Chapter 14 Years had passed , and Stanley had changed beyond recognition . Menu His features were sharper , colder , his tall figure straight as a rod . Dressed in a tailored black suit with a bracelet on his wrist , there was an aura of aloofness about him , an unsettling distance that made him almost untouchable , like a force to be reckoned with . He was no longer the man she used to get close to . Around him , people gathered , but unlike Coleman , who was always charming and polite , Stanley stood apart , distant and indifferent . Whether it was to flatter or to appease , he gave nothing away , offering nothing more than a cold nod as his eyes swept past her , uninterested , before turning away again . At that moment , Eduardo appeared , sensing her tension , and gave her a way out . " Sina , let's go . It's time for the ribbon - cutting . " " Okay . " Jensina quickly agreed , forcing herself to remain calm and to ignore the weight of that gaze . She wasn't the one who had done something wrong all those years ago . There was nothing she was afraid of . The ribbon - cutting ceremony was set to take place at the front entrance of the Traditional Medicine Research Institute . As they stepped outside , staff members were ready and waiting ; only the guests were missing . Jensina and Eduardo , representing Pierre , were placed in the prime seats , front and center . The cold wind nipped at her face , but as she settled into her spot , Jensina slowly calmed herself . She took the scissors handed to her by the staff and focused on the sound of the host's voice . Once the scissors came down , she would be free to leave . " We never expected you to make time to come , " the director of the institute said , leading Stanley to his designated seat . " Please , right this way . " Since Stanley had taken the helm of the Herring family , he had boldly expanded into the medical field , now owning not only a high - end private hospital but also Traditional Medicine Research Institutes and laboratories . Everyone wanted a piece of that empire . When the invitation had been sent to Stanley , Jensina never imagined he would actually show up . As the director's words drifted into her ears , she didn't need to turn her head to know who was behind her . The familiar scent of sandalwood , one she had grown up with , wafted through the air , confirming it . Stanley slowly approached her , his voice soft as he responded to the director , " You flatter me . " He raised his arm , his elbow brushing against Jensina's , but he acted as though he didn't notice , He didn't even glance her way . She instinctively shifted slightly to the side . Noticing her discomfort , Eduardo , thinking it was due to the presence of a stranger , gently asked , " Would you like to change seats ? " " Sure , " Jensina agreed quickly , making no fuss . As the crowd bustled behind them , Eduardo , worried someone might bump into her , guided her to the other side . After the ceremony , Jensina felt a weight lift off her shoulders . The institute had arranged for a luncheon , but she didn't feel like staying longer . After a brief word with Eduardo , Jensina excused herself , claiming to be feeling unwell . Outside the Traditional Medicine Research Institute , she waited for a while , unable to hail a cab . Then , with a honk , a sleek black limousine pulled up beside her . Stanley's assistant got out , respectfully opening the back door for her . " Ms. Warren , it's cold out . Let me take you back to your hotel . " 10 25 Admissions Fall 20 … DUHS.EDU.PK Apply now 5.4 % < Chapter 14 She looked up , and there , sitting in the back seat , was Stanley . He was dressed simply in a black shirt , the top two buttons undone . He looked different from the cold , detached figure at the ceremony . There was a lazy , almost casual air about him - but just barely . Menu When Jensina didn't move , Stanley's lips curled slightly , and he said in a low voice , " Are you waiting for me to get out and ask you to get into the car ? The words so simple yet cutting , wiped away the discomfort Jensina had felt moments ago . Instead , a flicker of anger surged within her . " Mr . Herring , I wouldn't want to trouble you by having you lower yourself to such lengths . " " Mr. Herring , Stanley murmured . The title , so formal , was a clear line drawn between them - one that couldn't be crossed . Stanley's gaze remained steady as he replied , " Then get in . " " No need , " Jensina said sharply . Stanley , his chiseled jaw barely moving , nodded toward the institute and said lightly , " Are you going to wait here for the others to come out and see you and me together ? " Jensina frowned , hesitating for only a moment before sliding into the car . Her movements