Chapter 59
“Everyone was talking about you two back then.
“All the way up to graduation, when you abruptly gave up farther studies and followed him straight into Moore Enterprises. Everyone thought you were finally getting what you wanted–to become Mrs. Moore.”
A faint tension settled over the group.
The way she framed it made it sound as if Stellar had abandoned her academic career just to chase after a wealthy
man
Vivian paused for a couple of seconds before adding, as if just remembering something,
“Oh, but I did hear recently that the Moore family’s heir is engaged to the Harlow family’s heiress. Stellar, you wouldn’t happen to be…”
She trailed off deliberately, then widened her eyes with feigned regret.
“Oh no, did I just say something I shouldn’t have?”
Her expression was one of mock remorse, but the flicker of triumph in her lowered gaze gave her away.
Everyone present already picked up on the unspoken implication.
She was suggesting that Stellar only returned to school because Percy dumped her–coming back to “polish” her credentials so she could land a better man.
The room grew silent.
No one dared to speak.
But Stellar understood the veiled insult immediately.
Instead of getting angry, she remained completely composed, her expression calm and unwavering
“You’re right about one thing, but you did say something wrong.”
Vivian assumed she was about to make excuses.
But the next moment, Stellar spoke plainly, her voice steady.
“I wasn’t dumped. I was the one who ended things.
A ripple of surprise passed through the group.
She didn’t flinch as she continued, her tone carrying a quiet honesty.
“Back then, I did give up my academic patli to follow Percy spent two years by his side, working for him and supporting him. But when I realized I was losing myself in the process, I finally woke up. I chose to leave, to return to what I love,”
By the time she finished, she even smiled a little, as if the past no longer held any weight over her.
“Sorry for making you all sit through that,”
But to her surprise, no one laughed.
No one mocked her.
Instead, they just stared because, honestly, not everyone had the courage to admit something like that so openly.
Chapter 54
+25 BONUS
For a few seconds, silence lingered.
Then, Simon was the first to react.
He clapped.
“Stellar, that takes real courage.”
There was a note of genuine admiration in his voice. “Walking away from years of love and familiarity to reclaim your passion–that’s something I deeply respect.”
“Yeah, exactly!” Lilian chimed in, nodding eagerly.
“So many people stay in toxic relationships even when they know it’s a dead end. They just can’t bring themselves to let go, and in the end, they only end up hurting themselves more.”
She lifted her chin, looking at Stellar with sincere admiration.
“But you had the courage to leave–that already makes you stronger than most.”
Even Nathan, usually reserved, finally spoke up.
“You didn’t do anything wrong. No one here is judging you
Stellar could feel the warmth from them.
It was the kind of support that went beyond family or close friends.
This was the kind of warmth that came from people who were slowly becoming her own.
Her lips curled into a soft smile, her eyes glimmering with something light, something bright.
However, not everyone shared the sentiment.
Vivian’s grip tightened around her utensil, her jaw ticking with barely concealed frustration.
Were these people stupid?
Did they actually believe Stellar’s version of the story?
A woman with no status and powerful backing, who spent years pathetically chasing after a man, would willingly throw away her connection with the heir of Moore Enterprises?
Please.
Percy had a fiancée now. It was obvious he had tossed her aside.
But with everyone supporting Stellar, if Vivian spoke up now, it would just seem like she was picking a fight.
So, instead, she swallowed her anger, grabbed her glass, and downed the drink in one go.
Stellar caught all of it–the irritation in Vivian’s clenched jaw, the way she forced herself to stay quiet.
It was clear that the days ahead wouldn’t be easy.
