Chapter 373
Chapter 373:
That would be a nightmare—a tidal wave of returns that could cripple the company’s bottom line.
And if the chaos spiraled out of control, Stella’s leadership would undoubtedly be questioned. She’d be ousted in no time.
The only ones who’d gain from this mess were the shadowy figures lurking behind the scenes, itching to stir up trouble for Stella.
Stella would become a laughingstock, ridiculed by many, with some even seizing the opportunity to fan the flames and make matters worse.
The thought was unbearable, but Stella’s mind was in turmoil. No matter how hard she tried, a solution refused to surface.
Heather had already squandered the money paying off her husband’s debts. Expecting her to repay such a large sum was wishful thinking. Even if they reported her to the authorities, it wouldn’t magically conjure up the funds.
Frustration gnawed at Stella. Had all her years of relentless effort to reach this position been in vain? Was everything she had built about to crumble beneath her feet?
Her phone buzzed, breaking her train of thought. Yelena’s message flashed on the screen. “I have a plan p>
Stella blinked at the screen, momentarily stunned. She genuinely believed Yelena could tackle this.
It wasn’t logic that convinced her—it was a gut feeling, an instinctive trust she couldn’t explain.
But curiosity still burned within her. What kind of solution could Yelena possibly have?
Stella, eager to keep the momentum going, quickly messaged Yelena.
𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲: g․𝗮𝗅𝗇․𝗈ν․𝖊．𝗅𝘀．ⅽ𝗈．𝗆
“What’s your plan?” she typed, followed by a playful smiling emoji.
Yelena didn’t bother playing coy. A few seconds later, Stella’s phone buzzed with a direct response containing a solution.
Meanwhile, Yelena slipped her phone back into her pocket as if nothing of importance had just occurred. From the corner of her eye, Bella had been watching Yelena with a mixture of disdain and irritation.
Why was Yelena being so secretive?
The car pulled up to the house, and they stepped out. In the yard, Katelyn was seated comfortably, enjoying the warmth of the sun. Her face lit up when she heard the sound of the car and saw them returning. She waved cheerfully. “You’re back! Did you find anything pretty at Sterling and Grace this time p>
Katelyn’s enthusiasm was genuine, though tinged with wistfulness. She would have loved to join them, but her recent surgery required rest and precautions. Avoiding crowded places was a necessity to ensure her healing wounds remained uninfected.
Thankfully, Bernice had stayed at home with her, keeping her company so the day wouldn’t feel too dull.
As soon as Katelyn mentioned shopping, Bella’s expression darkened. Her mood soured visibly, her lips pressing into a thin line. “I don’t want to talk about it,” she muttered, her tone sharp and annoyed.
Katelyn blinked, taken aback by Bella’s response. Usually, Bella would eagerly show off her latest purchases, delighting in the attention they garnered. Today, though, she looked as though she had been deeply wronged. “What happened?” Katelyn asked, her curiosity piqued.
Bella cast a quick glance at Donna but chose to remain silent. She had learned to hold her tongue around Donna lately, not wanting to risk further disapproval. Better to keep quiet than say something that might upset her.
Donna noticed Bella’s hesitation but didn’t think much of it. Perhaps Bella simply didn’t feel comfortable sharing the details. Since Katelyn was family, Donna decided there was no harm in explaining. She recounted the incident at Sterling and Grace, detailing the counterfeit bracelet they had uncovered.
Katelyn’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Oh my goodness! I just bought a bracelet from there last month. Do you think mine could be fake too p>