Chapter 118

Stella Valentine moistened her dry lips. "Grandfather Edward, Adrian and I... are getting a divorce."

"Who agreed to this?" Edward Roland slammed his hand on the table. "I refuse! That brat wants a divorce? He’ll have to step over my dead body first!"

Victor Lefèvre sneered. "Old man, didn’t you just say young people should have freedom in marriage? Now you’re stopping them? Isn’t that contradictory?"

Edward scoffed. "Since when does an outsider like you get to meddle in how I discipline my own grandson?"

"You—"

"What if I’m biased? What’s it to you, Lefèvre?"

Victor’s face darkened. He’d invited the old man here today to pressure Adrian into the divorce—how had the tables turned like this?

Suppressing his rage, he hissed, "Then what about your grandson getting my daughter pregnant? Don’t we deserve an explanation?"

"Fine." Edward crossed his legs leisurely and held out a hand to Lily Savigny. "Let’s see the paternity test."

Sophia Durand immediately shielded her daughter. "How dare you humiliate her like this? Lily is the victim here!"

"Victim?" Edward snorted. "I don’t believe a word of it."

Sophia gritted her teeth. "Then ask Adrian yourself!"

Before she finished speaking, Adrian appeared in the doorway.

His gaze swept the room, darkening when it landed on Stella. "You said you had plans tonight. This is where you came?"

Stella turned away. "I was going to meet you. But your precious Lily couldn’t stand seeing my mother and me at peace. Adrian, you promised to keep her in check."

Adrian frowned at Lily. "What did you do?"

"I should be asking you!" Lily burst into tears. "Adrian, I’m pregnant!"

He froze.

"That day you came back to the apartment... I thought you’d changed your mind..." Lily sobbed pitifully. "But you blocked my number. Even Vincent wouldn’t take my calls. The one time you took me shopping, we got photographed... Is it wrong for me to want answers?"

A vein throbbed at Adrian’s temple.

Edward slammed his cane on the floor. "You brat! What happened to your promise to only love Stella for the rest of your life?"

"Grandfather..." Stella called softly.

"Yes, I’m here."

"We... can’t go back."

"No!" Edward said firmly. "You’re the only granddaughter-in-law I recognize!"

Grace Laurent, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "Let them divorce." She wiped her tears. "Mr. Roland, thank you for protecting Stella. But since Adrian has someone else... we’ll step aside. My daughter..." Her voice broke. "What kind of life has she had these past six years?"

Stella hugged her mother tightly, her gaze sharp as a blade toward Lily and Sophia. "We haven’t even settled the matter of you targeting my daughter, and now you’re bullying my mother?"

Sophia shrieked, "Who targeted your daughter? Where’s your proof?"

"I don’t need proof." Stella’s smile was icy. "I know it was you."

She helped Grace up. "Mom, I’ll take you back to the hospital."

"No! I can’t leave you alone—"

"I’m not alone."

"Then who—?"

"Mr. Alistair."

Grace looked confused. "Who is that?"

"The man who pulled me out of hell."

Outside the house, Stella dialed a number.

"Miss Valentine, Mr. Alistair sent me to pick you up. I’ll be there in one minute." It was the familiar voice of his driver.

"Where is he?"

"He can’t appear in person, but he said he’ll handle the Lefèvre family."

A black Maybach glided silently to the curb. Grace leaned weakly against the seat as Stella burned with the urge to go back and tear those women apart.

"Mr. Alistair said not to dirty your hands."

Stella arched a brow. "He even knew I’d think that?"

The driver chuckled. "He told me you’d ask. His exact words were, I know everything about you."

Stella pulled out her phone and texted:

[Mr. Alistair, I want revenge. Now.]

[Done.]

The reply came instantly.

The car radio crackled to life: "...New developments in Adrian Roland’s fitting room scandal! The woman involved was photographed seven years ago leaving a hotel with William Rubenstein, CEO of Levi Realty. That same June, she was seen making out with Leonard Kalisto, head of Gefen Apparel..."

Joy Fairsprene’s call exploded through the speakers. "Stella! Turn on the news! Lily’s entire dirty history just got exposed!"

The broadcast continued, listing a string of powerful names. Stella remembered William—he was even older than Victor.

"She’s finished!" Joy crowed. "With so many big shots after her, she won’t last a day in Houston!"