were quick , almost as though she were trying to escape something . The silence was thick , the air heavy with tension . The car made a turn at an intersection , and Jensina finally spoke , her voice tense . " This isn't the way to the hotel . * "We're going to eat , Stanley said quietly . Jensina , now visibly frustrated , snapped , " Stop the car . " Enrique , the driver , didn't stop but instead glanced at Stanley through the rearview mirror , waiting for his signal . Seeing Stanley's lack of objection , Jensina didn't waste any more time . She grabbed the door handle and forcefully pulled it open . " You know I'm not going to listen to you . Three years ago , I jumped out of a car , and I can do it again . " Enrique's foot slammed on the brakes without thinking , his nerves still rattled from three years ago . Stanley , however , had anticipated this . He swiftly grabbed her wrist , his voice icy as he spoke , " So , are you going to listen to me ? Or to Coleman ? " " Neither ! " Jensina retorted , wrenching her arm free . Stanley let out a humorless laugh . " Wasn't it you begging me not to leave , saying you'd always listen to me ? " " You just said ' wasn't ' , " Jensina shot back , her eyes blazing as she stared at him . " I'm twenty - four , not seven . " " You thought we made the pinky swear , and I'll follow you ? " she said , her voice shaking with emotion . With that , the grip on her wrist loosened just enough for her to swiftly open the car door and step out . Jensina didn't hail another cab . Instead , she walked down the sidewalk , letting the cold wind soak through her . She needed to clear the storm of memories that were flooding her mind . Of all her years with the Herrings , none were as free and unburdened as the nine she spent at Stanley's side . She had no blood family to speak of , so he became her family , her shelter . Stanley , had cared for her , raised her from a naive girl to a woman . His friends often asked him where he had found such a sweet , obedient girl . Stanley always responded , " She's fierce at home . " 1025 Admissions Open - MBA Fall 2025 Dow Apply now 5.4 % < Chapter 14 At sixteen , Jensina had been abandoned for the second time in her life . The first time was when her parents had died suddenly , leaving her behind . And the second time , Stanley had cast her aside . For a long time , Jensina had been trapped in a never - ending cycle , breaking down over and over again on countless nights . She kept thinking about what she had done wrong that she was abandoned . The night she was sent back to Vanessa's house , Jensina had been forced to kneel for two days straight . Menu Vanessa had smiled and said , " Stan has always been a temperamental mess . When he's in a good mood , he'll keep a pet cat or dog . When he's tired of it , he'll throw it out like trash . It's no surprise . " You're the only one , pathetic enough , to hold on to him as your lifeline . " Learn your lesson now ? " Jensina barely remembered what she had said in response . She only remembered the hot sun , her fainting , and then being jolted awake with cold water splashed in her face . But after all these years , she had always reminded herself not to rely on anyone again , not to become anyone's burden . She had learned to be careful , calculating every step with caution . The next night , Jensina and Eduardo landed in Los Angeles , where Gertrude was waiting at the airport . Seeing someone was there to meet Jensina , Eduardo relaxed and returned to the clinic . Gertrude started the car , glancing at the luggage in the back seat . " Going to my place or what ? " " Let's go to Oakwood Villa first , " Jensina said . That was where she and Coleman , with their fake family , lived . And it was also the heart of Los Angeles's wealthiest neighborhood . Gertrude raised an eyebrow but couldn't resist asking , " Still no word from Coleman ? " " No. " " What's he up to ? Busy keeping vigil for his mistress ? " Gertrude's lawyer instincts never failed . Jensina wasn't sure either , which was why she wanted to go back first and speak to him in person about the divorce . As she later . " got out of the car , she didn't grab her luggage , turning to Gertrude and saying , " Take it to your place , so I won't have to move it again She hadn't packed much - just the essentials . The rest of her clothes were still in Oakwood Villa , clothes she didn't want , but which would do for temporary use . It was nearly midnight , and the villa still had the entryway light on . Hearing the noise , Susana came out and looked surprised to see Jensina . " Mrs. Hardwick , you're back . Want something to eat ? " " No , thanks . " Jensina shook her head and got straight to the point . " Is Coleman home ? "