Chapter 159

Chapter 159

After seeing off the Jimenez family, it was already noon.

Stephanie followed Julianna back to her office. Together, they shared Crab Rangoon and milk tea that Julianna ordered.

Sitting on the carpet beside the coffee table, they rolled up their sleeves and began to peel shrimp.

As Julianna sucked her fingers, she said, “The Jimenez family is so nice. Seems like they really like you. Stephie, I don’t know how you survived your time at the Hayes manor. Honestly, are you sad about Florence’s death and Matilda’s imprisonment?”

Stephanie’s hands paused.

She thought, “Sad?”

At the thought of her tragic death in the previous life and Vincent sacrificing for her, her heart was filled with hatred. How would she be sad?

As for Matilda, Stephanie yearned for maternal affection from her, but much to her disappointment, she had never received it.

Florence wanted Stephanie to die. There was no way Matilda and Horace wouldn’t know about it.

They just chose to turn a blind eye to it

She would never feel sorry for the people who wanted her dead.

“No, I’m not,” Stephanie replied as she put a peeled shrimp on Julianna’s plate. “Julia, do you believe in past lives?”

Julianna was taken aback by the question. “No, I don’t think so. We only get to live once. How can there be a chance to start over a new life?”

Stephanie thought most people would think that way too. If she hadn’t been through it, she wouldn’t have believed it was possible.

Smiling, she continued, “If… Hypothetically, if your family betrayed you and were responsible for your death in your previous life, and this, in turn, caused a man who loved you to sacrifice himself, will you forgive them in your next life?”

Julianna scoffed, saying, “Forgive them? I’ll make sure to seek revenge on them! I’ll make them pay for every bit of pain they inflicted on me. I don’t care if they are related to me. The moment they decide to betray me, they are no longer family. Even if it were my own mother, I wouldn’t let her off! As for the man who sacrificed himself for me, I’ll marry him and cherish him forever. We’ll make a lot of babies together!”

Stephanie could not help but laugh at Julianna’s angry expression.

Julianna took a sip of the coffee and asked, “Why do you ask this, Stephie?”

Stephanie shrugged. “Because I was reborn.”

Julianna chuckled. “If you say so, so am I.”

Stephanie didn’t explain further, so Julianna thought she was just joking.

After the meal, Stephanie went back to her office and started designing gowns. After all, the reunion party was happening soon.

Around eight o’clock, Stephanie finally finished all the designs. Then, she sent the rough sketches to the group chat she had with Annabella, Selena, Madeline, and Megan.

Seeing that everyone was satisfied, she texted the group: We will start tailoring and sewing tomorrow. After the gowns are done, I will send them to the

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Chapter 159

Jimenez residence for all of you to try on.]

Then, she texted Vincent: [I’m done here.]

Vincent replied immediately: [I’m waiting for you downstairs. The night sky is looking beautiful tonight.)

Knowing that Vincent had arrived, Stephanie hurriedly packed her bag and walked out of the office in her brown knee-length boots. She was also wearing a pearly white cashmere coat and a red scarf that day.

At that moment, there were still designers working overtime in Starlight Design Studio. Upon seeing Stephanie leave, they all greeted her

Stephanie pointed at the refrigerator and said, “I bought all kinds of desserts and juice for everyone. They are in the refrigerator. Help yourselves.”

They replied, “Thank you, Ms. Hayes!”

Stephanie waved her hand as she left.

As soon as she walked out of Starlight Design Studio, she saw a black Maybach parked under the steps.

Zane swiftly exited the car to open the back door

Just as Stephanie walked over to the car with brisk steps, a figure suddenly darted out from behind the doorframe.

The person was about to throw a glass container at Stephanie when Zane rushed forward and knocked him down.

The glass container crashed to the ground, shattering into pieces and releasing a pungent odor into the air.

At the same time, Vincent got out of the car and shielded Stephanie with his arms. “What happened?”

Glaring at the masked man who was pinned on the ground, Stephanie muttered coldly, “Horace, is this your idea of taking revenge for your wife and your daughter?”

Zane took off the man’s hat and mask. The culprit was indeed Horace.

Initially, Zane couldn’t comprehend why the Hayes family treated Stephanie like she was an enemy despite her remarkable qualities. It wasn’t until later that he discovered Stephanie had no connection to the Hayes family whatsoever.

Pinned to the ground by Zane’s knees, Horace bellowed, “You jinx, Stephanie! If it weren’t for you, Flore wouldn’t have died, and Matilda wouldn’t be in jail. It’s all your fault!”

Vincent’s eyes, dark with hostility, bore into Horace. “You brought this upon yourself. Who else is there to blame?” Vincent said coldly.

Horace shivered upon hearing that.

