Stella spoke at a calm and steady pace. Her speech was devoid of any exaggerated recounting of her past twenty-plus years. There was no overwhelming excitement about being recognized by the Saun family. Instead, she shared her journey from the moment she learned about her true heritage and the love and care she received from the Saun family. Her words were sincere and filled with gratitude toward her family and friends.Edith and Wilfred were in the audience and had tears in their eyes. Despite Stella's excellent upbringing, it was inevitable that they felt heartbroken after over two decades of separation.Darcie watched as Stella spoke on stage, carefully observing her features. 'They'd be identical if she just has a mole on her nose,' she thought."Mom, it's time for the group photo," Jaylene interrupted.She returned to reality and realized that Stella had already finished her speech. The elderly couple and Daryl were already on stage, taking photos.Darcie pursed her lips and
'Why are they giving me another present? What was that money pouch they gave me last time?' thought Stella as Wilfred handed her a box.She was about to decline when Trevor intervened, saying, "It's a heartfelt gesture from your grandparents. You should accept it."Upon hearing that, Stella found it hard to refuse. She took the present and said, "Thank you, Grandpa and Grandma."Following that, Daryl also handed her a gift box. "Stella, this is a gift from me and your aunt. We hope you like it."This left Stella stunned. Soon, everyone in the family was giving her gifts. Even Leighton's younger brother, Noah, who was 12 years old, prepared one for her. Before she knew it, Stella held a pile of presents from her relatives.Trevor helped her carry some of them and said, "Let me keep these for you. We'll go through the gift receipts together after the party."Stella's heart skipped a beat. "Gift receipts?"Trevor chuckled. "Yeah. Did you think everyone's here just to see you?"Wen
Danny observed Stella and noticed this was the first time since he rose to his current position that someone had taken the lead in a conversation in their language with him. He found it rather intriguing."You make a valid point," he remarked. "Did you ask me to speak Hustuabourgian because you're not proficient in Yostrainian?"Others turned their attention to Stella upon hearing that. Being bad at Yostrainian was not a big deal, but the fact that she asked Danny made it seem like she was ignorant. With Jaylene, who was fluent in Yostrainian, standing nearby, it inevitably made people think less of Stella. They realized that they not only had different upbringings but also varying education levels and views as well.Wenham was about to speak up for his daughter, but Stella admitted, "My speaking is average, but I have no problem understanding you."People learn language when they can practice it in an environment where it is often used. Stella had long set Yostrainian aside after
Danny tried to confront his business partner at the time, only to be swiftly shown the way out. He could not accept the outcome and fell into a depressive state. He wasted two years doing nothing at home. Eventually, his wife divorced him, taking their daughter with her. Meanwhile, his former business partner soared to success on the back of their joint efforts.When they crossed paths again at a class reunion, the person not only lacked remorse but also taunted him with harsh words. He denied Danny's contribution to their shared success and belittled him to the point of worthlessness.This incident then ignited his spirit to get himself together. He began to pick up the pieces and start anew. The process was tough, but the thought of being betrayed and abandoned spurred him on.His current girlfriend, whom he met during his second venture, stood by him during the most grueling moments. She provided him with much encouragement and help. However, Danny still held a deep mistrust for
Wenham froze upon hearing Danny's comment, clearly displeased. He opened his mouth but struggled to find the right words.Darcie then intervened and said, "You might not be aware of this, Mr. Winston, but Stella was the one who chose this hotel. We realized that we should've held the event at a larger venue. But we decided to ask Stella for input and consider her wishes."Having grown up in another family, a five-star hotel might already be luxurious in Stella's eyes. Plus, the environment here is satisfactory. Since Stella liked the venue, we didn't question much," she continued.Trevor was grabbing a tissue when he heard Darcie say this. He paused and narrowed his eyes subtly.Stella lowered her gaze, thinking that Darcie had been planning this all along. 'She was the one who provided me with a list of hotels. It's like she was expecting me to choose it.'Darcie's words implied that Stella was a country bumpkin and did not know much about the finer things in life.The people at
"You know, this banquet is a significant event for your family. You didn't have to hold it here because you wanted to repay me. We're friends, and friends help each other out. It means a lot that you even remember me," said Olivia."People who understand would see that you're looking out for me. But those who don't would think that you are simple-minded and unsophisticated," she continued.After listening for a while, Danny finally figured out why this particular hotel was chosen. It turned out that the daughter of the Saun family and the owner of this hotel were old friends. Now that she had risen to prominence, she wanted to support her friend's business.Thinking of his own experiences and looking at Stella now, Danny suddenly felt like he'd been too narrow-minded for so many years. He realized he should not judge someone based on their nationality or background just because of a few negative interactions. There were both good and bad people in this world, just like there were th
