When Her "Death" Couldn't Break Him

Chapter 1876 A Foreign Reality

"Cecilia, I made a mistake. Please, I'm begging you to help me."noveldrama

Stella reached out, gripping Cecilia's hand tightly, desperation shining in her eyes.

"I have no one else to turn to. After I was blacklisted, the debt piled up. It's so much I can't possibly repay it."

Cecilia met her gaze, calm and unshaken. "And why would you think I'd pay it off for you?"

Stella was momentarily stunned.

Lately, she'd been haunted by dreams of the past-memories of when she and

Cecilia had once been close. Back then, Cecilia had been genuinely kind, shielding her from bullies, always offering a helping hand without expecting anything in return.

Cecilia's father had treated her well too-not only funding her education, but also ensuring she could attend the same school as Cecilia.

Sometimes, when Stella woke from those dreams, the reality she faced felt completely foreign. As if she had stumbled into someone else's life-one where everything had gone terribly, irreversibly wrong.

"Ceci, I truly regret everything. I shouldn't have hurt you." Stella's voice trembled as tears streamed silently down her cheeks.

But Cecilia remained unmoved. Without a word, she gently pulled her hand out of Stella's grasp. "Stella, you don't need to put on this act."

Stella looked at her in shock.

Cecilia's tone stayed even. "If your life hadn't fallen apart, would you feel the same regret?"

Stella was silent.

Cecilia continued, "If you were still the shining star you once were, if Nathaniel and Zachary had never learned the truth and kept shielding you would you still be here? Would you regret? Would you even think of apologizing?"

She knew the answer. In that version of the world, Stella would have stepped over her without a second thought.

Stella was at a loss for words.

Cecilia's gaze was cold, still, and unreadable-like a pond frozen over, void of any ripple or warmth.

"I once saw you as my best friend," she said quietly. "But clearly, I was wrong. I don't expect anything from you anymore. You're on your own now."

With that, she rose from her seat.

Desperation clawed at Stella. She couldn't bear the thought of returning to that dark, hopeless life Looking around at the other guests in the restaurant, she dropped to her knees before Cecilia. "Ceci, I'm begging you-please stop targeting me. Help me, just this once... Look at me. I can't go on like this."

She broke down completely, her sobs echoing through the restaurant as curious onlookers began to stare. But she no longer cared.

Someone in the crowd had taken out their phone, aiming it at Stella to snap photos and record videos.

Cecilia caught the movement. She shot the person a cold glance. "If footage from today leaks, don't blame me for filing a lawsuit.”

The person filming brushed off the threat until someone beside him whispered

urgently, "Are you crazy? That's the new CEO of Jamieson Group!"

With that, the person lowered his phone and deleted the video.

Stella had noticed the commotion too. At first, she'd hoped the crowd might pressure Cecilia, make her soften. But clearly, that tactic held no weight now. Cecilia was untouchable.

Stella's face went ghostly pale.

Before leaving, Cecilia tossed out one last line, calm and final. "You're on your own."

Stella couldn't remember how she managed to leave the restaurant. At some point, she found herself

standing dazed in front of Royalon et

Club. Then, out of nowhere, one of her female colleagues shoved her from

behind.

Too weak to keep her balance, Stella stumbled forward and collapsed onto the ground, pain shooting through her limbs.

The woman behind her let out a cruel laugh Well, well. Superstar Ms. Ross, back on the grind again? Weren't you supposed to be some big-shot heiress? Guess you'reGust like the rest of us now. How many more years do you think you've got left, huh? Hahaha..."

The mocking voices gradually faded into the distance, leaving Stella sprawled on

the ground-seething with humiliation, yet completely powerless.

"Why... Why is this happening..." she murmured again and again, her voice trembling with disbelief.