After that day, Stella shifted her focus to the products.She spent almost every day in the store to monitor the design and craftsmanship. She had a genuine fondness for jewelry. When she was married to Keegan, she learned a lot about jewelry and purchased plenty of them. So, she had her own aesthetic preferences and insights regarding jewelry designs.Time flew by, and two weeks had passed before she knew it.As Stella had just arrived at the design room in the store, Chris approached her, "Ms. Hall, do you have a moment? I need to speak to you about something."Stella was looking at the drawings from yesterday, and without lifting her gaze, she said, "You can talk here."Chris lowered his voice, "It has something to do with our company's financials. It's better if we can talk somewhere else."Stella paused, put down the drawings, and stood up, "Let's go outside then."Once they left the design room, Chris said, "Ms. Hall, it's almost time to pay the salaries."Stella asked, "
The design on the sketch resembled a butterfly with cloud-like patterns, and between its wings featured a platinum charm with scattered diamonds around it. The design was so powerful that it immediately resonated with Stella.She flipped through the pages, and the subsequent sections had more details explaining the design."It's beautiful," Stella praised. "It's much more beautiful than I had imagined."Maggie lowered her gaze and said softly, "I was inspired by some of the elements you mentioned."The butterfly symbolized a new life and beauty, while the clouds represented peacefulness. How Maggie merged these two elements was exactly what Stella wanted.Moreover, the platinum piece in the middle could be carved into different patterns, adding a distinct touch and making each piece unique.Stella lifted her gaze and said with a smile, "I only told you the themes I wanted, but you're the one who managed to merge them. Let's go with this design. Send it to the carver to create a s
"Sure."After Maggie showed the craftsmen her design, they quickly processed them. Two days later, the sample was placed in front of Stella.The sample looked even better than the sketches, and Stella took several photos of them. After all, she had two managers sorting out the existing customers who made repeated purchases within the past year before officially putting Maggie's design into production.She spent most of her time preparing for the launch event. She was so busy that she did not even have the time to check her phone. When she eventually glanced at her phone, she noticed several missed calls from Keegan.After some time, Keegan stopped calling her. He would either deliver some food to the store or come directly to pick her up and drive her back after having a meal together.Keegan's intention was clear. He had no problem with Stella working so hard to make money, but she had to take care of her health. He would not let her sacrifice her well-being because of her work.
"A parcel? I didn't order anything online."Kayla put her jacket down and walked over. She picked up the parcel from the table, but there were no sender details. She opened it curiously and saw a beautifully wrapped gift box and an envelope."That's a nice box." Mark looked at Kayla, "Do you have a new boyfriend?""Could I possibly hide having a boyfriend from you?"Kayla opened the envelope. There was an invitation card and a hand-drawn sketch inside.She read the invitation card and immediately knew who had sent her this parcel.The Velvet was going to organize a new product launch event, and the items in the gift box were specially prepared for their existing customers as a token of appreciation, hoping they would attend the event.On the other hand, the sketch was the design of the jewelry she had ordered previously.She was very surprised when Stella suddenly left that day.She had initially thought it was just a part of Stella's strategy. But unexpectedly, the deposit sh
Mark smiled upon hearing that, "We should judge a person based on their actions rather than their motives. Nobody is perfect in this world. Whether she wants to earn money from you or be your friend, she hasn't done anything to harm you. In fact, she has been helping you. So, what's the point of dwelling on these details?"Would you not buy anything from her if she were really your friend? Shouldn't it give you another reason to support her business if that's the case? Your mindset now is contradictory."You don't have to worry too much about her intentions. Just attend the event if you feel like it. She hasn't threatened you to go, right? Why are you overthinking it?"Kayla paused. Suddenly, she felt more at ease.On the day of The Velvet's launch event, Wenham purposely rearranged his schedule to attend.He had heard about The Velvet's recent sales performance and was concerned about his daughter's hardships in running her business. He even asked Stella if she needed any help, a
That person's words immediately drew the crowd's attention as everyone shifted their gaze to him.They saw a stylish young man sitting in the middle of the venue with his legs crossed. His fair complexion, heavy makeup, and how he carried himself exuded an air of arrogance. Shockingly, seated beside him was Barbara, who had been fired by Stella just a month ago.Maggie could not help but curl her fingers as she gazed at the two individuals in the audience.The unexpected accusation at the event stirred a commotion among the guests."Who said that?""I think it's Chad Benson, the design manager from Grandeur Gallery.""They're competitors, huh?""A lot of guests here are from the same industry. The Velvet has been aggressive with its marketing campaign, and everyone came intending to learn and congratulate them. My company also sent me to be here. I was not expecting to stumble upon such shocking news.""What news?""The Velvet's designer, Maggie Hart, used to work for Grandeur
Chris whispered, "He's claiming that Maggie's design...""Are we just going to believe what he said without seeing any proof? You've worked with Maggie for so many years, yet you still don't know what kind of person she is?"Chris was stunned upon hearing what Stella said. Then, he tried to defend himself, "What if it turns out to be true? What are we going to do then? I'm just doing this for our company's interests."Stella ignored him and walked directly to the man who stirred things up. Then, she introduced herself, "I'm the owner of The Velvet, and my last name's Hall. First of all, I'd like to thank you for attending The Velvet's new product launch event today. Secondly, did you mention that our designer is copying someone else's work?"Plagiarism is a very serious accusation. We have stated that this is our original design, and we would not resort to such methods to deceive the public. If you can provide evidence of the plagiarism committed by our designer with the product sh
Wenham remained silent, clearly agitated by the comments about his daughter.No matter how compelling the evidence on the screen was, he refused to accept his daughter would resort to plagiarism. Even if it were true, he wholeheartedly believed that Stella was completely unaware. But things could escalate, and it could stain her reputation if the plagiarism were confirmed.As Wenham was about to speak, Trevor cut in and said, "What do we do? If we don't address this now, people will think our designer is a thief."Darcie shot Trevor a glance, "The other party has shown their drafts. They wouldn't have made a scene at this press conference if they didn't have concrete proof. I also find it hard to believe Stella would instruct a designer to do this. But if the designer is guilty, Stella will be implicated since she is organizing this event."Trevor calmly added, "What if it's a set-up? What if the other party is intentionally trying to frame us? We'll miss the optimal time for a com
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