Darcie was very disappointed with Jaylene's attitude of underestimating her rival."Stella doesn't know a thing about designing jewelry either, but she turned The Velvet into a weapon. Look at it now; everyone knew it was meant to be my wedding gift to you."Jaylene was surprised, replying quietly, "Selling jewelry and making perfumes are totally different. She just got lucky. In Caline, who would respect someone who knows nothing about perfumery?"Darcie said, "Even if she got lucky, you shouldn't underestimate her. So what if you know more about perfumery?"There are many skilled perfumers in Caline. Do you think the company can't function if any of them leave?"The key is selling the products and rallying people in the company. You need to focus on what really matters."Darcie was very worried, yet Jaylene seemed completely unconcerned.She thought that Darcie was being overly anxious and that Stella could not pose a threat to her.Although Stella might have half of the comp
"What's wrong with that? He's Stella's fiancé. Why would you want to get so close to him?" said Darcie.Jaylene frowned. "This is not what you said back then. You even had Ms. Crosby try to match us up. You—""Don't talk about the past," Darice cut her off, "Back then, Stella had not returned to the Hall family, and they were still divorced, so I supported you. But now Stella is your stepsister, and she's engaged to Keegan."What will others say about you if you keep seeing him? Are there no other men in Rivera? Why do you have to mess around with someone else's fiancé?"Darcie's harsh words made Jaylene look somewhat embarrassed. Then, Jaylene bit her lip and said softly, "What if Keegan likes me?"Darcie replied coldly, "Do you think he'll fall for you just because you took care of him for a few days after he lost his memory? If that's the case, he'd also like every nurse and doctor who pulled him back from the brink of death."Even if he does, you still have to get past Mrs. K
Jaylene was left without words after Darcie confronted her.Darcie's face lost color as she sighed. "Jaylene, you've always been such a good listener and excelled at everything since you were a child. I worked hard to raise you to be someone independent, not just someone's wife."Even though Keegan did develop feelings for you, think about it. If he could leave Stella for you, what's stopping him from leaving you for someone else?"Darcie clenched her teeth and added, "You have Saun as your last name, but you're not tied by blood to this family. No matter how much your dad and brother love you, their blood ties will always be stronger. You can't rely on the Saun family forever."You've got to become strong on your own. When you become a big deal in Caline, no one will dare to underestimate you." Don't get worked up every time I mention Stella. She's back with the Saun family, living a good life with Keegan. But notice something? She hasn't slowed down at all, managing The Velvet
Keegan juggled work while keeping an eye on her. After observing her for a while, he could not hold back any longer but asked, "Why can't you just sit still?"Stella sighed. "I have no one to talk to and I'm bored. Moving around makes me feel less dull."Keegan was speechless. "Do you want me to call Vermont over, so you two can talk?""It's okay. I can chat with Aldor too. Aldor, you're not busy, are you?" Stella blinked her eyes as she asked, looking hopeful.Aldor shook his head. "I'm almost done with my work, just waiting for Mr. Kane to look through."Stella immediately sat down. "Aldor, how are things between you and Aurora now?"Her question caught both Aldor and Keegan by surprise.She was not bored. Instead, her curiosity was driving her crazy and she finally decided to unleash it.Aldor chuckled awkwardly. "Mrs. Kane, can we talk about something else?"Stella said, "Did Keegan threaten you with something and force you to marry his sister? It's okay, you can be honest
After a brief pause, Stella said angrily, "I dare you to say that again!"Keegan took her hand and gently pulled her into his embrace. Then he rested his chin on her shoulder and said in an affectionate tone, "I'm right in front of you, yet you just wouldn't stop asking about another man's love life. That doesn't sound very appropriate, does it?""Well, should we talk about our own love life then?"Keegan nodded, looking expectant.Stella stared at him for a long time but found it difficult to speak. After some time, she frowned and said, "I don't feel like talking about it anymore."Keegan felt disappointed.Stella playfully covered his eyes. "Don't give me that cheesy look. It's weird how fast you remembered everything. Before, if I touched you, you'd back off like a super proper guy." She blushed, admitting, "I kinda liked that."Keegan was quiet.He let go of her hand, creating some space between them. His expression turned cold again.Stella felt her heart race, thinking,
"But I don't regret it." Keegan looked up at her with a loving gaze. "If I didn't let go of myself that day, perhaps neither of us would be alive, let alone having them."He placed his hand gently on her belly. "One for three, it's worth it."Stella was upset. "What's worth it? Do you still expect me to give birth to your babies when you're dead? Impossible! If you don't come back, I'll find another man immediately and show him off to you on your grave. You may be a hero, but you're still going to need someone else to take care of your wife."Keegan could not help but smile at her complaints. "I must have heard your 'ungrateful' whines and couldn't bring myself to leave, so I came back."Stella hugged him tightly and whispered, "I'll pack a lunchbox for you tomorrow. You got so much thinner after the incident. You're not as huggable anymore."Keegan frowned. "How can I let you cook for me while you're pregnant? Do you think Trevor would let that slide if he knew? He'd probably kil
Stella's eyes widened in surprise. "I can't believe your family has such a secret. Please, tell me more."Keegan had kept this secret for so many years, so Stella figured that probably only a handful of people knew about it. Otherwise, she would have heard Olivia gossiping about it long ago.Keegan kept stuttering as he explained it and it took a long time for Stella to finally understand what happened.Keegan himself was not clear about the exact details of their past, but at his father's funeral, he saw Chandler and Dahlia hugging each other.However, once he started having suspicions, he could not help but pay extra attention to them. After all, there were no secrets that could not be exposed.The Crosby family was quite well-off back in Rivera. Dahlia and her brother, Blake, were prominent figures in Rivera's social circles. The Crosby siblings were exceptionally good-looking and caught the attention of many.The Crosby family doted on the siblings, but the excessive affectio
Keegan was taken aback.'This does indeed sound like something I would say. Or rather, more like the kind of thing mom would throw my way back when I was younger.'No matter how stellar Keegan's achievements were during his childhood, Dahlia always had a way of cutting him down. "Don't be too proud. Someone might surpass you next time.""Your dad and I spent a fortune on your education, it's the least you can do," she'd say.Keegan rarely received praise from Dahlia. Naturally, he struggled to share his achievements with his partner properly. What he intended as uplifting encouragement often sounded more like belittlement.Dahlia wasn't the best role model for Keegan. Despite thinking he'd distanced himself from his mother, constant praise from those around him blinded him to how much he mirrored her in specific aspects.Looking at Stella with puppy eyes, Keegan asked softly, "So, do you prefer the old me or the current me?"Stella chuckled and whispered in his ear, "You're the
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