Chapter 5

Julian didn't hear that sentence, for he had already gotten up in a hurry to chase after Ariana once he was done hinting at Stella. Stella's words dissipated in the breeze. No one knew what she'd said. Besides, it wasn't as if her words meant anything to Julian at all. She was just a sex doll who provided him with carnal pleasure. Ariana was his actual lover, after all. Stella didn't rest much. A day later, she returned to the company once again. By then, the ordeal she had suffered from was already spread across the company in several variants. Someone even claimed that Stella seduced the male employees purposefully because she wanted to host an orgy. Ariana had stumbled upon it and stopped the debauchery from happening just in time. Stella's way of dealing with it was to purposefully lead Julian past the corner where the gossipmongers were speaking among each other. Having overheard everything, the enraged Julian fired the gossipmongers on the spot. His actions ended up intimidating the rest of the employees. That was how the rumors were cut off at their source. Meanwhile, Ariana rejected all the documents Stella had worked on. After the latter stayed up all night pulling overnight shifts just to edit the documents more than a dozen times, Ariana chose to go along with the first edition in the end. Because of that, Stella was unable to get a good night's rest. Julian wasn't given a chance to ask for her sexual services as well. Stella suddenly smelled a pine scent drifting from behind her. Julian hugged her from behind the next moment, and his hands began to roam around her body. But Stella continued to type away on her keyboard, as though she didn't pick up on Julian's existence. Irritated, Julian gripped her wrist. "Why are you pulling another overnight shift? I've been keeping my urges at bay for far too long!" Stella replied coolly, "Ms. Fairwood isn't satisfied with this document. She asked me to rework it." An awkward pause later, Julian chose to be nonchalant. "I'll stop her from checking your documents. Here, I'll give you 100 thousand dollars. Tonight, let's—" "I'm on my period, Mr. Chapman." Stella's cold voice successfully put out Julian's flames of lust. He gazed into her eyes seriously, only to see the steel-like resolve in her eyes. So, he could only release his hold on her and leave the office angrily, but not before slamming the door shut on his way out. For some reason, Julian kept having a feeling that Stella wasn't being herself lately. Without Stella's services, he felt that sex with Ariana was lacking, for he could never satisfy his urges whenever he was with her. Then again, so what if Stella was acting weird? There was no way that she'd reject him! She had already signed the contract, not to mention that she had slept with him for three years! After all, Ethan was already dead! Julian refused to believe that Stella was capable of leaving him. … That night, Julian's company, Chapman Group, threw their end-of-the-year gala in the fanciest hotel in the entire city. As soon as Stella wrapped up her work, she was urged by Julian, who had been waiting for a long time, to get her ass to the hotel as soon as possible. Once she entered the ballroom, Ariana, who was decked out in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, welcomed her immediately. She took Stella's hands in a friendly manner. "You're finally here, Ms. Atkinson. This is my gift to you. Think of it as a reward for being an outstanding employee. If you refuse to accept this gift, this means you refuse to forgive me for my transgressions." Stella looked down to see a diamond bracelet. Clearly, it looked pretty expensive. Since many eyes were on her at the moment, she felt it unwise to reject Ariana's gift. So, she nodded before sliding the bracelet onto her wrist. Ariana just smiled the whole time. This gala was the grandest gala Chapman Group had ever hosted since its establishment. Julian gave everyone bonuses and gifts on Ariana's behalf. The gifts locked behind the lucky draw were even more expensive. Because of that, everyone sang praises about Ariana, their latest vice CEO, who had gotten promoted out of nowhere. With the elegant music serving as the ambience, Ariana and Julian toasted to each other and drank to their relationship while holding hands amid the cheers of the employees. The event was starting to look like their engagement banquet rather than a company's gala at this moment. That was Stella's exact thought as she watched the scene unfold before her eyes. "Coming up next is a dance party. Everyone, please find your dance partners and dance the night away." After Ariana announced the start of the dance party, everyone got up from their seats and began looking for their dance partners. Stella wanted to use this opportunity to slip out of the venue, but she was stopped by Harold Jenkins, the finance manager, with the excuse of wanting to dance with her. Since Harold was in charge of distributing the employees' salaries, Stella had no choice but to accept his invitation. Harold was a single man in his 30s. Rumors had it that he had sexual relations with multiple female employees. When Stella was dancing, she kept her guard up the whole time. But for some reason, her breathing grew labored, and her body began heating up. Strength started to drain from her limbs as well. Thinking that something was wrong with herself, Stella tried to come up with an excuse to leave. But Harold had already dragged her limp body away from the dance floor and toward the exit of the ballroom. Soon, Harold used the keycard to unlock the door to a hotel room that he had already reserved in advance. A lecherous smile was plastered on his face as he threw Stella onto the bed. Then, he turned on the camera, which was already set up in the room. The desperate Stella begged, "Don't do this! Please! I can give you money!" Harold merely huffed coldly in return before taking off his shirt. His beer belly was instantly exposed. As he caressed Stella's cheek with a finger while noting the way she trembled in fright, he replied, "Money? Are you richer than Ms. Fairwood? Don't worry, I'll make sure to get all of your good angles so that you'll become a superstar!" Distress and agony engulfed Stella whole. She could only cry helplessly on the bed. Harold took off his belt impatiently, only to hear the door being opened the next moment. When Julian saw the pair in their state of undress, he saw red instantly. Harold was attempting to pull up his pants in a fit of panic when Julian had already stopped before him and punched him in the face. That punch landed Harold on the floor instantly. Then, Julian's hand snaked around Harold's throat and began strangling him. At the same time, he roared furiously, "How dare you touch her!"