When Her "Death" Couldn't Break Him Novel

Chapter 1345 What Are You Doing Here

As soon as Cassandra entered, her eyes immediately fell on a familiar figure standing just inside.

The woman was dressed in light, worn clothing, her body marked by visible injuries. Her once beautiful face was streaked with the dried remnants of tears.

"I originally came from Tudela Orphanage. I've spent my life searching for my biological parents, and when I came across the news about you, I noticed that the birth dates matched. I'm not entirely sure if I'm your daughter, but I'd like to take a paternity test and find out," Stella said, enunciating each word with care. Queenie, having been betrayed once by Cassina, remained guarded. Her warmth was a mere shadow of what it might have been.

"Since your birth information matches what was printed in the paper, we can go to the hospital tomorrow for a DNA test," Queenie suggested, her tone measured.

Stella nodded obediently. "All right, I'm fine with that."

Though Stella's attire was plain, her posture and demeanor bore an uncanny resemblance to someone raised in a distinguished family, as if she belonged in a setting like this.

The secretary leaned in close to Queenie, whispering softly, "Mdm. Queenie, this young lady really does resemble a younger version of you."

Queenie felt a small wave of relief wash over her upon hearing the secretary's observation, though she tried not to show it.

Just then, Cassandra entered the room in a hurry. "Mom," she called out, her voice loud enough to catch everyone's attention.

She stopped just in front of Stella, her expression a mixture of surprise and suspicion. "Stella, how did you end up here?"

Because of Cassandra's past run-ins with Stella and Nathaniel, she knew enough about their history to feel uneasy.

"Cassandra, do you know her?" Queenie asked, looking between Cassandra and Stella.

Cassandra hesitated but nodded. "I wouldn't say I know her well, but we've met a couple of times. After all, she was Nathaniel's first love."

Queenie hadn't expected that this stranger had a connection to Nathaniel. "Is that so?"

Stella gave a small, nonchalant nod. "Yes, we dated back in our university days. But we broke up because our families came from very different worlds."

Cassandra scoffed, crossing her arms. "Different worlds? Sounds more like Cecilia interfered, didn't she?"

Stella, always careful with her words,

simply lowered her head. "As an orphan, someone like me could never have competed with someone like Cecilia. Even if Nathaniel didn't marry her, I doubt he would've chosen me."

"So, what are you doing here pretending to be my mother's daughter Cassandra snapped. Her protectiveness over her place in the Jamieson family was clear, and she was in no mood to entertain any threats.

on

Stella's voice trembled slightly, as if hurt by the accusation. "I'm not pretending. I just want to find out who my real parents are. If the paternity test proves that I'm not Mdm. Queenie's daughter, I'll teave

without asking for anything I'm not

here to cause trouble."

Her sincerity seemed to take Cassandra by surprise, leaving her momentarily speechless. Queenie, however, felt a small sense of sympathy grow for the girl. "Cassandra, I think you're reading too much into this," Queenie said, her voice softer. "Let's just take the test and see what the results say."

Cassandra found herself at a loss for words. Arguing further didn't seem worthwhile.

The hour grew late.

"You should stay here tonight," Queenie told Stella. "We'll wait for the test results before making any decisions."

"Okay."

Stella stood up, graciously accepting the offer. She followed Ivan to the guest room.

As she lay on the luxurious bed, her eyes wandered over the finely decorated space. A spark of ambition flickered within her.

If I am Queenie's daughter, everything here could one day be mine. I'm not Cassina, who had failed so miserably. And as for Cassandra? That girl is hardly competition. For the first time in a long while, Stella allowed herself to relax.

She had placed all her bets on this gamble. If it worked, she would no longer live a life on the edge, scraping by. And Zachary wouldn't be able to stand in her way anymore.