upon her return was to purge every pho

nd the sight of that interlope

asn't their biological daughter only hardened their hearts. They had ev

othered to learn wh

, she was finally confronted with

ed a saccharine smile and approached,

to bury her envy benea

tepped her reach. "We're

smile stiffenin

o need for the lady of the house t

breathtaking, her smile p

entle tone. "Don't be like that, Stella.

Mr. Sterling,

ed with a light, airy laugh. "He'

, avoiding any contact, and heade

he spot, struggling to

oor creaked open. Lau

s at th

Emily tilted her chin point

's just

erling come

did

disappointment palpable. "Then

xander is her ex. Did the

ura's eyes wi

? Didn't Dad check yesterday? Alexander's been buried at

hispers didn't

rted into a storage closet, her gaze

ouldn't wait

ected her to cross t

rouched to sift through the pile of discard

cked up a small black box, and

ooden beads on a red cord,

pocket, student ID in hand, and st

arried her silently toward the ent

n panic, losing her balance

ropping and were caught off g

braced herself

egarded them calmly. "My, my. To

ing before me... it's a b

tor?" Emily rushed over, fussing over Laura with performat

er at Stella Dawson. Just as she was about to unlea

hirped, smiling brightly. "Ever since the weddin

w-that particular obligation i

. "Now that you're officially installed, this placeholder should make her exi

rieked, her eyes bulging. "W

unned, clearly not an

a little spat and just called it

d you don't inform your parent

e given you something,

nce clearly spent. "He knows I'm not the real granddaughter. Whatever pr

ey, no shares-don't was

ed at Stella and snapped, "You got nothing

not even attempting

Why not? Mr. Sterling is still up for grabs. I'm just re

D. They can get the marriage cer

up with barely co

ked eagerly, wr

paper and a pen from the room, scribbled d

a smirk. "And don't forget to get

with me," Emily said warily, though

pout, then spun on her heel to head downstairs.

. Sterling. You think I

meeting this afternoon, so y

e is done. I

ot sparing a glance for Laura

and, while Laura retreated to her bedroom. Both were giddy, alread

Mrs. Sterling, while Laura practically glowed at the though

ing vehemently with the security guards at the gate. They'd clearly m

al father-how da

She's my biolog

Now that she was back with the Daw

lize Stella had alwa

y and walked right

pocket. Unhurried, she p

you're a bloody genius! Just got the paternity results back-turns out Emi

biological daughter, then wha

ntal baby swap sto

silent for a beat. Kevin, sensing th

ns aren't the only players who messed up. Perhaps another family is invo

ou going to

trailed of

curred to me? What if you turn out to be the long

. "Why not aim for the stars? Let's start with the c

k. So, guess who toppe

t it

Stella, are you secretly his lon

her eyes. "O

licked open the group chat

e jet today. This is what substantial wealth looks lik

mock outrage: "Just you wait. This divorce will fund my new lifestyle. I'll bu

instantly ignited the pre

since when are

finally dumped

rl, powe

dropped a message: "Send me the divorc

zily, "the formal docume

t was his

ally picture his

she added, "I'm making the call no

of, the card is active. I'm

e. Just ho

he went si

ls, while Stella exited the chat and called Jack Holden directly. With ze

Her persistent badgering had undoubtedly cemented her

iasm nonexistent. But his mind flashed back to the

emory, he still ans

voice sweet. "Any progres