Someone from the crowd could not contain her curiosity and asked, "Ms. Hall, what are these?"Stella approached, appearing slightly embarrassed. She said, "Didn't I mention earlier? The weather is cold these days, so I thought of giving some clothing items to keep everyone warm.""But didn't you say you had prepared something more uniform? These don't look uniform at all. They're all different." another from the crowd said.Stella explained, "They are uniform in a way. I didn't know everyone's sizes, and since we're not all acquainted yet, asking directly felt too presumptuous. So, I opted for a uniform approach and bought everything in size S."Seeing that some of you have a similar build to mine today, I initially thought of exchanging a few for size M. But Jaylene insisted I give them out today, and seeing everyone so eager, I had no choice but to bring them over."Stella touched the fabric of the clothes and added, "These might not look very thick, but they're actually quite w
Stella smiled as she scanned the entire room.None of the members from Unit A had come forward.The other groups sent a few representatives each. About thirty percent of them took the clothes while seventy percent did not.Darcie had deep roots in Caline; most of the staff in the fragrance department were loyal to her.Just as Stella was mulling over this, she caught sight of a girl at the door delivering files, sneaking glances in their direction.She raised her hand in a friendly gesture and said, "Hey, come on over and pick something out."The girl hesitated for a moment before rushing over. She explained, "Ms. Hall, I'm not from the fragrance department."Stella glanced at her work badge, which indicated she was from the finance department.The girl's name was Wren Adkin. She looked young, likely fresh out of school.Stella flashed her a grin. "It's a gift. You should take it while you have the chance."Wren's eyes lit up. She blushed as she thanked Stella and joined the
Julia's face drained of color as she nervously fiddled her fingers. She bowed her head and was too scared to speak.She said what she said only after seeing Jaylene's expression and receiving her silent signal. 'If Jaylene was against the idea, why didn't she stop me during the event?' she thought.Stella's gifts outshone Jaylene's, and her speech was also better. Jaylene felt publicly humiliated. Frustrated, she needed an outlet for her anger, and Julia became the scapegoat.Once Jaylene's temper subsided, Julia tentatively said, "Ms. Saun, perhaps this incident isn't entirely negative. It helps us see who we can rely on in the future."Jaylene calmed down upon hearing that. She noticed Stella had not finished distributing her gifts and that most of the staff seemed hesitant to take sides. Caline was not The Velvet, and winning people over would not be easy for Stella, let alone with such simple tactics.Although Jaylene understood this, being publicly embarrassed without retalia
Keegan was uninterested in Jaylene's post. He texted Stella: [Have you been keeping that wedding photo on your phone all this time?]'That's not the main point here,' Stella thought.Despite that, he pressed on: [Didn't you say you deleted all the photos when we divorced? Were you lying to me?]Stella did not know how to respond.Keegan speculated further: [Were you lying too when you claimed you didn't like me back then? Stella, did you... have feelings for me when we got married?]Stella replied: [No? I married you to avoid being forced into marrying an old man. I had plenty of suitors back then, you know. Just look at Spencer; that should give you an idea of the type of men pursuing me. With so many high-quality men after me, why would I like you?]Keegan continued to type out a message: [Stella, you married me because you had feelings for me, right?][No, it was because I was interested in your money.]As soon as the message was sent, Keegan called. Stella remembered the li
Jaylene hesitated for a moment, her expression subtly changing."The Rosaceae family isn't only roses. It's similar to how peonies and herbaceous peonies are in the same family, Paeoniaceae. Having an allergy to peonies doesn't mean being allergic to herbaceous peonies. They're separate species," she hurriedly clarified."Ah," Stella nodded in understanding. Then, she inquired, "Jaylene, I've noticed you seem unaffected by these flowers now. Has your asthma improved?"After the incident earlier, Jaylene was cautious in her interactions with Stella.'Why the sudden interest in my asthma? Is Stella trying to use it as an excuse to kick me out of the fragrance department?' she thought."I think it's getting better. I've never been sensitive to pollen, which is essential for working in the fragrance department," Jaylene replied cautiously."Is that so? We've known each other for less than a year, yet I've seen you have attacks twice, even with medication on hand. Is it really wise fo
Hearing Jaylene's silence, Darcie raised her voice.Jaylene pursed her lips and replied, "Got it."Darcie continued, "Stella likes mangoes and cherries. Have someone send some to her office. Also, inform HR to assign a driver for her. Look after her well, and your dad will see your efforts.""Alright," Jaylene replied in disdain.She tried to bring up the matter regarding Wren with Darcie as Julia's words kept echoing in her ears.Jaylene could not swallow the humiliation. She wanted to take action and assert authority.Before she could say anything, Darcie cautioned her against stirring up trouble and quickly hung up.Jaylene bit her lip and reluctantly put away her phone, heading toward the restroom.As she approached the slightly ajar restroom door, she overheard voices inside.Someone said, "Chanel perfume and Armani foundation. I thought she would give us something expensive, with how she talks down on us. I can't believe she's trying to buy our loyalty but unwilling to s
Vermont did not answer Stella's question but looked at her from head to toe. After a moment, he suddenly chuckled and asked, "Is that a new way to make money?"Stella nodded and exaggeratedly recounted the short drama market that Felicity had told her about earlier that day."It may take long for regular dramas to break even, but not for short dramas. They don't require much investment, and the return is high. There aren't any strict regulations on short dramas yet, and the possibilities are endless."If you don't seize the opportunity now before it's too late, you might never have a chance to get a piece of this big pie."While feeding Ed, Vermont smiled. "Stella, if it's so profitable, why aren't you venturing into it?"Stella sighed. "It's not that I don't want to, but look at my belly now."Vermont seemed to be convinced by Stella's reason. He stroked the cat with his gaze lowered and asked, "It's not a bad idea, but it's difficult to find a good script nowadays."Stella sai
Upon seeing Stella, Felicity immediately sat next to her and talked about various things, from work to life. Stella could tell that Felicity was feeling very contented.After drinking a glass of water, Felicity suddenly remembered the important stuff. "By the way, you texted me saying you wanted me to write you a short drama. What kind of short drama is it?"Stella took out the rough plot she had drafted in the office that afternoon and handed it to Felicity. "It's going to be about these character settings and storyline. Take a look and see if you can write it."Felicity read it briefly and smiled. "This is perfect, but we need to come up with another narrative style. This is too slow; audiences nowadays prefer revenge-themed stories. We just need to make some minor changes to it."She then discussed the storyline as she envisioned it with Stella. Stella nodded and said, "Okay. I feel like I'm watching it already, just listening to you."Felicity replied excitedly, "I'll stay up
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