Lahat ng Kabanata ng Rise Of The Betrayed Omega : Kabanata 141 - Kabanata 148

**Stella's POV** "How much did you hear?" I ask, my heart still racing from the scare. "Enough." He pushes off the doorframe and moves toward me with that predatory grace that makes my stomach flip. "to know that Victor cares about you a lot." "He does." I turn to face him fully as he approaches. "Which is why this—" I gesture between us, "—is so incredibly awkward." Shawn stops in front of me, close enough that I can feel the heat radiating off his bare chest. "Because I work for him?" "Because you work for him," I confirm. "Because this is exactly the kind of forbidden situation that shouldn't be happening. Because if he finds out—" "He won't," Shawn interrupts, his hands settling on my waist. "Not unless we want him to." I look up at him, my breath catching at the intensity in his eyes. "And do we? Want him to?" Shawn is quiet for a moment, his thumbs tracing small circles on my hips through the thin fabric of his shirt. "I don't know," he finally admits. "Thi

**Stella's POV** "I understand," Cole says quietly. "Good. Don't call this number again unless it's about Maya or an actual emergency involving her. Goodbye, Cole." I hang up before he can respond. For a moment, I just sit there, my heart pounding, my hands shaking slightly... How dare he question my security?! "What the hell was that about?" Riley asks, her eyes wide. "I have no idea," I admit. "But something's wrong. Cole's never cared about Noah's security before. Why now? What does he know?" "Maybe he's just trying to mess with you?" Riley suggests. "You know, typical ex-husband power play?" "Maybe." But I don't believe it. There was something in Cole's voice. Something real. He's worried. But about what? I push the thought aside. I can't deal with Cole's drama right now. I have too much else going on. "I need to get ready," I say, standing up with the bedsheet and heading to my closet. "I have work today." "Work?" Riley's eyebrows rise. "Already?" "I'

**Stella's POV** Barbara—as she finally introduced herself—leads me through the sleek lobby of Ace Industries with brisk, efficient steps that her sensible flats make easy. My Louboutins, on the other hand, are already starting to pinch. I keep pace with her, refusing to show any sign of discomfort, my head held high despite the fact that she's been nothing but condescending since we walked through the doors. We take the elevator down—down, not up—and I realize with a sinking feeling that we're heading to the basement level. The doors open to reveal a much less glamorous part of the building. Fluorescent lights. Linoleum floors. The faint smell of copy machine toner and old coffee. This is where the real work happens. Away from the glass and chrome of the executive floors. Barbara leads me down a narrow hallway to a small office with her name on the door. "Sit," she commands, gesturing to a chair across from her desk. I sit, smoothing down my skirt and crossing my an

**Shawn's POV** "What do interns usually look like?" Stella asks, and I can hear the slight edge in her voice. She doesn't like him. Thank fuck. "I just mean—" Ezekiel moves closer, his smile widening, "—you seem too... polished for an entry-level position. Most interns come in wearing khakis and polo shirts. You look like you should be running a department." It's a compliment wrapped in flirtation, and Ezekiel delivers it too smoothly, it makes me clench my jaws hard. Stella's expression doesn't change. "I believe in dressing for the job you want, not the job you have." "Smart," Ezekiel says. "I like that. Initiative. Ambition. Those are good qualities." I want to punch him in the throat. Kelvin is looking between them with wide eyes, clearly sensing the weird energy in the room but not understanding it. "So, Stella," Ezekiel continues, leaning against the sorting table in what he probably thinks is a casual, charming pose. "What made you want to work here? At Ace Industrie