Chapter 3

In the court, the lawsuit was in full swing. Stella firmly denied that she leaked the biding price to Leon Green. She had always known that Leon was Steven's arch enemy. These two brothers had been fighting for years. She loved Steven so much. How could she leaked the floor price to Leon's people? However, the man she had loved for ten years provided all the evidence. "Stella has been in charge of the whole project. She has contacted the bidders of the competitive company by email." Steven said. After seeing the so-called evidence, Stella smiled bitterly and said, "Steven, how dare you frame me just to take revenge on my father? You told me to send the email, but you never said it was sent to the bidders of other company." Stella looked up and took a deep breath. Was there anything more painful than being sent to the guillotine by one's beloved man? He planned everything so carefully just to make sure she would fall and never stood up again, didn't he? But she couldn't afford to fall. Her father needed her to pay for all the expensive treatments. She must prove her innocence. She must work and make money. She was not involved in the affairs of the last generation, but her father did love her very much. She had to fulfill her responsibility as a daughter! 'I didn't do it! I'll get a lawyer! I'll prove my innocence!' Stella tried to calm herself down. She could not defeat Steven because he had too much power. But after working as his secretary for so many years, she had also some connections. They rested outside the courtroom. Stella looked at Steven, who decided to show up personally as the witness. "How much do you hate me? What have I done to you? Steven, I have given you everything in the past ten years. Isn't it enough for you? I loved you so much that I could die for you. Isn't that enough?" Stella stared at Steven, trying to find a trace of emotion in his eyes. But there was nothing. ' Stella, the evidence is certain whether you appeal to this case or not. But If you do appeal, there will be some time before you the result came out. Next week I will engage with Wendy. You can come to our engagement party.' Stella shook her head. "What did you just say? You and Wendy Bailey?" Her voice was shaking. Steven tilted his head. 'Do you want an invitation?' Stella took a few steps back and fell to the chair. 'You knew that Wendy was my cousin. She has always hated me. You may think I am not good enough for you. But why she, of all the women in the world?' 'Do I need your permission to get married?' She was nothing to him. Why would he tell her anything about his marriage? Even though she had seen all the fight and dirtiness in the business world over all these years, she still believed her love with Steven was true/ But now it all turned out to be a lie, and it hurt so much that it could kill. She could barely breathe. Stella's phone rang. It was from the hospital. "Miss Spencer! The patient's heart suddenly failed. We did all we could but... There are no vital signs. You know the patient's condition when he arrived. We are so sorry. But it seemed the patient has no will to live at all...' 'Thank you' It was all Stella said before she hanged up the phone, indifferently as if it was from a real estate agency. She walked past Steven and straight out of the lounge. This time, Stella was so calm that she didn't look like the elite who desperately tried to prove her innocence. She stood quietly in the defendant's seat and listened to the judge's words. 'Defendant!' Stella came back to her mind. Instead of looking at the judge, she turned her head to Steven. She smiled so timidly, just like when she used to call him 'Steven'. 'Steven, my father just died, just like your mother. He got what he deserved, and I will go to jail now. Did his sins all payback now? I don't blame you for lying to me. A daughter should pay her father's debt.' 'From now on, we are even! The past ten years are just an empty dream...' Tears fell from Stella's eyes. She turned to look at the judge and said with a choked yet firm voice. 'I plead guilty!'