SWNOVELS Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Best friend? Yelena?
Stella lifted her head and hissed, “Brian Foley, what did you do to Yelena?”
“Last night, she posted my private information on the internet and insulted Jessica. This morning, Jessica informed me that she would be holding Yelena responsible for her actions.”
Stella took a deep breath to calm herself down. “You intend to go after Yelena over something as trivial as online news?”
“Why didn’t she think of the consequences when she posted such nonsense?”
“Yelena was just standing up for me! Besides, she only argued with some fans online; she didn’t hurt anyone.”
“Do you really want her to receive a lawyer’s letter?” Brian lowered his head and looked at Stella. Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away.
Stella hesitated for a moment before chasing after him “Brian, what exactly are you planning to do?”
“Get in the car,” he said, already seated with the door open.
Afraid that Brian would punish Yelena, Stella reluctantly got in. She tried to reason with him. “Can’t you just let this go?”
“Depends on your behavior later, Brian said calmly.
Stella clenched her fists and remained silent. Finally, she whispered, “So, if I go to the Foley residence and behave well today, you’ll let Yelena off the hook?‘
“You might also have to stay for the night.”
Understanding his implication, Stella nodded. “Fine. I’ll cooperate and make sure you’re satisfied.”
“Help me with my tie,” Brian said, tilting his chin up.
Stella noticed that his tie was crooked. He couldn’t even tie it properly without her help. For someone so brilliant, he was surprisingly inept at daily tasks.
After grumbling to herself, Stella reluctantly reached out to untie Brian’s tie. That’s when she noticed a
clear bite mark on his neck.
“Did
you do it with Jessica this morning?” she asked, her voice tinged with bitterness.
Brian frowned briefly, then smirked. “You don’t remember?”
“Remember what?”
He loosened his collar and pointed to the bite mark. “This was left by someone who got drunk last night.”
Staring at the bite mark, Stella suddenly recalled last night’s event. She was responsible for the mark
Her face turned crimson with embarrassment. “So, you weren’t with Jessica last night?”
Brian looked at her, puzzled. “I was home the entire time.”
Stella was taken aback. So Jessica had lied? She had called her and made misleading comments to affect her emotions.
Stella realized Jessica was manipulative. She looked up and met Brian’s gaze.
He raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong? Are you surprised by your handiwork?”
Blushing, Stella muttered, “Sorry.” She then adjusted his collar and retied his tie properly.
They became silent after Brian’s tie was secured. Stella, with nothing left to say, closed her eyes for a moment’s respite. From now on, she resolved to regard him as a stranger.
Suddenly, the car came to a halt and Stella opened her eyes.
“Get out,” Brian instructed before exiting the car.
Observing their surroundings, Stella realized they were at a shopping mall.
“Why are we here? Weren’t we supposed to head to the Foley residence?” she inquired as she followed.
him out.
“You’re dressed too plainly. I don’t want you to become the subject of ridicule,” Brian remarked.
Stella clenched her fists, silently wishing she could strike him. How could someone so refined utter such infuriating words?
Inside the mall, Brian guided her to a boutique. He picked up a light pink chiffon dress from the rack. It seemed he always gravitated toward pink for her.
oiced her obje
With a furrowed brow, Stella voiced her objection, “I’m a grown–up. I don’t like pink anymore.”
Suddenly, memories of the morning flooded her mind. If Jessica hadn’t intervened, the situation might have unfolded quite differently. Heat flushed her cheeks as she pushed him away. “Absolutely not!”
“It’s natural to entertain such thoughts. Both men and women have needs, there’s no point in concealing. them,” Brian remarked calmly before handing her the dress. ‘Try it on.”
A few minutes later, Stella walked out of the changing toom with the new dress on.
Brian, who was seated on the sofa, caught sight of her slender legs first. Her feet were adorned with a pair of high–heeled sandals with diamond straps.
Next, he observed how the light pink chiffon skirt accentuated her curves, and her dark locks framing her captivating features.
After a moment’s contemplation, Brian turned to the store attendant. “Please pack up the dress,” he
instructed.
“Of course, sir. Your wife looks absolutely stunning. This skirt makes her look so elegant,” the salesperson said.
Stella found the praise a tad overblown, so she glanced at her reflection in the full–length mirror behind her.
The dress certainly complemented her appearance; it made her look slender and flawless.
Stella’s mood lightened visibly upon seeing something so beautiful. Just then, she noticed Brian staring at her bare wrist in the mirror.
“Where’s your bracelet?” he asked.
“I got rid of it,” Stella replied.
Brian frowned. “Why?”
“I didn’t like it, so I threw it away.” Stella retorted, though in reality, she hadn’t. She had stashed it away.
After all, it was worth a fortune, and she planned to sell it later for some cash
Brian felt a strange pang of displeasure as they left the mall, but he maintained his composure.
Mike was waiting outside, and upon seeing Stella, he tried to lighten the mood with a compliment.
“Wow! Mrs. Foley, you look stunning in the dress.”
“Thank you!” Stella smiled.
Mike was stunned when he saw Brian shoot him a cold gaze. Hence, he quickly opened the car door for them. However, Stella refused to enter the back seat; instead, she slid into the front passenger seat.
“I’m feeling a bit queasy. I prefer to sit up at the front.” Stella didn’t feel comfortable being near Brian.
“Your stomach is still unwell?” Brian asked.
Stella looked at him, surprised by his concern.
Brian added, “Have you been taking your medication regularly?”
“I have,” Stella replied softly, taken aback by his attentiveness. “Every day.” In truth, her stomach had recovered.
Brian didn’t press further as the car engine roared to life.
Mike chimed in, “Mrs. Foley you should incorporate more spinach and kale in your diet if you are having stomach troubles. Spinach can ease your stomach, while Kale is filled with vitamins that aid in repairing your stomach lining.”
Stella acknowledged with a smile. “Okay. I like to eat spinach.”