Chapter 170

The air in the conference room was suffocatingly tense.

Stella Valentine rose gracefully, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. Victor Lefèvre's face turned pale, then green, but he didn't dare utter a word.

"Uncle, excuse me." She gave a slight nod, her skirt swirling elegantly as she turned.

Victor collapsed into his chair, sweat beading on his forehead. As long as Victor Valence helped him, he could avoid prison.

"Mr. Lefèvre." Mr. Grant suddenly spoke.

"Yes? What is it, Mr. Grant?"

"You're the company's legal representative, correct?"

The lawyer behind him immediately flipped open his notebook, pen scratching against paper.

Victor leapt to his feet. "No, no! I'm just temporarily filling in! Once my sister recovers, it'll be transferred back!"

Mr. Grant smiled meaningfully. "How... loyal of you."

The break room door clicked shut softly.

Victor Valence leaned against the coffee machine, a teasing smirk on his lips. "Miss Valentine, dragging me into a place like this in broad daylight—isn't that inappropriate?"

"Mr. Valence, this isn't the time for jokes." Stella frowned.

"I'm being completely serious." He spread his hands innocently.

Stella took a deep breath. "Why did you suddenly come to the company?"

"You texted me to come."

"Me?" She looked baffled.

Victor pulled out his phone. The screen displayed a message: "Let's end things here. I still can't forget Adrian Roland..."

He mimicked a woman's voice as he read it aloud, then shuddered. "Joy said when women say no, they mean yes. So I came specially to comfort you. Touched?"

"I didn't send that." Her voice was firm.

After comparing numbers, Victor's expression darkened. "Not you? Then who?"

"I think I know." Stella's lips curled into a cold smile.

Sophia Durand and her daughter had always mistaken Mr. Alistair for Victor Valence. This message, deliberately mentioning Adrian Roland, was clearly meant to drive a wedge between them.

"What's really going on?" Victor pressed.

"No time to explain." Stella lowered her voice. "Later, just say you don't have enough funds to help me."

"But this is your family's company—"

"Do as I say!"

When they returned to the conference room, Victor was bowing obsequiously as he poured tea for Mr. Grant. Seeing them, his expression twisted. "What took so long? Transfer the money now!"

Victor Valence yawned. "Sorry. Not enough funds."

"What?!" Victor Lefèvre's face turned livid.

"And..." Victor Valence gave Stella a disdainful once-over. "A woman who's already had a child isn't worth this much money."

Mr. Grant stood. "See you in court, Mr. Lefèvre."

In a fit of rage, Victor Lefèvre backhanded Stella, slamming her against the wall. Her right cheek swelled instantly, blood trickling from her lip.

"Stop!" Victor Valence seized his wrist.

"Fine! Just fine!" Victor Lefèvre jerked free, jabbing a finger at Stella. "You'll pay for this!"

The door slammed shut behind him.

Victor Valence moved to help her, but she stepped back.

"Your uncle is a monster!"

"He's not my uncle." Stella wiped the blood from her mouth. "Just scum."

Victor ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Your family's drama is exhausting."

"Mr. Valence, we shouldn't meet again." Her voice was calm. "Mr. Alistair might misunderstand."

"Who is this Mr. Alistair?" Victor suddenly stepped closer. "What does he have that I don't?"

"You're luckier than him." Stella met his gaze. "You have family. A career. But his world... only has me."

Victor's pupils contracted. "An orphan?"

Stella stiffened.

"Interesting." A smirk tugged at his lips. "Not many in Houston fit that description. Just wait—I'll find out who he is soon enough."