Trevor's expression turned stern upon at Stella's words. After all, he had not met Paul in person before, so he found her speculation more credible than his."So, are you suggesting that the person isn't Paul Morant?"Stella felt she was about to uncover the truth, but it seemed veiled by something elusive that clouded her judgment.She frowned as she repeatedly recalled the person she had seen that day: slim, short, and heavily dressed. However, their exposed skin lacked the roughness of a man and held an unexpected daintiness."Trevor, what was the name of Paul's fiancée who died in the fire? Do you have a photo of her?"Trevor shook his head. "I don't. Paul's father's friend said that he met her when he was teaching in Rivera. She was also in the medical—"Trevor stopped speaking abruptly. He shifted his gaze to Stella and asked, "Stella, could it be Dillon Brook?""Dillon Brook?"Trevor made a shushing gesture. Stella was overwhelmed as she lowered her voice. Trembling, she
"I'm warning you, behave yourself when you're in the car. I don't know the new driver very well yet. Although he seems like an honest man, I can't be sure if he'll gossip about us to others. So, just act like we're in public, understand?" Stella said to Keegan even before the car arrived.She had no choice but to do that. Ever since she exposed Keegan for regaining his memory, he had become worse at disguising himself.For example, when they saw someone they knew while eating, and she was maintaining the act of their strained relationship, Keegan would have already wiped her utensils clean.When she glared at him with a stern look to remind him, he would say, "We've got to pay attention to hygiene. Don't get sick and pass it on to me. It's annoying."Then, Stella utilized her acting skills and had a "fight" with him. Then, they would finish their meal with a "cold face."After the same thing happened a few times, Stella dared not to go out with Keegan anymore. She feared that his
Stella paused, lifted her foot, and stomped on Keegan's foot.Keegan's eyelid twitched as he quickly moved his foot away in pain. He held the pain in and texted with his lips pursed tightly: [That's because Trevor has good genes.]After Larry dropped off Keegan at Vinci Rivera, he drove Stella to Caline.As Larry was reversing into an empty spot upon reaching the underground parking lot, a Porsche suddenly zoomed in from the other side and occupied the spot. Only one-third of Stella's car was in the parking lot, and Larry could not move the car any further inside.The Porsche driver turned on their hazard lights and inched forward, forcing Larry to move away.He was about to drive away, but Stella said flatly, "We were here first."Larry had no choice but to shift the car back into park mode.Since Larry had not moved the car, the Porsche could not fully occupy the parking spot either. The two cars stayed like that for a few minutes before the other car's door opened, and Jaylen
Although Stella had given up the parking spot, her words pierced through Jaylene's heart like daggers. They were not only a warning but also a humiliation.Stella was not just giving up her parking spot. Instead, she told Jaylene that the Saun family's rightful heiress had returned and that everything that belonged to the Saun family was hers for the taking. She wanted Jaylene to know she could only get the parking spot because she pitied her.After Larry parked the car in a different spot, Stella said to him, "Go to the company canteen later and ask the person in charge to give you an employee meal card. You can have breakfast and lunch here."Two hundred will be deducted from your salary each month, and the rest will be subsidized by the company. I've already talked to the person in charge about it."Stella paused momentarily before adding, "You can bring your lunchbox too. Just take what you need, and don't waste anything."Stella figured that Larry's son lived at school, and h
"Can you give me a more specific direction?" Larry asked."Are you mute? Just ask somebody else when you get up there. Please leave us alone now. We're all going to be late for work."Larry felt a little embarrassed. Just as he was about to pull back his hand, Jaylene suddenly said, "Sir, come inside the elevator. I'll bring you there."Larry quickly thanked her and got into the elevator.When they reached the second floor, Jaylene led Larry out of the elevator, took him to get his meal card, and taught him how to use it.Larry held the meal card tightly and thanked Jaylene.As she was about to leave, Larry stopped her. "Hey, Ms. Saun."Jaylene turned around. "Is there anything else?"Larry took out a plastic bag from his pocket and handed it to her tremblingly. "My family cooked these eggs. Please take them as a token of my gratitude."Jaylene lowered her gaze and noticed that Larry's hands were dirty, with traces of gray gunk under his fingernails. People who often performed
Julia continued to whisper in Jaylene's ear. After hearing everything, Jaylene frowned. "If we really lost Mrs. Esper as a client because of Stella's mistake, I'm afraid that my mother won't let me off easily, too."Julia spoke softly, "Ms. Saun, you're mistaken. How could we possibly give up Mrs. Esper as our client? What I mean is to make Stella offend her, and you step in to salvage the situation. That way, you'll be able to win Mrs. Esper over and make her your own client and contact."Jaylene's expression changed. "Are you suggesting that I steal my mom's client?"Julia said, "Ms. Saun, didn't Mrs. Saun bring you to the company to train you as Caline's successor? If you can pull this off, I'm sure Mrs. Saun will be impressed by your vision and abilities."Also, you're indirectly telling her that you're capable of taking over Caline from her and that Stella Hall is no match for you."Julia's words convinced Jaylene. Although she had joined Caline and became one of the group le
When Freesia founded Enchanted, she did not need Darcie as a partner since she had the necessary expertise. Her parents also provided the startup capital.Despite her ordinary background and lack of talent, Darcie was a very hardworking person who knew how to deal with people. People like her were the best in business negotiations. Also, Darcie was also once Freesia's classmate. Stella figured that Freesia chose Darcie as a business partner for those two reasons.But jealousy was a terrifying thing.Freesia had caring parents, a loving husband, and a bright son. Also, she was exceptionally talented in her professional field.Meanwhile, Darcie had to scrap together money to be a shareholder of Enchanted, faced financial difficulties during the company's initial stages, and even had to support herself and her child after her ex-husband's early demise.With how life had treated Darcie, it was impossible for her not to be jealous.However, people dealt with jealousy differently—some
Wren was not expecting to see Stella here at all as she hastily wiped away the tears on her face and called out in a hoarse voice, "Hello, Ms. Hall."She was only a few years older than Sonia. She was a young lady with an oval-shaped face, looking very youthful. However, her skin seemed somewhat pale, giving her a fragile appearance that reminded Stella of Colin Craven. That left a deep impression on Stella.Stella handed her a tissue and said gently, "Here, wipe your tears."Wren took it and thanked her.Stella was not a nosy person, but when she came in earlier, she overheard Wren on the phone with the hospital mentioning payment and surgery.It reminded her of the helplessness she felt when she could not afford to pay for Rainee's treatment in the hospital to keep her alive. So, she could not help but ask, "Are you facing any difficulties back home?"Wren had already stopped crying by then, but as soon as Stella asked that question, tears welled up in her eyes again. Wren foug
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