Chapter 31
Abby looked puzzled. “Find something to keep yourself busy?”
“Yeah, it’s weird suddenly having all this time on my hands,” Stella replied with a wry smile. “I need to find something to keep myself busy and make money.”
She paused, then added, “Haynes took action and froze my credit card. I have some savings, but Antoney wants to start a studio, and that will take a lot of cash.”
“That jerk Haynes froze your card?” Abby exclaimed, unable to hold back her anger. “After all these years you’ve put into the family, he couldn’t even buy you a bouquet. Meanwhile, he spends more money on the fireworks show for Rachel than on you!”
Stella sighed, “I can make money babysitting other people’s kids, but when it comes to my family, I got my card cut off.”
Abby, who wasn’t married yet, felt a chill run down her spine hearing about Stella’s marital woes. And Stella had married into a wealthy family, no less.
If she had married into an ordinary family, wouldn’t that mean working, doing all the house chores, and raising the kids alone? The thought was terrifying, especially possibly facing complaints from both husband and son.
Abby was deep in thought when Stella’s voice interrupted her. “A woman has to stand on her own financially to truly have confidence and strength. Without that, even your own child might not look up to you.”
That made a lot of sense.
Abby nodded in agreement, then she said, “I’m between jobs right now, so if you need anything, call me anytime.”
“Thanks, Abby.”
Abby waved it off. “Come on. We’re like family. There’s no need for formalities.”
After saying goodbye to Abby, Stella carried Marvin and headed home.
…
The following morning, Stella took Marvin to school. As they stepped outside, a sleek black car was already waiting at the curb, drawing the attention and whispers of passersby.
The driver quickly approached them, introducing himself with a respectful smile when they came down. “Ms. Cameron, good morning. I’m Marvin’s driver. I’m here to take him to and from school. You can call me Hans.”
Stella wasn’t surprised to see a driver show up at her door. She returned his smile, “Thank you, Hans.”
Hans opened the car door for them. “You’re too kind, Ms. Cameron.”
About twenty minutes later, Stella noticed the route Hans had taken seemed familiar. It looked a lot like the one leading to Keen’s kindergarten.
Curious, Stella asked, “Hans, which kindergarten does Marvin attend?”
Marvin had only recently moved to Neo-Vespera, and the information Neville sent her didn’t mention his school.
Hans smiled, replying, “He goes to the Neo-Vespera Future Leaders Preschool, just nearby.”
Hearing it, Stella raised an eyebrow slightly.
Keen attended that preschool, too.
The Neo-Vespera Future Leaders Preschool was the best in the area. Only kids from families with influence or prestige could get in. But having only money or power wasn’t enough.
While Stella had guessed Neville wasn’t ordinary, she hadn’t expected his connections to be so impressive.
Stella walked Marvin to the entrance, instinctively reminding him, “If anything happens, call me, okay? Play nice with the other kids, and I’ll be here to pick you up after school.”
Marvin nodded, glancing back several times as he walked into the school.
Stella felt a pang of nostalgia. When Keen first started preschool, he would look back at her, reluctant to leave.
But at a point, Keen stopped responding to her reminders and started showing impatience instead.
Just then, she heard a surprised voice from behind. “Ms. Cameron, are you here to see Keen?”
Turning around, Stella was surprised to see Keen, Rachel, and Haynes standing a short distance away.