Keegan's expression was not pleasant.Stella had married him right after graduating, and she had no savings at all upon arriving at the Kane residence. That money was meant to support her, and there was no way that Dahlia did not know that. Yet, she did not give Stella a single penny!Keegan got very angry. But, when he thought about how he neglected Stella, he realized he was at fault as well.He failed as a husband. He had taken everything for granted, thinking that everything was going as planned. However, he failed to consider how difficult it must have been for Stella when she first joined the unfamiliar family. Otherwise, she would have mentioned this issue to him way back then.Stella might have even assumed that everything was done according to his wishes.Keegan did not know where to start explaining.Stella also kept quiet for some time before she said, "I think we just got bamboozled."Keegan remained silent.Her words made Aldor laugh, as he said to ease the tension
Stella did not feel like wearing her high heels. So, Keegan, who was being a good boyfriend, carried Stella all the way back.In the elevator, Stella wrapped her arms around his neck to show him the bangle on her wrist."Do you think this bangle is worth ten million?""It's probably more. The finishing on this piece is exceptional, and Marshall's aunt would never sell it for just ten million."Stella was taken aback. "Did she buy this from Marshall's aunt?"Keegan nodded. "I was there at the auction. Vermont also had his eyes on that piece of raw titanium. But he thought that the price was too high, so he gave up on it. In the end, Marshall's aunt won the bid."It turned out that the titanium purity was extremely high, and it was worth way more than the final bidding price. That made Vermont regret not bidding for it very much.Vermont just could not get his mind off it, and he kept asking Marshall about it in the group chat. However, Marshall went overseas and had no idea what
Stella was speechless.She tugged on Keegan's hair and pulled him away from herself. Then, she cleared her throat and tried to cover up. "He's drunk."Keegan ignorantly corrected her. "I'm not."Vermont tried to suppress his laughter and said, "Doesn't look like it to me either."Keegan kept quiet.It was only then he realized that there were two audience members standing behind him, which explained why his girlfriend had stopped him earlier.He frowned in annoyance and said, "What are you two doing here in the middle of the night?" Keegan was extremely irritated."We want to help Stella tally the gift list," Felicity said."Your brother-in-law moved so many things here just now. The two of you will probably have to count the gifts until tomorrow if we don't help. We're just trying to be a good friend," Vermont chimed in.Keegan replied, "We can continue some other time if we can't finish today. It's not urgent anyway.""That might be the case for you, but do you think Stella
Trevor pressed his lips together and pocketed his phone. He stood up, walked over to Jaylene, and said nothing. Instead, he picked up the bowl of porridge from the table and offered it to her. "Come on. Eat something."Jaylene had been quietly sobbing. Her grievance intensified upon hearing Trevor's voice, and her sobs grew louder. She grabbed her blanket to cover her head and said hoarsely, "You don't have to worry about me."Trevor sat at the edge of the bed, gently removing the blanket from her head. "Dad asked me to look after you. Don't be stubborn."Tears welled up in Jaylene's eyes. "If Dad didn't say anything, are you just going to ignore me? Now that you have your real sister, you don't need to find emotional solace in me anymore. Is that why you won't even look at me?"Trevor did not reply but instead repeated what he'd said earlier, "Come on, eat. The porridge is getting cold."Jaylene felt even worse. She swatted the porridge out of Trevor's hand in one swift motion, g
Jaylene's expression turned extremely sour at that moment."Trevor, where's the record book for the gifts? I can't find it. Did you forget to put it out?" Stella asked."The record book is with me. Why do you need it?" Trevor replied."So I can refer to it for giving gifts in the future. Where are you right now? I'll have someone come over and pick it up."Trevor chuckled. "You just focus on receiving the gifts. You don't need to repay any favors. I'll keep the record as a reference."Stella hesitated for a moment. Her mind was racing, but she held back. "Trevor, I've received tons of gifts. It would be inappropriate of me not to reciprocate.""Why's that? Dad has given out gifts over the years, more than what's listed here. Just accept them and don't worry. Dad and I have you covered."Trevor suddenly seemed like a rock in Stella's life."Then... I'll accept them for now. I'll return the favor when you get married," she whispered.Trevor could not help but laugh. "Sure."Aft
"A complete set of black pearl jewelry from Tahiti," said Felicity."A pair of imperial green jade earrings," added Vermont."A bracelet with blue diamonds from South Zuluford.""A carved jade statue of Jesus."The two sounded like they were reciting a song. Upon finishing the list, they embraced in feigned emotional display. Felicity pretended to sob, "I'm so envious. I'm afraid my best friend will suffer, yet I'm jealous that she'll be driving a Land Rover. This is so contradicting."Vermont joined in, "I'm scared my best bro will outshine me in looks, yet I'm also worried he'll enjoy a life of luxury. This is happening all too soon. What should I do?"Stella and Keegan were speechless. 'No wonder these two can get together,' they thought.Seeing the two continue their act, Keegan walked over and playfully kicked Vermont's backside. "Enough of that, or I'll chase you out."Vermont retorted with a middle finger.They then finally settled down and commenced a serious inventory
"When I mentioned a stable customer base, I meant that most of their clients are regulars, and many of them have connections to Darcie or the Saun family," said Vermont."If you want to profit in the world of jewelry and precious stones, you either cater to the high-end market, dealing with those willing to pay a premium price, or target the mass market. That's where you find products made from discarded materials, skillfully polished to mimic the real thing. They're affordable for the general public, allowing them to own a piece or two without breaking the bank. With high sales volume, you can still make a decent profit."The Velvet focuses on the high-end market, and Darcie's connections serve as her entry to that exclusive clientele. As for the mass market, Darcie thinks it might dilute the brand image, so she avoided it. They've already established a stable relationship in their high-end market. If you take over, all Darcie has to do is ask, and your clients will turn away and ru
Keegan did not quite understand what Stella meant, but he caught on to her teasing tone. He grabbed a low stool to sit beside her and casually rolled up his sleeves. "Today marks your official return to the Saun family, so you're getting special treatment."With that, he gently submerged her feet into the water."Am I not getting this treatment anymore after this?" Stella asked."You'll get it upon our remarriage. The treatment you'll receive as Mrs. Kane will be higher than that of my girlfriend. Today's a special exception for you to enjoy in advance," Keegan explained."I don't remember getting special treatment when I was still married to you," Stella pointed out."Well, I was a useless husband back then. All I had were my looks. Now, I'm trying to be better by washing your feet!" Keegan chuckled.Stella was quiet. Considering the context, she could not argue with Keegan. He was an excellent flirt. He could always take a casual remark and weave it into something more, making
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