Chapter 22 Let Her In
Luna was livid-too angry to eat. She immediately helped Raine away from the table.
With the result in hand, Stella and Moses stayed behind and calmly finished the rest of their meal.
That evening, James tried to get them to spend the night, but Moses gently held Stella’s hand and said:
“Sorry, we have plans.”
James had no choice but to watch them leave.
On the drive home, Stella turned to Moses and thanked him sincerely.
“Thanks to you today, Mr. Moses. I owe you one. If there’s anything I can do for you over at the Landons, just say the word.”
Moses casually adjusted his cufflinks, voice unreadable. “You’re keeping score that clearly?”
Stella didn’t pretend to know him well. His moods shifted like the weather.
And now, she couldn’t read what he meant at all.
So she replied cautiously.
“Mr. Moses agreeing to play along today was already more than generous. Maybe it was just to preserve the Landons’ dignity-but either way, I really do appreciate it.”
His face suddenly turned cold.
Stella was confused.
Did I say something wrong again?
Forget it. Moses had always been unpredictable.
Just because he’d been kind for a few days didn’t mean she could expect too much.
Back at Music Bay, Stella curled up on the couch.
She’d brought up her mother’s urn today. No point waiting-better to push it through while things were still hot.
She typed out a message to James:
We’ll be bringing Mom’s urn into the cemetery in two days.
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James didn’t reply.
She wasn’t surprised.
Over the next two days, Stella hired priests and musicians.
She wanted it done properly-loud and proud-just to slap Raine across the face.
When the day arrived, Stella brought her people to the Johnson cemetery.
Just as expected, James and a few Johnson elders were already there.
As always, Raine stood among them, wearing her gentle expression-but this time, she was the one speaking.
“She was James’s first wife. Why would we ever make it difficult? Of course her urn belongs here. It’s just… we had a priest check the calendar, and today isn’t auspicious…”
“Not auspicious?”
Stella’s heels clicked against the marble as she approached. Everyone turned to look as she smiled at Raine.
“Stop nonsense.”
Stella cut her off, her tone icy.
“If the Landons lose faith in Johnson Corp because of this, if they stop doing business with you… I wonder how long the rest of the family’s wallets would stay lucky.”
At that, James’s scalp tingled.
The other relatives exchanged glances—then quickly understood.
A partnership with the Landons meant wealth beyond imagination.
Losing that? Catastrophic.
“Come now, Stella’s right. James, you already agreed to this. You can’t go back on your word.”
“Exactly. James, don’t you remember what you promised her?”
“If you ask me, today’s the best day for this!”
The Johnsons were obsessed with appearances. No one wanted to be the reason Moses turned his back on
them.
And so they all turned to pressure James instead.
Cornered, he shot Stella a vicious glare, then finally waved his hand.
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“Fine! Let her in! Happy now?!”
Raine looked like death.
But surrounded by so much pressure, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and swallow the shame.
Stella ignored her completely and carried her mother’s urn inside, with dignity.
She’d paid. She’d arranged everything.
The Johnsons didn’t dare say a word. They all stood outside as Stella carried her mother’s urn step by step into the cemetery-eyes rimmed with red.
Mom, the thing you longed for but were denied…
Your daughter has done it for you.
You gave everything for the Johnsons. Your name should be here.
But nearby, Raine’s eyes burned with rage.
Just as Stella was about to step over the threshold, Raine suddenly blocked her path.
“Wait!”
Stella stopped.
From behind came the sound of bells.
She turned and saw a man in priest robes standing at the entrance.
“Bad luck, bad luck… It’s not an auspicious day. Postpone the ceremony!”
“Isn’t that the priest?”
Someone shouted, and the whole crowd looked his way.
Stella frowned.
Before she could speak, a few of the older relatives stepped in.
“If the priest says it’s unlucky, we should reschedule.”
“Raine did the right thing. If we let something unlucky into the hall, we might lose our fortune.”
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