Sophia turned red and internally cursed Stella for being shameless.Then, she said dully, "Since you two have urgent matters, go ahead. Drive safe."Stella did not want to look at her and walked right out of the elevator. Julian side-eyed the trolley as it passed him by. Then, he gently stuck out his foot.SPLASH!The trolley fell onto the ground, and the liquid from the broken boba tea drinks splashed onto Sophia's foot.Sophia shrieked and hurled insults. She no longer had her cultured and polite demeanor.When Keegan looked over, Sophia instantly realized she had lost her temper. Nevertheless, she endured the pain as she recomposed herself. Then, she reprimanded the staff members in a low voice, "How can you be so careless?"Stella glanced at Julian, who had an indifferent expression. She obviously saw Julian do it.'This punk. He really isn't afraid that others will check the security camera. He's barely encountered Sophia; what does he have against her?' she thought.In c
Keegan obviously did not answer his question. Instead, he asked him, "What do you think?""You look like you do," Julian answered.Keegan seemed like he smiled. However, he did not say anything more. Julian stared at Keegan's computer screen. Moments later, he finally spoke."You're my brother-in-law; could you help me persuade Stella? I don't want to go to school."Keegan was pleased with the word 'brother-in-law.' However, he merely threw Julian a side-eye and asked calmly, "Do I look like I can control her?"Julian was speechless.Keegan stood up and grabbed a bottle of beer. After he cracked it open, he asked Julian, "Do you want one?"Just as Julian was about to accept it, Keegan retracted his hand."I forgot. You're underage."Once again, Julian was at a loss for words.'I'm of age, okay?' he thought.Keegan took a sip of his beer before finally speaking again, "Why don't you want to go to school?"Keegan asked why he did not want to go to school and not why he did no
Stella felt a little puzzled. 'Sharp-tongued? I wonder if he's seen Keegan's other side. If I were to get beaten because of how I say things, Keegan would definitely be dead based on how hurtful his words can be.'"They won't bully you at school. Come on, let's go. We're gonna be late," Julian urged.He felt that Stella could not solve the issue, so he had to ask Keegan to go with him no matter what. He even played rogue and said, "I don't care. If Keegan doesn't go, I won't either!"Stella knew Julian wouldn't back down, not even if she mentioned Shelley. So, she cautiously asked, "Can you come with us? If not, maybe you could call Mr. Moore and see if he can come. He's a legal pro."Keegan was silent for a moment. He looked at Stella and said, "I doubt you can afford Mr. Moore's fee." Then, he added, "I have an hour to spare. Let's go." Stella smirked, thinking, 'This guy is quite competitive.'They reached the school around seven o'clock. Students had just finished their mornin
Mr. William rubbed his chin and shook his head, "I don't know them, but they seem familiar." Someone in the office laughed, "Mr. William, you are the most well-connected person among us. Yet, you don't know them?""They look familiar, but I can't remember where I've seen them before.""Hey, who do you think is gonna win, Julian's guardians or Raymond's parents?""I'm guessing Raymond's parents. His father is a deputy director, and his mother has a sharp tongue. Last time, Raymond fought with the chubby kid in Class 5, and his mother came to the office to fight the kid. It was terrible.""And the deputy director married her???""Maybe that's just his type.""These two new people are well-dressed and well-mannered. They don't seem like they can fight Raymond's mother. Julian is such a hot-tempered child. Raymond was just joking around. He should really learn to be patient.""You weren't there, Mr. Walsh. Raymond is a rude ass kid. Everyone in the class knows that Julian is from an
"Okay," Raymond said as he walked into the office swaggering. Pulling up a chair, he suddenly kicked Julian's chair leg. Julian could not hold his balance and hit his elbow on the table. His face turned pale with pain. He then got up, grabbed the other party's collar, and said, "What's the matter with you, huh?"Raymond held his hands in surrender and said, "Ms. Ada, look. I didn't even do anything. He was like this in the classroom last time, and now he's trying to fight me right in front of you. I told you that orphans like him lacked human decency, but you didn't believe me."Julian clenched his fist, his eyes red, and his lips angrily trembled as if he were about to strike Raymond again.Stella frowned and said lowly, "Let go, Julian. Remember why you're here today."Julian's lips trembled once more. The veins on his neck bulged out, but he did not let go. Ms. Ada also tried to persuade him, but Julian was unfazed.Keegan tapped on his teacup and said calmly, "The tea is cold.
The door opened, and a woman strode into the administration office while her high heels tapped on the floor. Stella turned around and saw a woman in black leggings with heavy makeup on her face. She wore a tiny leather skirt and a coat. She was not short nor tall and had an outstanding figure. The woman looked curvy and was probably not over forty years old. Stella thought that she was pretty and looked familiar.While Stella was inspecting the woman, the woman, too, was examining Stella. Seeing Stella's young appearance, her eyes showed disdain. But when she saw Keegan, she froze in her tracks. Her eyes wandered all over Keegan before coming into the room. Behind her was a lean, middle-aged man with greasy hair, glasses, and a neat suit.Stella wondered who the man was when Ms. Ada said, "Mr. Harrison." Mr. Harrison did not even spare a glance at Ms. Ada. Instead, he walked forward courteously and pulled up a chair. He then turned to Ms. Ada and said, "Ms. Ada, why are you standing
Harrison froze as a very unpleasant look flashed across his face. "W-What did you say?"Stella continued, "Am I wrong? Are you saying the losing party in a fight would always be right? Are you familiar with your school motto? The first sentence literally says fair and square. May I know if that's how you're dealing with this matter now?"Mrs. Chapman has been the only person you talked to since you came inside. You kept asking for her opinions, but what about us? Are we here just to participate in your show? I could not help but wonder if you're here to serve the students or Mrs. Chapman. If it's the latter, I suggest you resign as the dean and be a pet to Mrs. Chapman if she's looking for one."Stella did not hold back with her words as she confronted Harrison. She was not the first person to expose how Harrison practiced favoritism, but she was undoubtedly the first to be so straightforward about it.Julian's jaw dropped as he listened to what Stella said.Everybody in the schoo
'Fuck. Do you think you can do anything you want with your man here?'The woman cursed to herself but dared not to speak recklessly anymore.Stella was not bothered at all and even felt a little bored. Then, she saw something shiny on Keegan's collar. She could not help but stretch her arm out to scratch it off compulsively.Keegan gazed at her. However, he did not move away and just let her do it.That shiny thing felt like it was embedded in his collar. She finally managed to scratch it off after some time, and she frowned. She found out that there was some gum behind that shiny thing, as if it came with Keegan's shirt.She subconsciously looked at the other side of Keegan's collar and found another identical diamond at the exact same spot.Stella paused.She silently gazed at Keegan and found out he was not looking at her. So, she stretched her arm out secretly, attempting to stick it back on.However, she just could not do it after trying to do so for some time. Suddenly, t
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