"What makes you say that?" The doctor asked.Trevor briefly recounted the situation, and the doctor said, "I see. People can respond differently to the loss of a loved one. Your sister might be displaying unexpected strength, but she could also need time to come to terms with it. The only thing you and your family can do is just be there for her."Trevor nodded as he took the doctor's advice.Stella seemed resolute in her belief that Keegan was still alive. She ate her meals on time and actively participated in rehabilitation. Before she knew it, a week had passed.When friends came to visit, Stella would behave just as she normally would. This facade carried an underlying unease. Yet, no one dared to touch the subject. Only Stella would ask Trevor about the progress in the hospital's search efforts with unwavering determination every single day.Each time Felicity overheard, it sent shivers down her spine. Just two days prior, they had recovered Keegan's watch and one of his shoe
Marshall had a light-hearted way of speaking that never made anyone uncomfortable. However, Felicity could not stand him. She felt nothing but disdain for him every time she thought about how Keegan had been tragically killed and how Stella was refusing to accept his passing.Therefore, when Felicity saw that it was Marshall at the door, she promptly turned back into the room.Marshall hesitated for a moment before following her in and quietly shutting the door."Stella," Marshall gently called her name.Stella looked up at him and paused.Marshall was wearing a light gray casual outfit today. She had bought a similar one for Keegan. The resemblance made Stella feel like she was in a trance and left a bitter taste in her mouth."Feeling better today?" Marshall's question brought Stella back to reality.She turned away, suppressing her emotions before looking up, "Much better, Mr. Moore. You must be busy with work. You don't have to come and visit me. I'll be discharged in a coup
Stella kept her gaze low, choosing not to respond to the topic. It was not something she wanted to discuss.After a while, she asked, "How is Grandma? I've been unable to reach her on the phone."Marshall considered his words carefully, "She's been rather shaken up. She's currently resting and not accepting any visitors."Following Keegan's incident, Marshall and Vermont had visited Cordelia's residence multiple times. Each time, they were greeted by Dahlia. She would always give them the same excuse as to why Cordelia was not there.Now was the time for the family to come together and search for Keegan, but instead, they were focused on staying with Cordelia. This indicated one thing—there will be a massive change in the Kane family. Everyone was looking out for their future.The two of them spent quite a while on the terrace. Eventually, Stella spoke up. "Mr. Moore, could you bring me my bottle? I'm feeling a bit thirsty."Marshall adjusted the jacket around her and said, "Is i
The surveillance footage captured Stella leaving the hospital doors and blending into the bustling crowd. Stella was missing, and she had not taken her phone with her. She had not even changed out of her hospital gown before leaving.Trevor rushed over upon hearing the news. As soon as he saw Marshall, he grabbed him by the collar and threw him a punch. His breath seethed with anger as he said, "What the hell did you say to Stella?!"Trevor's punch sent Marshall crashing into a nearby rack, leaving him seated on the floor.Felicity was startled and quickly stepped forward to intervene, "Trevor, this has nothing to do with Mr. Moore. Stella probably left after receiving this message."As she said that, she handed Stella's phone to Trevor. There was a message from a notary officer requesting Stella's presence on the specified date to read Keegan's will. She was one of the heirs to Keegan's estate. The message had been sent the night before and had been opened all this while. Stella w
The minivan jolted along the road. The smell of gasoline and food made all the passengers inside uncomfortable, even those not prone to motion sickness.A woman was holding a six-month-old baby who was crying loudly, irritating the people around her.One of the passengers complained, "Please make the baby stop crying. It's so annoying!"The woman felt embarrassed and kept apologizing to the people around her. Then, she unbuttoned her shirt, intending to breastfeed the baby.Some passengers looked away uncomfortably, while others looked at her in disgust.The woman was rather young, and the baby in her arms was probably her first child. The passenger's reaction made her feel ashamed as her eyes turned slightly red.Suddenly, she felt someone draping a shirt over her shoulder, making her feel embarrassed for breastfeeding her baby in public.She paused and turned to the woman sitting next to her, who was wearing a mask and a cap.The woman dressed very casually, just like everyon
Stella suddenly remembered what she had told Keegan at Solstice Shore previously.She said that she wanted him to become a father before he turned thirty-five, or he would have to use a cane to attend the parent-teacher conference.Although Keegan did not like her mocking him, he could not help but join her in fantasizing about their life in the future.However, their dreams of a wonderful future ended on New Year's Day. The person she had shared those dreams with had disappeared forever in that icy river.Stella kept quiet, but she was overwhelmed by emotions inside. She then shut her eyes for some time before saying in a low voice, "My husband... has gone missing."The mother paused, not understanding what Stella meant by "missing".'Did he leave her after they fought, or did he run away with another woman?' The mother wondered to herself.As she thought about how to respond, she heard Stella continuing, "He fell into the water, and they couldn't find him even after twelve day
Marshall came here by bus, but Stella did not even have her ID with her. She could only come by a private car, where each passenger would get off at different places. In that way, the car would have to make a few different stops, which would cause her to arrive slower than taking a direct bus.So, he decided to stay after thinking about that.Arthur did not know what had happened, but he was delighted to have a guest over. He had provided Marshall with a place to stay and also cooked various delicacies for him.Marshall was still worried about Stella, so he did not really enjoy any of the food.He stayed at Arthur's place for two days, yet Stella did not show up. On the third morning, he suddenly woke up from a nightmare.There was always an endless fire in his previous dreams. However, this time, he dreamed of Stella jumping off the bridge with Keegan.He was drenched in cold sweat as he abruptly opened his eyes. He stared at the old ceiling above him. It took him some time to f
The bald man was startled and tried to deny it, "I—I don't know what you're talking about—Ah—"Before he could finish talking, Marshall twisted his wrist, causing a sharp pain that made him cry out."I'm not going to repeat myself!"His tone was icy and emotionless, sending a shiver down the bald man's spine.The bald man was nothing but a swindler and quickly confessed everything after Marshall threatened him.Indeed, a woman came to the wishing well three days ago.She was heavily dressed in casual clothes, but she was exceptionally generous with her money. She had donated several thousand dollars to make a wish. People would usually leave after making a wish, but she knelt in front of the wishing for a long time. It was apparent that she was desperate, making her an easy target to be scammed.So, the bald man initiated a conversation with her, but she kept quiet until he mentioned a stone on the mountaintop called the "Reincarnation Stone". He told her that if she wrote her l
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