The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1901

"Roger, I made this cake myself."

Stella turned her head away, unable to meet his gaze. She pointed to the gift box on the table, her voice dropping to a whisper. "We probably won't have the chance to see each other again. Just consider this my treat."

Roger didn't even glance at the cake. His bloodshot eyes were fixed intently on her.

"Get some rest. I'm leaving."

With that, Stella slung her backpack over her shoulder and turned away without a second of hesitation.

"Wait!"

A muscle feathered in Roger's jaw. Acting faster than his rational mind could process, he reached out and grabbed her wrist. "Do I really have no chance at all?" he asked, his voice rough.

Hearing those words, a sharp pang hit Stella's chest, making her breath hitch.

Roger came from a top-tier wealthy family and was a brilliant forensic examiner with a limitless future. Yet here he was, acting so desperate and humble in front of her. It wasn't supposed to be like this.

"You're Charlotte's brother, and I don't want to complicate things." Stella forced herself to remain rational, offering a calm warning. "Please let go, or I'm calling security."

Every single word felt like a knife twisting in his gut.

"Goodbye."

Stella yanked her hand free and turned, walking briskly toward the exit.

"Stella, you..."

An assistant holding a plate of fruit happily pushed the door open, nearly colliding with her.

"He's awake. Please take care of him." Stella kept her head down, hiding her expression as she spoke in a muted tone. "I'm heading out."

"But..."

Before the assistant could finish, Stella hurried past her, practically running away.

Passing the restroom, she ducked inside.

She cranked the faucet, letting the freezing water wash over her hands, using the icy sting to soothe her racing pulse.

Slowly, she lifted her gaze to the mirror. Her delicate face was entirely drained of color, and tears already welled in her bloodshot eyes. She looked completely hollowed out.

She raised a hand to wipe away the moisture, but the more she wiped, the more the tears fell. She just couldn't stop them.

"Are you alright, sweetheart?"

A janitor asked with concern, noticing her distress.

"I'm fine."

She probably spent too much time around Charlotte and had seen it all before.

Those kinds of tricks just wouldn't work on her.

Anthony tossed his coat aside, walked over to Charlotte, and pulled her into his arms. He switched the phone to speaker. "So what's the plan now?"

"She made it explicitly clear that she's not interested."

Roger forced a laugh, his tone steeped in helpless frustration. "She even said she'd call security if I kept bothering her."

Charlotte had just taken a sip of her milk and nearly choked at the confession.

"Careful."

Anthony quickly grabbed a napkin to wipe her mouth, gently patting her back to soothe her coughs.

Call security?

Hearing that, Charlotte blinked in surprise.

Did Stella really dislike him that much?

"I think I scared her today," Roger paused, before continuing. "Charlotte, go check on her when you have time. I won't be bothering her for a while."