Chapter 444

"Did you lock me in here just to humiliate me?" Lily Savigny's face turned ashen.

Stella Valentine calmly straightened the documents on her desk. "No. I just wanted you to experience how it feels to be publicly exposed."

"You—"

"You've been acting for years. It's my turn now." Stella lifted her gaze. "Did you really think this farce could hurt me?"

Lily sneered. "If not this time, then next time. Stella Valentine, just you wait."

"Unnecessary." Stella's voice remained steady. "The evidence of your three murders is irrefutable. You got lucky last time. Not this time."

"Hahaha!" Lily suddenly burst into laughter. "You think the law can touch me? Vincent Atlante set me free! As long as he says the word, I walk out anytime!"

Stella's fingers paused briefly before continuing to arrange the desk ornaments. "Do you know why Vincent let you out?"

"Of course." Lily tilted her chin up triumphantly. "He wants to torment you. But I don't mind—as long as it makes you suffer."

Penny Anderson stormed forward. "You're insane! Aren't you afraid of karma?"

"Karma?" Lily shot her a disdainful glance. "I don't even care about my life. What do I care about karma?"

"You had a child just to evade justice?"

Lily turned back to Stella. "Is this your new secretary? Quite the sharp tongue."

"None of your damn business!" Penny glared. "Get out! Don't dirty our office!"

"Don't worry, I'm leaving." Lily reached the door and turned with a venomous smile. "Stella Valentine, just wait. Thinking you can rebuild the Shi empire? Dream on!"

The door slammed shut behind her.

Penny stomped her foot in frustration. "Stella! You just let her go?"

"The press is swarming outside." Stella rubbed her temples. "If she walks out injured, tomorrow's headline will be about me abusing a pregnant woman."

"But what if she keeps coming back to harass us—"

"Focus on Editor Blanchet's order first." Stella opened her laptop. "Notify the tech department. I'll send the designs tonight."

Penny trudged out reluctantly. "The heavens must be blind..."

Silence reclaimed the office.

Stella stared at the screen, fingers hovering over the keyboard. Vincent's move was ruthless—releasing Lily to torment her while he lurked in the shadows.

All of this stemmed from the identity she'd once given him.

Amid the rhythmic tapping of keys, she forced herself to concentrate. The fate of Shi's Jewelry hinged on this deal.

......

Outside the company, Lily spat viciously on the ground.

Noticing the little boy still eating the pastry, she slapped it from his hands. "Disgusting brat! How dare you eat her food?"

The pastry rolled into the flowerbed, coated in dirt.

The boy lowered his head silently.

"What are you staring at? Everything she gives is—"

Before she could finish, a grimy hand suddenly snatched the pastry and wolfed it down.

"Filthy beggar! Get lost!"

The beggar looked up with clouded eyes. "Lily..."

She recoiled two steps. "Who the hell are you?"

"It's me... your father!"

Victor Lefèvre lunged to grab her. "Sweetheart, I'm so hungry..."

"Don't touch me!" Lily shrieked, shaking him off. "Stay away!"

"You used to call me Daddy..."

Lily scoffed. "Back when you had money. Now?" Her contemptuous gaze swept over his tattered clothes. "You're not even worth a stray dog!"