dy door clicked shut, the f

stepped forward, his face red with anger. "The L

spoiled brat, but this is a new level of petty.

old fury that was more unnerving than their shouted

s, Stella. This is a

a poison I had been forced

you did to her," Ethan continued,

teen. Maria had just started as an intern. She approached me one day, h

t' s just a small token. I adm

nd accepted it with a smile. But the moment the bracel

a," Ethan had comman

I was

d her to have it. It's... it was my grandmother's.

s family heirloom. Their faces hardened, their judgment swift and absolute. I tried to explain, to

hat day on, in their eyes, I was no longer the girl Eth

I said now, my voice hollo

w spat. "You, with her fami

with their contempt, hoping one day the truth would surfa

You're punishing us for that. Fin

"The rooftop garden. My father has been building it for me since last

hifted unc

ty there last night," I stated

e just wanted to celebrate with a few friends. It

to you. At your birthday gala, I'll announce our engagement. It'll smooth

ht he could steal my company, humiliate me, and then "a

m straight

s quiet, but final. "I wi

prise crossed his face,

et this, Stell

n years," I replied, turning my bac