Stella replied, [What are you thinking? How does his first love concern me? It's not like I'm planning a life with him.]Felicity texted, [Then why are you secretly inquiring about Marshall behind Keegan's back?]Stella typed a response, paused, and then erased it. She retyped, [Keegan wants Marshall to be our child's godfather in the future. I'm actually supporting you two, so I need to know what Marshall is like. I must find a solid reason to dismiss Keegan's idea. My child's godparents should only be you two!]Felicity replied, [What?! Marshall as a godfather to my goddaughter? Spill his secrets, Stinky Cucumber!]To Vermont, Stella was clever and always manipulating people. In fact, he doubted Stella's questions about Marshall were innocent because the choice of godparents would ultimately be hers. With Stella's cunning, Keegan could not outsmart her, even with an extra lifetime. She could even convince Keegan to give their child her last name.Vermont did not understand how h
"Oh, I see..." Keegan pondered, a realization dawning on him. "I always assumed the person who set the password was sending me a message."Stella kept quiet, her mind racing. She vividly remembered the curious glance Keegan had given her when she set the password. She thought, 'Did he always interpret it that way? No wonder he seemed restless that night, mumbling about being more straightforward in the future.'Understanding dawned on Stella, and her expression shifted through various emotions before settling into a stiff expression. She remarked, "You really do have a wild imagination."Keegan noticed her embarrassment, a flicker of pleasure in his eyes. But soon, reflecting on her evasive behavior, his smile waned. He wondered, 'One moment she's affectionate, the next, she's secretive with a phone call. Who was she talking to that made her feel so guilty?'As he glanced at her phone, Stella quickly tucked it into her bag. Disappointed, Keegan thought, 'Fine. I'll find out who's t
Vermont continued, "But with Willow, Marshall was genuinely happy. "Yet, the Moore family would never have approved. We all sensed this but remained silent, hoping Marshall would become strong enough to defy his family."We kept his relationship a secret among close friends. However, no secret remains hidden forever. The Moores found out and demanded Marshall end things with Willow. "When he refused, they targeted her directly. She faced constant harassment from them. During her preparations for postgraduate interviews, she abruptly sent Marshall a breakup message and then disappeared."Felicity, shocked, interjected, "Disappeared? But wasn't she preparing for postgraduate studies at Trinity University? Did she abandon her plans?"Vermont murmured, "That's what's baffling. She left no trace behind. "Her exam results were excellent and she only needed to complete her interview to secure her spot. "But she never appeared for it. Marshall searched everywhere to no avail. She ha
Stella, skeptical, rolled her eyes. "So, you improvised the second half of the story?"Vermont replied, "Not exactly. It's a rough account of the events. Willow had a small family so Keegan organized her funeral, which I attended. "The emptiness of the hall reminded me of my exam answer sheets. If her husband truly loved her, wouldn't he have been there?"He continued thoughtfully, "Willow's disappearance might be tied to the Moore family. The car accident was due to Marshall's condition, but they likely covered it up. It's a complex situation, and perhaps it's better that Marshall doesn't remember."Felicity, frowning, interjected, "He's fortunate to have forgotten. Willow's life was lost because of him. Stella, whatever happens with you and Keegan, avoid someone with baggage like Marshall. He and his family are a web of problems."Stella had been silent until Felicity mentioned her name.Suddenly, Stella asked, "Did Willow and Marshall have any children?"Vermont, taken aback
Stella's questions only deepened her confusion. She had hoped Vermont's insider perspective would clarify things, but crucial details remained murky.Vermont's account hinted that Keegan had been involved in handling the fallout from Marshall and Willow's incident. Stella found it hard to believe Marshall would be ungrateful, yet if he was implicated in the kidnapping case against Keegan, perhaps Willow's accident was not as straightforward as it seemed.Stella, deep in thought, suddenly asked, "When did Willow's car accident happen?"Vermont replied, "Seven years ago, in September. I remember it very clearly. I was doing a double degree and graduated a year later than them. That summer, I went abroad with some friends and didn't return until mid-September."Stella froze. 'That was the same month me and my mother had a car accident. So why was Keegan at the accident scene?'She remembered Detective Karl's findings about a cab involved in their collision. Two fatalities and a pregn
"Got it. I won't spill the beans, and don't let Keegan know I asked you about this," said Stella."I would never. He'll be the first to come knocking if he knows that I talked to you. Back then, he was the one helping Marshall's mom silence people like us. I'm sticking my neck out here just telling you all this. So, don't screw me over," Vermont replied.Felicity sneered, "Look at you, all weak-kneed. Is Keegan gonna eat you alive?""You go up against him if you're so brave," Vermont said.Felicity hesitated for a moment, suddenly recalling the time when Keegan landed her in the slammer. She cleared her throat and said, "He hasn't crossed me. Why the hell would I go up against him?"Vermont laughed and taunted, "You're just a little chicken. The only person you dare mess with is me."Stella left the group voice call and dropped a WhatsApp message to Detective Karl, whom she hadn't contacted in a long time. [Can we meet up?]Detective Karl shot back instantly. [I don't provide ad
"Stella, I've saved a lot of money. Can I take you out to play tomorrow? No Uncle Keegan this time," Coco said via voice message.Stella paused for a moment, then grinned. "Sure, but I've got something going on during the day. Can we meet up in the evening?"Coco, who hadn't slept yet, texted almost instantly, [Okay!]Perhaps feeling she was too forward, she took a while to type another message, [Stella, why are you not asleep yet?][Just waiting for your Uncle Keegan,] Stella replied.[Is he working overtime again?] Coco questioned.[Sort of.]Coco then sent another voice message saying, "You're a nice person, Stella."Stella was confused."Uncle Keegan said you're a good-looking, a good cook, and a good actor. Now that I've met you, I think you're better than he described. Chatting with you is great. You're good at comforting me. And you're nice because you wait for Uncle Keegan. Everything about you is nice. I really like you," Coco explained.Taken aback, Stella thought,
Stella suppressed laughter and spoke warmly, "It's hard to tell with kids. I used to spend a lot of time outdoors as a child, and I didn't get fair right away. As you grow up and take care of yourself, your skin will naturally lighten over time. But even if it doesn't, that's perfectly fine. What matters is that you're healthy and confident. All skin tones are beautiful."Coco perked up when she heard that. She then set a time to meet up with Stella and turned off her phone.Stella looked at the photos Coco had sent her. She couldn't quite pinpoint who Coco resembled, but it definitely wasn't Marshall.'Marshall must have seen Coco during Keegan's "funeral". At that time, he didn't seem to have any particular reaction,' thought Stella.'Am I overthinking things?' she sighed.Meanwhile, Cyrene and her friends were playing poker."Cyrene, your luck is really something today. How much did you win?" asked one of her friends.Cyrene grinned and replied, "What do you mean? I just mana