Kiara Lark was the one who stepped in, having just finished her business and witnessing the scene."What are you doing? Fighting in the company?"Julia, still fuming, pushed Kiara away. "Stay out of this. I'm teaching this ungrateful wretch a lesson for Ms. Hall!"Wren refused to back down. "Stop using Ms. Hall as a shield! You just want to play both sides, and now that Ms. Hall isn't buying it, you're taking it out on me!"Julia, fearing that Jaylene might hear this, retorted angrily, "Who's playing both sides? You ungrateful wretch! You're the one taking money from Ms. Hall while benefiting from Ms. Arnold! Isn't that true?"Wren responded coldly, "I'll say it again, I didn't take Ms. Hall's money. Keep slandering me, and I'll call the police."Kiara tried to mediate, "Alright, both of you, calm down. We're all colleagues here. Is this really necessary?"Julia, emboldened by her aunt Aubrey's position as Darcie's confidant, was used to bullying weaker colleagues like Wren. Wre
Wren didn't say anything more and turned to leave, carrying her files.As Stella left the company, she ran into Larry Bard. He had become a security guard, responsible for company security and occasionally helping park cars. When Stella saw him, he was frowning at his phone. He looked up alertly as someone approached, meeting Stella's indifferent gaze.Larry was taken aback and awkwardly greeted her, "Ms. Hall."Stella responded, "They transferred you here?"Larry nodded.Stella said nothing more. She didn't ask if he was adapting well or if he was doing a good job. As Keegan had advised, she had to let go of the urge to help others; everyone has their own fate, and she had done all she could.She waited with her hands in her coat pockets for Samuel Herston to bring the car from the underground parking lot. Larry stood nearby, fidgeting with his fingers. After a while, he mustered the courage to approach her. "Ms. Hall, this is a drawing my son made. He asked me to give it to you
Stella suddenly got a strange feeling about Larry.Here was a guy with just a middle school education, yet he had impeccable handwriting. He had a wife with mental health issues and a son with hearing impairment, and he was the sole provider for the family. And yet, he somehow managed to afford his son's lessons in painting and calligraphy. Instead of cutting back on his son's expenses to save for a cochlear implant, he took on extra jobs on the side, even if it meant risking his main job.Stella had seen parents sacrifice and scrimp to give their kids the best education, but something about Larry's situation didn't sit right with her. She couldn't quite put her finger on it.Even as she met up with Keegan, her brow stayed furrowed. When Samuel finished his shift and went home, Aldor took over driving duties. Keegan tossed his jacket onto the front seat and joined Stella in the back."What's up? You look troubled," Keegan asked, buckling his seatbelt.Stella shook her head. "It's
Keegan always felt that Larry was a bit too concerned about Stella. Getting reassigned and having a pay cut when you're already strapped for cash would make most people resentful. But not only did Larry not complain, he even gave Stella a drawing by his own son, which was quite unusual.However, the background check Keegan did on Larry showed nothing suspicious. In fact, Larry's life could be described as quite unfortunate. Larry's son wasn't born deaf. He lost his hearing due to a kidnapping incident. Mistaken for a wealthy family's child, the kidnappers demanded a ransom, but the wealthy family refused to pay. The police, fearing the kidnappers might harm the child, didn't inform them they had the wrong kid. When the kidnappers realized the ransom wasn't coming, they abandoned the child and fled.After Larry's son was rescued, doctors declared he had permanently lost his hearing. Larry's wife, who had a family history of mental illness, couldn't cope with the trauma and had a menta
C: Damn, I knew someone this handsome couldn’t be single! Turns out he's a cheating scumbag! D: Wasting my feelings. Scumbags must die! F: As expected, the handsome ones are never faithful. Those who look too good are hard to handle. Stella, I don’t have high standards for looks. As long as he’s reliable, motivated, doesn’t smoke or drink, that’s enough for me. Do you know any guys like that? A: Boo-hoo, I still like handsome ones. If he’s too ugly, I can't kiss him~ B: Ladies, I have a friend whose classmate works at Semiconductor Technology. Their company has a complaint email. Should we expose this scumbag for going on dates behind his girlfriend's back and make him "famous"? B: Seconded. C: Seconded. F: Seconded. -This was the first time Keegan understood the meaning of "bringing trouble upon oneself."Stella didn’t hide her phone from him at all, even looking at Keegan with a half-smile. “I think this idea is great. A man who goes on dates while having a wife sh
Keegan slowly got out of the car with Stella's guidance.The air was cool, carrying the subtle fragrance of jasmine. Keegan felt as if he could see countless small white flowers trembling in the breeze, the scent he loved wafting through the air.“There are steps, lift your legs a bit higher, don’t trip,” Stella's soft voice reminded him. Keegan held her hand firmly, taking each step carefully.The path beneath his feet was paved with gravel, which crunched softly as they walked. After a short distance, Stella said, “Alright, we're here.”Keegan stopped and asked gently, “Can I take off the eye mask?”Stella laughed, “I’ll help you with that.”Keegan lowered his head to let her remove the mask. As it came off, he squinted instinctively. Light seeped in through the slits of his eyes, and when he opened them fully, he saw white jasmine flowers surrounding them, just as he had imagined—each tiny bloom gently trembling in the wind.String lights circled the small courtyard, convergi
Felicity Thompson chimed in, “With how stingy you are, if you didn’t steal something on his birthday, he’d think you had changed.”Vermont ground his teeth. “You’re heartless! I might be stingy with others, but when have I ever been stingy with you or my bros?”Felicity gave an example, “Did you forget how you tricked both me and your bros, getting me to cook for you for a month without spending a penny?”Vermont defended himself, “As a middleman, can’t I make a bit of a margin? I just got a few meals out of it, is that so bad?”“Shameless!”As they bickered, they reached Keegan. Vermont handed Keegan a gift box, “Happy birthday, bro. When you fell into the water, I thought I’d be visiting your grave for your birthdays. Luckily, the heavens didn’t want you yet. So today, I solemnly promise that as long as I outlive you, I’ll celebrate your birthday every year.”Felicity elbowed him. “Watch your mouth! It’s his birthday, no talk of death!”Vermont slung an arm around her shoulder
Stella hesitated briefly, then Keegan whispered something in her ear, and she didn't object anymore.When Felicity faced difficulties in Rivera, Stella provided considerable help. Florence, Felicity's mother, always remembered this act of kindness. So, when Felicity requested funds to assist with Rainee Spade's medical expenses, Florence promptly transferred a million without hesitation.Keegan had overheard Vermont mention this and kept it in mind. Without fanfare, he redirected all procurement for the Vinci Rivera Group's subsidiaries, holiday gifts, and partnerships with supermarkets to Florence’s company, Deron Holdings.Florence was loyal and principled, but she was also a savvy businesswoman. She would quickly deduce the origin of these orders and understand that her daughter's friend, from a prominent family in Rivera, was quietly supporting her business. She wouldn’t hesitate to return the favor, nurturing a mutually beneficial relationship. It also boosted her daughter's re
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