One of the receptionists immediately softened her tone. “Ma’am, I’m sorry. My words were harsh. Could you please not upload the video online?”

The other receptionist, not wanting to risk her job either, quickly added, “I’m sorry too. Our behavior was out of line. According to our policy, you can’t go upstairs, but you’re welcome to wait in the lobby.”

Stella wasn’t there to cause trouble. Seeing their apologies, she put her phone down and said no more.

Time ticked by, and the evening sky outside began to darken. Stella hadn’t eaten all day, afraid that Haynes might come out at the exact moment she stepped

away.

She didn’t know how long she had been waiting when she heard the sound of steady footsteps approaching. Lifting her head, Stella saw a familiar figure.

Jasper spotted Stella too, sitting alone on the couch in the lobby. He called out, “What’s going on with this woman?”

The two receptionists clearly recognized Jasper. Although they still harbored some resentment towards Stella, they kept it under wraps.

“Mr. Wilkinson, this lady is here to see Mr. O’Brien, but she doesn’t have an appointment. According to company policy, we can’t let her in,” one receptionist explained.

The other murmured quietly, “She claims to be Mrs. O’Brien, yet she couldn’t even reach him on the phone…”

A sly grin crept across Jasper’s face as he sauntered over to Stella, his tone dripping with mock surprise. “Well, well-if it isn’t Ms. Cameron? Or should I say…” He paused dramatically, feigning confusion, “Mrs. O’Brien? The oh-so- dignified Mrs. O’Brien, stuck waiting down here like a nobody?”

Stella looked at Jasper’s malicious expression without a word. The more silent Stella remained, the more brazen Jasper became.

“Stella, last time I warned you to back off from Haynie, but you just wouldn’t listen, insisting on humiliating yourself. Tsk, tsk…”

Jasper dramatically slapped his cheek, mocking, “Doesn’t your face hurt now?” Stella’s gaze was icy as she looked at him. “Was it you who messed with Abby?”

Jasper had shown up around her and Abby far too often, with intentions that were all too clear-to provoke them. Abby, being straightforward by nature, already felt she had been wronged since Stella’s marriage. With Jasper goading her, how could Abby hold back?

Jasper was smug, his arrogance practically tangible. “Yeah, it was me. So what? Even if it were you in trouble, Haynie wouldn’t hold it against me.”

Something seemed to spark in Jasper’s mind, his grin widening with satisfaction. “After I splashed you with water last time, Haynie didn’t distance himself from me over it. Do you know what that means?”

Stella’s pupils contracted, yet her gaze only grew colder.

Jasper sighed theatrically, turning to the receptionists. “Oh, I dropped by unexpectedly today, no appointment. Is it alright if I just go see Haynie?”

The receptionists quickly assured him with smiles, “Mr. Wilkinson, given your relationship with Mr. O’Brien, you don’t need an appointment. Please, go ahead, no need to delay your business.”

Jasper cast a disdainful glance at Stella, pointedly remarking to the receptionists, “Some shameless women will always try to seduce Haynie. Keep your eyes peeled and don’t let such brazen hussies through.”

The receptionists nodded, catching his drift. “Rest assured, Mr. Wilkinson, we won’t let strangers in just like that.”

Pleased with himself, Jasper bounded upstairs, barely containing his glee. “Haynie! You’ll never guess who’s rotting in the lobby right now-Stella!”