Chapter 446

A ceramic cup whizzed past Stella Valentine's hair the moment she stepped into the magazine office.

"Watch out!" The assistant secretary yanked her aside just in time.

The cup shattered against the wall, sending fragments flying.

Heated arguments spilled from the conference room, the soundproof glass failing to contain the tension.

Stella tightened her grip on the design drafts in her hand. She could've emailed them to Editor-in-Chief Jessica Blanchet, but the production department's urgent deadline forced her to make this trip.

"Chief Editor, Ms. Valentine is here," the secretary announced loudly while knocking.

The shouting ceased abruptly.

The door swung open to reveal a potbellied man blocking the entrance. His keychain jingled against his belt buckle as he glared at Stella with hostility.

"Get lost! Can't you see we're in a meeting?"

The secretary shrugged helplessly. "Ms. Valentine, perhaps you could wait in the lounge—"

"Come in," Jessica's voice called from inside.

The man barred Stella's path. "Who the hell are you? If you breathe a word about what you heard today, you'll regret it!"

Stella smiled faintly. "Are you threatening me?"

"Hugo!" Jessica rushed over, shielding Stella. "This is Mrs. Roland—the mother of New Frontier Group's future heir!"

The man's face froze.

"A-Adrian Roland?" His voice trembled.

Seizing the moment, Jessica dashed back into the conference room, signed the divorce papers with furious strokes, and flung them at the man's face. "See you at the civil registry tomorrow!"

The man fled, his jangling keys marking his retreat down the hallway.

Silence finally returned to the office.

"Sorry you had to witness that." Jessica wiped her face. "I owe you one—that bastard wouldn't have backed off otherwise."

Stella gave a wry smile. "In the end, I still had to use his name."

"When Mr. Roland acquired companies back then, who in Houston didn't fear him?" Jessica handed her a steaming cup of tea. "But... you weren't in the country at the time?"

Stella lowered her eyes as steam curled between them.

The secretary burst in suddenly. "Chief Editor! Mr. Roland's car just pulled up downstairs!"

Jessica shot Stella a meaningful look. "Seems someone's worried about you."

Stella's fingers absently traced the rim of her cup. Three years had passed. She'd believed herself strong enough now, yet that man's shadow still clung to her like a second skin.