Three Years After They Abandoned Me - Chapter 28: Chapter 28

Stella fixed her gaze on Emily.
Emily squirmed under Stella's piercing gaze, her face a mix of guilt and confusion. "Stella, w-why are you staring at me like that? D-Did I say something wrong?"
Stella looked at Emily and said, "I always knew money makes the world go round, but I never thought I'd see it happen so close to home. Emily, you've truly disappointed me."
Emily tried to explain, "Stella, it's not what you think. I came to you because I sincerely hope you can calm down and be close sisters with Anna. If you two could get along, we could all still be friends. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
Stella turned her back in silence.
Emily hurried after her. "Stella, I truly believe you've got Anna all wrong in so many ways. She really cares about you as her sister.
"We've been practically inseparable for the past three years, and I've really gotten to know her. I'm your childhood best friend. I'd never hurt you."
Before Emily could finish, Stella fixed her with an icy stare. "Emily," she said coldly, "we're done as friends. Now, please get out of my room."
Emily was stunned. Then her face twisted in anger as she snapped, "Stella, you're always like this, judging others as you want. Did you really think I ever wanted to be your friend?
"You know what? I've always hated you. The only reason I stayed by your side was because..." Emily suddenly stopped, her face freezing as she realized she'd said something wrong.
Stella merely cast her a cold glance and remained silent.
Emily shot Stella one last look, then turned and stormed out. Moments later, the sound of her choked sobs drifted in from the hallway.
Anna pushed open the door. "Stella, what did you do to Emily? Why is she crying?"
Emily's crying also caught the attention of Andrew and Fiona downstairs, and they immediately rushed upstairs.
"Stella, what have you done? Emily came all this way to see you. How could you make her cry?" Fiona demanded.
Andrew pointed a finger at her. "Stella, you've truly disappointed me! We've coddled and pampered you all this time. Was that not enough? Do you have to bring down the whole family before you're satisfied?"
Max's accusations also came crashing down, leaving Stella gasping for air. Without a word, she slammed the door shut.
As their fists pounded on the door, Stella instantly locked it and pressed herself against the wall, her head spinning.
Emily wasn't crying anymore, but she was still sniffling. "Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, Max, thank you. Please don't blame Stella. It's only natural for her to be upset with me. We'll make up in a few days. I'm sure of it."
Fiona said, "Oh, you're such a sensible girl, Emily. It's all Stella's fault for making you upset. Don't be sad anymore."
"It's getting late, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes. I should probably head off now," Emily finally said.
Anna offered, "Emily, let Max drive you home."
Emily said shyly, "Oh, I couldn't possibly trouble Max like that."
"Let's just go," Max said.
Gradually, silence fell outside.
Stella sank to the floor, her body wracked with excruciating pain, but none of it compared to the agony in her heart.
Stella thought bitterly, 'My parents never loved me. Fine. But why did even Emily, my childhood best friend, betray me, too? Am I really that terrible?'
Stella ended up sleeping on the floor all night. Strangely enough, she slept soundly.
She woke to the sound of voices already coming from outside.
Now so gaunt and light-footed, Stella emerged without the four of them even noticing her.
Andrew shot Fiona a glance. "We must find a way to make Stella agree to marry Henry today. As long as the company's in trouble, my mom's condition won't improve."
Fiona sighed. "You know how stubborn that girl is. I'm afraid this isn't going to be easy."
Andrew said, "Just ask her if she wants Eleanor to die. If the Hayes Group collapses, we won't be able to pay for Eleanor's medical treatment, and she won't last long without proper care.
"Isn't Stella supposed to be a considerate granddaughter? Can't she even make a little sacrifice for her own grandmother?"
"Alright, I got it," Fiona said, turning around, only to find Stella standing there.
The entire family followed Fiona's gaze and froze when they saw Stella standing there.
Given Stella's past behavior, Max instantly positioned himself protectively in front of the other three, glaring at her. "What are you up to this time?"
Stella's face remained utterly expressionless as she steadily descended the stairs.
In the past, Stella's every thought had been written plainly on her face. But now, her expression gave nothing away. That blank mask was downright unnerving to the others.
As Stella approached, Max stood tensely, his eyes burning with wariness.
Stella looked him in the eye. "Weren't you trying to marry me off? Fine. I'll do it."
Hearing this, Fiona beamed with delight. She rushed over, seizing Stella's hand and squeezing it tightly. She said excitedly, "Stella, that's wonderful. You've come to your senses! Don't worry, sweetheart. Your father and I love you dearly.
"Henry called earlier and said you two had already met. Sure. He's a bit older than you, but he's very caring. Since he's been married before, he really knows how to treat a woman right. You know what I mean, don't you? I—"
Before Fiona could finish, Stella discreetly withdrew her hand. "But I have conditions," she said flatly.
Fiona's smile froze, her face instantly darkening.
Andrew snorted coldly. "I knew you weren't that selfless, Stella. Don't push your luck with outrageous demands, or I won't spare you just because you're my daughter."
"My condition is 20% of the Hayes Group's shares. I'm not getting married without it," Stella declared.
Andrew jabbed his finger at her forcefully, just like the night before. "Stella, you've really gone too far! How dare you ask for 20%? Even your brother only gets 30%. Looks like you've learned a few tricks since you left."
Stella said coolly, "When I left, I hadn't even turned eighteen. After I was gone, you celebrated Anna's eighteenth birthday and publicly announced she'd get 20% of Hayes Group shares, didn't you? If Anna gets 20%, then why shouldn't I?"
Andrew shifted uncomfortably. "H-how did you know?"
"With how connected the world is now, everyone over there knew I was from the Hayes family. When they tried to pressure me into submission, they made sure to tell me everything you did after I left," she said.
Max felt a sharp pang. He had confronted his parents about this before, and they had promised him that when Stella returned, she would also receive 20% of the Hayes Group shares.
With so much time having passed, he'd completely forgotten until Stella brought it up. Now, facing Andrew, he said firmly, "Dad, this isn't even a demand. You promised her this before. Now it's just about honoring your word."
"Enough!" Andrew snapped, shooting Max a glare.
Max stood stunned. Fiona instinctively turned to look at Stella, whose face was utterly blank, and it was exactly that impassive expression that sent shivers down their spines.
"No shares, no marriage." With that, Stella turned on her heel and walked away.
Andrew yelled with rage, "She's truly audacious. How dare she try to bargain with me? That's her own grandmother! Is she not going to save her?"