Vincent let go of Stephanie and approached Horace slowly.

Zane backed away from Horace and stepped aside to call the police.

Vincent watched Horace turn over before stepping directly on his hand and crushing his fingers with his shoe.

“Do you intend to disfigure Stephanie and condemn her to a lifetime of suffering? How cruel can you be? There’s no redemption for the likes of you and your family.”

Horace let out a shrill scream, but Vincent didn’t intend to spare him at all. He stomped hard on Horace’s chest.

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Chapter 159

Horace spat out a mouthful of blood. “Your. Your leg…”

“Surprised that I’m not a c r i p pl e, aren’t you? if it weren’t for some considerations, I would have taught you a lesson long ago. This is self-defense! You can rot in jail together with Matilda now!” Vincent bent down slightly and whispered. “What do you think will happen to your other daughter?”

Horace widened his eyes in horror. “…I have no idea what you are talking about! One of my daughters is dead, and the other one is a jin

Vincent kicked Horace in the chin, instantly knocking out a few of his teeth, “If it weren’t for the satisfaction of sending all of your family to prison, wouldn’t have let you live to see another day!”

Horace had

d never seen Vincent so violent before.

it

was as a

as if Vincent knew something, which was what Horace feared most,

After the police arrived, they took Horace away.

Vincent and Stephanie went to the police station together to make a statement.

The incident alarmed some of the employees at Starlight Design Studio. They all witnessed Vincent teaching Horace a lesson.

After the people involved in the incident left, the employees began gossiping among themselves.

“Isn’t Mr. Fletcher always in a wheelchair? Since when did he recover?”

“He was walking so smoothly just now. He must have recovered for a long time.”

say that Mr. Fletcher’s face is perfect despite his disability, but now that he’s no longer disabled, isn’t he even more perfect!”

“People used to say

“He must be at least six feet three inches tall. Oh my! Isn’t he the perfect embodiment of a tall and handsome CEO that you see in the movies?”

“Okay, stop being so infatuated with him! Ms. Hayes is the only one who deserves this kind of man!*

“Whoever took photos or videos just now, do not upload them to the internet! If he chooses not to announce his recovery, he must think it’s not the right time yet. Let’s help keep it a secret!”

“You’re right. Ms. Hayes is always so nice to us. We can’t cause trouble for her!”

Since the employees of Starlight Design Studio knew to mind their own business and not to blabber about what had happened, news about Vincent’s recovery didn’t spread.

After making a statement, Vincent left the police station with Stephanie.

Vincent took Stephanie in his arms and said, “I’m here, and I will always be with you.”

Stephanie looked up at him. “Are you worried that i’ll be sad?”

Vincentpursed his thin lips and said nothing.

“Don’t worry,” Stephanie assured him. “From the day cut ties with them, I won’t feel sorry for them anymore.”

Vincent nodded and stroked Stephanie’s face. “What do you want to eat?” he asked.

Stephanie suggested, “How about barbecue?”

Vincent replied, “Sure. We’ll eat whatever you like.”

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Wed, 5 Jun

Chapter 159

Vincent took her to a popular barbecue place, but they didn’t dine in there.

Instead, Stephanie bought raw skewers and took Vincent to a mansion in the suburbs.

The mansion was bought by Stephanie two years ago. Although she only stayed there a few times, she made sure it was regularly taken care of.

After taking out a stove and setting it up in the yard, she started burning coal.

At that time, Stephanie’s phohe vibrated. It was a call from Julianna,

+5

As soon as she picked it up, Julianna’s concerned voice came from the phone. “Are you okay, Stephie? I just finished taking a bath when I saw someone in the group saying that you almost got into an acid attack. Is that true?”

When Stephanie finished recounting the incident, Julianna almost exploded in anger. “The Hayes are all jerks!”

Stephanie said, “It’s all right. I’m not angry anymore.”

Julianna asked, “Where are you now?”

Stephanie replied, “I’m at the mansion at Starry Bay. Vincent and I are preparing skewers.”

Julianna’s eyes lit up upon hearing that. “Can I join you? I’m feeling rather hungry now.”

Stephanie agreed, “Sure! You can come with Graham.”

Julianna glanced at the guest room. “I don’t want to go with him, Wait for me. I’ll be there in half an hour. By the way, do you want me to get anything

else?”

Stephanie said, “No, we’re good.”

“Okay!” After drying her hair, Julianna hurriedly put on her clothes and prepared to go out. To her surprise, she saw Graham walking over just as she reached the door.

Graham raised his eyebrows. “Going out?”

Julianna nodded.

Graham spoke. “I think we’re headed to the same place. You can drive us there.”

Julianna was speechless by his entitlement.

SEND GIFT