Chapter 82

Even Haley stood frozen, her smile faltering as she stared at the woman beside Steven Harrison. That face. That posture. That aura.It can't be... Stella? But that was impossible.She was supposed to be dead. There had even been an official death certificate.

Yet here she was-alive, glowing, and even more striking than before.

Haley's hands tightened involuntarily around her clutch. No... it's not her. It can't be.

Just then, Stella's arm was gripped hard-Marc, his voice trembling, looked as if he'd just seen a ghost.

But Stella quickly yanked her arm away, her expression turning icy. "Sir, I don't know you.You've mistaken me for someone else. I'm here to discuss business with Mr. Harrison."Her tone was sharp, clipped and distant.

Marc panicked. "Stella, enough. Don't do this. Do you have any idea how long l've been searching for you? I turned the whole damn country upside down! I know | was wrong-I swear I'll make it right this time.Come home with me."

He thought-maybe hoped-that he could still pull her back. He didn't sign the divorce papers-she was still his wife. "You are Stella. I'm sure of it. You're my wife."

Stella almost laughed. After all this time-six whole months-Marc hadn't changed a bit.Still trying to charm his way through everything with that same self-righteous attitude.

She let out a soft, mocking chuckle.

"Your wife? Wow. That's cute. Sir, if this is your idea of flirting, you're seriously off the mark. And for the record, I prefer gentlemen."

Then she turned toward Steven with an apologetic look. "Sorry about this, Mr.

Harrison. I'll stop by your office another time to continue our conversation."

After all, she was under William's protection.Steven wouldn't dare let anything happen to her-not in his presence.

Steven gave a slight nod, clearly about to respond when Marc suddenly reached out again and grabbed her arm.

"It's not possible," he said, voice hoarse with desperation. "You are Stella."

His voice broke as the scene around them slowed-guests now fully focused on the growing commotion.

Stella's patience snapped. Smack! The sound of the slap cracked through the air,silencing the room. Her eyes were like frost as she looked down at him. "You're being extremely rude, sir."

She reached into her clutch, pulled out her ID,and held it up for him to see. "My name is Sylvia Gilbert. I don't know any Stella. And as for your wife..." She tilted her head, her smile

cool. "Maybe get help for those delusions."

Marc's cheek stung, but he couldn't care less at the moment.

He gaze was locked on the ID in disbelief.

It wasn't just the name-it was the birth date,the address, the background. Everything was wrong.

And yet... her face was unmistakable.

How could this not be Stella?

As he stood there, stunned, she casually slid the card back into her bag and added lightly,"If this was some desperate tactic to get my attention, sir, I'd advise you to try a little harder-and a lot less creepily."

Marc, dazed, shook his head. "No... no, if you're not Stella, then why are you even here? You knew I'd be at this banquet, didn't you? You came for me."

Stella laughed, amused by his shallow reasoning. "Sir, what gives you such extraordinary confidence for someone so...

ordinary? I'm here to discuss business with Mr. Harrison. What does that have to do with you?"

Marc's face darkened. Business? With Steven? He stood there, momentarily stunned.

He pursed his lips slightly, his expression a mix of confusion and something else. "Stella,whatever this is, you're pushing it now. Let's deal our personal matters privately."

Regardless, he had to secure the SummitRise Group's project. Once he did, he wouldn't be under Haley's thumb anymore.

He turned to Steven. "Mr. Harrison, I apologize for the earlier scene. Walsh Group is fully capable of managing the new energy project, and I hope you'll give us fair consideration."

Steven had been silently observing the entire exchange, expression unreadable.

Now he smiled faintly. "Of course, Mr. Walsh.Fair competition is the only way to do

business. But you should know-Nebula Group has offered quite a compelling proposal. They've guaranteed the plan will pass on the first round, no revisions needed.And if it doesn't, they're prepared to offer immediate financial compensation. Can Walsh Group offer the same?"

Marc's jaw slackened. No revisions?Immediate compensation?

He turned to look at Stella. WVas she out of her mind?

How was she so confident their plan would pass on the first try?

The risk alone was astronomical-eight-figure losses at minimum if the proposal failed.And she agreed to that?

Moreover, Steven had just said Stella could provide the latest technology.

Her previous patent had already made waves -it was cutting-edge at the time. So what could she possibly have come up with now that was even better?

He felt a dull ache creeping into his temples.What the hell had she been up to during the six months she vanished?