chapter1528

As Neville's temporary girlfriend, it was only natural for Shirley to be there now that his grandmother had passed.

Perhaps because of her connection to Zane Vance, Shirley didn't seem to hold much animosity toward her. When she saw Stella, she even gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. Stella nodded back, returning the greeting.

Half an hour later, the memorial service began, and a hush fell over the room. After the service, the guests began to leave in an orderly fashion.

Stella turned to Joshua. "Joshua, wait for me here. I'm just going to the restroom." "Alright," Joshua nodded.

Inside the restroom, as Stella was washing her hands, she saw a figure approaching her in the mirror. She paused. "Miss Vance."

"Ms. Cameron," Shirley said. "I'd like to have a private word with you."

Stella couldn't imagine what she and Shirley had to talk about. But curiosity got the better of her. She dried her hands. "Whatever you want to say, Miss Vance, you can say it here."

Shirley smiled. "You seem quite wary of me, Ms. Cameron. Are you afraid I might harm you? Don't worry, I wouldn't do anything to you. If I did, that bodyguard of yours would probably tear me to pieces."

Stella's expression turned cold. Shirley, unbothered, continued, "Since you want to talk here, then here it is." She then called out toward the men's restroom. "Mr. Richards, you can come out now."

Mr. Richards? Stella's expression shifted slightly. Sure enough, a tall, handsome figure slowly emerged before her. It was Foreman, whom she hadn't seen in a long time.

Stella glanced from Shirley to Foreman. "So, the incident with Neville... it was your design."

She had suspected the Williams family, even her business rivals. But she had never considered it could be one of her own friends.

Foreman glanced at Shirley, who gave a slight nod and left the restroom, presumably to stand guard.

Foreman's affectionate gaze fell upon Stella's face. In this moment, he no longer had to hide his feelings. He stared at her deeply, his eyes almost greedy It had been so long since he had last seen her. Stella, feeling uncomfortable, averted her eyes.

Sensing her coldness, Foreman took a deep breath and reined in his intense gaze. "I admit, I was behind it. But have you ever stopped to think?was all the way in Novaris. If someone hadn't leaked the

information to me, how do you think

I would have known?"

"What are you trying to say?" Stella's voice was distant.

"It was Joshua!" Foreman clenched his fists, his words seething with resentment. "Joshua bribed someone close to me. He was the one who deliberately revealed it to me!"

Stella heard this, but her expression

this,

remained completely unfazed. "Even if Joshua did tell you, if you didn't have malicious intentions in the place what difference would it have made?" Her tone was light. "don't think there was anything shameful about it that needed to be hidden. Many people knew that Neville and I were pretending to be a couple. Does everyone who knew have to try and harm me?"

Foreman retorted instinctively, "But he knew I liked you... He was deliberately provoking me!"

Stella found this almost laughable. "Are you saying, Mr. Richards, that because you like me, I'm not allowed to have a boyfriend? Or that I have to keep my relationships a secret from you?"

Foreman looked hurt. "Star, you know that's not what I mean... I like you, so isn't it normal for me to not want to see you with someone else?"