Chapter 10 Chapter 10 55 Vouchers Irene skipped merrily past Stella's car , her face painted colorfully as Snow White . She looked adorable at a glance . But Stella's expression darkened when she saw her daughter and rushed out of the car immediately . Irene had very sensitive skin , which was why Stella had always been so careful . Regular face paint could cause a severe allergic reaction to the little girl . The moment Stella stepped out of the car , she saw Irene run straight into the arms of Sylvia , who had just walked out of the elevator . " Ms. Jansen , what took you so long ? If we don't hurry , we're going to miss the play . " Sylvia glanced subtly in Stella's direction , her voice softening . " Irene , are you sure you don't want your mom to come with us ? " She gently brushed a strand of hair from Irene's face . " Absolutely not ! " Irene tilted her painted face upward , her voice full of a child's stubbornness . " I don't want Mom corning with us . Ms. Jansen , please don't tell her , okay ? " ' I've gone out with Mom before , but she always makes me wear ugly dresses and won't let me talk at the theater . I never get to have any fun , Irene thought to herself . With that thought , Irene wrapped her arms around Sylvia's neck and nuzzled Sylvia's cheek affectionately . " You buy me sparkly princess dresses and have someone do my makeup . I like you so much , Ms. Jansen . " " I like you too , sweetheart , " Sylvia replied , her voice warm and tender . The roar of an engine cut through the air as a black Maybach pulled up beside Sylvia and Irene . Ernest stepped out , a faint smile on his lips . When he saw Sylvia holding Irene , his eyes softened with warmth . " Didn't I tell you to wait for me at the hotel entrance ? You're wearing high heels . You must be tired , " Ernest said as he took Irene from Sylvia's arms . Sylvia naturally reached over to smooth Irene's hair . " It's alright . The play is about to start , and we can't disappoint Irene ," Sylvia replied . The tender scene among them looked just like that of a real family . Once , this was the scene Stella had always dreamed of . But Ernest was always too busy with company affairs and social events . Even when she was hospitalized after saving Irene , he only made a brief call to ask if she was alright . Yet today , he told Sylvia to wait while he brought the car around , unwilling to let her walk even a step in her uncomfortable heels . ' So Ernest knows how to be gentle after all . But that's never meant for me , ' Stella thought with a pang of bitterness . Stella's hands trembled as she took out her phone and dialed a number she had never dared to call before . A familiar ringtone sounded nearby . She watched as Ernest pulled out his phone . The smile vanished from his face the moment he saw the caller . Without a word , he ended the call . As if sensing something , Ernest suddenly turned to look in her direction . Stella's heart leaped in panic . She quickly ducked behind a pillar . After a moment's hesitation , she opened WhatsApp to remind him about Irene's allergies . But her message was like a stone sinking into the ocean . Just as she thought about sending another , the sound of an engine starting echoed , growing steadily closer . Stella snapped back to reality as the black Maybach glided past . Through the half - open window , Ernest turned to look at her . His gaze was cold and distant , devoid of all the warmth that had once made her fall in love . A chill ran through her to the bone . But his eyes lingered on her for only a second before turning away , as if she were nothing more than a roadside weed . As the car accelerated , the window slid shut , cutting off her view and blurring her vision . 1/3 3:24 pm P p p p Chapter 10 Here you hers A dull ache tightened in her chest , deepening with every beat of her heart . She clutched her chest , nails digging deep into her skin . She was trying to use the sharp pain to cover the bitterness within . ' After seven years of marriage . I mean less to him than a stranger . With Ernest gone , the bosses who had been trying to win Lloyd Group's favor were unlikely to stay much longer . Besides , she no longer had to worry about Ernest thinking she was following him . So Stella took the elevator back up . As expected , she found Jeremy looking fairly drunk . Fortunately , he wasn't completely wasted . He could still recognize her . " Stella , you're here , " Jeremy said , holding up the design they had seen earlier , the one titled Tundra Spark . " We've pretty much decided on this designer . She'll be joining the company next Monday , just like you ." " Congratulations , Jeremy , " Stella said . She truly thought the designer's work was outstanding . Though the details still needed polishing , the talent was remarkable for a newcomer . Jeremy was still lucid , but his low alcohol tolerance left him unsteady on his feet . Stella had to support him as they walked . " Jeremy , did you book a room here ? " she asked . Knowing his own poor tolerance , Jeremy usually reserved a room beforehand whenever there was drinking . That way , he could slip away before embarrassing himself . " Now that you're here , why would I need a room ? Let's just go home , " Jeremy said , leaning lightly on her shoulder as they walked . The two made their way unsteadily toward the exit . Someone who knew Ernest well watched them leave , looking puzzled . " Hey , look at that woman . Isn't that Stella ? The one who was always obsessed with Ernest ? " The man beside him followed his gaze and scoffed . " She does look like her , but it can't be . You know how obsessed Stella is with Ernest . No way she's getting a room with another guy . " The others nodded in agreement , convinced they had seen wrong . Before , shortly after Ernest took over Lloyd Group , he once drank so heavily that he was hospitalized with a stomach hemorrhage . Stella stayed by his bedside for three days and nights without sleep . But when Ernest woke up , he didn't even look at her . Still , Stella made him oatmeal , blowing on each spoonful to cool it before gently feeding him , careful not to let him burn his mouth . Another time , at a charity event , it was raining heavily . Stella was worried Ernest might be cold , so she went out in the storm to bring him a coat . But he had already left without telling her . Stella didn't know , and waited in the rain for over two hours . The next day , she was in the hospital with a high fever . Even that hadn't earned her a single word of concern from Ernest . Over the years , there had been countless moments like this . And by now everyone had simply grown used to her devotion being met with silence . " Actually , Stella's really good to Ernest . Why doesn't he ever warm up to her ? " one of them muttered , confused . The other man nearby sneered in reply , " Sure , Stella's pretty , but she's as dull as dishwater . You think any man would want someone with that little personality , especially Ernest ? " 3:24 pm Pppp . Chapter 11 Chapter 11