Chapter 64

Adrian stood frozen.

Stella's violent reaction caught him off guard.

"Adrian, we've reached this point." Her voice was icy. "You have someone new. Why bother with me?"

"Bother?" His brows furrowed.

"Do we have to torture each other?" Stella met his gaze. "Marry whoever you want. But my daughter will never call a murderer 'stepmother.'"

Adrian sneered. "You think you can stop me? I could ruin your life in Houston."

"I believe you." She straightened her back. "But for my daughter, I'd risk everything."

Outside the glass conference room, employees paused to watch.

Whispers spread like wildfire.

The manager hurriedly shooed them away. "Everyone, take half the day off. Leave now!"

Within minutes, only the three of them remained.

"Stella, I don't trust you," Adrian said darkly.

"Good. I don't trust you either." Her eyes flicked to Lily. "Especially after you chose her."

Lily's face turned ashen.

Six years of scheming, just for Adrian to finally agree to look at wedding rings with her—ruined by Stella!

"What do you mean?" Lily finally shrieked. "'Snake-hearted'?"

Stella smirked. "You dare ask me that?"

"Stella!" Lily trembled with rage. "Your son's illness has nothing to do with me! You were careless during pregnancy!"

"Interesting." Stella narrowed her eyes. "Even Adrian doesn't know what illness Ethan has. Yet you're so well-informed?"

Lily paled.

"Lily, I'll make you pay for everything you owe me." Stella enunciated each word. "My son. My mother. My father. And Martha!"

Lily clutched Adrian's arm. "Adrian, she's slandering me!"

He pulled away. "Enough."

"You're defending her?" Tears spilled from Lily's eyes. "I've been by your side for six years!"

"I know." He massaged his temples wearily.

"Then why don't you believe me?"

Adrian suddenly looked up. "Because evidence doesn't lie."

Lily froze.

"The police found new proof." His voice was hoarse. "The villa's surveillance footage shows Stella was asleep when Martha fell."

Lily's legs gave out.

"If it wasn't you or her, did Martha jump?" Adrian laughed bitterly. "Lily, I saw the footage."

"N-no... That's not what happened..."

"Martha raised me. Why kill her?" His voice shook. "Just to frame Stella?"

Lily collapsed to the floor. "She insulted me first... I only gave her a little push..."

"So it was you." Stella's smile was cold. "Lily, you disgust me."

Adrian closed his eyes in pain. "Lily, I wanted to pretend I didn't know..."

"Adrian!" She clung to his leg. "I did it because I love you!"

Stella turned and walked away.

She couldn't bear to watch this farce a second longer.