"Is this the friend you mentioned before, Diana?" Vanz asked, eyeing the man."Yes!" She smiled, clinging to his arm. "He's the one, so please don't give him a hard time here."Mauro scratched his head, realizing he couldn't refuse Diana's invitation now. He knew Vanz well—he was one of the candidates for CEO of the company.Vanz turned to Mauro with a friendly smile. "Nice to see you again. Sorry about all the questions earlier in the conference room."Diana pouted and lightly pulled at Vanz's arm, signaling her disapproval of his earlier behavior."It's okay. Business is business. If I were in your shoes, I'd do the same. Thanks for being professional, and please, treat me like anyone else, even though I'm friends with Diana.""Mauro, don't worry. Vanz talks like this because we're not at work. Just get used to it; he treats everyone close to me the same way," Diana said, squeezing Vanz's arm to emphasize her point. She wanted Mauro to understand that refusing her could impact
"Ma'am, I'll whip up your favorite breakfast," Marimar said quickly before rushing away from Stella.Stella wanted to stop her, but Marimar was already gone. Turning back to Charles, she sensed a strange emotion in his eyes. Despite her disbelief, it seemed like a touch of longing lingered in his gaze.Charles, briefly adrift, blinked, regaining his focus. He couldn't quite grasp his earlier emotions. "Good to see you haven't completely forgotten about Grandpa," he commented.Stella's anger flared at his words. She doubted her own eyes from before. Charles stayed as arrogant as ever, showing no kindness toward her. He still saw her only as a gold digger and a fake.She replied, "I'm not here for trouble. I didn't come to chat with you."Charles paused, taken aback by Stella's icy tone. He looked into her eyes, but they held no emotion. It dawned on him that she had changed. He missed the warmth and pleading in her gaze she used to show him.Quickly, Stella turned away, uncomforta
"Stella, please be patient with Charles. You don't have to worry about me because I have a nurse taking care of me. I'm just happy to see you now, and I feel at ease knowing you seem happy with your life," said Ramon.Stella smiled and nodded at him before looking at Charles. "I married someone wealthy, so I don't have to work hard anymore."Charles clenched his jaw, clearly upset. He couldn't stand that Stella didn't need him now because her new partner was richer."But don't worry, I'll still visit Grandpa Ramon and take care of him when I can. I'm welcome here anytime, right? After all, this is my house.""Of course, but please let Grandpa stay here. He likes living here," Charles replied stiffly.Stella shook her head as she looked at him. It seemed like he had grown his hair out just to spite her.'Don't flatter yourself. He's not growing his hair because of you,' she thought. 'Maybe he's just too busy and hasn't had time for a haircut,' she whispered to herself, amused.In
"Are you certain she took the millions you mentioned in exchange for her freedom?" Ramon asked, further baffling Charles. All Charles knew was that Stella had accepted the money and left."And you believe she has another man?" Ramon pressed Charles again."Grandpa, you heard her earlier. She said she's married now," Charles replied reluctantly.Ramon shook his head in disbelief. "I hope Sophie isn't foolish in choosing her spouse. And I hope she isn't blind to the truth, like you."Charles sighed softly, choosing not to argue with Ramon.If it were up to Ramon, he would have kicked Magda out of his grandchildren's lives after their father passed away. But Sophie loved Magda because she had grown up knowing her as her mother. Ramon fell silent, so Charles returned to his work."The food is ready! Come on, I know you've missed my cooking." Stella approached Ramon cheerfully.Charles stood up instinctively and followed Stella, who was pushing Ramon's wheelchair into the dining room
"Sophie, why are you in Grandpa's room? What do you want, and why did you come back?" Sophie fired off questions at Stella as she approached Ramon.In her mind, Stella clicked her tongue, annoyed at Sophie's accusatory tone."Sophie, why ask like that? This is Stella's home, so you shouldn't be interrogating her," Ramon interjected.Sophie rolled her eyes at Stella, frustrated that Ramon was still taking her side. "She didn't sign the documents before, so she has no right to this house that belongs to Charles!" she snapped.Magda froze in place when she heard Sophie's words. She felt nervous that this information might reach Charles."What did you say?" Ramon asked, narrowing his eyes. "Are you saying you knew she didn't accept what Charles offered, but you didn't tell him?"Sophie turned pale, her heart racing. It was too late to retract her words, spoken in a moment of jealousy and anger. "Grandpa, it's not my fault. Stella is just too arrogant. She wants to prove that Charles
Ramon slumped in his wheelchair, feeling overwhelmed with sadness as he realized Sophie was consumed by unfounded jealousy.Stella, not wanting to make things worse, didn't reply to Sophie's comment. Instead, she said gently, "Grandpa Ramon, please rest now. I should go."Ramon looked at Stella with pleading eyes, shaking his head, not wanting her to leave. He worried this might be their last meeting."Oh, being all nice now that Grandpa is around!" Sophie sneered at Stella.Not wanting to get involved and possibly become Ramon's target of anger, Magda hurriedly left. She knew Sophie's actions might be blamed on her but secretly felt satisfied with the chaos. If Ramon died from anger, it might make her life easier."Enough, Sophie!" Ramon's voice shook with anger."What's going on here?" Charles entered the room in a rush, going straight to Ramon's side and calling for the nurse.Sophie panicked as she saw Ramon struggling to breathe. "Charles, it's Stella's fault that Grandpa g
Ramon was already asleep when the doctor came. Stella stayed close, ignoring Sophie's angry stares."Good thing we kept his blood pressure down. Try not to upset him," the doctor told the family."Take her away, Charles, before Grandpa gets worse," Sophie said, pointing at Stella."If you don't have anything helpful to say, just stay quiet," Charles replied firmly.Sophie pressed her lips together, feeling both embarrassed and furious, sensing that Charles was taking Stella's side."You need to take him to the hospital tomorrow morning for blood and urine tests," the doctor said as he packed his bag."Thank you, doctor," Charles said, shaking the doctor's hand as he showed him out.Stella quietly returned to her seat, ignoring Sophie's glare."Why are you here? If you think you can use Grandpa to get to Charles again, you better stop now because I'll make your life hell!" Sophie threatened.Stella met her with calm disinterest. "Sophie, why are you so angry with me? Don't you
"You should be grateful to me and be nice. Have you forgotten you had another choice back then when you left?" Stella said, her voice low and threatening.Elizabeth quickly glanced around to make sure no one else heard. "Shut up! No one will believe you even if you spill it!"Stella gave her a mocking look. "Don't worry, I have no plans to return to this family, so your secret is safe."Elizabeth seethed with anger as she watched Stella walk away, feeling dismissed and powerless.In the study, Sophie cautiously approached Charles, with Magda following silently. Charles' stern demeanor was intimidating, leaving Sophie hesitant to inquire about their summons."Tell me everything now," Charles demanded.Sophie and Magda exchanged nervous glances, both uncertain about what Charles was referring to."Why did you tell me that Stella took the papers after she signed them?" Charles asked, his voice low but tinged with anger.Sophie's heart raced, panic rising within her. She glanced at