Chapter 12

Stella was left baffled. She thought, 'Mr. Kane, can we be a little more honest?'

The value of Keegan's business deals amounted to at least ten billion dollars. As a result, it came as no surprise that his business partners showered him with expensive luxury goods.

One time, someone had even gifted him a pair of opal earrings, which certainly didn't come cheap. Stella was overjoyed when Keegan gave her the earrings. However, her happiness turned to sorrow when she lost them at a party. The loss affected her so deeply that she couldn't eat for several days. What made matters worse was that Keegan mocked her, considering her a disappointment.

Little did he know how much those earrings meant to her simply because they were from him.

Reflecting on the situation, Stella realized that to Keegan, the box she returned was just a meaningless item he had received and carelessly handed over to her. He hadn't intended it as a gift, nor did he seem to care about giving her presents.

Feeling hurt and disheartened, Stella closed the box and returned it to him, saying, "Let's split these items when we divide our assets during the divorce. That way, I won't have to give them back to you."

Upon hearing this, Aldor was shocked.

Keegan immediately got angry. "Stella Jewell! What on earth are you talking about? How dare you mention divorce and claim a share of my assets? I'm the one who provides for you, clothes you, and gives you a home. If we divorce, you won't lead such a comfortable life anymore. Can you handle that? Just staying alive would be a struggle for you!"

Stella's fingers trembled as she listened to Keegan's harsh words. She had tried not to care about his hurtful remarks, but they continued to wound her deeply. It was clear that she was nothing but a failure in his eyes.

Seeing Stella remain silent for a long pause, Keegan decided to soften his tone and said, "I'll overlook this if you apologize. You can continue being my wife, and I'll provide you with whatever you want..."

"Mr. Kane, how kind of you," Stella retorted, unable to let his words go unchecked. "Should I shed tears of gratitude?"

Keegan's brow furrowed. "I'm offering you a chance here. Stop this disrespectful behavior at once!"

"Thank you, Mr. Kane, for being so forgiving and giving me this chance. But, I'm too lowly and not worthy to accept it. You should give this opportunity to someone else who needs it."

Keegan's anger spiked. "I've indulged you time and time again. Enough is enough. Don't push your luck!"

"I'm someone who likes pushing their luck. Keegan, how about we make a bet?" Stella looked into his eyes, surprisingly calm. "Let's see if I have what it takes to survive after the divorce."

"Sure," Keegan chuckled sarcastically. "I'd like to see how you suffer without me! Aldor, stop the car!"

Aldor's hands trembled as he immediately pulled over.

"Get out!" Keegan's voice was ruthless.

Stella looked at the windy and empty road, and her heart sank.

The atmosphere grew tense all of a sudden. Aldor advised quietly, "Mr. Kane, it's hard to get a cab here. Let's go to the city before you ask her to get off the car again."

Keegan sneered, "She wanted me to see that she could survive without me. I'm allowing her to do that! She doesn't deserve to talk with me about her capability if she can't even walk along this road!"

Stella's self-esteem suffered terribly. Being looked down upon by someone she liked was humiliating.

She remained silent, unfastened her seatbelt, and opened the car door. Before stepping out, she turned to Keegan and asked, "When are we getting the paperwork done?"

Keegan's eyes glowed with anger as he stared at her. After a few seconds, he coldly replied, "Tomorrow at three o'clock in the afternoon."

"See you at the lawyer firm tomorrow at three o'clock in the afternoon, then."

Stella got out of the car without looking back or begging him. Her determination showed in every step she took.

Keegan clenched his fingers slowly, his face sullen.

"Drive," he ordered.

Aldor thoughtfully tried to convince his boss. "Mr. Kane, they're still upgrading this area. The closed-circuit television along this road is inadequate. It's very dangerous for Mrs. Kane to be alone. Why don't we..."

Keegan interrupted him, his voice exceptionally cold, "Drive! Don't make me ask again!"

Aldor could only stop talking.

Stella walked about a hundred meters before hearing the car's engine start behind her. A loud noise followed, as if something had smashed into the ground. Keegan's car swiftly passed by her and disappeared from sight.

Curious, she turned around to check. There, on the road, lay the bag Keegan had given her, along with the box. The bag had fallen out of the box and rolled far away.

She paused for a moment before continuing to walk forward. However, after taking a few more steps, she couldn't help but clench her teeth and backtrack over ten meters.

"It's a three-million-dollar bag. How could he just throw it away like that? Is he out of his mind?" Stella muttered to herself.

She picked up the bag and inspected it closely. Despite being a little dusty, the bag appeared undamaged.

"Is it okay if I bring this back with me? Keegan threw it away, so it should be fine, right? Besides, gifts from his clients are considered marital assets. I should have a fifty percent share of it. It's only fair if I take this bag and sell it, then give half the money to Keegan," she reasoned, finding justification in her actions.

With that thought in mind, Stella felt content as she decided to keep the bag.

...

Back at Felicity's apartment, Felicity shouted, "Huh?!"

Her sudden outburst startled Stella, who was holding a hair dryer.

"You're kidding me! Over two million and eight hundred thousand!" Felicity's finger trembled as she pointed at the bag. "This is crazy. The bag is worth three million? Am I even worthy enough to be inside the same house as it?"