Chapter 49
The store attendant’s face went pale with shock. “C–Co–Founder?”
She knew the boutique had two owners.
One was the main investor.
The other, the one who had built the brand’s reputation, was the designer behind it all, Rian.
And Rian… was Stellar?
But that wasn’t possible. Wasn’t she just some broke ex–girlfriend?
The realization hit hard, leaving the attendant frozen in disbelief.
The
manager, finally noticing the strange atmosphere, took one look at Stellar’s expression, then at the stunned store attendant.
After overhearing a few snippets of their argument, he immediately understood what had happened.
His face darkened.
“You’re fired!”
The words dropped like a hammer.
The attendant’s face went deathly pale, and the entire store fell into dead silence.
Margaret, standing nearby, was completely stunned.
The woman she had just ridiculed, assuming she was nothing without Percy, was actually the co–owner of this boutique?
And not just any co–owner, she was Rian.
The very designer whose work was so exclusive that even she struggled to get her hands on a piece.
Her mind reeled, and when she thought back to the way she sneered at Stellar for being penniless, her face burned with humiliation.
Her complexion turned a blotchy mix of red and pale, like someone who had just been publicly humiliated.
At that moment, the last thing she wanted was the hairpin
Without another word, she spun around and slipped out the door, practically fleeing the scene in shame.
It was as if something monstrous was chasing her.
No, this couldn’t be true.
She needed to get home and demand answers from Percy.
Hadn’t he told her that after the breakup, Stellar walked away with nothing?
Meanwhile, inside the store, Suzy had finally snapped out of her shock.
“Stellar Rivers!” she gasped, grabbing her friend’s arm. “You’re Rian? The mystery designer Rian?! You’ve been keeping this from me?”
Her eyes were wide, filled with a mix of disbelief and excitement.
Chapter 49
+25 BONUS
Stellar let out a sheepish chuckle..
“I wasn’t trying to hide it. It started out as just a hobby. I was designing pieces for fun. Then someone noticed my work and offered me a stake in the business. I only meant to sell a few designs here and there… but I guess it took
off.”
She rubbed the back of her neck, a little embarrassed.
She had never been the type to boast about her achievements
Suzy, on the other hand, looked ready to burst with excitement.
“God, I love you,” she declared, wrapping her arms around Stellar’s in a tight hug, her eyes practically sparking
“Did you see that old hag’s face just now? She looked like she’d seen a ghost! You used to cater to her every whim, and she got used to walking all over you.
“But now? Bet she finally realizes you’re not someone to mess with!”
Stellar let out a helpless chuckle.
Then, without hesitation, she picked up the hairpin and handed it to Suzy.
“It’s already charged to my account. Consider it my gift for your grandina.”
A piece worth a fortune, and Stellar just gave it away without a second thought.
Only then did it hit Suzy.
Stellar was filthy rich.
Aloft with
And to think, she spent all this time worrying that Stellar had worked for Percy for free, drained dry and left with nothing.
Her best friend clearly was smarter than she gave her credit for.
She never let herself end up with nothing.
Still, Suzy also overheard something else,
Stellar had walked away from the breakup without taking a single cent.
That didn’t sit right.
No way.
She needed to figure out a way to make Percy pay.
With the hairpin secured, the two of them browsed the store for a little while longer before finally stepping out. Neither of them noticed that someone was watching the entire scene unfold froin a quiet corner of the boutique.
He stood there all along, casually browsing and taking everything in.
Originally, Stephen came to pick out a gift for his grandmother.
Since he hated pushy salespeople hovering over him, he sent the attendant off to assist other customers while he browsed alone.
He hadn’t expected to witness such an interesting turn of events.
DE
Chapter–19
And more than that–Stellar was the co–founder of this boutique?
Which meant….
She owned that private villa she was staying in.
His lips pressed together slightly, a flicker of something unreadable in his expression.
A touch of embarrassment, perhaps, for his own earlier assumptions.
Once Stellar and Suzy left, Stephen turned to the nearest sales associate.
“Do you have any other pieces designed by Rian?”
“Yes, sir. Please wait a moment.”
