Chapter 7

"Dad, you run a company too. Did you ever see a new intern with a fancy car worth millions? Keegan had a massive project, but he only drove his Mercedes-Benz. Why does she need a car that costs over a million bucks?"

That Porsche Cayenne was almost a million dollars in Hustuabourgian money.

Albert seemed annoyed. "Every company's got its own style, son. You just don't get it. You've been spoiled by the Kane family."

"Pampered by the Kane family?" Stella frowned slightly. "This wasn't what you said when you persuaded me to give up on my career for my marriage. Besides, the Kane family doesn't do that."

SMACK!

Albert slammed the table, getting angrier. "Do we really need to bring up the past? We're just borrowing the car."

Sophia quickly tried to calm him down. "Dad, please don't get upset. You know you have high blood pressure. It's my fault. I shouldn't have brought this up. If Stella doesn't want to lend me the car, then it's okay. Don't be mad at her."

The more Sophia tried to persuade Albert, the more he felt annoyed with Stella. "Look at Sophia. She's younger than you, yet she's more sensible!"

The meal ended on a sour note, leaving everyone unhappy. As Stella prepared to leave, Sophia handed her two boxes of white truffles and asked, "Stella, Keegan didn't come because of something other than work, right?"

Stella glanced at her. "What are you trying to say?"

Sophia smiled and said, "A car never belongs to just one owner. The same goes for men." Then, she turned around and leave.

Back at the apartment, Felicity held the two gift boxes in her hands.

"This must be five or six pounds of truffles. Your dad really puts in a lot of effort to please the Kane family. Didn't you tell him that your mother-in-law doesn't even acknowledge the gifts he sends?" she asked Stella.

Stella sighed. "Do you think telling him would make a difference?"

Most of the TV channels were airing dramas starring Bella. Stella couldn't find the show she wanted, so she turned off the TV.

"He'll probably think they didn't like his gifts. But, don't worry, he always sends better ones next time."

Curious, Stella asked, "What do you plan to do with these gifts?"

Stella did not know either.

It bothered her that Albert didn't fully trust her. He would send gifts to people, but instead of giving them directly to her, he would ask Keegan to check if they received them. 'Why doesn't he just let Keegan send the gifts in the first place?' she wondered.

Recalling her recent argument with Keegan, she felt a twinge of regret. 'I should've held myself back a bit. What if Keegan holds a grudge and doesn't cover for me? I shouldn't have gone that far,' she thought.

After contemplating for a moment, she decided to call Keegan.

After a few rings, someone picked up, but they hung up immediately without saying a word.

She thought it might have been a mistake, so she tried calling again, but the same thing happened— the call disconnected as soon as it connected.

After several attempts, Stella finally realized that Keegan was intentionally avoiding her.

'That jerk! He's so vindictive!' she cursed inwardly.

But Stella wasn't about to give up that easily. Dealing with Keegan's mother, Dahlia Crosby, was not something she preferred. Instead, she decided to send Keegan a text message.

She sent Keegan a text message: [You there, Mr. Kane?]

Two minutes later, Keegan sent an icy one-word response: [No.]

Stella ignored his responded and sent another text: [My father gave me two boxes of white truffles. I'll send them to your office tomorrow. Pass them to your mother for me.]

Keegan responded to her text promptly. It was still a one-word response: [No.]

Stella patiently negotiated with him: [We'll split the assets 60-40. You'll get 60, and I'll get 40.]

Once again, Keegan gave her a one-word response: [Hah.]

Stella gritted her teeth and made her furthest concession: [Is 30-70 good enough? 70 for you and 30 for me. I can't go any lower!]

This time, Keegan did not respond for a long while. Just as Stella was contemplating 20-80, the phone rang. It was Keegan.

She picked up her phone and answered.

Keegan's mellow voice came. "Accompany me to Aurora's welcoming party tomorrow."

"No. I—"

Keegan continued before Stella could finish her sentence, "I'll help you."

Stella hesitated for a moment, then replied meekly, "Okay."

After that, silence fell on both ends of the line.

Sitting there, Stella felt a mix of emotions while talking to Keegan. It was the first time they had spoken so calmly since she moved out. But now, something felt different, and she wasn't quite used to it.

In all honesty, Keegan wasn't a terrible husband. He was good-looking and competent at work. Despite occasionally being cold and making harsh remarks, he had no major bad habits. He also provided for her needs well, even though they came from vastly different family backgrounds. The only real issue was that he didn't love her at all; he still had feelings for his ex-girlfriend.

As she thought about their situation, she wondered if getting a divorce was really necessary.

Before Stella could say anything, a familiar female voice interrupted their conversation from the other end of the line.

"Who's on the phone, Keegan?"

Stella was taken aback. In response, she let out a self-mocking laugh and said, "See you tomorrow."

Then, she hung up.

Thoughts swirled in her mind. 'Why do I have to pick between bad and worse partners? His lingering feelings for his ex are enough to destroy our marriage.'