Chapter 3 The Last Lifeline

I returned to an empty house.

My soaked clothes clung to my skin, cold and damp.

When I stepped into my room, everything looked exactly the same as before.

I pulled open the bottom drawer of my desk. Inside lay a gilded invitation, resting there in silence. It had been sent a month ago by Ian Haverford, the heir of Haverford Corporation. And Levi Coleman's greatest rival.

There was only one line written on it.

'If you have any need, Ms. Ellwood, the Haverford family will be waiting at any time.'

At the time, I had treated it as a joke. Now, it had become my only lifeline.

From downstairs came the sudden sound of the door opening. Then came Luna's soft, coquettish laughter. "Levi, is this going to be our home from now on?"

I could not believe Levi had actually brought her here.

Footsteps drew closer, and then the bedroom door was shoved open with a loud bang.

"Stella, what are you doing?"

Levi's voice rang out, edged with displeasure.

Luna walked in behind him. Her gaze swept over my room, and a smile curled across her lips.

"Levi, didn't you say this place already belongs to us? Why is she still here, making a nuisance of herself? Stella, I thought you swore you didn't care. So what are you doing now, still clinging to Levi, refusing to leave our home? Doesn't it sting your pride?"

My fists tightened, nails digging into my palms. "This is my house."

"Oh? I almost forgot. You don't know yet, do you?" Luna tilted her head, her tone light and mocking. "Starting today, this villa is under Levi's name."

I stared at her without blinking.

For a brief moment, her expression stiffened. But very quickly, she shrank back behind Levi, her eyes reddening as if she had been wronged. "Levi, look at her… She's so scary. Back at the pool earlier, she really did push me…"

Levi frowned. When he looked at me, there was not a trace of warmth left in his eyes. "Stella, apologize to Luna—now."

"And if I don't?"

My refusal snapped the last thread of his patience. "Stella, don't push your luck. Do you think you're still the high-and-mighty Ellwood heiress? Let me make this clear—this house was transferred to my name the moment I took over your family's empire. So either you apologize, and I might still let you stay here, or you get out right now. If you refuse to apologize, you have no right to remain in this house."

"That's right! Stella, be smart!" Luna chimed in, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "If you get kicked out, you only have yourself to blame."

Levi's words struck deep. Pain spread through my chest in dense, suffocating waves.

How wonderful. This was the man I had loved for five years. The man I had given up countless opportunities for, the one I had waited for with all my heart.

I took a deep breath, forcing down the tightness in my throat, and said calmly, "Fine. I'll leave."

I turned and walked back toward my room, intending to pack my things. But I had barely taken a step when Luna's voice cut through the air again. "Stop right there! You don't get to take anything from this house! The house belongs to Levi now. That means everything inside it belongs to him too. Don't even think about taking anything away with you!"

My whole body went cold.

Levi only gave me a brief, indifferent glance before looking away. He silently approved of Luna's words.

Just like that, I was driven out of my own home, still wearing half-dried clothes.

The night wind was bleak.

I stood alone on the street. Aside from my phone, the only thing I had left on me was the invitation, now crumpled in my grip.

With trembling hands, I dialed the number printed on it.

The phone rang only once before it was answered. A low, lazy male voice came through the receiver. "Who is this?"

My heart skipped a beat.

I took a steadying breath, forcing my voice to remain calm. "Mr. Haverford, it's me, Stella Ellwood. The marriage proposal you sent before… Does it still stand?"