Chapter 443

Stella Valentine arched an eyebrow at Penny Anderson.

Penny shrugged helplessly, gesturing that she couldn't stop what was happening.

"Mr. Roland publicly denied the rumors in the press," Jessica Blanchet interjected sharply.

Lily Savigny's voice turned shrill. "Adrian only said that to protect the company's reputation! He loves me! Stella will be thrown out soon—don't you dare collaborate with her!"

Penny stomped her foot in frustration. "Have you no shame, Lily? After Stella took you and your son in, this is how you repay her?"

Stella watched the scene unfold with icy detachment.

Jessica let out a derisive laugh. "So you're just a cheap mistress. If you're so bold, go make a scene at New Frontier Group. Bullying the legal wife only proves how pathetic you are."

Lily's face twisted. She yanked her son forward. "Why should my child be treated as less than Stella's?"

"Your son is crying because you're hurting him," Jessica retorted, rolling her eyes.

The boy wrenched free and hid behind Penny.

"Get back here!" Lily shrieked.

Penny shielded him. "Do you even deserve to be called a mother? Forcing your child to kneel in public—have you considered his feelings?"

"I'm fighting for what's rightfully ours!"

Jessica's voice turned glacial. "A mistress has no right to speak of what's 'rightful.' Selling your body for money makes you no better than a prostitute."

Stella tugged lightly at Jessica's sleeve.

"Don't stop me," Jessica snapped, shaking her off. "Miss Valentine, I've decided to work with you. Send me your designs—they'll grace the cover of our next issue."

Stella's eyes lit up. "Thank you."

"Call me Editor Blanchet," Jessica said, lifting her chin. "I'll make sure the entire fashion industry remembers Stella Valentine."

Penny beamed. "Editor Blanchet, you're a true heroine!"

"Aren't you afraid of being fired?" Jessica arched a brow.

"Who needs a scumbag boss?" Penny thumped her chest. "I'm sticking with Stella to do great things!"

Jessica nodded approvingly before hurrying off with a final instruction: "Send the designs by afternoon. Double our sales, and we'll call it even."

As Jessica left, Penny circled Lily mockingly. "Thanks to you, we secured the deal so quickly."

"You—"

"Filthy little cockroach~" Penny hummed cheerfully.

Lily screeched. "Who are you calling that?!"

Stella smiled faintly. "Can't you tell?"

Her voice was soft but razor-sharp.

"I'm talking about you."