Chapter 7

Stella's POV

Day twenty-eight after the divorce.

New York's annual top-tier charity gala was being held at a five-star hotel.

As the CEO's wife of Hunt Corporation, before the divorce proceedings were officially finalized, I had to attend to maintain the Hunt family's dignity.

Ethan Hunt's special assistant had personally called to notify me, his tone brooking no refusal.

I agreed. Because tonight was also my first public appearance as the independent jewelry designer "Star" domestically.

When I appeared in the banquet hall wearing a perfectly tailored black velvet backless evening gown, adorned with a ruby necklace from my own "Phoenix" collection, all eyes were drawn to me.

I was no longer that Mrs. Hunt who always wore plain suits with downcast eyes and a submissive manner. Tonight's version of me was radiant, coolly elegant, and beautiful enough that people couldn't look away.

Ethan Hunt stood in the center of the crowd watching me. I noticed his gaze pause for an instant.

However, the next second, his brow furrowed. Because I didn't even glance at him, instead walking directly toward several business elites to chat with them.

Sophia Warren stood beside Ethan Hunt, wearing a pure white lace gown. I didn't miss the flash of jealous hatred in Sophia's eyes.

Halfway through the gala came the free networking time.

I was standing by the buffet table, discussing design philosophy with a famous fashion editor.

Sophia Warren walked over on Ethan Hunt's arm.

"Stella, you look beautiful today. Did you buy this necklace yourself? Ethan doesn't seem to have ever given you such expensive jewelry." Sophia's voice was clear, just loud enough for those around us to hear, as if implying I wasn't favored.

I didn't even give her a glance, just said flatly to the editor, "Excuse me, I need to step away for a moment."

I turned to leave, but a server carrying hot soup rushed by. His feet slipped, and the entire pot of scalding soup splashed directly toward Sophia and me.

"Ah!" Sophia screamed.

In that critical instant, Ethan Hunt didn't hesitate for a second. He pulled Sophia into his arms, using his broad back to shield her.

And I, thrown off balance by Ethan's motion of pulling Sophia, tilted forward.

Splash.

More than half the pot of scalding soup poured onto my fair arms and shoulders.

I sucked in a sharp breath. Intense burning pain instantly swept through my entire body. My fair skin visibly reddened and blistered.

Exclamations rang out around us.Ethan Hunt heard the commotion and turned around. Seeing me pale-faced and clutching my arm, his pupils constricted sharply.

He instinctively wanted to let go of Sophia to check my injuries, but the woman in his arms suddenly rolled her eyes back and fainted limply.

"Sophia! Sophia, what's wrong!" Ethan panicked instantly, scooping Sophia up into his arms.

He turned to look at me, a trace of struggle flashing in his eyes, but ultimately he gritted his teeth and said, "Go take care of yourself. Sophia fainted. I have to take her to the hospital immediately!"

With that, he carried Sophia and rushed out of the banquet hall without looking back.

I stood there. The blisters on my arm had already burst. The pain was excruciating.

The people around me whispered to each other, their eyes full of pity and mockery.