Jaylene looked at the cheap canvas bag and compared it with her designer bag that had not even been used. It was a struggle to maintain her smile. 'How could she bring herself to swap my high-end bag for this poor offering?' she thought."Stella, you're so thoughtful," Wenham praised.Suppressing the sourness in her heart, Jaylene opened the bag and could not help but sigh. Sure enough, as she suspected, Stella had given her only cheap, low-quality items.Stella smiled, as she said, "You can have a good look at them, Jaylene. If you don't like them, I can exchange more stuff for you."Jaylene looked at the insincere look on her face and forced a smile. "Since you personally chose them, I bet they must be the best in your eyes. Our tastes are so similar. If you like them, I'm sure I will too."Stella paused. She looked at her and smirked. "That's good to hear."With their daughter officially moving back home, Wenham was overjoyed. He busied himself in the room, as he feared that h
Trevor cleared his throat. "That would be me.""Woah. I can't believe a CEO like you was once one month old?" Stella teased.Trevor chuckled. "I even wet my bed too."Stella laughed and continued flipping through the album.As Trevor grew older, their small family became even more heartwarming. The album not only documented Trevor's growth, but it also held many family portraits of the trio.It was not until they reached the last family photo, where Trevor was around five or six years old. He stood at the forefront while Wenham supported Freesia from behind. She was wearing a coat, and her visible belly indicated her pregnancy.She looked so happy. Perhaps it was because she was pregnant. Compared to the earlier photos, her face appeared slightly rounder. However, every corner of her eyes and every arch of her brows exuded the tenderness of a mother, adding a touch of grace.There were no more pictures beyond that. All records came to an abrupt halt."When mom was pregnant with
"Considering how well-acquainted she is with the people at the jewelry store, shouldn't she be aware of why I fired that designer?" Stella stated calmly.Trevor chuckled. "Regardless, you'll have to provide me with an explanation, so I can give her something."Since Jaylene had already made the request, Trevor naturally could not just ignore it. He came to ask Stella for a reason just so he could provide an answer to Jaylene.Trevor cherished his younger sister, Jaylene, since they grew up together. Even after the makeup artist incident, Jaylene worked hard to mend their sibling relationship. Even though Trevor felt somewhat distant from her, he could not completely ignore or avoid interacting with her.Stella thought about the situation and said, "Now that the jewelry store is in my hands, I must reorganize its operations. Originally, I didn't plan to make such swift changes to the staff, but this designer practically forced my hand."She's opportunistic, lacks skill, and keeps m
As Stella settled into her bed, it did not take long for drowsiness to wash over her. She turned around and took in the bold fragrance that filled the room, as she gradually drifted into slumber.She had anticipated her days at the Saun residence to be filled with constant battles, but things were less hectic than she thought. On the surface, everyone seemed to be getting along.Jaylene, in particular, seemed to treat her like a true sister. One day, it was an invitation for a shopping spree; the next, a suggestion for a new hairstyle. The day after, it was a proposal for a facial or meeting friends for afternoon tea. Jaylene was warm and affectionate, even though Stella had repeatedly turned down her invitations.When Jaylene went for facials, she would bring back new products from the beauty salon for Stella. During shopping trips, she would also return with bags of new clothes for her. Jaylene had gifted her with over ten sets of clothes in just a week. Stella could not help but
Wenham was shocked. He only turned Jaylene down because he was worried that she might pose a threat to Stella. Although Jaylene had asthma, she had built a good foundation in fragrance blending since she had been with Darcie all her life.He figured that both of them would be compared by others if they worked at the same company. Of course, Wenham did not want his precious daughter to come up short, so there was a bit of bias behind his refusal.Stella then said, "Dad, it's better for Jaylene to work in our own company compared to someone else's company. Both Darcie and I can take care of her in Caline. We're always more reliable than outsiders if something bad really happened."Jaylene gazed at Stella, seemingly a little surprised. However, she did not think much about it, as she added softly with reddened eyes, "Dad, just let me do it. If anything bad happens to me, I promise I won't go near fragrance blending for the rest of my life."With that said, Wenham would appear to be un
Stella rubbed her temples. "She really got me back there. Do you know what she said to me? She said, 'Stella, this is the best-selling one in the store. I got you the standard size. I'm sure you can fit in it.' I tried it on in my room, and it clung to my body so tightly that it was as if I had another layer of skin. I just couldn't see myself telling her that they're too tight for me."Felicity got angrier. "Standard size my ass! She was provoking you intentionally! Only a skeleton like her can fit in the size S these days!""That's not even the worst part. Do you guys remember the Kayla Wilson I talked about earlier? Jaylene seems very close to her, and now I'm worried if I can even secure the deal."Vermont laughed and said, "You're overlooking something here.""What do you mean?""Jaylene has only been back for less than a year, so how close could she possibly be with Kayla? If she was really friends with Kayla, do you think she'd just watch those people mock Kayla behind her
Although Vermont had seen a lot of things, he had no idea how to react to that situation."Tell me!"Felicity urged him.Vermont stared at the mushroom, pursed his lips, and said, "It's not that thin."Felicity was taken aback, and her face turned extremely red. She kicked him and gritted her teeth. "Who asked you about that?"Vermont grabbed her ankle with one hand and held her waist with the other. He pulled her closer to him and whispered near her ear, "Am I really your first love? How come you're not shy at all to discuss such private matters in front of me?"Felicity could be very assertive as long as there was no physical contact, but she would immediately stiffen up the moment there was, especially when Vermont spoke in her ear like that.However, she would not last too long in that state because as soon she thought about Vermont's condition, she would be disappointed and snap herself out of it.Felicity snorted. "Who told you you're my first love?"Vermont chuckled sof
Felicity was simply lying.All the boys she liked during her school days ended up being her buddies, and she even introduced a girl to one of them. Last year, she attended their wedding where she spent a thousand dollars on the wedding gift for them.As for the others, they either got snatched by some other girls or realized that their sexual orientation was gay as they grew older. Otherwise, a good catch like her would not have stayed single until now."There's no one, right?" Vermont grew smug after seeing her silence. "You were just making something up to tease me, right?"Felicity could not stand the prideful look on his face!So, she stiffened her neck and said, "Of course, there is! Not only that he was my first love, but we also grew up together! We used to spend so much time together when we were younger, and he would take me everywhere. He was handsome, had a good temper, and was very good at cheering me up."Initially, she only said that to mess with Vermont. But, once
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