Chapter 177: Chapter 177: Stella Shields’s Humiliation
She wasn’t a saint. If someone made her uncomfortable, she had no desire to see Stella Shields comfortable either.
When Justin Shields saw the family of three, he was a little surprised, but it also seemed to make sense.
He glanced at his sister, knowing she must be feeling awful right now, and said to Nathan Fawcett, "Ethan, welcome!"
Nathan Fawcett glanced at him and said, "Don’t mention it."
Ethan Linden said to him, "Let’s go inside."
With that, he led them in.
Seeing this, Stella Shields followed along behind them.
Only, her good mood was completely gone.
...
Mrs. Shields was still inside, greeting guests.
"I heard Stella’s boyfriend is coming today, too."
"He is," Mrs. Shields said with a smile.
"Your Stella is so accomplished." Everyone envied Mrs. Shields. "You raised such a wonderful daughter!"
Mrs. Shields was so pleased she was grinning from ear to ear.
She heard Ethan Linden had arrived and was looking on in anticipation, only to see Justin Shields leading in Nathan Fawcett, Ian, and Anne Sutton!
The moment she saw Anne Sutton, her face turned livid.
’Anne Sutton... why is she here?’
’And with Ethan Linden, of all people?’
"Is that Stella’s boyfriend?" her friends asked.
"But who’s the woman with him?"
"..." Mrs. Shields hurried over.
Seeing his mother, Justin Shields made the introduction. "Mom, this is Ethan Linden."
This was the first time Mrs. Shields had formally met Ethan Linden. He and Justin had played at their house before, but that was many years ago, and her memory of him had grown faint.
She said, "Hello, Ethan! It’s been so many years."
Nathan Fawcett looked at Mrs. Shields and said, "Hello, Auntie."
Mrs. Shields smiled. "Please, go on in and have a seat!"
Anne Sutton, standing to the side, said, "Hello, Auntie Shields."
Mrs. Shields looked at Anne Sutton and gave an awkward smile. "Anne, what brings you here?"
Anne Sutton replied, "It’s your birthday. I came to visit on behalf of my mother. I hope you don’t mind?"
In truth, Mrs. Shields hadn’t invited anyone from the Sutton Family to her birthday party.
People said their mothers were best friends, but in all these years, Anne Sutton never knew her family was still on such good terms with the Shields Family.
"Of course not," Mrs. Shields said. "It’s just... isn’t it a bit inappropriate for you to come with Ethan Linden? People who don’t know the situation might get the wrong idea about your relationship."
Nathan Fawcett, who was standing nearby, wrapped an arm around Anne Sutton’s shoulder and interjected, "It seems you know my girlfriend, Mrs. Shields. What a coincidence."
With that single gesture, all eyes in the room turned toward them.
And Nathan Fawcett hadn’t spoken quietly.
Everyone standing nearby heard him loud and clear.
’So, she’s his girlfriend?’
’Then what does that make Stella Shields?’
On top of that, his son was holding Anne Sutton’s hand, looking much closer to her.
They were the ones who looked like a family of three.
...
Mrs. Shields stared at Nathan Fawcett, not expecting him to humiliate her in front of everyone.
She demanded, "You say she’s your girlfriend? Then what about our Stella...?"
"Mom," Justin Shields said, looking at her. "I’ll take care of our guests here. You should go mingle."
Fearing his mother would say something improper and make things even more awkward for Stella, Justin Shields quickly intervened.
Mrs. Shields glanced at her son.
Nathan Fawcett, however, addressed Mrs. Shields directly and without reservation. "Anne is my girlfriend, and she’s the mother of my child. When we get married, I hope you’ll be able to attend, Mrs. Shields."
"..." Stella Shields, who had been standing to the side, stared at Nathan Fawcett. "Ethan Linden," she said, "does your mother know you’re saying this?"
Nathan Fawcett shot her a look. Seeing her try to use his own mother against him, his eyes went cold. "Are you telling me what to do?"
Stella Shields was speechless.
The crowd stared at the unfolding scene. Everyone had assumed Stella Shields and Ethan Linden were a couple, but now it seemed that wasn’t the case at all.
...
She had been completely and utterly rejected!
Stella Shields had never been so humiliated in her entire life.
"You’ll regret this," she said.
With that, she spun around and stormed upstairs.
Seeing this, Mrs. Shields started to follow her. "Stella."
She was humiliated, too.
She felt that Ethan Linden had shown them absolutely no respect!
"Mrs. Shields," Nathan Fawcett said.
Mrs. Shields stopped and looked at Nathan Fawcett. "Thank you for attending my birthday party, Mr. Linden. However, I’m afraid my humble party isn’t worthy of your presence."
She was clearly displeased.
This Ethan Linden had obviously come here just to cause trouble.
Nathan Fawcett could see she was trying to kick him out, but he didn’t get angry. He simply asked in a calm voice, "Does this mean you feel the Shields Family no longer needs my support?"
He could leave, of course. But if he did, it would be even more difficult for the Shields family to save face today.
Mrs. Shields froze. Looking at Nathan Fawcett, she suddenly remembered that over the past few years, Ethan Linden had indeed given the Shields Family a great deal of support.
The Shields Family’s success today was all thanks to him...
If she made an enemy of him here today, the Shields Family would not only become a laughingstock, but she feared the very future of their company would be in jeopardy.
At that moment, she could no longer spare a thought for her daughter. She just said, "Not at all. Justin, please take good care of Mr. Linden."
"Of course," Justin Shields replied upon hearing his mother’s words.
He looked at Nathan Fawcett and said, "Ethan, let’s go have a seat over here."
Seeing Mrs. Shields change her attitude, Nathan Fawcett followed Justin over to a seat.
Justin Shields quickly had someone pour him some tea.
Anne Sutton sat beside Nathan Fawcett, gazing at him. For a moment, she couldn’t tell if he was here to attend a birthday party or to teach the Shields family a lesson!
’Just a moment ago, Mrs. Shields was furious that he’d brought me along, and now she has no choice but to suck up to him for the sake of her family’s future!’
...
Upstairs, Stella Shields was so furious she swept everything off her bed and onto the floor.
Mrs. Shields came in and looked at her. "Stella."
"How could he do this?" Stella cried. "How could he bring Anne Sutton here and slap me in the face like that?"
Everyone knew I was supposed to be with Ethan Linden!
That’s why they all admired me so much.
And now? Now they all know he doesn’t want me!
"Stop this!" Mrs. Shields said. "Offending Ethan Linden is bad for our family. If he gets angry and decides to stop supporting us, what will happen to the company?"
"Then what should I do?" Stella demanded. "Am I supposed to go downstairs and greet him and Anne Sutton with a smile?"
"If you make an enemy of him now, you’ll lose any chance you have," Mrs. Shields said. "But if you stay on good terms with him, there will be plenty of opportunities later. What’s that Anne Sutton, anyway? She’s just a widow! How could she ever compare to you?"
Stella looked at her mother, her voice thick with grievance. "But today was so humiliating."
"It’s all that Anne Sutton’s fault!" Mrs. Shields said viciously. "I was already being more than generous by offering to let her marry your brother. I never thought she’d be so audacious as to dream of marrying Ethan Linden. Does she think she’s worthy? Who the hell does Mina Ford’s daughter think she is!"
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