Chapter 292

"This case is particularly complicated."

Joy Fairsprene's words made Stella Valentine's heart clench. "Victor Lefèvre?"

"How did you guess?" Joy's eyes widened in surprise.

"Someone tipped me off." Stella's fingertips turned cold. "How did you discover he could save Celeste?"

Joy sighed. "Pure coincidence. After you sent Celeste's blood samples, my father kept screening potential donors. Then Victor jumped off a building and got hospitalized—his blood test showed a perfect match with Celeste!"

Stella's breath hitched.

"You did right by not stopping his suicide attempt. Without that fall, we'd never have found our miracle." Joy bit her lip. "But given his character..."

"There's always a way." Stella's gaze hardened. "No deal is impossible—it just depends on the price."

"He wants the entire Shi's Jewelry!"

"He doesn't want the company." A cold smile curled Stella's lips. "He wants to humiliate me. To crush me underfoot."

Joy grabbed her hand urgently. "Then I'm coming with you."

"No." Stella gently withdrew her hand. "Do me a favor instead."

"Name it."

"Prep the hospital. The moment we reach an agreement, schedule Celeste's surgery immediately." Her voice tightened. "Not a second's delay."

Joy nodded solemnly. "Consider it done."

———

Alone, Stella stood before a dilapidated clinic.

The once-extravagant CEO now sought treatment at this backstreet facility. The peeling wall bore the faded words "Neighborhood Clinic."

"Here for treatment?" A nurse cracking sunflower seeds didn't bother looking up.

"I'm here for Victor Lefèvre."

The nurse finally glanced at her. "He owes three months' hospital fees."

Stella remained expressionless. "I'll settle it after seeing him."

From the innermost ward, Victor's shouts leaked through the ajar door: "Stop hounding me! I'm a goddamn Fortune 500 CEO! I'll pay you back a hundredfold once I get my money!"

The moment Stella pushed the door open, mildew and antiseptic assaulted her senses.

Victor jerked upright, his cast clanging against the metal bedframe. "Here to gloat?"

Stella took a slow seat.

"You took my company. What more do you want?" His eyes gleamed with venom.

"A transaction."

"Ha!" Victor barked a laugh. "What could I possibly have that the great Stella Valentine wants?"

"Your liver."

Victor's face froze.