The ladies in the room looked at Dahlia and Cordelia with different types of gazes as they both walked to the front to meet Irene.It had been rumored that the mother and daughter-in-law had a good relationship, but the old lady had never cared for Dahlia like this in public all these years, not even when her husband was still alive.On the other hand, Cordelia seemed to love Stella a lot. Keegan lost his father when he was young, which made the old lady partial to her eldest grandson. So, it was understandable that she loved her eldest grandson's wife dearly.This alone made all the noble wives and ladies jealous. Every one of them looked glamorous on the surface, but their relationship with their in-laws was more or less discordant. Even if they were well-matched, they could not avoid the friction between mother and daughter-in-law.People envied Stella for being doted on by Cordelia, especially since she came from a mediocre background and married into the family.At that momen
"Does this bracelet look nice, dad?" The familiar female voice made Stella's lips tighten in an instant.Then, a male voice that she had heard since her childhood sounded. "It looks great, honey. Buy it.""It's more than one million dollars..." The girl hesitated, "It's too expensive. Let's forget about it. You need money for your project. It's better that I don't add to the burden."As soon as the girl said that, someone who was beside the man said, "Wow, Mr. Jewell, your daughter is so sensible. She thinks of you when she's making choices."Albert smiled warmly and said, "This child has suffered a lot since her childhood, so she is more sensible and loving than ordinary children.""Just buy it for her if she really likes it. It's not that expensive. Girls like her need to be taken care of. It's good that she's been through a lot because she won't be so easily deceived by bad men in the future," the man joked.Albert smiled. Just as he was about to speak, Stella's cold voice cam
Albert's toxic masculinity led him to constantly argue with Rainee when people told him that he would not have achieved what he was today without his wife. After what happened to Rainee, he hurriedly took control of the company just to prove to everyone that he would still be able to run a successful business without her. What annoyed him the most was people saying that he relied on women to succeed.So, when Stella stated that the reason behind her father's success was Hylda's support, she crossed the line.Albert's expression turned ugly, and he said coldly, "I don't need any help. She's just a female companion for this event."Hylda's face turned pale, but the woman had great tolerance and said, "I'm sorry I overstepped."Sophie wanted to say something, but seeing Hylda slightly shaking her head at her, she gritted her teeth and shut up."Ms. Jewell, do you still want this bracelet?" The salesman in the jewelry exhibition said warmly.Sophie suppressed her emotions and glanced
After the child was admitted to the hospital, many reporters and kind individuals visited her.A number of good Samaritans suggested adopting the child, but the matter went up in the air due to the child's aggressive response.The orphan reacted strongly when she was around strangers. But, she only trusted Albert Jewell and his wife a lot.When she was in front of the reporters' camera, the child always had a look of fear as she curled up in Albert's arms.Netizens following the news suggested Albert and his wife to adopt the child. As time passed, the netizens' cries grew louder and louder.Albert and Rainee did charity work for the sake of their reputation, so now that an opportunity was right in front of them, they had no reason to reject it.After all, they just had to feed another mouth.And so, with help from various sectors and the cries of the netizens, the couple adopted the orphan despite not fulfilling the adoption conditions. They gave her their last name, Jewell, an
At first, Stella thought she was being sensitive. However, the strange gazes at her grew more and more until someone vandalized her desk and wrote foul words like "bitch" and "cunt" one day. Only then did she realize that things were not as simple as she thought.The person who vandalized her desk was promptly caught. That person was Kevin Blamer.Back then, he was like a martyr. He acted obnoxiously even when he faced his class teacher. In the end, the teacher finally managed to get him to explain his motive after threatening to meet his parents.It turned out Kevin was a loyal fan of Sophia. He had been following Sophia since the adoption incident.He said that Sophia was not happy after she got adopted. Everyone in the family kept an eye on her. Sophia's sister—Stella—often bullied her. She made her eat her leftovers and wear her old clothes.Stella was confused. She was certain that she did not do such a thing.Then, Kevin opened Sophia's Facebook page to confront Stella.[S
Kevin snorted icily and said, "We're talking about how you ill-treated your sister. Why are you avoiding the topic?""Ill-treated?" Stella ruminated over the word. Suddenly, she asked Sophia, "Sophia, in our family, did mom and dad or me mistreat you?"She immediately feigned a terrified expression. "N-No... Everyone's really good to me. Stella always shares whatever she has with me and is kind to me. Stop it, Kevin."The more she continued her act, the more Kevin thought he was punishing the evil and upholding goodness. His sense of heroism was off the charts. "So kind to you that she made you wear her old clothes and eat cake that's close to being expired? Stella Jewell, did you think no one would remember these incidents just because Sophia deleted her Facebook account?""That's what I was wondering too," Stella suddenly said with a distressed expression.Then, she continued in a sorrowful tone, "Sophia, I genuinely treated you like my own sister since you came to the Jewell fa
Those few contracts were from companies that the Kane family had linked him up with, so he could not help but suspect that Keegan did that on purpose because he knew something.'Whether he knows or not, the biases in his words were just too obvious. No matter how cold Keegan is toward Stella, he won't stand by idly and watch her get wronged,' thought Albert.Albert felt a little annoyed.'I should've known. But, how could Stella come to the jewelry exhibition alone when Keegan's still injured?' he thought.At that thought, Albert immediately changed his tone."What are you saying, Mr. Snyder? Stella's my only daughter, so I obviously love her. It's just that Sophia was adopted. I feel bad that she's all alone with no one to rely on, so I can't help but sometimes take better care of her. Since you're not a father yet, you obviously wouldn't know how hard it is to be one."Vermont smiled. Suddenly, he said, "I heard Sophia got a new car a while ago. It cost around 2 million. Keegan
"You really misunderstood, Mr. Snyder. They're both my daughters, so I naturally won't side with any one of them. When Stella got married, money was tight for me, so her dowry seemed a little meager. The car Sophia drove is mine. She went to pick it up for me. In the future, she'll drive the old car. After all, she'll need a car as a mode of transportation to go to work."Vermont raised a brow. "Is that so? Since you are now well-off, you should compensate your daughter's dowry. Otherwise, how embarrassing would it be if others heard about this?"His flattery put Albert on the spot.'Doesn't he have a public persona of loving women? He'll have to demonstrate it somehow, right?' wondered Vermont.Albert's expression stiffened, as he was resentful and furious. However, he suppressed his emotions and said with a smile, "Of course. I'll prepare it when I get home."Suddenly, Keegan peered at the bracelet Stella was looking at earlier on. Then, he said coolly, "The color of this bracel
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