As the audience was still mesmerized by the previous performance, Mrs. Chapman suddenly said, "I remember that Ms. Jewell could play the piano. How about you play one for us today?"Stella stopped cracking open the pine nuts in her hands and scowled a little.'What have I ever done to her that made her pick on me during such an occasion.'Cordelia was genuinely surprised. "Stella knows how to play the piano as well?"Mrs. Chapman cut off Stella before the latter could even speak, "Ms. Jewell's skills with the piano are excellent. Previously, she even surprised the crowd on a cruise."Still gripping onto the pine nuts, Stella humbly replied, "Mrs. Chapman is exaggerating. I can only play for fun and surely not enough to enter any hall of fame."This is only for fun as well. It's just to bring smiles to everyone present. You can even duet with Ms. Saun if you want to."Stella really wished she could stop Mrs. Chapman from digging a bigger hole for her.She could easily beat Bella
The crowd was abuzz as the table for calligraphy was being set up. Someone from among them exclaimed, "I've seen the calligraphy written by Ms. Saun before.""Where have you seen it before? How was it?""Her work was among the calligraphy exhibition Mr. Marco set up."Someone else pitched in and said, "I've seen the group photo of them in Mr. Marco's house. He must have personally taught her.""Oh my. Personal tutelage? Wouldn't Stella lose face if Ms. Saun's writing is that good?""She's the one who suggested writing calligraphy. If anyone would be embarrassed for failing after trying so hard, it would just be her.""With that frivolous look of hers, it doesn't look like she has any experience with arts. I seriously wonder if she even knows how to hold a pen. Wouldn't she do better if she danced instead? Why is she so insistent on this?""She's still a previous in-law of the Kane family. Wouldn't she lose face if she danced in front of everyone? It's no different from acting at
Comparing both writing motions, Vermont whispered to Keegan who was next to him,"Stella's hands are shaking so much, and she looks like her words are too squiggly. Are you sure it's not her tenosynovitis acting up?"Keegan scowled and rudely responded, "Could you just keep that ominous talk to yourself?"Meanwhile, Jaylene, having practiced for a while, elegantly moved her pen, swiftly finishing her part of the couplet.Vermont leaned in to get a better view. Jaylene wrote with a flowing semi-cursive style, infusing meaning into every stroke. Even Vermont, who wasn't knowledgeable about calligraphy, couldn't help but acknowledge the skillful writing.He then glanced at Stella, noticing her hands were still trembling. 'That's it. She's definitely going to lose,' he thought.Vermont pondered before he said, "Why don't you pretend to slip and spill wine over your wife's calligraphy? Getting through this is much better than losing face."Keegan scowled, took a glass of wine from a
Everyone started laughing after she spoke. Mrs. Chapman added fuel to the fire and said, "My youngest doesn't have the same confidence as Ms. Jewell."Cordelia frowned. She did not want to lie, but she was also unable to say it out directly either. She raised her eyes and met Keegan's, hinting at Keegan to do something about this. "Keegan, what do you think?"Vermont's eye twitched. 'Grannies are fearsome, throwing the blame back to Keegan.'Keegan had a serious look on his face. looked at the two calligraphies, raised his head, and said, "Ms. Saun's calligraphy vividly portrays the free spirit and elegance in her writing. Stella's, on the other hand, is unconventional and unique. Each of them has their own merits and is equally as good."The crowd went silent with many wondering if he was blind for saying that both were equally good. Stella could not help but wanted to laugh. She thought, 'Keegan must have cracked his head, thinking about how he could praise my writing.'Stella w
When Cordelia had finished speaking, Baldwin was asked to gift each of them a money pouch. Stella received the pouch with a "Thanks".Jaylene, on the other hand, declined and said, "I'm afraid I'm not worthy of the money pouch Madam Kane is giving. I lack talent."Stella paused then smiled immediately. She said, "Ms. Saun, this is not a competition. We wrote the calligraphy to congratulate Cordelia. Will it matter who is more talented as long as Cordelia feels blessed?"Baldwin added, "Ms. Saun, please do keep it. Take it as a blessing from Madam Kane."Jaylene hesitated a little before finally taking it. "I'm sorry for my narrow-mindedness."Stella did not reply to that, and she kept her thoughts to herself. 'I felt something fishy when Jaylene proposed to write calligraphy together. There were a lot of ways for her to be in the limelight, but she insisted on doing it together with me. It felt like she was using me as a steppingstone. Maybe her thought process isn't as innocent a
Stella took out the money pouch and pinched it gently. It was a little thick. She raised her eyes and said to Vermont, "There's at least two thousand in it."Vermont also pinched it and said, "It should be more than two thousand. A minimum of three thousand in it if the money is new.""New money of three thousand isn't this thin.""It must be three thousand. Otherwise, the money pouch wouldn't be so big."Keegan was speechless. Suddenly, he felt a little ashamed to stand beside these two people.Instigated by Vermont, Stella opened the money pouch quietly. She opened it with a racing heart and trembling hands and found nothing. There was another smaller money pouch inside.Stella was left speechless.Vermont stroked his chin and said, "In that case, it may be like what you said. It's two thousand."Stella opened this layer of money pouch. However, there was another layer of money pouch inside.Both of them were silent now.Vermont pondered and said, "It can't be one thousand,
As soon as Stella had left, Vermont looked at Keegan with a smile and said, "Giving photos is so boring. Next time, pack yourself as a gift and send it over. Maybe she'll accept it."Keegan glanced at him. "Did you watch too many cheesy dramas?"Keegan knew nothing about the money pouch. He was also surprised when Stella took out the photo. However, Keegan felt that it was in line with Cordelia's usual style when he thought about it.Vermont said, "Stella still likes your face. Didn't you see her expression when she looked at the photo just now? Her eyes lit up."Keegan paused and said, "Really?""If she doesn't like it, her first reaction should be disgust when she sees that it's you. But, she glanced at the photo five times just now! Stella is a face-judger. Look at the accounts she follows. They are all people with good looks and good figures. Isn't your appearance miles ahead of those internet celebrities?"Keegan frowned. "Are you comparing me to those people?"Vermont was
Stella was a bit surprised. 'Doesn't Trevor have a sister complex? Why does this sound like he's siding with me?'Stella pondered, 'Maybe Trevor is just being polite. After all, these words can also be understood as an apology to me for Jaylene's recklessness.'With that in mind, Stella politely said, "Even if I really practiced, I might barely be on a par with Ms. Saun. Her handwriting is really beautiful."Trevor's eyes softened. 'Stella isn't only well-taught, but kind too.'"Mrs. Chapman said you can play the piano. When you have a chance next time, play it for me too."After being missing for over 20 years, Trevor wanted to get to know her better.Stella just took a bite of the mango pie. She could neither swallow nor spit it out. Once again, she wondered if Trevor was trying to rule her out. What he said was too strange.Obviously, Trevor also realized that what he had said was causing a little misunderstanding. So, he then coughed and said, "Only by fully understanding th
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