Stella raised her glass and clinked it against Darcie's. She said, "Thank you, Mrs. Saun." Her smile was friendly, yet it left one wondering if her gratitude was genuine.Darcie returned the smile, her tone kind, "We're family; there's no need for formalities. You're Wenham's daughter and also a kin to Jaylene and me. If you ever need anything, just let me know."Stella nodded and lowered her gaze.After bringing Danny to his seat, Wenham guided Stella to greet the other relatives and friends at their tables.Trevor excused himself for a moment, and Stella was hesitant about following Wenham around. Surrounded by unfamiliar faces, she worried about handling conversations. To her surprise, she found little need to speak. As Wenham indulged in a few drinks, he became quite chatty. Stella only needed to greet the people and let Wenham do all the talking.Whenever someone paid her a compliment, Wenham would linger for a chat.After finishing their rounds, they went back to the center
The Hall family owned a lot of businesses in various industries. But with the loss of their daughter in their later years, they found themselves no longer interested in managing them. That was when Wenham stepped in and struck a deal with the Saun family. As a result, all of Freesia's shares fell under his name. Even though Darcie was the primary operator of the company, her stake only amounted to thirty percent, with Wenham retaining the majority.Now that he handed Caline over to Stella, he instantly leveled the playing field for the two of them within the company. Darcie felt a tightness in her chest. She quickly pieced together that this was Wenham's way of expressing his displeasure about the hotel selection and also as compensation to Stella.At the same time, Jaylene's face darkened. She had expressed her desire to be part of Caline's management on multiple occasions, only to be met with Wenham's refusal, citing her health as a concern. Yet, Stella did not even need to ask bef
Keegan moved from initial resistance to reluctantly listening, and eventually to questioning."Why do these novels portray men as so stupid and brainless, yelling at the female lead as if they have intermittent explosive disorder?""Is the male lead sick? Forcing the female lead to donate a kidney, is he out of his mind?""How many years would they get for calling the police in their world?""Why is he so dumb? The supporting actress claims the female lead pushed her into the water and he believes it? Is checking surveillance footage illegal?""Stella, are you making fun of me?""I can't learn this. It all feels so neurotic. What does the female lead see in him?"Stella retorted, "Who cares if it's neurotic? Just mimic that stupidity, that's how these innocent women like men who protect them like that."Keegan was very reluctant, but his brain was more compliant than his body. Without needing to study deliberately, everything he heard stuck in his mind.So when Keegan mentione
Keegan's expression darkened with anger. "You're being completely unreasonable!"Stella crossed her arms, wearing an expression that seemed challenging. "You let her take it. Let's see if I dare."Jaylene hadn't actually wanted those junk items in the first place; she was deliberately trying to stir up discord between them. Now that her goal was achieved, she put on a sympathetic look."Keegan, I don't want it anymore. Don't be angry. Your health is more important. Didn't the doctor say to keep your emotions stable?"Turning her head, she reproached Stella. "Stella, are you here to help Keegan recover his memory or just to provoke him?""Shut up, you brat! Do you even have a say here?"Acting under the guise of a drama, playing the role of someone lacking in manners, was incredibly satisfying.She’d wanted to curse this brat for a long time!Jaylene's lips twitched, but she held back, tearfully saying, "Stella, if you don't like me, I'll leave. There's no need to humiliate me l
Jaylene understood the situation perfectly. Even though she didn't particularly like these cold, mechanical devices, she put on a pretense of surprise, saying, "Really, Keegan?"Keegan nodded. "Choose one you like.""Keegan!" Before Stella could finish her sentence, she couldn't hold back her sharp voice, "With your pile of junk that I can't even touch normally, she takes a look and now you want to give it to her? What's the meaning of this?!"Keegan frowned, apparently not comprehending her current anger at all. "Jaylene gave me a gift, and I'm giving her one in return. What's the problem?""What problem?" Stella's eyes started to redden. "I can't touch them, so why should she be able to? Have you forgotten, or do you have inappropriate feelings for her?"Keegan's expression darkened. "This makes no sense!"Jaylene secretly delighted in this, hypocritically trying to calm things down, "Forget it, Keegan. Since Stella minds so much, I don't want it anymore. You've strained your r
