Chapter 59

Stella's POV

Curiosity piqued, we ventured into Rouge's main hall. The club was

in full swing-lights flashing, DJ pumping music, people drinking and

dancing. Lucy's

′′explusive" party seemed to have made little impac

t on the regular crowd. We quickly found the booth Mark had mentioned, but instead of

Mark,James was slouched on the plush seats. "James? You're here too?" I asked, surprised. "Where's Mark?"

James maintained his perpetually annoyed expression." 𝐴

′′ today y

our birthday too? Why is your family only celebrating Lucy's birthda

y, not yours? After all those years at the Winston house,they treat

you this badly?"

Missing a birthday celebration hardly qualified as mistreatment in m

y book. If only he knew what real mistreatment looked like in that

household. "Aren't you here for Lucy's birthday party too?" I responded,trying t

o remain civil. I owed Luke enough not to antagonize their family

member.

"As if I'd come for her birthday! She's nobody important,"James scoffed, then abruptly cut himself off. "I tho ught you might... never mind! He produced a small jewelry box from somewhere,thrusting it tow

ard me. "Here! Your birthday present!"

"Please thank Mark for me," I said, assuming he was delivering it

on Mark's behalf. "Why thank him? It's clearly from me... forget it! Just go!"James

downed a glass of whiskey in frustration, muttering something un

der his breath. "What did you say?" I leaned closer, trying to hear him over the

music. James visibly startled at my proximity, jerking backward. "Why are

you getting so close? Trying to seduce me? I said 'happy birthda

y'! Are you deaf?"

His accusation of seduction caught me off guard. Did he not kno

w about my marriage to Adam?

How ironic-his brother knew about my marriage, yet James remain

ed clueless. Poor guy!

Throughout this entire exchange, Sam remained uncharacteristically

silent, her expression growing increasingly thoughtful. Once we were a safe distance away, she leaned close to whisper in my

ear: "Stella, doesn't James seem a bit strange to you? "He's always strange," I dismissed, examining the small box in my

hand. "I suspect that gift isn't from Mark at all-it's from him," Sam the

orized.

I gave her my best 'you've lost your mind' look. "Think about it," Sam insisted. "He said he wasn't here for Lucy's

birthday but because he thought you... then stopped mid-sentenc

e. If he finished with 'because he thought you would be here, w

ouldn't that make perfect sense?"

"No way," I was genuinely disturbed by this possibility.

′′𝐿

′𝐿 di

sliked each other since childhood!"

"The Morgans support your husband, while Lucy is aligned with B

rian," Sam continued her analysis. "Would James really attend ju1

st because Lucy invited him?"

"Even without the Lancaster connection, James is famously arroga

nt. He has no relationship with Lucy. Would he really grace her

with his presence?" Sam pressed. As I considered her surprisingly logical argument, our path was su

ddenly blocked by someone who appeared from nowhere,bringing

our conversation to an abrupt halt. "Stella, your timing is as impeccable as ever," one of Lucy's friends

approached with a venomous smile. "Why are you still here? Are you deliberately trying to ruin Lucy's birthday party?Or

did you hear Brian was coming and decided to follow him like a l

ost puppy?"

I sipped my drink slowly, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a

reaction. A few steps away, I saw Lucy clinging to Brian's arm, l

aughing too loudly within his social circle. Her dress-clearly chosen

to highlight every curve-practically glued itself to Brian. Sam squeezed my arm silently in support. "Ignore her," she whisp

ered. "Some people never learn that silence is the appropriate response

to stupidity," I replied, my voice just loud enough for everyone t

o hear. Lucy's friend's face twisted."You little-"

"Is there a problem here?" Lucy's saccharine voice interrupted,glidi

ng over with Brian in tow. Her gaze, though sweet in tone,locked

onto me. "Stella," she said with practiced sympathy,"I really don't want to e

mbarrass you, but my friends want you to leave. This is supposed

to be a celebration."

Brian stepped forward, puffing out his chest like a peacock.The cologne

he wore-clearly too expensive for his taste-couldn't mask the stench of

his arrogance. "Stella, we're over. You need to accept that," his voice carried thr

ough the VIP area. "You've missed your chance."

I could read his thoughts as clearly as an open book. Since the h

ospital incident, he realized I was no longer someone he could m

anipulate. Now he was determined to destroy what remained of

my social standing-the only currency that truly mattered in our cir

cles. Perfectly timed tears welled up in Lucy's eyes. "Stella, why can't y

ou let go? As the Winston family's favorite,you've already taken t

wenty years of my life. Now you want to take my love too?" Her

voice broke with rehearsed emotion. "Haven't you taken enough

from me?"

Sam snorted beside me. "Well, now I've seen it all. A perfect de

monstration: 'A bitch and a jerk, together forever!"

Brian's face darkened. "Samantha, don't think I won't hit a woma

n!"

"Oh, darling," Sam's laugh was sharp and clear.

′′

7venever made

that mistake. I've always known exactly what kind of scum you

are."

Brian's jaw tightened. He waved down a passing waiter."G the manager. Now. We have unwelcome guests here."

Sam crossed her arms, completely unfazed."Go ahead,call whoever you

want! I'm curious to see who gets kicked out. The surrounding tables had already quieted down, cocktails frozen

mid-air. The DJ lowered the volume, as if the music itself was holdi

ng its breath. \--- The manager appeared within minutes-dressed in a tailored black su

it that seemed to absorb all light. I had always admired his efficien

cy. Brian immediately launched into his tirade. "Is this how Rouge treat

s its VIP clients? I booked this entire area tonight,and these two la

dies"-he pointed dismissively at Sam and me-"are causing a disturba

nce."

"That's right," Lucy added. dabbing at nonexistent tears. "They're de

liberately trying to ruin our night."

Sam stepped forward, her five-inch red-bottom heels clicking purpos

efully on the hardwood floor. " I also find certain individuals distur

bing my night. Effective immediately. Lucy and Brian are banned fro

m Rouge. Permanently."

Brian laughed incredulously. "Who do you think you ure-"

"Understood." The manager gave Sam a slight bow.then turned to B

rian and Lucy. "Mr. Lancaster, Miss Winston. 1must ask you to leav

e."

The ensuing silence was absoluto. Evon the ice in tho glaanes seemed to stop clinking. Brian's face went from disbelief to rage in record time. "Are you

insane? Do you know who I am?" His voice nearly reached a sho

ut. "I'm Brian Lancaster of the Lancaster family!You're asking me t

o leave? Do you want Rouge to be bankrupted?"

The manager remained unflinching. "Sir, I understand your position, but I must insist. Of course, we will fully refund your reservation

fee."

"This is ridiculous! You think-"

"Mr. Lancaster," the manager's voice hardened slightly.

′′𝐼you con

tinue to resist, I will be forced to call security. I would prefer to

avoid that."

Lucy tugged at Brian's sleeve, embarrassment coloring her cheeks. The

whispers in the crowd rippled like wind through tall grass.