Spoiled by the Silver Fox

Look at Stephanie, who was in the land of high rollers and designer clutches, where image and poise are top-tier, there's an aura of superiority that creates an almost impenetrable circle. It's the kind of vibe that commands respect and keeps the common folk at arm's length.

Then there's Zola. She just couldn't hold a candle to them. She was even less impressive than average Joe, exuding an unmistakable air of ordinariness that reeked of small-town charm, totally unrefined.

But at least her face was something to look at.

After everyone had left, Hank took the keys from Stephanie to park the car properly.

Stephanie knew Hank didn't have a driver's license, but she trusted him. After all, back when he worked at the bar, valet parking was his gig.

Once the car was safely tucked away, Hank strolled back and handed the keys back to her,, "Stephanie, I've got a gig at the company, I need to go."All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Stephanie raised an eyebrow and retorted, "Forget it. You're coming with me."

"Stephanie, what are you up to?"

She rolled her eyes, "Cut the crap and just come, will you? What, scared I'm gonna sell you off or something?"

Hank managed a wry smile, "Of course not."

"You've been off the grid for a while, and I can tell it hasn't been great. Hank, you used to banter with me all the time, and now you're acting like a stranger."

"Stephanie, you've got me all wrong. That's not what I meant."

With a scoff, Stephanie shot back, "That's exactly what I meant. Haven't you seen how well I'm doing? I've been all over social media. And when you hit rock bottom, you'd rather indenture yourself for ten years than reach out to me?" Hank paused, then said, "Stephanie, you've already done so much for me. How could I possibly ask for more?"

"Done so much for you? Our last encounter landed you in the hospital, thanks to that whole Aaron Ingram debacle."

"Just because of that, President Ingram had someone deliver thirty grand each to cover our medical expenses. Stephanie, do you know that money saved the orphanage director's mother's life?"

Hank had grown up in an orphanage, and Stephanie was well aware.

But this was news to her. She had no idea that Sebastian had actually sent over medical funds.

Her brow furrowed as she asked, "Your orphanage director's mother was sick?"

"The director's mom got seriously ill from overworking. The orphanage couldn

afford the surgery and the

kere starving. We almost lost a

few of them."

Stephanie gasped, "I thought that was a privately funded orphanage that always had sponsors. How could something like this happen?"

"It was the Snider family's

orphanage. No one's been around for a long time, and all funding had stopped. Later, only Miss Caroline Snider from the Snider family would occasionally visit. But the money she gave couldn't stretch far enough for all the kids."

At the mention of the Snider family, Rebecca Snider came to Stephanie's mind.

She remembered Caroline Snider, though not vividly.

After a moment of thought, Stephanie said, "Come upstairs with me first."

"Stephanie, I need to attend this event. There's an appearance fee, and the company will give me a cut. I don't have time for anything else."

"Zola just told me you were caught stealing at the studio. What's that about?"

"I didn't! Stephanie, you've got to believe me. I didn't take anything. They just think I'm an easy target, so they pinned it on me."