Stella did not know of this brand back then, so she was unaware of how expensive the bag was. She merely liked the bag because it was something Keegan had given her of his own accord, so she brought it everywhere.However, her actions made the ladies in the high society loathe her. They thought she was a beauty without a brain and was so lowly that she only knew how to show off her wealth.Once she realized how pricey the bag was, she hardly ever used it.But people still disliked her. They just found other reasons to criticize her.Over time, Stella began to see it. They weren't judging her fashion choices or how she showed off her money. It was the fact that she married into the Kane family so effortlessly, despite having nothing before. She had achieved a level of status that others could only imagine.After that, Stella stopped caring about what others thought.When she was unhappy, she shared photos of her jewelry on social media platforms; when she was happy, she also share
Keegan could not refuse the President's enthusiasm, so he forcefully pulled himself together and walked over with his glass.The President introduced him to the businessmen immigrants who had returned from overseas this year and had settled in Rivera, so Keegan inevitably had to interact with them in the future.The President very proudly introduced Keegan to everyone and kept on praising him. Naturally, these people knew of Keegan even if the President did not introduce him.The Vinci Rivera Group had been doing business abroad for a while now. Plus, Keegan was involved in a lot of their overseas projects. Every year, he traveled abroad to find talented people and offered them big salaries, which made him popular with international students.Everyone toasted each other and exchanged pleasantries.The discomfort Keegan felt seemed to have gotten even worse. While his nausea was relieved, he still felt dizzy, and the weakness in his limbs had intensified. Apart from these symptoms,
'This is awkward. This is really awkward. How could the attorney Felicity introduced to me be from Marshall's firm? That bastard. Why didn't she tell me? If I had known, I would've just directly consulted Marshall. What gossip is there to avoid? Now everybody knows. How awkward is that?' Stella thought.She scratched her head and tried to come up with an excuse, "Well... Well, it's just a small problem, and I feel like you've been pretty busy recently. Besides, it's just a consultation. I'll definitely go to you if I really need to go to court."When Marshall saw how Stella spoke carefully, worried that she would say things that made him upset, he suddenly felt a tenderness in his heart. He laughed and said warmly, "I'm not blaming you. You're helping our law firm's staff enhance their professional skills, so you're kind of helping me train them."Stella faked a laugh.'If it weren't for Marshall's earnest expression, I would've thought he was mocking me with such words,' she thoug
"It's gone."The moment Marshall spoke, Stella's entire body relaxed. However, she was driven by her curiosity and could not help but glance at his handkerchief. Then, she could not help but curse, "Fuck!"Marshall was speechless.He gripped his handkerchief, and within it was a bush cricket. Its plump legs were still kicking around wildly as its thin, long antennae moved about. Stella was terrified and felt her entire body itch like insects were crawling on her."Take it away! Take it away! Take it away!"Stella no longer cared about her image and slapped his arm. She swatted his arm and urged him to get rid of the insect promptly. Marshall chuckled and complied, taking the insect outside to release it.Upon his return, Stella was wiping her hair with a wet wipe provided by an attendant. She still appeared somewhat pale and visibly shaken.The other actresses who had been with her were nowhere to be seen, likely having gone upstairs.Seeing how Marshall had returned, Stella ha
Stella was bewildered.Marshall lowered his gaze and said softly, "Was it because I didn't win your case with Albert, so you don't trust me anymore and would rather consult an intern than me?"Stella was stunned.She quickly denied his question. "No. Why would you think so? Besides, it's not like we lost the case; we just dropped it. Furthermore, it's not your fault. Who would've thought that Albert and I were not biologically related?"Marshall lifted his gaze. He sounded a little hurt when he said, "Then why are you avoiding me?"Stella was at a loss for words."I'm not avoiding you..." Stella's voice trailed off as she suddenly did not know how to explain herself.'I can't possibly say it's because Keegan's jealous, right? After all, we haven't gotten back together. And even if we get back together, I still don't want to tell outsiders too much,' she thought.She continued, "I feel like the earnings from cases like mine are peanuts to you."Compared to your earnings from th
'You're worried about me when you're this drunk?' thought Stella. However, she felt comforted hearing his words."I'll take a cab. It's easy to get a cab in this area," she said.Stuart grunted in response. Then he said, "Don't be late tomorrow."Stella was amused.'We can't tell for sure who's the one that'll be late tomorrow,' she thought.After everyone had left, Stella took out her phone and started to book a cab.Just as she entered the e-hailing application, a silvery gray Land Rover pulled up by the curb. The driver rolled down the window and asked, "You booked a ride, ma'am?"Stella answered, "Nope. I haven't even booked one."The driver grunted in response and took out his phone to contact his client. Stella heard him cursing even though she was quite a distance away from him.It seemed like the driver's customer had canceled the booking, so he had made a wasted trip and was arguing with the customer.The driver angrily hung up his phone and asked Stella, "Where are
"How is she?" the driver inquired. The man in the back seat gently patted Stella's face and whispered, "She's out."The driver adjusted his clothing with a curse. "Damn. That was too close. She was being so careful. We almost lost her. Call Mr. Brown and let him know it's done."Unaware, neither man noticed a Chevrolet trailing their Land Rover as they left the Sapphire Clubhouse. They drove to a hotel, where they worked together to remove Stella from the car. Using an elevator from the underground parking lot, they carried her up to a hotel room.Once inside, they placed Stella on the bed. The man in black couldn't resist touching her face, but the driver quickly stopped him. "Mr. Brown said no one is to lay a hand on her. Are you trying to get yourself killed?""I'm just taking a good look at her. I've never fooled around with such an iconic woman before," the man in black said, and his eyes were full of lust."Women are going to line up just to be with you after Mr. Brown is sa
Keegan was put on the bed after being carried into a hotel room. Jaylene looked at the unconscious man, turned to the bellboys, and said, "You guys can leave now." She then walked over to the bed and sat down.Keegan's cheeks were slightly flushed. His panting was a little loud, and his chest heaved violently. Feeling out of breath, he frowned and tugged at his collar. Jaylene grabbed his hand and said, "How are you feeling, Keegan?"His body temperature was surprisingly high, which made Jaylene's touch a little cold. Keegan unconsciously tightened his hands, but the unfamiliarity made him let go of his grip. However, it made Jaylene's heart beat faster, and her face turned red. She whispered Keegan's name again. But, seeing that he did not respond, she got up and went to the bathroom.After a while, she came out with a towel and wiped him down. Slowly and gently, Jaylene rubbed the towel across Keegan's face before moving to his neck. He laid sideways, showing his perfect jawline a
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