chapter1011

The faces of the Williams family darkened, each one of them struggling to maintain composure.

None of them had expected Stella to play the victim, much less act so clueless.

Israel, ever the hothead, was the first to snap. He jabbed a finger at Stella, his voice sharp with anger. "Go on, keep pretending! Don't think for a second that we don't know exactly what you've done."

Stella looked genuinely surprised. "Judging by your reaction, Israel, it seems you already know who's been after me. Funny, I must be the only one here who hasn't a clue what horrible thing I've supposedly done or who I've supposedly offended."

She turned to him with a pleading, almost innocent look. "So, tell me, what unforgivable crime did I commit to warrant being hunted down?"

Israel opened his mouth, blurting out, "You clearly " but the words caught in his throat. He realized, too late, that Stella's preemptive questioning had cornered them.

"Hunted down," "left for dead," "nearly killed," "enemy"-the words she'd used were damning, and all too accurate. Israel felt as if he'd just been slapped, his face burning with humiliation. He knew Stella wasn't exaggerating; everything she said was true.

In that moment, Israel silently blamed Coleman. Why did he have to escalate things so much?

The Williams family exchanged uneasy glances, none of them willing to speak up.

It was Skyler who finally broke the silence, forcing a smile. "Star, did you just go to the airport to see a friend off?"

Stella nodded. "That's right. My friend's flight was today. You can check the records if you want."

She glanced at Jonathan. "Earlier, my brother called me, thinking I was trying to run away. I rushed back as soon as I could so he wouldn't get the wrong idea. Who would've thought I'd get caught up in something like this on the way, delaying me so long?"

She let out a heavy sigh. "I'm truly sorry, everyone. It all happened so suddenly-l didn't mean to waste your time."

Coleman's gaze bore into Stella, unconvinced. He refused to believe she was completely in the dark about who was after her. If she really didn't know anything, she wouldn't have been able to turn the tables on them so quickly

Sensing his stare, Stella turned her head slightly, feigning confusion. "Why are you looking at me like that, Coleman? Is there something you want to tell me maybe who this would-be killer is?"

Coleman was itching to rip the mask of innocence right off her face. He stepped forward, ready to speak, but Jonathan cut him off.

"Sorry, Star. I just thought you were running because you couldn't prove your innocence. That was my mistake."

Joshua, who had been quietly observing from the side, interjected, "Running from guilt? Mr. Williams, that's quite a joke. Since when does a lack of evidence make someone a criminal?"

Israel shot back coldly, "She slandered the head of the Lerman family. Isn't that a crime?"

Joshua replied, "So, the loving brothers of Star are planning to do the right thing and prosecute their own sister?"

Leonard sipped his tea, unruffled.

"No need for a lawsuit. We'll just stick to our agreement. After all, the Lermans and the Williams have worked together for years. Out of respect for Aurora, I'm willing to let this go."

Joshua's tone was light. "Oh? Then maybe you shouldn't."

The room fell silent for a beat.

Leonard set his cup down. "So, you're saying you have no evidence and want to wriggle out of this?"

If things had gone according to plan, Stella would've stepped forward to confess.

But Joshua had just claimed to have found proof...

For a moment, Stella said nothing.

Joshua gave

afaint smile. "How

could we? Slandering the head of the Lerman family is a serious

crime. Not only would Star be cast out by her own family, but she' have to hand over her original shares, too."