CHAPTER 24: CHAPTER 24: CROSSING ONESELF

To cut a long story short, Stella Grant’s narrative was indeed somewhat brief.

Both missing the beginning and the end, Sue Woods found it hard to comprehend.

Seeing the confusion in her eyes, Stella Grant chuckled, "Doesn’t seem like a long story short works, does it?"

Sue Woods ended up at a disadvantage but wasn’t willing to let it go, reaching out to pinch Stella Grant’s cheek, "Don’t think you can get away with this, explain it to me in detail on the road."

Stella Grant’s skin was fair, and with that pinch, it immediately turned red.

Sue Woods got into the car, and as it drove through a stretch of road, before she could press Stella further, Stella began to honestly confess.

From the time she was set up by colleagues at the company into forcing herself on Silas Sutton, to Silas Sutton’s indignation demanding payback, apart from the details, she disclosed everything.

Stella talked through the journey, and Sue listened along the way.

Eventually, Sue couldn’t help but curse, "What’s wrong with your Mr. Lynch? How could he blame the responsibility of this matter on you?"

Stella smiled lightly, lacking Sue’s anger, "It’s just business, you expect sentimentality in the company?"

Sue Woods, "Does your Mr. Lynch not like you?"

Stella raised her lips, "It’s not important. I’m here to work, not to fall in love with him."

Sue Woods was more aware of Stella Grant’s family circumstances than anyone else.

She understood her difficulties, knew it wasn’t easy for her.

Hearing Stella’s words, Sue Woods pouted, "Is that how you’re settling this matter?"

Stella Grant, "Those who needed punishment were legally sanctioned. Digging deeper would be punishing myself."

Stella’s unique insight made Sue Woods agree, "Indeed, punishing yourself for someone else’s mistake, overthinking things and getting into a dead end, in the end, the one who gets hurt is yourself."

Being drugged and then forced to be with someone she didn’t like was already a significant hurt.

If she couldn’t figure it out herself, getting caught up in those emotions and unable to extricate herself.

Ultimately, the victim is still herself.

How many girls in this society are like this, clearly the victim, but because they care too much about societal perceptions, they get entangled in a vortex of self-vindication, eventually leading to depression, self-harm, or even a path of despair.

If you can’t guide yourself out of trouble, who do you expect to save you?

Praying to gods?

Even Buddha tells you, life’s myriad sufferings, you can only save yourself.

During the conversation, the car reached a downtown restaurant.

Sue Woods parked the car, unbuckled her seatbelt, and turned to ask Stella Grant, "Do you think Silas Sutton would let you off so easily?"

Stella Grant leaned back in her seat, her seatbelt already undone, "Hard to say."

After all, only yesterday she was caught by him.

Sue Woods, "Do you think he might have feelings for you?"

Stella Grant scoffed, "You’re quite the storyteller, like sci-fi."

If sleeping together twice could foster feelings, why would there be so many cases in the world of breaking up and relationships that end without consequence?

Stella Grant was too composed, Sue Woods was almost certain, even if Silas Sutton became lovestruck, her friend would remain unaffected.

Sue Woods pushed open the car door, signaling to Stella Grant.

Sue Woods had made a reservation at a popular new restaurant, renowned online. The ambiance was first-class.

After giving her reserved phone number, the waiter led them to a booth by the window, and they started to select cuisines.

Stella Grant wasn’t picky with food, so it was mostly Sue Woods doing the ordering.

Once she finished ordering, Sue Woods handed the menu to the waiter, leaned forward, and lowered her voice, saying, "Flynn Shepherd got involved with President Wright’s wife?"

Stella Grant flicked her eyes up, then nodded.

Sue Woods’s eyes were full of disdain, "Really, appearances can be deceptive, just like the sea cannot be measured by a scoop."

Stella Grant was momentarily dazed, replied with an ’Mm’, "I truly didn’t expect that."

In her memory, Flynn Shepherd was quite ambitious, even somewhat aloof.

Yet after these recent events, Stella began to doubt whether her memory was at fault.

This trendy restaurant specialized in Sichuan cuisine.

When the dishes arrived, they were flavorful and aromatic, luckily none missed the mark.

Stella Grant and Sue Woods had been friends for years, their conversations could be casual, lacking a theme, discussing whatever came to mind.

Sue Woods talked about her job, her boss was an outsider, constantly directing her expertise to useless ends.

"Do you know the atmosphere between my boss and me every day?"

Stella Grant raised her eyes and prompted her to continue, "What kind of atmosphere?"

Sue Woods grabbed a napkin beside her to wipe her mouth and said, "Like a mouse working for a cat—not daring to resist, but not wanting to live every moment."

Stella Grant smiled with arched brows, ready to continue the conversation, but the phone at her hand suddenly rang.

Stella glanced at the screen and saw the call from Mrs. Grant, the smile in her eyes deepened. She picked up the phone and answered, "Mom."

On the other end of the line, Mrs. Grant complained, "Stella, why aren’t you back yet? Flynn Shepherd and his parents are all here."