Chapter 12 Getting Close to Another Man
The next morning.
It was Stella’s first day at work.
As she stepped outside her door, a sharply dressed man stood waiting with a steaming food bag in hand, smiling at her.
“Ms. Stella, I’m Liam. Mr. Moses asked me to deliver your breakfast.”
The bag was filled with a variety of hot, freshly prepared items.
Stella was caught off guard.
It seemed Moses really wasn’t like the rumors at all.
He treated her with respect–and even a bit of thoughtfulness.
Even when Shane secured his inheritance and became wealthy, he had never arranged for his assistant to bring her breakfast.
“Thank you. And thank Moses for me as well.”
She took the generously portioned meal with a smile, stepped into the elevator, and pressed the button for the first floor. She planned to grab a cab to Johnson Corp.
Liam entered after her and pressed the button for the basement garage.
“Mr. Moses also instructed me to drive you to Johnson Corp.”
Stella was surprised by how thorough Moses’s arrangements were, but she didn’t decline his kindness.
Johnson Corp.
The news that the Johnson heiress would be joining the company had spread like wildfire the night before.
At the morning meeting, all the Johnson relatives, shareholders, and department heads were in attendance.
They said they were there to welcome her.
In truth, they were laying down the law.
Before she could even settle in, James’s voice rang out, “After some discussion, we’ve all agreed that Ms. Stella should begin her internship in the PR department–handle social events first, then gradually become familiar with company operations.”
Stella wasn’t surprised.”
PR was the front line–networking, schmoozing, signing contracts. It was also the furthest position from company leadership.
Someone her age, full of pride and temper, should’ve exploded from the humiliation.
But Stella simply stood up and smiled.
“If that’s what everyone has decided, I accept.”
The entire room stared in shock.
She walked out past the long meeting table, heels tapping with calm precision.
At the doorway, she paused and turned back slightly, her bright eyes sweeping over the room.
“I look forward to working with you all.”
1/4
She was smiling.
But her smile made everyone’s spine go cold.
+8 PearlS
Outside the conference room, she found Liam still waiting by the door. She was surprised–then a little resigned.
“Internal matters at Johnson Corp aren’t for outsiders. You should probably head out. From now on, just drop me off at the
entrance.”
“My apologies,” Liam said with a slight bow before taking his leave.
They walked in opposite directions.
Stella smirked.
Everyone inside Johnson Corp was in such a hurry to push her out. But she was only just getting started.
After killing time until the end of the workday, Stella stepped outside with her bag–only to run into Liam again.
“Ms. Stella, Mr. Moses is waiting for you.”
Her brows lifted in surprise. Moses was really putting effort into this new marriage.
When she got in the car, she saw him resting with his eyes closed. She spoke softly, not wanting to disturb him.
“Mr. Moses, you don’t need to pick me up. I can manage on my own.”
Moses opened his eyes slowly, his gaze dark and steady.
“My grandfather keeps a close eye on my marriage. He needs to know where I go and who I see.”
Stella nodded in understanding.
In a powerful family like the Landons, that wasn’t too surprising.
She had just stepped one foot out of the car when Moses’s voice came from behind her.
“I’m bringing you to meet my grandfather tomorrow. So–how’s your acting?”
The question came out smooth as ever. Stella paused, tilted her head. “Not… bad?”
Suddenly, Moses reached for her wrist.
Even through the sheer fabric of her sleeve, she could feel the heat of his palm.
His suit sleeve brushed her hand–just enough to tickle.
Her fingers tensed instantly.
Not because she was repulsed–just… not used to it.
Moses let go as he noticed how stiff she’d gone.
His expression turned faintly amused. “Yeah. Doesn’t seem like it’s your strong suit.”
He let go immediately.
Stella’s hand hovered awkwardly in the air for a second before she pulled it back. She cleared her throat to break the tension.
“Thanks for the ride.”
214
“Alright. Go on up.”
The building doors closed behind her.
The warmth in Moses’s eyes faded instantly. Moments later, Liam returned, dragging a man with a camera.
“Mr. Moses, this is the guy who’s been following and taking pictur
Cloudtopia…”
“Let him go.”
At the mention of Unity Corp, Moses’s clenched knuckles relaxed.
He waved Liam off.
It was time for Shane to learn a few things.
We traced it–he was hired by Unity Corp in
Unity Corp.
Simon laid a stack of blurry photos on the desk.
“Our team found Ms. Stella in Capital City.”
“But… she seems to be getting very close to a man.”
Shane picked up the photos.
Though the quality wasn’t crystal clear, it was obvious–Stella stepping out of a man’s car.
A man’s hand, wearing a watch, was reaching out from the vehicle–holding hers!
No. Star would never do something like that.
Shane swept the stack off the desk in a fury.
“Impossible! She’s just upset right now. There’s no way she’d go to another man. Simon, who the hell did you hire?!”
Simon said nothing.
He’d hired Unity Corp’s very best investigator.
His silence only made Shane more afraid.
He redialed Stella’s number, tried every contact method he had.
Every single one had him blocked.
She’d completely shut him out.
Something wasn’t right.
Star had never gotten this angry before.
Panic creeping in, Shane scanned the background of the photo again.
Music Bay.
He no longer cared if the photos were real. Or whether she’d really found someone else.
He had to go to Capital City–see her with his own eyes, prove this wasn’t real.
“Book me the next flight to Capital City.”
3/4
+8 Pearls
Shane headed straight to the airport.
Simon chased after him. “But there’s a storm tonight in Cloudtopia. It’s dangerous, Mr. Shane-!”
“Shut up. I’m going to find her.”
Shane stepped into the rain, letting it blur his vision.
Just before he climbed into the car-
Wendy’s ringtone echoed in his pocket.
“Shane, it’s raining… it looks like there’s going to be lightning soon. I’m home alone and I feel awful. Can you come be with
me?”
Wendy’s soft, delicate voice filtered into his ear.
Before, Shane would’ve rushed straight home without hesitation.
But this time-
He hesitated.
“Be good, Wendy. I’ve got something important to take care of.”
“You don’t need to worry. I’ll have Simon check in on you, and the doctor’s on
his way. You’re safe.”
“But…”
Wendy sat up in shock. He’d actually turned her down.
Outside, a bolt of lightning split the sky, followed by booming thunder.
All she heard next was the dial tone.
“Shane, why won’t you come?!”
The flash of lightning lit up her pale face.
Wendy hurled her phone and clutched her head, screaming hysterically.
“You used to come running every time Stella was scared of thunderstorms! Why?! Why can’t I ever get the same kind of love?!”
The thunder roared on, swallowing her cries.
