Stella adjusted her clothes in front of the mirror. "What's her name?""Maya Cadman.""I like her name," Stella paused. "Did you mention before that Trevor wasn't into blind dates because he couldn't forget about her?"Keegan said, "I think so.""Why didn't they end up together then?"Keegan said, "Only Trevor knows the specifics. All I know is, back in high school, Maya's aunt reported her father for corruption, bribery, and affairs. It involved many people, and her father got a lengthy sentence. Her mother couldn't cope, went mad, and the Cadman family fell apart. At that time, Maya hadn't even graduated from college."After our college entrance exams, she went abroad with her mother. Two years later, she got married to a wealthy man. They had a wedding in Hustuabourg, and Trevor flew back from Mystonia just for it. After the wedding, they went abroad, and our contact decreased until her divorce two years ago, and then we started talking more."Stella asked, "Are you trying to
Stella remained silent. Once outside, she conferred with Keegan about giving Maria a raise.Not long after Keegan and Aurora departed, Larry arrived to pick her up. Shortly after leaving the villa area, Stella suddenly spotted a familiar figure swaying by the roadside. As the car drew closer, she realized it was Wren Adkin.She promptly asked Larry to stop the car, rolled down the window, and called out, "Wren!"The person turned around, looking surprised. "Ms. Hall, what brings you here?""I live nearby," Stella replied. "But what about you? What brings you here?"Apart from the villa area, there were hardly any houses nearby, just cars on the road, with few people in sight."My house is close by," Wren said.Stella was surprised. "You live around here?"Wren nervously responded, "Yes, I overslept today and couldn't catch a cab."Stella didn't say anything, she glanced at Wren for a moment before saying, "Get in the car, we'll talk inside."Wren breathed a sigh of relief, th
She knew Jaylene's ways. Wasn't Wren afraid Jaylene would undermine her again for getting so close to Stella?Stella really couldn't figure this girl out.On the other hand, Kiara seemed pleased, warmly greeting Wren."Wren, isn't your grandmother still in the hospital? Why are you having lunch at the office today?"Before Wren could respond, someone nearby teased, "She should have come to the office earlier. The lunchbox she brings every day looks like slop. Can you even eat that? I'm telling you, Wren, the canteen has subsidies, it's only three hundred a month. You can't be that short on money, with the way you bring your lunch, I've seen enough even if you haven't eaten enough."Wren's face immediately flushed red, clutching her chopsticks in embarrassment.Kiara frowned, "Quiana, how can you say such things? Whether to eat at the canteen or bring a lunchbox is everyone's choice. Spending three hundred at the canteen is considered class?"The person called Quiana sat beside J
Some couldn't help but chuckle, followed by a few more mocking remarks, which caused Quiana to blush with embarrassment.Jaylene frowned, "Stella—"Stella cut her off, "Ms. Saun, this is the company, please watch how you address me!"Jaylene choked, gritting her teeth to swallow her anger, and said in a low voice, "Ms. Hall, everyone was just joking, but your words are a bit too harsh, aren't they?""Harsh?" Stella looked at her coldly, "When she was laughing at someone else's embarrassment, why didn't you find her words harsh? Are your language skills lacking? Can't you understand the implications in her words?"Jaylene's expression turned unpleasant. "I already said, if Wren's family is in trouble, can't she apply for company assistance?"Stella scoffed. "Looks like Ms. Saun not only lacks language skills but also has a bad memory. Wasn't it Ms. Saun who deducted two months' salary from Wren? What's with the act of being a good person now?"Jaylene's face darkened, gritting he
Stella smirked as she approached, leaning in close to Jaylene's ear. "Remember the tree in my office?"Jaylene was caught off guard, her eyes widening in shock.Stella narrowed her eyes, her words deliberate. "You know about it, and so do I. Are you going to own up to it, or should I share it for everyone to hear?"Jaylene's horror was evident in her expression, shocked that Stella had found the bug, especially since she had planted one in her office as well.She and Julia often spoke freely in the office, oblivious to potential eavesdroppers. The realization of how much Stella might have heard sent a chill down her spine, her face growing paler.Just as her resolve was about to crumble, Darcie's voice cut through the tension. "Stella, Jaylene, what's going on?"Jaylene was on the verge of confessing, but upon hearing Darcie's voice, she hesitated. Seeing a way out, she called out, "Mom!"Stella clicked her tongue, the timing couldn't have been more perfect.Turning around, she
The cafeteria hushed, and everyone nearby could pick up on the conversation.While Stella wasn't familiar with the S-type essential oil, every seasoned Caline employee knew its significance.This particular blend was a key ingredient in high-end perfumes like "Dream Weaver". There was only a hundred milliliters of the essential oil in stock. It was rumored to have been accidentally created by Darcie. However, due to the lack of recorded ingredients and proportions, this bottle became a unique treasure, reserved for special occasions when someone of importance needed a custom perfume.With Caline possessing only this sole bottle, the news of its shattering left everyone stunned.Darcie's expression darkened as she turned away and left.Stella intended to follow, but Wren halted her. "Ms. Hall, let's forget about my issue. It'll blow over soon. You don't have to..."Stella met her gaze. "It won't just blow over. Your tolerance will only embolden them. You need to show them you're n
As soon as Aubrey finished speaking, whispers began to circulate among the crowd."What do you mean came with Ms. Hall’s recommendation?""I heard that too. Sonia wasn't qualified for our company, but her father owed Ms. Hall a favor. So, Ms. Hall wanted to return the favor by giving her a job. But Ms. Arnold didn't agree. Ms. Hall even went as far as to say that if Sonia messed up, she'd resign.""Wow, she's really made a mess of things.""We went through four rounds of interviews to get hired. I was thinking she must be something special if she got in without that. But here she is, causing such a huge mess right away.""So far, I haven't seen her put her skills to work.""There's only one bottle of S-type essential oil, and she's caused such a big mess. How is Ms. Hall going to handle this?""Why protect her? Ms. Hall can't even protect herself. She brought in Sonia through the back door. Shouldn’t she take responsibility for the mess Sonia caused?"-Jaylene glanced at Stel
Aubrey found herself momentarily speechless, her lips trembling.Darcie fixed her gaze on Stella. "Stella, are you sure about checking the surveillance? If Sonia's the one responsible for the damage, how do you intend to handle it?""We should get the police involved," Stella retorted. "If Sonia's behind the breakage of this expensive item, shouldn't we let the authorities assess the situation?"Darcie's expression darkened.Jaylene couldn't contain herself. "Stella, you were the one who insisted on bringing Sonia in, and it was only because of that my mom agreed. Now that she's caused trouble, are you just going to shift all the blame onto her without taking any responsibility yourself?"Stella fell silent for a moment. "Jaylene, some matters are better dealt with behind closed doors among family members. Why air it out here?"Thinking Stella was backing down, Jaylene persisted, growing bolder. "The S-type essential oil was destroyed; it affects the entire company's interests. Sh
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