The class schedule on weekends was much more hectic than the weekdays. Many students had their last class today, it seemed, turning the training center into a bustling beehive of activity and a chance for Stella to meet many colleagues for the last time.
Once her class was over, a few of her students came up to her personally to say their goodbyes. Stella was immensely touched by this. She kneeled down and spoke fondly with them, imparting some final advice before they parted ways. The moving and poignant scene was suddenly interrupted when an earsplitting voice cut through the atmosphere âWho is Ella Steele?!â
An extravagantly dressed middle-aged woman had stomped in, shouting for Ella. Clad in the latest fashionable clothes and holding a limited edition luxury handbag, it was obvious at a glance that she spared no expense on her lavish qutfit. The ostentatious diamond earrings hanging from her earlobes dazzled in the light, as she stood there, haughtily scanning the place with her eyes ablaze.
âIâm Ella Steele,â Stella said, standing up in confusion when she heard her name. âIs there a problem?â
âSo youâre Ella Steele?â the woman squinted and sneered. She then marched toward Stella and raised her hand to slap her!
But Stellaâs quick reflexes helped her to dodge the slap. âGet security!â Stella shouted. âThereâs a madwoman here and sheâs trying to hurt me!â âMadwoman?!â the woman squawked. âYouâre the madwoman here! Youâre the one messing around with my husband and you dare call security on me?!â
The woman huffed and continued, âGo ahead, then! Let security come so everyone will see your true colors and that shameless face of yours!â
The woman glanced at the children behind Stella, âAnd to think that youâre in charge of teaching those precious childrenâ¦â she hissed. ââ¦youâll be corrupting them for sure! I donât think any parent will stand for it! You despicable piece of trash!â
The womanâs voice was so loud that a crowd was beginning to form around them. Stellaâs colleagues began to stare at her disapprovingly. Joyce was hiding among the crowd, secretly relishing what was happening to Stella.
âWhy arenât you saying anything?â the woman shouted, audibly getting angrier when she saw that Stella remained silent. âOr are you playing dumb? Is that how you seduced my husband?â âWhen did I seduce your husband?â argued Stella. âI donât even know who you are! Are you sure you havenât got the wrong person?â
âImpossible!â the woman replied. She pulled out a phone and waved it in front of Stella. âLook at this!
Arenât you this woman whoâs been chatting with my husband? Youâre Ella Steele, arenât you? Stop acting dumb! You mightâve fooled sleazy old men, but Iâm not as blind and stupid as they are!â Stella glanced at the phone. As she read through the vulgar sexual conversations, she noticed that the phone number was very familiar. She pulled out her phone and checked her contacts⦠â¦only to find that it was Mr. Smith, Rubyâs father! âYouâre completely mistaken, Mrs. Smith!â
she said. âIâm just your daughter Rubyâs private tutor! I have no other business with Mr. Smithâ¦â
âWhat?!â the woman shrieked, violently interrupting Stella. âHow dare you! So youâve been secretly hooking up with my husband behind my daughterâs back! You shameless b***h! Women like you are the sçum of the earth! You scheming, lying b***h!â
The woman kept on spitting curses at Stella, her mind completely clouded by rage. Stella turned deathly pale. The people in the crowd were now whispering and pointing at her. Joyce stood in the middle of the crowd with a sardonic grin, reveling in the scene.
âLetâs see how smug you can get now, Ella!â she thought.