Chapter 369
Chapter 369:
Was Heather seriously talking about forgiveness? After everything she had done?
Stella couldn’t hide the sneer that twisted her lips. There was no place for forgiveness in betrayal.
But this wasn’t something that could blow up in the public eye just yet. It needed to be handled quietly, out of sight, at least for now.
Stella’s mind was already turning, calculating. She needed to find out who had been pulling the strings behind the scenes, who had orchestrated this whole mess.
Once Heather had been dealt with, Stella turned her attention to Donna and the others. Her stern expression shifted, her face softening into one of warmth and practiced charm.
“Mrs. Harris,” she said with a smile, “I would be honored if you’d join me for a meal today p>
Donna knew she couldn’t refuse. This invitation wasn’t just a friendly gesture—it was a subtle bribe. A way for Stella to ensure the Harris family would keep today’s events under wraps.
If Donna turned her down, it would be seen as a slight—a public insult.
While the Harris family held more power than the Loftus family in several respects, the Loftus family still commanded significant influence in Eighfast, particularly in certain key areas. Their reach might not have been as broad, but in the right circles, their power was undeniable.
And Donna also knew that Callum was currently involved in some business deals with the Loftus family. Refusing Stella’s invitation could create ripples.
Bella, on the other hand, wasn’t exactly thrilled about dining with strangers. She found the whole affair uncomfortable. But there was little room for objection now.
Her irritation was focused squarely on Yelena. If it weren’t for her meddling, they wouldn’t be stuck in this situation, sharing a meal with people Bella barely knew. Stella had chosen the Coastal Port for their gathering—a lovely, upscale spot that carried its own weight in the social scene.
𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 → gⱯ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝗍𝖊𝗅𝘀⍰𝖼𝗈𝗺
As they walked toward the restaurant, Bella was still fuming. She wasn’t really paying attention to where she was going and accidentally bumped into someone, both of them tumbling to the ground.
“Ouch!” Bella gritted her teeth, the sharp pain shooting through her, but she quickly swallowed her frustration. The Coastal Port was a high-profile place, and the last thing she wanted was to make a scene in front of potential acquaintances. So, she bit back her irritation and forced a smile, keeping up the facade of a gentle, kind persona.
The person who had bumped into Bella immediately apologized, her voice flustered. “I’m so sorry, miss! I didn’t mean to!” But when Bella looked up and locked eyes with the person, she froze.
There was something in the other person’s gaze—something beyond mere nervousness. It was excitement, an unmistakable glint that Bella couldn’t quite place. She wasn’t a celebrity, so why would this stranger look so… thrilled?
And then, as she continued to study the woman’s face, Bella’s mind sparked with recognition. The waitress—there was something familiar about her. Bella couldn’t quite pinpoint where she’d seen her before, but the sense of déjà vu was undeniable.
Before Bella could delve deeper into the mystery, Donna and Yelena were at her side. Donna’s face was etched with concern as she gently asked, “Bella, are you okay p>
The moment Bella saw Donna, her emotions overwhelmed her. Tears welled up in her eyes, and a lump formed in her throat. She looked like a wounded pup seeking refuge, her voice barely above a whisper. “Mom, it hurts so much,” she whimpered, longing to collapse into Donna’s comforting embrace.
What Bella didn’t notice was the subtle change in the waitress. The moment Bella had called Donna “Mom,” the waitress stiffened.
“It’s just a fall. Doesn’t kill you.” Yelena’s voice cut through the tension with a calm, almost dismissive tone.
Bella’s anger simmered beneath her composed exterior. How could Yelena not see what had just happened? Didn’t she notice how badly Bella had been affected—how hurt and humiliated she felt? Yet, Yelena, as always, remained detached, even making sarcastic remarks that only deepened Bella’s frustration. If Yelena genuinely believed the fall hadn’t hurt, Bella thought, then she was simply being insensitive.