60 voucher After leaving the hospital , Stella Spencer didn't waste any time . She shook off her gloom and headed straight to the mall to pick out something special for Sebastian . Sure , she'd made up her mind about the divorce , but all these years under the Lloyd roof , it was Sebastian who'd really looked out for her - made sure she kept her dignity . Now that they were going their separate ways , the least she could do was say thanks . Besides , tonight's family dinner was as good a time as any to break the news . Gift in hand and clock ticking , Stella drove out to Lloyd Manor . The old master , getting on in years and preferring peace and quiet , had the place tucked away in the suburbs - all green hills , fresh air , and calm waters . A bit far from the city ? Sure . But with a driver on call , it was no big deal . Just as she stepped out of her car , Ernest Lloyd's pulled up right next to hers . Stella froze mid - step . Then little Irene came bouncing out , her kiddie watch pressed to her mouth , sounding equal parts excited and hopeful . ' Wait , really ? Aunt Sylvia , you promise you're not fooling me ? ' Her laugh rang out way too loud . Stella's brow furrowed . All these years , Grandpa had cut off the entire Jansen family because of her . If he saw his precious granddaughter getting chummy with Sylvia Jansen ? It'd break his heart . Or worse . By the time they reached the door , Irene was still giggling , totally unaware her mom was right behind her . Stella had enough . ' Irene ... ' she said , her voice tight . The girl jumped . Instead of turning around , her first move was to hang up . ' Mom ? Wh - what is it ? ' ' Oh no ' she thought , ' Mom heard me talking to Aunt Sylvia . Is she gonna be mad again ? ' " Nothing . Just reminding you - we're about to go inside . Remember your manners . " Irene braced for a scolding ... but it never came . Even as they stepped through the door , Stella stayed quiet . Slowly , it dawned on the girl . That wasn't about manners . That was about her call . ' Ugh , why can't I even take a call in peace ? ' she thought . Ernest walked ahead like he hadn't even noticed Stella arrive . Inside , the butler took the gift from her hands . The old master sat centered in the living room , flanked on the couches by her mother - in - law , Kourtney , and sister - in - law , Noreen . Those two never had a nice look for her anyway - Stella was used to it by now . Today , she couldn't care less . She was here for Grandpa . 1/3 3:25 pm P ppp Chapter 14 Sure enough , the stiff atmosphere in the room softened the moment she walked in . The old man's face lit up . You ! If your mother hadn't called , would you ever have come to see your grandpa He sounded stern , but anyone could see - he wasn't really angry . Stella went over and sat beside him . ' Of course I would , Grandpa . I've just been ... busy lately . That's all It was only half true . Sure enough , Noreen couldn't hold back . " What could a housewife possibly be busy with ? Stop flattering yourself ." Just thinking about how Stella still hadn't handed over the design drafts made her blood boil . And now she had the nerve to use " being busy " as some lame excuse ? Stella ignored Noreen and turned back to Sebastian . " Grandpa , I've actually found a job . I'm getting ready to start soon ." " A job ? " The old man looked surprised . " If you're bored at home , just have Ernest arrange something . You can take your pick of any position at Lloyd Group . Why go through some formal hiring process ? " Before Stella could respond , Kourtney let out a cold laugh from the side . " Honestly , people would think we can't afford to keep her ." She sat stiffly , shooting Stella a dismissive glance . Her tone grew even frostier . " The life you're living now - some people can only dream of it . Don't be ungrateful . " Noreen jumped right in . " Exactly . Why would she want to work ? She's just causing drama to get my brother's attention ." She didn't believe a word Stella said about " wanting to work " -and she definitely didn't want her showing up at Lloyd Group . If Stella joined the company , those design drafts would never see the light of day . Sebastian's face darkened instantly . " I'm still right here . Is this how you speak to Stella when I'm around ? What would you do if I weren't ? " He thumped his cane heavily on the floor . Kourtney and Noreen immediately fell silent . They hadn't forgotten how he'd been standing on the second - floor hallway after that phone call - the memory still sent chills down their spines . In the past , Stella would have stepped in to smooth things over . But now ... " Grandpa , please don't worry about me . I've already accepted a job . I start Monday . It's not at Lloyd Group . " The room fell silent . Everyone remembered how clingy Stella used to be with Ernest . She'd even considered working at Lloyd Group before - Grandpa himself had taken her to register her fingerprint . They all assumed this " job " thing was just another excuse to get close to Ernest . 2/3 3:25 pm PPPP Chapter 14 But now , even with Grandpa offering her a way in , she was turning it down ? Noreen rolled her eyes . " Who are you trying to fool ? Acting all high and mighty . " Without her brother's approval , Stella wouldn't even make it past the front door of Lloyd Group . In the midst of the tension , Irene came running over on her short little legs and threw herself into Grandpa Lloyd's arms . " Great - Grandpa , if Mommy wants to work , just let her , okay ? Please ? " Lately , she'd truly enjoyed the freedom of having her mom away . She could chat with Aunt Sylvia as long as she wanted , go out whenever she liked , eat whatever she craved , and even stay up as late as she wished . For the first time , she understood what people meant when they said , " Your life depends on who you live with ." If her mom stopped working - or worse , joined Dad's company - her glorious freedom would vanish . Thinking fast , she shook the old man's arm even harder . He sighed helplessly . " Alright , alright . We'll listen to your mother . " " Yay ! That's so good ! " Irene had always known how much he doted on her . He'd never once said no to any of her requests . Still , as much as she loved her new freedom , part of her felt uneasy about her mom being away so much . Eager to please , she hurried over to Stella , beaming with pride . " Mommy , did you hear ? Great - Grandpa said you can work ! I convinced him ! " 3/3