Meanwhile, Bella's manager, Wein, was quite worried about Bella participating in World Peace. After Bella fell into the water last night, Keegan showed up and gave her a script. The script was not World Peace, but a show called The Tea Merchant. This show was similar to The Palace, which was produced by Daniel. It was also a show about a strong female lead. The Palace was about conspiracies in the palace, while The Tea Merchant, as the name suggests, was about the story of a tea merchant.In the story, the female lead went from being a maid to ward off bad luck for her husband, to the mistress of the family and finally becoming the tea merchant of the generation. Truth be told, the character design had even more emotional values than the female lead of The Palace. It was a show where the audience could empathize with the female lead as they watched her grow throughout her journey. However, Bella rejected it because she felt that the production team was from a small company, the script
Keegan pursed his lips. Moments later, he finally said, "I was wrong about her.""Mrs. Kane isn't someone who holds grudges. If you apologize properly and coax her, she'll surely forgive you," said Aldor.Keegan was speechless.'She doesn't hold grudges? The bitemark she left on me last night because I took her blanket still hasn't gone away. There isn't a woman who holds grudges more than her,' he thought.Keegan returned the phone to Aldor. "Get someone to keep an eye on Bella. Don't let her get hurt or stir up trouble before the agreed time. If she breaches the contract, I'll take back the things the same way I gave them to her.""Understood."Just as Aldor walked out, Stella sent Keegan a text message.[Grandpa asked if you're coming home for dinner tonight.]Keegan glanced at his unfinished work. Then, he closed the file and replied.[Yes.]When Keegan returned, Arthur was unusually enthusiastic. "Keegan, you're home?"He squinted as he smiled. The creases on his face w
Keegan froze. "What effects?""Tonify and rejuvenate your sexual function.""Pfft—"Stella spat out the soup in her mouth.Keegan's expression immediately darkened.Arthur said, "I heard Maria, the housemaid, say that the Kane family's been urging you two to conceive, so it's time you two put this matter on your agendas. Stella's still young, so her body is definitely fine. Yours might be a different case. You're in your early thirties, and you sit in your office all day. If you don't exercise more, you won't be physically fit, and your future child won't have a strong body. If the child's unhealthy, Stella will be the one who suffers. That's why I made you something good to rejuvenate your body."He continued as if he was listing out his treasures. "The chicken I used is an actual free-range chicken. I slaughtered it myself. I threw in many types of herbs like chaste tree, cramp bark, red clover, saw palmetto, maca, lactipusum, purple hook, macrbor, serpbacca... Anyway, they're
Stella was startled momentarily. She stared at Keegan's flushed neck and face. Suddenly, she understood the situation.She teased him through stifled laughter, "This is good. Didn't you hear what grandpa say just now? One bowl and you'll have stamina as strong as young man's; two bowls and you can bring down a bull."Keegan had a light sheen of sweat on his forehead. With a tense expression, he pulled the covers tighter and ignored Stella.It was a rare occasion for Stella to see Keegan in such an embarrassing state. So, she was not going to pass up the opportunity of adding insult to his injury. She exhaled and said, "How does it feel after having the soup, Mr. Kane? Is it like how it's depicted on TV; you feel like your entire body is on fire? Look at you. You're sweating so much; it must be really hot in here. Shall I fan you?"She narrowed her eyes and deliberately moved to Keegan's front. Then, she swung her hands back and forth in front of his face to fan him.The fragrance
Stella stopped talking."Uncle Chandler's family organized Keegan's grandmother's 70th birthday banquet. So, logically speaking, it's our family's turn to organize her 80th birthday banquet. However, the specifics will still depend on her. Tomorrow, at the banquet, don't say things you aren't supposed to. Play it smart.""I understand."Dahlia chatted a little more and hung up.After Stella put away the phone, she asked Keegan, "What did your mother mean by playing it smart? Does she want to organize your grandmother's birthday banquet this year?"Keegan glanced at her. "You should be asking who doesn't want to organize grandma's birthday banquet.""I, for one, don't," Stella said as she crawled under the covers. She stared at the ceiling and continued, "Organizing a birthday banquet is so tiring. You need to consider many things. Not only do you have to tend to the birthday girl's feelings, but you must also tend to the guests' feelings. You'll be slaving away, yet others won't
Keegan replied coolly, "Something came up in the company at the last minute, so we were delayed for a while."Dahlia glanced at him. "When Jackson arrived, he told me you left the office a long time ago.""He doesn't even work on the same floor as me, so how would he know when I left?"Dahlia was speechless. She looked at the two with slight annoyance and said in a displeased tone, "Come in. You two are the only ones left."When the two entered, the living room was already filled with people.It was actually Cordelia's 79th birthday this year. However, Rivera had a custom where one's ninth birthday was celebrated instead of their tenth. That was why Cordelia celebrated her 80th birthday when she was only 79.The Kane family attached great importance to the matter. Aside from Keegan's aunt's family, who was abroad and could not make it back in time, every young person in the family was present.Cordelia sat in the middle. Dahlia and Aurora sat on her left, while Chandler and Cyre
Dahlia's expression darkened. "What do you mean."Cyrene's words had clearly hit her where it hurt.'So what if Keegan's outstanding? In the end, didn't he still not follow her wishes and married a parvenu's daughter?' thought Cyrene.Cyrene smiled. "I didn't mean anything; it was just an analogy. When marrying a wife, marry one who's virtuous. While Stella's lacking in other aspects, she's still virtuous and smart. Forget about our mother-in-law liking her; even I like her."Stella was speechless.'I forgot to check my horoscope's prediction before leaving the house today. I got involved in the war between the two sisters-in-law when I just arrived. Dahlia and Cyrene have always been at odds. This is something I learned as soon as I married into the Kane family. The main reason is most likely the battle for succession between the two families. The Vinci Rivera Group turned successful during Quentin's tenure. If it wasn't because he had passed on early, the company would have undo
"He's a young man. It's not a bad thing for him to get to know a few more friends." Stella did not seem to detect the rejection in Cyrene's words.Then, she turned to Jackson and said, "Jackson, tell me if you want to seriously date a girl. I'll introduce you to one."Jackson gave her a meaningful glance and smiled. Then, he slowly said, "In that case, thank you very much, Stella."Cyrene threw Stella a displeased glance.'I was being polite, yet she actually took me seriously. It's no wonder Dahlia looks down on her. Not only is she of low status, but she's also brainless,' she thought.Stella obviously was not brainless. She merely did not want to make enemies with Cyrene.'How Dahlia fights with Cyrene is her own business, as long as she doesn't get me involved,' she thought."It's rare for us to gather together, so stop arguing. Everyone, find somewhere and take a seat."After Cordelia spoke, everyone sat down and quieted down.After Keegan sat down, Cordelia noticed the l
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