Clutching the note, Devyn knew there was no turning back with Stella.
She couldn’t stomach taking that kindness.
With resolve, Devyn squared her shoulders. “Please transfer the money back to that lady’s account. I’ll cover it.”
Meanwhile, Stella and Matthew returned to Prosper Bay.
(EagleNovels)
Matthew wasn’t feeling Stella’s moves. “You’re too soft,” he sighed.
“She ripped off your work and won’t own up. I didn’t figure you for the forgiving type, but you still helped her.”
Stella shot him a glance, her lips tight. “True, her betrayal stings, but we were friends once. I can’t just sit back while her mom’s on the ropes. I had to do what I could.”
Stella let out a tiny sigh. “Maybe there’s still a shot she’ll turn things around.”
Right after, her phone buzzed. A refund message popped up, leaving Stella floored.
Seeing the refund, she smirked sadly, passing the phone to Matthew.
“It looks Like getting her to come clean won’t be happening.”
Matthew gave it a quick glance, his tone steely. “She had her chance. There’s no need for kid gloves.”
Flipping his laptop screen towards Stella, he got to the point. “Our priority now is letting Bella know. We have pretty much confirmed Devyn has swiped your contest idea. Bella needs to know for fairness’s sake.”
Stella nodded, taking it in. “Got it.”
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Seated at her computer, she bundled up her design concept and sketches, zipping them off to Bella.
Her email asked for guidance from Bella. She was playing it respectful.
But Bella’s reply dashed her hopes. Cold and curt, just a “Sorry, Ms. Anderson, my job’s picking top-notch stuff, not answering queries.”
Stella stared at the email, feeling deflated.
It seemed like Bella would not be budging or buying any excuse. To Bella, maybe it looked like a desperate scramble, just digging herself a deeper hole.
Stella was tough as nails, though. She wasn’t afraid of anything since she hadn’t done anything wrong. It was just that finding her family would become more difficult.
With that reality sinking in, Stella felt a heavy cloud over her.
She looked to Matthew, searching for a lifeline. “What now? We’re short on proof that Devyn’s a copycat. Bella won’t flip her script just because of my sketches and words. To her, I’m the big, bad plagiarist.”
Matthew knitted his brows, mulling it over. He gave her a reassuring pat. “Leave it to me. I’ll dig up the dirt.”
With her friend’s betrayal and Bella’s suspicion weighing on her, Stella found solace in leaning against Matthew, a silent agreement passing between them.