Three Years After They Abandoned Me - Chapter 50: Chapter 50

Stella clung tightly to Eleanor. Years of pent-up grievances and anguish came pouring out.
Eleanor assumed Stella was just frightened. After all, it was only natural to have lingering fears after a car accident like that.
She gently patted Stella's back and said softly, "There, there. It's alright now. It's all over. You're safe. I have got you. No one will dare lay a finger on you."
Stella remained silent.
It was precisely because Eleanor was here that others dared act with impunity. They knew Eleanor was the only one Stella cared about, and with her fragile health, Stella simply couldn't bring herself to tell Eleanor the truth.
Even now, Fiona and the others were watching Stella like hawks, terrified she might let slip a single compromising word.
Eleanor cried, "What is the world coming to, that it can't see Stella, always subjecting her to such things?"
Fiona couldn't help chiming in, "Maybe it's the name that's bringing bad luck? I was thinking that she could grow up to be as beautiful and elegant as a star when I named her Stella.
"But now, I wonder if the name's meaning isn't quite as good as I thought."
Stella curled her lips into a mocking smile. She thought, 'Beautiful and elegant? The truth is that my name was just a random pick; only Anna's name was chosen with any real care.'
Eleanor readily agreed, "Alright, let's change it then."
Stella shook her head and said, "Grandma, it's not that simple to change. If I do, my diploma would become invalid."
Max scoffed, "You're just a high school graduate, won't get you anywhere. What's the big deal?"
Stella snapped back, "Max, have you forgotten why I never went to college? Need me to refresh your memory?"
Max's eyes widened in shock. He thought, 'Stella had always been so docile in front of Eleanor, but ever since she came back this time, she'd been acting so cocky. Who does she think she is?'
Fearing they might come to blows, Eleanor said to Stella, "Don't worry about your education. If you don't want to go to school, just have Max pay the tuition at your preferred university.
"In a few years, we can arrange for the diploma to be issued. No problem."
Eleanor thought, 'The Hayes family still holds considerable sway in society; just pulling a few strings with the principal would settle everything.'
Stella said, "Grandma, I've already enrolled myself in an adult education program. Don't worry, I've got my future all mapped out."
Fiona said, "Mom, how could you possibly forget? Didn't we already settle that once Stella marries Henry, he'll send her to college? Henry has already arranged everything.
"Oh, Stella, hurry up and get ready. Henry will be here soon to take you to get your marriage license."
Eleanor looked bewildered. She asked, "Why the rush to get married? Didn't Henry just have a car accident?"
Fiona, her tone syrupy sweet, said, "Yes, Henry had a car accident, but it wasn't serious, and Stella wasn't badly hurt either. Henry insists he's truly in love with Stella, and after this accident, he realized he wants to marry her as soon as possible.
"Seeing how devoted the two of them are, of course, we had no choice but to support them."
After Fiona finished speaking, she shot a warning glance at Stella, as if daring her to speak up—she would make sure Stella paid for it.
"I won't marry Henry," Stella declared firmly.
Andrew immediately flew into a rage. He snapped, "What did you say?"
Stella declared firmly, "I said I won't marry him."
Andrew jabbed a finger at Stella and turned to Eleanor. His voice rose in frustration as he said, "Mom, see for yourself. This is your beloved granddaughter. We never forced her to marry Henry. It was her own choice.
"Now, on the verge of getting the marriage license, she dares to back out. How am I supposed to explain this to Henry?"
Eleanor was a bit bewildered. She turned to Stella and asked, "Stella, what happened?"
"Grandma, I can't marry him," Stella said. Her eyes pleaded as she looked at Eleanor.
Eleanor, having no idea what was going on, fell silent for a moment. After a pause, she said gently, "Stella, tell me what's happening. If you truly don't want to get married, at least let me know how I can help you."
Before Stella could speak, Anna suddenly dropped to her knees, sobbing, "Grandma, it's all my fault."
Fiona quickly moved to help Anna up.
Anna gave Fiona a reassuring look and, sobbing, said, "It was I who took Stella's spot at the top university. Then our parents abandoned her to those kidnappers. She's hated us, especially me, ever since. That's why she provoked Troy.
"Troy teamed up with our business rivals to target our family, and then Stella volunteered to marry Henry, claiming Henry would invest in our family business. Dad and Max believed her.
"Stella then forced Mom and Dad to hand over their shares. For the sake of our family business and for you, Grandma, they had no choice but to comply.
"As soon as Stella got her hands on the shares, she decided she didn't want to marry Henry after all. Now, Henry is sure to take revenge on our family.
"Grandma, please talk some sense into Stella. It's all my fault. I never should have been born. If she'd just spare our family, I'll apologize to her a thousand times if that's what it takes."
With that, Anna threw herself to the floor, frantically knocking her forehead against the ground in a desperate plea.
Wiping away her tears, Fiona said, "Mom, we really didn't want to bother you with this, but the situation is urgent now. It's not like we want Stella to marry Henry either, but she's the one who got us involved with him.
"Honestly, we're simply no match for Henry."
Eleanor remained silent, her gaze sweeping first over Fiona and Anna, then shifting to Max and Andrew. Finally, her eyes settled on Stella.
Stella met Eleanor's gaze, her eyes brimming with helplessness. She thought, 'If Grandma doesn't believe me, my whole world will fall apart.'
Eleanor turned to Andrew, fixing him with a sharp gaze. She said, "That's not what really happened, is it? Tell me the truth, every single detail."
Anna's words were clearly just damage control, and the Hayes family knew it.
Andrew looked helplessly at Eleanor and said, "Mother, Anna has already told you everything. Why won't you believe her?"
"Stella is covered in so many wounds, and Anna has always been a liar. I don't believe a word she says," Eleanor declared firmly.
Stella was profoundly moved.
Anna froze, her face twisting in wounded innocence before she clutched at Eleanor's trouser leg. She said, "Grandma, I'm not lying. Every word I said is true."
Eleanor retorted coldly, "Whether it's true or not, Stella hasn't spoken. With only your word to go on, I refuse to believe you. Tell me the truth. Did Stella get into a car accident this time? What exactly happened to her?"
All four of the Hayes family members remained silent, none daring to utter a word.
Stella sneered inwardly, 'What, cat got your tongues now? Weren't you all so eloquent just now?'
Fiona and Anna exchanged anxious glances, both desperately trying to think of a more plausible excuse. But neither of them could come up with one.
Max frowned deeply and snapped, "Grandma, why would we lie to you? Stella did get into a car accident, and she's even been out there seducing others."
Before Max could finish his sentence, Eleanor slapped his face with a sharp crack, leaving him utterly stunned and unable to speak.
Eleanor glared at Max and said sternly, "I hit you to make this clear: Anna isn't your only sister, Stella is your sister too. All these years, you've taken for granted how Stella cares for you, while you only ever protect Anna.
"In your eyes, every sister should be like Anna, but Stella has never wronged you. She's not that kind of person. If you dare speak ill of her again, I swear I'll set you straight myself."
Seeing Eleanor acting as if she were the ultimate authority in the household, Andrew felt discontented. He called out, "Mom."
Just then, a maid came and reported, "Mr. Bass is here. He says Ms. Stella Hayes needs to get ready immediately. He has other engagements and only a brief moment to register the marriage."