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
Lancelot Lewie was a contemporary male opera singer. He was well-known for his work "The Flower Pavilion."Stella was really familiar with him because Rainee was his die-hard fan and had many recordings of his performances at home.When Stella was younger, Stella had even gone to a few of his performances with Rainee. Lancelot had a soft, feminine figure, and ethereal vocals. It was not an overstatement to say that he had peerless elegance on stage.'Lancelot can be considered one of my first teachers when I learned performing arts. At first, I wanted to learn how to act because Lancelot looked really beautiful in period costumes. I also wanted to perform for everyone while I am dressed beautifully. When Lancelot was 50, he announced that he would no longer perform in public and would focus on his education career. To this day, it's been eight years since he's performed on stage. Throughout these years, many invited him to stage a comeback. However, all of these attempts ended in fa
Aurora also chimed in. "Grandma, she couldn't even properly organize Keegan's birthday party, yet you're letting her organize something as important as your birthday banquet? Aren't we just waiting to embarrass ourselves at the birthday banquet?"Keegan's expression darkened. "Are you in the place to interrupt when the elders are speaking? Do you not remember your manners?"Aurora was speechless for a moment. Then, she glared at Stella before she kept her mouth shut in anger.Meanwhile, Stella did not dare to speak at all.'I minded my own business, and disaster still fell upon me out of nowhere. This isn't a good thing for me at all. The old lady is really smart. Since they're both her daughters-in-law, no matter who she chooses, they'll feel unsatisfied, and she'll be labeled as biased. How could she choose when they were even directly questioning her? Naturally, she chose to not offend both sides and threw the hot potato into my hands,' she thought."Didn't you two also used to
Seeing how Dahlia was silent for a long time, Cyrene smiled slightly and said, "You've been quiet for a while now, Dahlia. Are you dissatisfied with the arrangement? To be honest, what's the difference between you and Stella organizing it? You're both from the same family, so she'll bring honor to your family if the banquet succeeds."'And, by the same token, she'll bring shame to their family if the banquet is botched,' she thought.Dahlia suppressed the frustration she felt within. Then, she lifted her head, and her gaze swept past Cyrene."Since mom wants to let Stella organize it, I obviously have no objections. I'm just a little worried that's all," she said calmly.She turned to Stella and warmly said, "Stella, come to my place after this. I'll tell you the whole flow. You can ask me if there's anything you don't understand. There's no need to be frugal when money needs to be spent. In short, make it as perfect as it can get."Stella lowered her gaze and answered softly, "I
Stella had stolen Dahlia's limelight at the jewelry exhibition, fired her servant, and talked to her rudely over the phone. However, the two pretended that everything was fine between them.'She would probably still dislike me even if I let her organize the birthday banquet,' Stella thought. 'Since I'm already on her bad side, why not make use of it and reap the benefits? The gift money was at a nine-digit amount 10 years ago, so it should be more this time round.'Stella bumped into Jackson when she walked out of the kitchen with a bowl of fruits. He was leaning against the wall with an unlit cigarette between his teeth and a disdained look on his face.When Stella saw him, she pursed her lips and continued her way to the living room. Jackson then placed the cigarette behind his ears and blocked her path. He took a strawberry from the bowl and said, "Hey, Stella. It's been quite some time since we last met. Why the cold attitude?"Stella looked up with no interest and uttered, "Ge
Keegan did not know what Jackson and Stella were talking about, so he asked her about their little chat when they were upstairs. Cordelia and Chandler were discussing some business in the study while Cyrene was still sour about the birthday banquet, as Dahlia was not backing down. Keegan was tired of it, so he found an excuse to leave and went to see Stella.As soon as he arrived, he saw Jackson standing before her. He had no idea what Jackson had said, but Stella's expression was ugly and sullen, like the time in Vinci Rivera.Stella did not bother to hide her dislike for Jackson. "We were just joking around. That's all," she said, not wanting to elaborate. In fact, she did not know how she should explain what happened because it involved Aurora and Dahlia.When they got married, Keegan left Stella at the wedding while he went elsewhere. Everybody started giving rounds of toasts to her until Zane saved her. However, she still had quite a bit to drink.Stella was feeling a little d
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