The standoff lasted for over twenty minutes before Keegan grabbed a book and knocked the beetle off Jaylene's neck. The beetle fluttered twice and suddenly flew up, landing on Jaylene's face.Jaylene screamed, rolled her eyes, and fainted.As she collapsed, the bug flew off again."Jaylene?"Keegan called out to her.He looked up at Stella and said, "You go start the car, I'll carry her to the hospital."As he spoke, he signaled to Stella.She understood and coldly grunted, "So troublesome."Walking over to Jaylene, she squatted down beside her and slapped her face twice.Jaylene immediately opened her eyes and reached out to push her away. "What are you doing!"Stella was prepared and had already moved back before she could be pushed.She shook her tingling hand and innocently said, "Jaylene, you fainted because of the bug. I was just saving you. Don't believe me? Ask Keegan."Jaylene nearly ground her teeth. Did she think she hadn't heard? She was intentionally exposing h
Her fingertips trembled with a mix of horror and excitement. Just as the teapot was about to slip from her grasp, Keegan suddenly said, "Jaylene, don't move."Jaylene froze, instinctively thinking Keegan had regained his memory. She had barely twitched when Keegan loudly stopped her again, "Don't move, absolutely don't move."Jaylene wanted to say something, but then felt an itching sensation on her neck, as if something was crawling slowly. Goosebumps erupted all over her body.By now, Stella had turned around and saw Jaylene standing stiffly with the teapot in hand. Her eyes quickly assessed the situation and then she noticed the beetle crawling on Jaylene's neck.It was an unknown species, not overly tentacled but as long as a little finger, its mouthparts slightly twitching, genuinely alarming in appearance.Stella murmured, "It's so big."Jaylene couldn't see what was on her neck, unsure if it would bite or if it was venomous. She stood frozen in place, her voice trembling,
Seeing him, Stella even lowered her eyes and softly praised, "Mr. Kane, you acted very well."Keegan glared at her, his voice low and intense. "If you keep watching like this, Coco will cut ties with me tomorrow."Stella replied confidently, "No, she won't. After accepting the red envelope, she can tolerate you a little longer."Keegan asked sharply, "Did you teach her to ask for red envelopes like this?""Don't falsely accuse me; I didn't teach her.""You may not have taught her directly, but you set an example. Have you forgotten how you always make me buy things for you?"Stella was speechless. Whenever she wanted Keegan to buy her something, she would often say, "Gifts are only surprises when given voluntarily. If reminded, it shows they don’t like me that much."It had to be said, Coco had learned the essence of it.Stella also felt a bit awkward, thinking that in the future, she needed to avoid such flirtatious conversations between spouses in front of the children. They
Could she figure all this out?Keegan frowned, casting a disappointed look at Coco. "Are you not listening to me now?"Coco raised her gaze defiantly and stated, "Aunt Stella taught me that if I don't want something someone gives me, I can say no. I don't want this hairpin.""Didn't she teach you that even if you don't like something, you should still say thank you?"Coco fell silent for a moment, then reluctantly said to Jaylene, "Thank you, Aunt Jaylene, but I don't want it."Jaylene hesitated with her hand extended, unsure whether to retract it or leave it there, managing a strained smile. "Then what do you like? Next time, I will get you something you do like."Coco asked, "Do you want me to do something for you?"Jaylene was taken aback. "What?"Coco replied seriously, "Aunt Stella says offering help without reason is either deceitful or thieving. Since you don't like me, why else would you give me something? You want me to do something for you, right?"Jaylene forced a s
Leighton's incident did indeed revive their suspicions.Jaylene was gullible, but Darcie might see through this scheme. "Keegan, why didn't you go to work today?" Jaylene chose to ask directly at first.Keegan remained composed. "I've been busy with the press conference lately and haven't had much rest. Now that things have slowed down, I thought I'd take a break and relax."Jaylene spoke gently, "You should rest well. Since you came back, you've been busy, and you've been postponing Dr. Stone's follow-up appointments. Keegan, I'm really worried about your health. Since you're resting these days, I'll arrange for Dr. Stone to give you another check-up. Stella has been living here to assist your recovery for so long. We need the doctor to give a clear assessment of whether there's been any improvement. Otherwise, it's not good for Stella's reputation to stay here so long, unmarried and under one roof."Keegan nodded. "Okay, please arrange it. Thank you."His response was decisive,
Stella had just descended the stairs when she heard that remark, causing her eyelids to twitch as she thought to herself, “Damn it! He really knows how to come up with excuses!”Upon hearing this, Jaylene's eyes briefly flashed with disdain, but she ultimately accepted the shoe covers Keegan handed her. As Keegan led Jaylene into the house, her eyes continued to scrutinize every corner.There were a couple of pillows on the sofa, couple mugs on the table, wedding photos of Keegan and Stella on the walls, and even headbands and hair ties scattered on the table. The house exuded an unmistakable feminine touch.Jaylene's expression darkened, but when Keegan turned to ask if she preferred tea or coffee, she adopted a gentle, harmless demeanor. "Tea would be perfect."Keegan invited her to take a seat and called for Maria to prepare tea. Jaylene spoke softly, "Keegan, I heard from Stella that you brew Dragon Well tea better than anyone else. Is there a special technique?"Stella paused