Stella Chernak grew up in the poor part of Peyton Place and was the favorite child of her alcoholic father, Gus.

[1][2] She initially only comes to Peyton Place for a visit, but agrees to work as the assistant of Dr. Michael Rossi.

After a while, Stella starts to feel guilty about possibly sending someone to jail over a lie and considers telling the truth.

Rodney's lawyer Steven Cord digs into her past and contacts Richard Jensen, her former boyfriend with whom she stole fabricated documents.

Richard, out of jail after two years, swears revenge and forces Stella to break into the storage room of the hospital and steal morphine so he can sell it on the black market.