~Pearl's Hotel and Suites~
Stella arrived at the hotel, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor as she approached the elevator. Before stepping inside, she quickly checked her phone for any messages. When she saw none, she slipped the device back into her bag and steeled herself. This wasn't just another meeting; it was a battle that demanded her full wit and wisdom to navigate.
As she neared the lounge where the meeting was being held, she paused, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. Her hand hovered over the door handle, but before she could push it open, a voice filtered through, making her pause once more. It was Elder Dalton's deep, authoritative tone.
"We believe this marriage will lead both our families to greater heights. Stella marrying into our family is a blessing bestowed upon us by our ancestors."
Stella's fingers tightened slightly around the handle. With a composed exhale, she pushed the door open, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Stella pushed the door open, and the conversation within the room immediately quieted as all eyes turned toward her. Alex's smirk was the first thing she noticed, a look of self-assurance that made her blood run cold.
Elder Dalton, ever the gracious host, enthusiastically ushered her to the chair nearest to Alex, a seat she reluctantly took. He then called on the waiter, who arrived promptly to serve the orders they had placed.
Alex, leaned slightly toward her, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear. His tone dripping with condescension, "Ms. Stallion, why not take my suggestion? I could help you put an end to this whole marriage plan."
Stella glanced at him briefly, her fingers still idly scrolling through her phone. She smiled without lifting her eyes from the screen. "You don't have to worry about me. Worry about yourself," she replied with a playful smirk, her calm demeanor making her words sting.
Alex, nodded lightly as leaned back in his chair with a confident smile, masking the discomfort gnawing at him. He couldn't believe she is still so fierce towards him when is already cornered by her family. "What a ruthless queen. What a capable lady," he thought, underestimating just how dangerous she could be.
His actions created an ambiguous scene before the elders who thought they are just chitchatting.
Elder Stallion cleared his throat, bringing the focus back to the table. "Let's raise a toast to new beginnings, as our families unite through this marriage," he declared, his voice carrying authority.
Everyone else around the table raised their glasses, but Stella remained unmoved. Her gaze stayed fixed on her phone, seemingly oblivious to the moment.
Alex's smile faltered as he watched her. A bad feeling stirred in his chest. "Stella, why aren't you raising your glass?" he asked, a subtle edge to his voice.
She glanced up at him, her expression indifferent. "Oh, the toast? I'm not interested," she replied with a shrug, her nonchalance speaking volumes.
The rest of the family exchanged surprised glances. Stella had been quiet since she entered, but now her silence seemed like a calculated statement, one they weren't sure how to interpret.
"Why aren't you interested? This planning concerns both of us," Alex asked, his tone sharp with irritation. He couldn't fathom what Stella was thinking or plotting, but he knew one thing for sure—he couldn't let her indifference sabotage the dinner.
As he observed her, calm and collected, her focus entirely on her own tasks, he felt a twinge of frustration. Here he was, practically trembling at the thought of his grandfather's expectations, while she sat there, unbothered, doing everything her own way. Her unshakable composure was something he couldn't hope to achieve—not even in nine lifetimes.
Elder Stallion's expression darkened, his indignation clear. "Stella this is not the time for tantrums. Your marriage with Alex is one of the best, you both are match made in heaven." He said his voice stern
Several of her uncles and aunts present echoed his sentiments, criticizing her behaviour as unbecoming of a lady. The tension in the room thickened with their disapproval but Stella remained unfazed and simply smiled casting a sly glance at Alex who is struggling to maintain his facade of a gentleman.
"I am sorry grandfather, aunts and uncles but... I can't marry a man who can't keep his d*k to himself," she said with a calm finality her voice cutting through the air like knife.
As the final syllable left her lips, a sudden buzz filled the room. The shrill ringing of phones made everyone pause. One by one they pulled out their phones. Their faces shifting from indignation to shock as they looked at the notifications.
The look on their face filled with contempt and disbelief sent a cold shiver down Alex spine. He knew something had gone terribly wrong. He glanced around but all eyes were now on him. The unease in his gut intensified. He couldn't help but wonder what Stella had done.
As if answering his question his uncle Maxwell sitting next to him played the notification; moans and low groans of a man and woman, intermittent tearing of clothes with hushed whispers played out making the man to pause the video abruptly.
Elder Stallion glanced at his old friend with an inquisitive look, but the words remained trapped in his throat. He couldn't voice his thoughts.
Elder Dalton, on the other hand, was struggling to comprehend what was unfolding. "Alex, what is the meaning of this?" he thundered, his voice filled with disbelief. His anger was palpable as he turned to Alex. "What have you done?"
Stella, unfazed, calmly responded, "Grandpa, Elder Dalton, aunts, uncles... I wish to take my leave." She pushed her chair back, stood up and left the room, her steps exuding her confidence and arrogance.
As soon as she stepped out of the room, Alex followed her out, forcefully grabbing her wrist. "Stella, why doing this, you are destroying my reputation you know?" He thundered with his voice echoing in the empty hallway.
Stella smiled coolly, her tone measured. "I gave you an option Alex or —have you forgotten?"
Alex clenched his fist, his frustration boiling over, he can't believe he is been played by a woman.
Consumed by rage, he raised his hand to strike her, but his arm was halted mid-air. "And when is it your turn to lay hands on her?" Jackson's voice cut through the tension, fury blazing in his eyes.
Stella, caught off guard by Jackson's presence, raised an eyebrow in surprise. She hadn't expected him to be here, nor the speed with which he'd intervened. A playful smile tugged at her lips. "When did you get here?"
Jackson shrugged nonchalantly, his expression filled with mischief. "Somebody forgot about dinner, so I had to come find her —but it seems someone needs a beating," he said with a smirk.
With a swift movement, Jackson punched Alex on his jaw sending Alex stumbling backward. It was totally unexpected Alex gathered himself intending to fight back but Stella's statement halted him in tracks "Alex, it's better you go appease your grandfather as a good son you are"
"Let's not waste any more time," Jackson added, offering his hand to Stella.
Stella laughed, appreciating his boldness. Jackson took her bag and extended his hand toward her. "Shall we go?"
Not sparing a glance at the dumbfounded Alex, Stella clasped Jackson's hand with a smile. "Sure." She sidestepped Alex, and together they walked out, leaving him standing in stunned silence.