Chapter 5 I Need A New Driver

Owen felt the heat of his friends' stares burning into him. Without another word, he yanked the shining Patek Philippe off his wrist and shoved it into the restaurant owner's palm. "No cash on me today. Take the watch. I'll come by tomorrow and pay what I owe."

A flash of surprise crossed the owner's face as he examined the expensive timepiece. After a pause, he motioned for them to pass.

Stella caught the exchange out of the corner of her eye. The watch was the one she'd given him, now pawned off without hesitation.

If he wanted to treat her generosity so carelessly, then she'd be sure to reclaim everything he'd ever gotten from her-piece by piece.

...

Afternoon sunlight washed over the school gates as a rush of students surged out.

Excitement bubbled up in the crowd. "Is that Owen's car?"

"That's a Bugatti! He must be absolutely loaded!"

Glossy black paint gleamed on the Bugatti parked by the entrance. A driver in a crisp uniform sprang from the front, opened the rear door, and offered a courteous bow. "Mr. Miller, the car is ready for you."

Owen found himself at the center of attention. Every student's gaze followed his every move, awe and envy swirling in their whispers.

Smoothing down his collar, Owen flashed a polished smile at Jenna. "Let me give you a ride. My driver will take you home," he suggested, his tone easy and warm.

Jenna's face lit up, her voice soft with gratitude. "Thank you, Owen. That's really sweet of you."

He ushered her into the Bugatti, drawing an even louder chorus of whispers.

"Now that's a couple everyone's talking about!"

"Way better than the girl who sold herself online for cash."

"Can you believe Stella dumped him? What a joke."

"Just make it official with Jenna, Owen. Somebody has to admit defeat eventually!"

Stella lingered at the curb, letting the scene play out, then strode straight for the Bugatti without a word.

Her hand barely brushed the door handle before Owen's hand shot out, slamming the door shut, his expression cold and unyielding.

"We're finished, Stella. There's no place for you in this car anymore." He drew out his next words, each syllable dripping with contempt. "Walk home if you want. Or maybe-if you get down on your knees and apologize-I'll think about letting the driver take you."

That was all the crowd needed to burst into laughter.

"She's got nerve, doesn't she? Dumped him and now wants a free ride!"

"Does she really believe she's still his girlfriend? Look at her-she never belonged in his world."

Instead of anger, a faint, amused smile flickered across Stella's lips.

Her eyes moved past Owen and landed on the man in the driver's seat.

Edmund Miller-Owen's father-sat behind the wheel.

Owen had once complained his dad was too old and sick to hold down a job. That was when Stella had hired Edmund herself, offering double the standard salary.

"Edmund," she called out, her tone cool and crisp. "You know exactly who's been signing your checks all this time."

Edmund's grip on the steering wheel tightened. He was too uneasy to look at her, and a nervous chuckle slipped out. "Stella, please... don't make things harder for me. Mr. Miller needs to get home first."

The laughter from the crowd only grew, the ridicule sharper now.

"So she really is just the driver's daughter! He only drove her around because Owen allowed it. Now that she's out, look-he won't even defend her!"

Fury welled up in Stella's chest. "Everyone-out of the car. Now."

"Drive," Owen instructed sharply.

And with a heavy heart, Edmund did as he was told.

The car shot ahead without warning, and Stella was caught off balance. The pavement rushed up to meet her as she hit the ground, jarring pain slicing through her leg. Blood trickled down from her scraped knee, the sting sharp and immediate.

A wave of laughter crashed over her, the crowd gleeful at her misfortune.

"That's what she gets for trying to act like she belongs with the elite!"

"As if dating a guy with money could ever change who she is!"

"Does she honestly expect the driver to risk his job for her? Get real."

Stella bit back the ache and forced herself upright. She glanced at her injured knee, a dry, sardonic laugh escaping her lips.

From her pocket, she fished out her phone and dialed, keeping her tone calm. "Dad, could you do me a favor? I need a new driver. The last one I hired just refused to take me."

She didn't raise her voice, but her words cut through the noise, turning all eyes her way.

For a moment, silence settled over the onlookers-then the mockery began anew, louder than before.

"Who's she fooling this time? She's got a wild imagination!"

"Her father's the one behind the wheel for Owen. Who does she think she's calling?"

"Seriously, still playing some kind of wealthy lady? Maybe she should just get a job like everyone else and buy a bicycle."

But before the sneers could build further-the glossy Bugatti that had sped off earlier returned, gliding back to the curb in front of the school.

Every whisper vanished as Edmund practically tumbled out of the driver's seat, his urgency obvious. He hurried to Stella, bowing low, voice shaking. "Miss Dawson... I'm so sorry for what just happened. Please-let me drive you home."

The crowd fell utterly silent, every trace of laughter wiped away.