CHAPTER 527: CHAPTER 527: BENEATH THE MASK

Before Ellie arrived, Stella Jennings knocked on Aidan Sinclair’s door. Since moving in, this was the first time she’d gone to him on her own accord, feeling it necessary to inform him.

"I’m going to cause some trouble, so be ready to clean up the mess," she told Aidan, who seemed not fully awake yet, and then turned to leave.

Aidan quickly reacted, leaning out of the door to call after her retreating figure, "Do you need me to arrange a couple of bodyguards for you?"

Stella stopped, turned to look at him, her face tightened, bathed in a layer of sunlight, "Aidan Sinclair, I grew up in a foot spa before returning to the Jennings Family. Because I care about you all, I’m embarrassed to tell Wenny that I enjoy cake because it was too expensive for my mom to buy when I was a child. I became a coward because I cared too much about you all."

She almost shouted at Aidan, these things weighing her down, nearly crushing her to death.

Even before she returned to the Jennings Family, not even Mrs. Jennings and her siblings knew about her previous life. She always maintained a sweet demeanor, trying to forget the days she needed fierceness to survive, thinking being cautious would keep her safe. Yet, she didn’t realize this society is the same everywhere.

Now that someone sincerely told her she could go cause trouble, why should she act like a turtle hiding in its shell?

She always remembered not to provoke others but forgot the rest of it. Now she wants to find it back.

Aidan looked at her impressive demeanor and couldn’t help but laugh, "Ha, look who’s so formidable. Aren’t we all illegitimate kids? Let’s chat about the past sometime."

He pondered, thinking this line he must tell her when she returns.

Stella jogged all the way to the entrance of the community, and soon after she boarded Ellie’s car.

Once she got in the car, Ellie briefed her on the current situation, "It’s likely that The Sterling Group helped out. The online trolls haven’t even stirred before the news was suppressed. Now all the major media platforms are withdrawing the trending topic simultaneously, Crystal Pierce made a big wrong move with this."

Thinking of the other party’s arrogance, a smug look appeared on Ellie’s face.

"By the way, you’re going to the hospital. You’re not thinking of apologizing, are you?" Ellie, recalling Stella’s usual approach, frowned, "I’m telling you, if you apologize, don’t mix with me anymore. I’ll find Gavin Garrison to get you a new agent."

Stella squinted and smiled, still seeming cute, but there was something different in her eyes.

"Do you know what birthday gift my mom gave me in third grade?"

Stella’s voice was somewhat cold, carrying a sense of pressure, making people follow her thoughts involuntarily, causing Ellie to forget how the topic related to what was being said. She subconsciously asked, "What?"

"It was a small knife with a ring. Normally, it could peel apples. With the ring on my finger, the blade would hide between the fingers. Clench your fist, and the blade would pop out like Wolverine’s claws—great for self-defense. I once used it to stab a delinquent’s thigh," Stella said and patted Ellie’s shoulder, "Previously, I was too concerned, making you suffer along with me."

Ellie suddenly felt dazed, as if the soul beside her had changed.

Recalling the story Stella told, Ellie suddenly felt worried, "Even though you’re a minor, we can’t do anything illegal."

"Mm, I know. I still have to become a big star, the pillar of Morningstar."

Though it wasn’t the first time she’d heard Stella say this, it was Ellie’s first time thinking it wasn’t just a flag but a future with a pre-written script.

Early in the morning, once the news from The Sterling Group came, all the reporters on every platform in Ariston left the hospital. Although it might be big news, none of them wanted to offend Ethan Sterling because of it.

So when Stella arrived, it was quiet around the hospital. After getting out of the car, she headed straight to Crystal Pierce’s ward. Winnie, like last night, promptly denied her entry, "Miss Pierce is resting; you should come back tomorrow."

Stella suddenly turned serious, "Get out of the way; don’t make me get rough."

Winnie was dumbfounded; such an expression wasn’t supposed to appear on Stella’s face. She swallowed hard, thinking how different Crystal was in private, subconsciously stepping back.

She was a bit scared, feeling that when Stella mentioned "getting rough," it wasn’t a threat but a warning.

Stella’s demeanor shocked even Ellie, let alone Winnie.

"You two wait outside," Stella instructed.

"Don’t be impulsive," Ellie cautioned, somewhat uneasy.

"I know," Stella said, then locked the door.

Crystal lay facing the window. Last night, after getting a call from Gavin, they had a bit of a heated exchange. She couldn’t gauge Aidan’s intent either, but his warning last night left her feeling anxious.

Upon hearing the scuffle, she sat up impatiently, and upon seeing Stella, she sneered, "What are you here for? Haven’t you done enough by crippling my leg?"

"It’s just the two of us here, no need to strain yourself acting."

Crystal sneered, rolling her eyes.

Stella approached, knocking on her leg, "Wasting such a good cast, how about I really break your leg?"

Stella smiled innocently, but her voice carried undisguised malice and ridicule, sending shivers down Crystal’s spine.

Quickly regaining composure, she retorted, "Finally breaking character from the dumb sweet persona?"

"Mm, thanks for shattering my mask," Stella stretched, flexing her fingers as she closed in, catching Crystal off guard with a hard slap.

Crystal was bewildered, her leg in the air, leaving her unable to move, glaring and shouting in vain, "Are you insane?"

"You must be the crazy one. This slap is repaying you," she said, landing another blow, "And this is because you deserve a beating, consider it a gift."

Crystal’s face turned red and swollen, knowing she was powerless, and shouted for help, "Winnie, someone, murder!"

Soon, there was a frantic knocking at the door.

Stella remained unperturbed about Winnie hearing the commotion. Today she came specifically to deliver those slaps. She even watched her press the call button without stopping her, instead slowly saying, "You could make a big deal about me hitting you if you want to disappear from the entertainment circle. Perhaps you don’t know, my family is in the snack business, and everyone calls my dad the Snack Tycoon. We lack everything except money, and there are plenty of ways to destroy you."

Finishing, she opened the door, leaving a pallid Crystal behind, her exit exuding flair.

From age three, she could charm guests, boasting that her dad was a Superman who once saved the world, always bringing her endless chocolate cake. When it came to causing a scene, no one could beat her.

Since becoming Stella Jennings, she only wanted to live as a serene little princess. Why did people keep forcing her to misbehave?