Irene let out a defiant " humph ! " her little face full of displeasure . She didn't even bother answering . ' Sylvia is so much better . Mom already has me - why is she holding someone else's kid ? ' she thought . And now she's using that mean voice with me ! From now on , I'm giving all my love to Aunt Sylvia . None for Mom ! Feeling like she'd won some kind of victory , Irene pressed her lips together smugly . " What are you smiling about ? " Stella asked , genuinely confused . Where had she gone wrong ? How had her daughter become like this ? " I'm not telling you , " Irene retorted , sticking out her lower lip . Stella studied her for a long moment . She wanted to say something - to - teach her , to correct her - but when she thought about Irene's recent behavior , it all felt pointless . What good would it do? Even if she scolded her , it would only last a few days . The moment Sylvia showed up , everything would go back to the way it was . She was tired . " Trisha , sweetie , where are your mom and dad ? Why are you here alone ? " Stella turned her attention back to the little girl in her arms . Trisha scratched her cheek shyly . " I wanted to come to the amusement park ... Mom and Dad were busy , so ... " She hung her head , her voice growing softer . " ... I came by myself ." Stella had expected many possibilities - maybe the girl had gotten separated from her parents , or was waiting for someone -but never imagined this would be the reason . She was completely caught off guard . How could a child so young be allowed to wander off alone ? " How about you wait with me for a little while ? Once I'm done here , I'll take you home , " she offered gently . " Okay ! Thank you , Auntie ! " Trisha replied politely . The two chatted easily , their interaction warm and natural . Even though Irene had decided to " take back " her love , seeing them like that still stung . " Get away from her ! She's my mom ! " Irene suddenly shouted , running over and trying to push Trisha . Stella reacted quickly , lifting Trisha higher out of reach . " Irene ! " she said sharply . " I let the rock throwing slide , but pushing ? That's not okay . " " You were holding her ! " Irene yelled , pointing accusingly . Trisha peeked out from Stella's arms . " Big sister , I'm not trying to steal your mom , " she explained earnestly . " Get down ! " Irene screamed , stomping her foot and tugging at Trisha's dress , trying to pull her out of Stella's arms . 1/3 3:20 pm Chapter 22 " Irene , what is all this about ? " Stella said , blocking her daughter's grabbing hands , her patience wearing thin . First the rock throwing , now this - what was she trying to prove ? Was she ... jealous ? Stella quickly dismissed the thought . ' Since when do I rank high enough for her to be jealous ? ' she thought . 65 vouchera But there was no denying it - Irene was throwing a fit because Stella was holding another child . She's the one who said she didn't want me as her mom . But the second someone else gets a little attention , she can't handle it . The whole thing was ridiculous . Since when did a five - year - old get to be so greedy ? It was like expecting her to play nice with Sylvia - naive and downright silly . Luckily , the drama didn't last long . Trisha's family showed up , looking worried and relieved all at once . After hearing what happened , they thanked Stella over and over , and insisted on swapping numbers . " Ms. Spencer , we really can't thank you enough , " Trisha's dad said , sincerity in his voice . " We'd love to take you out to properly thank you . We know you're busy now - here's my card . When you're free , please call us . Let us do this for you ." Stella nodded , a little awkward but grateful . " Of course ." Once Trisha and her family were gone , silence fell again between mother and daughter . Stella didn't have time to stand around . She'd been out of the design world for years . If she wanted to go back to Lumière Group and hold her head high , she'd have to work harder than everyone else . Every minute mattered . So she pulled out her phone and called Ernest . But the call didn't even ring - it was cut off immediately . Text messages ? Left on read . Fine . She looked at Irene , " Ask your dad how much longer . " Irene hmphed , clearly reluctant to engage . She didn't want her mom here , didn't want to talk to her - but she still wanted to go to the amusement park with Sylvia . Swallowing her pride , she fiddled with her smartwatch . Within seconds , she had a reply . " Daddy says there's traffic . He'll be here in about ten minutes ." " Alright , " Stella nodded . " I'm going back to the car . Are you coming ? " Irene ignored her . Stella didn't press . She returned to the driver's seat , pulled out her phone , and began scrolling through images of award - winning jewelry designs from past exhibitions - courtesy of her senior , Jeremy . She was searching for inspiration , trying to reconnect with a world she'd left behind . She was so absorbed she didn't notice someone approaching until a sharp tap on the window made her jump . She turned and found herself looking into a pair of condescending eyes . Sylvia Jansen stood outside , a perfectly sculpted . smirk on her bright red lips - as if amused by whatever Stella thought she was doing . 2/3 3:26 pm P p pp Chapter 22 " If you're interested in jewelry , Ms. Spencer , " Sylvia said , her voice dripping with false sweetness , " I have a few design drafts you could ... learn from . " No need . " Stella saw that Ernest was now holding Irene . The two were chatting , wrapped up in their own world . She had no reason to stay . But just as she was about to drive off , a manicured hand gripped the top of her car door , holding it firmly . " What do you think you're doing ? " Stella asked , turning toward Sylvia with a cool expression . Sylvia leaned in closer , her voice low and suggestive . " Since you're not really interested , maybe you should avoid meddling in things you don't understand . Save yourself the embarrassment - wouldn't you agree ? " " Looks like I used to intimidate you more than I thought ," Stella replied with a faint smile . She wasn't surprised Sylvia knew she was also a jewelry designer - or that she was warning her to stay away from the industry . Sylvia had always been cunning , skilled at wearing a mask of charm while playing deep games . Even now , with her intentions laid bare , Sylvia's smile didn't falter . " What's past is past . From now on , I'll always be steps ahead of you ." " Is that so ? " Stella raised a brow . " You're that confident ? " " Of course , " Sylvia chuckled softly , leaning even closer . " After all , your wonderful husband will make sure of it . He'll help me crush you ." Stella shrugged , unfazed . " Well then ... I guess we'll just have to wait and see ." AD