Chapter 6 Why Should She Be the One to Endure
Anyone born into high society could spot the air of pettiness on Wendy at a glance.
No amount of charm could hide it.
Mary didn’t like Stella
she certainly didn’t like Wendy either.
The moment Stella entered, she became the new target of Mary’s fury.
“What a fool–can’t even keep her man in line and lets some vixen walk through the front door.”
Shane stepped in front of Wendy, his voice cold and commanding.
“Wendy isn’t a vixen. She’s my friend. Please, Aunt Mary, watch your mouth.”
Stella remembered the first time she came to the Boston family estate.
Before they’d even walked in the door, Shane had repeatedly begged her not to argue with the family. Everything had to be Jdone for the sake of the future.
Back then, he was just a recently acknowledged illegitimate son.
Now, he was the undisputed heir to the Boston family.
Of course he could protect whoever he wanted.
Wendy clung timidly to Shane’s hand, eyes full of worship.
As if he were a god.
“Shane, I’m sorry for causing trouble.”
Shane’s chest swelled with satisfaction. He couldn’t resist glancing at Stella again.
But all he saw was a pale, indifferent face.
He’d spoiled her too much–made her stubborn and proud. She never bowed her head. Never backed down.
Whenever she was upset, she’d shut down. Give him that cold little face.
Always had to vent before she’d soften up. Did she not know where she was?
Did she think she could act like that here?
“Star, sit with Wendy for a while. I’ll be right back.”
He pulled his hand from Wendy’s and headed upstairs.
Mary sat elegantly on the sofa, her presence sharp and imperious.
“Stella, I truly underestimated you. So eager to marry into the Boston family, you’re willing to swallow anything.”
Stella didn’t bother replying.
“You’re joking. I’m going to cook something for Grandpa.”
She rolled up her sleeves and walked to the kitchen.
Ameal would be her parting gesture. After this, she’d have no more ties to the Boston family.
Wendy instinctively started to follow her, but quickly stopped herself.
She was going to be Shane’s wife. The kitchen–a servant’s space–was beneath her.
1/4
Stella was on her third dish when a loud slap rang through the estate, followed by Wendy’s sharp scream.
She ran out with the spatula in hand–only to be beaten by another figure sprinting from upstairs to scoop Wendy off the ground.
“Ma’am, what are you doing?”
Henry came downstairs supporting the old patriarch. Neither of them looked pleased.
Mary tossed a jewelry box to the floor.
“Shane, I may not be your birth mother, but I’m still your elder. You bring a guest to dinner, and I do my part to host them- yet she gifts me a fake? Is she mocking me? Does she think I’m not worthy of being a Boston?”
Mary and Henry’s marriage had always been political, not emotional.
Worse still, she’d only given birth to a daughter, while Henry’s mistress had given him Shane.
And Shane, infuriatingly, h
High
risen to the top as Boston Group’s president.
High society gossips loved whispering that she wouldn’t hold onto her title as Mrs. Boston for long.
Now Wendy dared hand her a counterfeit–of course she exploded.
Wendy, her face red and swollen from the slap, trembled in Shane’s arms.
“Shane, I didn’t… That bracelet was a gift from you. I picked the most expensive one. How could it be fake?”
She’d practically bled to part with that bracelet, just to impress.
Stella glanced at the shattered jade bangle on the ground.
She had seen the real one in Shane’s safe. He’d bought it at auction along with a headpiece–said it was for their wedding.
Now it had ended up with Wendy?
Except the one on the ground was clearly a cheap fake.
Shane suddenly turned to Stella.
“You went through Wendy’s jewelry box?”
She blinked, stunned.
But Wendy had already burst into tears.
“Stella, you paid for my college… you even introduced me to Shane. I’m so grateful. I’d share everything with you. If you liked the bracelet, you could’ve just taken it–why replace it with a fake?”
Stella was seething.
“Shane, do you really believe I did that?”
Shane rubbed Wendy’s back gently, voice low and heavy.
“Let’s not make a scene. Grandpa’s hungry. Just bring out the food.”
He clearly believed Wendy.
Stella laughed bitterly.
“Then call the police, A bangle this expensive qualifies as theft, right?”
Shane’s expression turned even darker.
2/4
“Stella, come sit by Grandpa.”
The old patriarch’s voice cut through the tension.
Stella looked at the withered, weary man–and relented.
She helped him into the dining room.
The servants brought out the food quickly. The dishes Stella made were placed directly in front of the old man.
“Still the most thoughtful one. You know what I crave.”
The atmosphere was just beginning to thaw.
Then Wendy stood up, holding a wine glass.
“Grandpa, ma’am, I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault for disturbing the peace. Please, let me apologize.”
She was about to take a sip when Shane stopped her.
“Did you forget what the doctor said about alcohol?”
Tears welled in Wendy’s eyes.
“But I feel so awful.”
Shane turned to Stella.
“Star, drink a glass for Wendy. Let’s put this matter to rest.”
He sounded like a ruler passing judgment. The future head of the family in full form.
Stella laughed coldly inside.
She set down her fork and answered flatly, “My stomach hurts. I can’t drink.”
Shane’s expression froze.
T
He remembered her complaint the night before–and the medical orders he once memorized by heart came flooding back.
A flicker of guilt crept into his eyes.
But Wendy had already downed the wine.
She coughed violently into Shane’s arms, quickly pulling his attention back.
“Shane, I’m fine. As long as you’re not upset, I don’t care what happens to me.”
He immediately ordered soup for her, his brows pinched tight with worry.
“Stella, must you always make everything difficult?”
Just endure it.
Don’t stir things up at the Boston estate.
He had already reminded her.
His father had pressured him to marry a rich heiress–but he had stood by Stella, resisting everything for her.
Why couldn’t she be more understanding?
Stella’s heart shattered all over again.
She had once thrown herself into building his future, even at the cost of her life.
3/4
And now? All she got was “Just endure it.”
Why should she?
“Shane, I didn’t sneak around giving gifts that caused problems. I’m not the one who insisted on a dramatic apology toast. Are you blind? Or just deaf?”
He hadn’t expected Stella to talk to him like that–in front of the Boston elders.
His handsome face darkened.
“Tch!”
Mary’s sharp sneer broke the silence.
That sound snapped something in Shane–shame from his days as an exposed illegitimate son came rushing back.
