âIsnât Weston Ford going to marry Guinevere Cohen soon? I recently heard someone in their circle saying that heâd taken her to the doctor to get a premarital medical exam. What on earth is wrong with him? Heâs clearly a two-faced hypocrite!â
Stella was silent. Her eyes looked vacant.
The corner of her lips almost lifted slightly when she heard that Weston had taken Guinevere to a premarital medical exam, but it didnât turn into a smile. Just a wry smirk.
What a disgusting man! He pretended to be a sweet lover with Guinevere, yet behind her back, he forced Stella to stay with him in his house.
How could she not realize what a shameless man he was in the past?
Stella closed her eyes. She remembered how fiercely Justin and Tina were arguing in the restaurant yesterday. She remembered their state of sheer panic when they found out that Bryce was missing.
She sighed. âYvonne,â she said, âIâd like to resignâ¦â Yvonneâs eyes widened. She was stunned into silence for a good few seconds. âNo!â she finally replied resolutely. âI wonât allow it!â
When Stella got out of Yvonneâs office, she bumped into Joyce Duxton. She could see Joyce jumping in shock when she opened the door. But when their eyes met, Joyce haughtily straightened her posture and snapped, âWhat are you looking at?!â Stella glanced at her coolly and said nothing. Joyce was probably eavesdropping at the door just now, but the walls were thick and soundproofed, so she was sure that Joyce couldnât hear anything they were talking about in Yvonneâs office. She had no interest in dealing with Joyce now, so she turned around and walked away. Joyce was offended that Stella completely ignored her, so she chased after Stella with a big frown on her face.
âDidnât you hear that I was talking to you?â she yapped. âDo you have a problem with me? Youâve always been ignoring me when Iâm speaking to youââ Stella halted her steps abruptly before Joyce could finish her sentence. She turned swiftly around and gave Joyce an icy glance. âWeâre all adults here, Joyce,â she began, âso I donât want to put it too bluntly so as to hurt your feelings, but you know exactly what your real intentions are and I wonât be a two-faced hypocrite. I donât have the time or the interest to put on an act with you.â Stella turned and walked away at once after speaking, leaving Joyce standing there alone, in shock. The image of Stellaâs cold stare was still stuck in Joyceâs mind long after Stella had left.