Chapter 18

Before going to bed, Stella had made sure to lock the door from the inside, and not just that, she'd even taken the spare key from the storeroom with her.

So when someone tried to open the door in the middle of the night, it didn't budge. After a few moments of struggle, the person outside finally gave up.

The noise had woken her. Lying in the quiet darkness,she stared at the ceiling, unable to fall back asleep.

Curiosity got the better of her, and she checked the surveillance footage, and as expected-it was Marc.

But by then,he was gone.

Knowing she had a full day ahead, Stella made herself close her eyes and tried to fall back asleep.

The next morning, she got ready and headed straight to the research institute, brushing off everything Marc had said the night before.

She wasn't the same wife he used to manipulate so easily. That version of her was long gone.

From the moment she made up her mind, their marriage was over in her heart.

Once at the institute, she threw herself into work and pushed everything about last night far from her mind.

It wasn't until her phone rang that she paused her work and looked at the screen.

The name flashing on the screen was "Allegra"-someone from Marc's legal department.

Allegra had once helped Stella when the latter was at Marc's company, and Stella had always been polite and thankful for it.

Seeing her name pop up now caught Stella off guard.

They'd only ever spoken for work, never anything personal, unless something unusual had happened...

With a few uneasy guesses forming, Stella picked up the call.

"Hey Allegra, what's going on?"

Allegra's voice cracked when she heard Stella. After a pause,she steadied herself and said, "Ms. Russell, Mr.Walsh asked me to inform you that you need to come to the office today."

Her voice wavered. She already knew Stella didn't want to come, and there had been talk around the office about her turning down the renewal offer.

But it was a direct order from Marc, and Allegra had no choice but to follow it.

"I'm sorry, Allegra. But I've decided not to work with your company anymore, so I won't be coming in."

Allegra had guessed this might happen, but hearing it directly still left her feeling defeated.

"Ms. Russell, I know you've made up your mind, but Mr.Walsh said if you don't come, it would be considered my error,and I could lose my job."

Stella frowned, stunned. "Wait-are you saying Marc would fire you just because I refuse to come?"

"Ms. Russell, I know you don't want to come, and l understand. But I really have no choice. He said he'd make sure no one else in the industry hires me. I know this is emotional blackmail... but it's fine. I'll find a way somehow."

Allegra choked on her sobs. She didn't want to make things worse for Stela, but she was stuck between loyalty and survival.

Stella's hands trembled with fury.

Marc must've figured out that she and Allegra got along and used that connection to trap her.

He really would stoop to anything just to get his way.

It was so shameless that it almost made her laugh.

Hearing Allegra's shaky sobs,Stella squeezed her eyes shut and said firmly, "I'll come. Don't worry, Allegra.This isn't your fault-he's targeting me, not you.l won't let you lose your job over this."

Allegra's heart clenched at Stella's words. Her panic faded,replaced by gratitude, guilt, and a deep sense of unfairness on Stella's behalf.

"Thank you... thank you so much, Ms. Russell!"

Stella almost said there was no need for thanks-after all,Allegra had once helped her too.

Besides, she wasn't someone who forgot a kindness,no matter how small.

If Marc wanted her there so badly, then fine. She'd go.She wanted to see for herself exactly what kind of game he was playing now.