“My father knows you’re back and has invited you to dinner at our family’s house,” Stella explained. Nathan, who was turning a page in his file and heard her, laughed coldly.
“I don’t have time to deal with insignificant people.”
His tone was full of hatred, and Stella could clearly hear it. She bit her lip, already knowing he wouldn’t easily agree to her request. But she also knew that if she didn’t bring Nathan home, he certainly wouldn’t let the matter drop.
“My father doesn’t have any ulterior motives. He just wants to give you a dinner. Nathan, can you, please, for me, accept?”
“For you?” Nathan looked as though he’d just heard a great joke. “Awhat significance do you have to me?”
Stella’s face turned pale. It was true. In front of him, what dignity did she have? In his eyes, she was nothing but a shameless
woman.
“It’s just… they brought Liam back…”
Nathan finally set the file aside and looked at her.
“Do you really want me to go?” he asked. Stella bit her lip and nodded.
Nathan’s lips curved into a captivating smile.
“Then beg.“.
Stella knew she had no choice, so she gave in.
“I beg you, please come home with me. Please?”
Nathan chuckled. “That’s not convincing enough.”
“Stella, your plea doesn’t sound genuine.”
Stella knew Nathan wouldn’t let her off easily.
“What do you want?”
“Why not kneel?” he suggested, pointing at the floor with his long finger.
Stella’s chest burned with anger. She clenched her fists tightly and took a deep breath.
“Nathan, you’re pushing people too far!”
She finally understood that he had no intention of going home with her. His demand for her to beg was merely to mock her. So why should she waste any more time with him?
Stella grabbed her purse from the sofa and turned to leave his office
In the parking lot, her phone rang. Jorge had been waiting for a long time, and when his daughter still hadn’t arrived, he called again to check.
“Ella, is Nathan still busy? Why haven’t you brought him home?”
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“I’ll be there soon,” she replied.
Thinking about how Nathan had humiliated her, her heart was in turmoil, both angry and hurt. She hadn’t managed to bring him home, and she didn’t know how Jorge would react.
But now, regardless of her feelings, she had to go home. After all, Liam was there.
When she arrived, Jorge and her mother, Fernanda, were sitting in the living room, waiting for Nathan and Stella. The moment Liam saw her, he ran to her.
“Mommy, you’re finally here!”
“Why are you alone? Where’s Nathan?” Jorge stood up from the sofa looking behind her.
“Don’t bother looking; he’s not coming!” Stella carried Liam and pursed her lips.
“What happened? Didn’t I tell you to bring him here? Did you not go to him? Or did you disobey me? Jorge’s expression darkened immediately.
“Father, when has she ever obeyed you?” came a cold voice from upstairs.dorned with a lovely smile, one that exuded
Stella looked up and saw her half–sister Carla descending the stairs. Her face was
satisfaction at Stella’s misfortune..
“From the start, she never intended to bring him here. She left us all hungry, so let’s just eat dinner!”
Jorge’s face grew darker as he turned to Stella.
“Come upstairs. We have a lot to discuss.”
Stella didn’t want to go. She knew that whenever Jorge wanted to “talk,” it never ended well. But before she could resist, her mother took Liam from her arms and gently pushed her toward her father.
“Why are you still standing there? Go see what your father has to say!”
Without another word, Stella climbed the stairs and entered Jorge’s office. He was sitting on the sofa, waiting for her.
“Father.”
“Ella, sit down. I need to talk to you.”
Jorge’s expression softened slightly, even showing a faint smile.
Stella knew the conversation would inevitably involve Nathan.
“What is it, Father?”
“You need to help me with something,” Jorge began, rubbing his hands together. Stella remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
Jorge’s original plan was to make Stella a part of the Collins family, securing many benefits, including investments for his companies. Naturally, he wouldn’t sacrifice his eldest daughter, a true Cassano, for this purpose. Instead, he used Stella, his illegitimate daughter, who could never publicly represent the family
“I’ve secured a major project, but all the company’s funds are tied up in another venture. We don’t have the money to take on this project, and the bank has refused to loan us more. So…”
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This was why Jorge wanted her to bring Nathan home.
“You want to ask Nathan to lend you some of his money? Stella askel bluntly.
Jorge nodded eagerly.
“Ella, you’ll help me, won’t you?”
“Father, I’m sorry, but I can’t help you with this.”
Jorge’s ambition for instant success and profits had always been excessive. His reckless decisions often caused trouble. In the past, Stella had asked Madame Collins for help on his behalf, ut Jorge never repaid the favor.
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