Chapter 23 The Elders Choose a Side Chapter 23 The Elders Choose a Side A loud , authoritative male voice echoed from the doorway . Hannah and her assistant both turned to look . +5 Free Coins Four older individuals entered - two men and two women - all with heavy , unreadable expressions as they stared Hannah down . They were the senior elders of Starlight Group . After the morning meeting , these four had wanted answers about Stella - was she really the same girl from over a decade ago , the one they'd thought had died ? Ethan hadn't said much , just confirmed : yes , she hadn't died - his sister had come back . The elders were overwhelmed with emotion and followed Ethan , desperate to see her . They hadn't seen Stella in more than ten years . They'd missed her deeply . But what they walked into was this mess : Stella had slapped Ethan's girlfriend , who was now tearfully tattling on her . The elders were worried Ethan would let his hormones get the better of him and take it out on Stella . The eldest among them stepped forward and snapped , " That's enough ! " Hannah shrank back into Ethan's arms , clearly shaken by their intensity . " I'm not lying ! " she insisted . But the elders rushed forward , blocking the front of the desk like a shield . Elder A , a meticulous middle - aged woman with her hair pulled into a flawless bun , narrowed her eyes . " Not lying ? That wound on your knee is just makeup . You can't fool me - it's barely even a scratch " Hannah Ethan's eyes flicked to Hannah's knee , surprise flickering across his face . Elder & added , " Stella has never hit anyone without a reason . Don't think you can pin this on her ." Elder C spoke firmly , " Ethan , don't you dare blame Stella . If you try to touch her , you'll have to step over our dead bodies first " Elder D was about to nod in agreement - then frowned and rolled their eyes at Elder C. A flash of malice sparked in Hannah's gaze . How did this woman get so many people on her side ? Still , it didn't matter . As long as Ethan stood with her , she'd win . She clung tighter to his arm , eyes brimming with tears . " Ethan .. if everyone says this is my fault , then fine … it's my fault .. sob " It was your fault TM Ethan pulled his arm away , voice cold and sharp . Hannah's eyes widened . When he first walked in , he'd only felt guilty . He had promised to meet her and hadn't even sent a message . That part was on him . That's why he hadn't stopped her when she grabbed his arm . 1/2 Chapter 23 The Elders Choose a Side But after hearing everything she said - seeing that fake injury - he couldn't help question her real intentions . 45 Free Coins And the elders standing guard like sentries ? That just made it clearer . Ethan sighed , fidgeting with the black bracelet on his wrist . " What is this ? Do you all think I've lost my sense of judgment The four elders nodded in unison . His reputation clearly needed some serious PR work . " Stella ! Stella , are you okay ? " The office door burst open again . Tina rushed inside . She slipped past the elders and hurried to Stella's side , looking her up and down . " Did Hannah do anything to you ? Did Mr. Ethan do anything What , was she a wild animal or something ? Also , she was the one who got slapped ! Ethan's face turned even darker - like a pan that hadn't been scrubbed in ten years . Is this really the image he gave people ? That he'd hurt his own sister over an outsider ? Stella blinked , a little thrown by all the fuss . She shook her head . " No , I'm fine . I'm the one who slapped Hannah . " Tina breathed a sigh of relief . " Good " Hannah's blood pressure spiked . She totally lost it . Tina , what do you mean ' good ? You think it's good I got slapped ? " She'd never liked Tina anyway . She should've had Ethan fire her a long time ago ! Tina gave her a cool glance . " If Stella hit you , you should be asking yourself why Hannah gritted her teeth . She really felt wronged now . " So you're all blaming the victim , is that it ? " Stella stepped forward and turned to the four elders with a sunny smile . " Madam Violet , Madam Zoey , Mr. Lewis , Mr. Sunon She'd seen them during the meeting earlier , but hadn't greeted them formally at the time . The elders eyes lit up . A moment later , their noses were red and their eyes misty . " Stella , you still remember us ! Where have you been all these years ? W We missed you so much ! " Elder C broke down crying . Stella grinned . " Of course I remember ! You're even more handsome than before ! "