Chapter 9

Stella's eyebrows twitched.

'I'd have kicked this guy out of the car if I didn't need a favor! He'd be fine if he didn't talk. I'll pretend he's just a barking dog!' Stella thought to herself.

Ignoring the sharp-tongued Keegan beside her, Stella typed out the potpourri recipe and sent it to Aldor.

"You can head to Scents on Cornelia Avenue. They have a wide range of potpourri ingredients; it'll get the job done in one trip."

"Alright. Thank you."

Since Keegan did not get a response from Stella, he felt a little bored and stopped talking.

Around 20 minutes later, they reached the restaurant.

Just as Stella was about to step out of the car, Keegan abruptly tugged on her wrist. She instinctively pulled her wrist back.

"Don't move!"

Keegan's grip was firm, preventing Stella from retracting her arm. Before she could question him, she felt something cold on her ring finger. It was a diamond ring.

Stella froze momentarily.

'It's the wedding ring from when we got married. I left it behind when I moved out of Royalpark Villa. This is the first time Keegan's putting on a ring for me. On the day we got married, Bella appeared. Keegan left before the ceremony was even finished, so I had to put on the ring myself,' she thought.

"I'm just worried that mom will ask questions. Don't overthink it." Keegan released his grip on her hand.

Hearing his haughty voice, Stella snapped out of her thoughts.

She pursed her lips and pulled her arm back, responding indifferently, "You worry too much, Mr. Kane. I know where I stand."

After her remark, she opened the door and got out of the car.

Keegan frowned and followed her out with a dark expression.

Keegan had a sister, Aurora Kane, who had graduated from college this year. She went on a graduation trip with her friends two months ago and returned just yesterday.

As the youngest child in the Kane family, with her father passing away soon after her birth, Aurora was indulged and had developed a bossy personality.

Stella initially wanted to get along well with her sister-in-law when she married into the family. She catered to all of Aurora's interests in the hope of improving their relationship. However, Aurora didn't buy it. Her attitude toward Stella differed when they were with elders compared to when they were alone.

Over the years, their relationship only grew stiffer. Since Aurora was Keegan's sister, Stella knew she would always be the one to compromise.

'Now that I think about it, Keegan and I probably wouldn't last even if there wasn't Bella Young. From our family backgrounds to our moral compasses, we have nothing in common,' thought Stella.

The waiter quickly led them to their reserved private room.

Upon entering, they saw Aurora chatting with Dahlia. The mother and daughter looked quite alike, except Dahlia had the appeal of a mature woman and an air of elegance, while Aurora looked more tender.

When Aurora noticed Stella, her expression changed immediately. But when facing Keegan, she quickly put on a sweet smile and coyly said, "Keegan! I'm starving, but Mom insisted we wait for you. What took you so long?"

Keegan glanced at her. "Wipe the oil stain from your mouth. That'll make your words more convincing."

Aurora was speechless.

"Hmph! I thought of you throughout my trip and even brought you a souvenir!"

The siblings argued for a bit before Dahlia finally stopped them, saying, "Alright, stop arguing. Have a seat."

Then, she glanced at Stella, "Stella, tell the waiter at the door to serve the dishes."

The truth was that the waiter could hear them, but Dahlia wanted Stella to do it because she was used to ordering her around.

Back when they all stayed at the main residence, Stella would sit at the far end of the table, making it easier for her to get up and fetch things for Dahlia and Aurora even though there were servants.

Stella had gotten used to it. As she was about to go outside, Keegan tugged on her wrist.

However, he didn't look at her. Instead, he turned to Aurora, "You go, Aurora. Tell the waiter to bring a bottle of red wine."

Aurora immediately made a long face. "Wasn't Stella about to go?"

Keegan responded indifferently, "She doesn't know the wine Mom likes."

But Stella didn't play along. She struggled out of his grip and said, "I know. Trockenbeerenauslese, right?"

Dahlia nodded.

Stella turned around and walked out. She did not want to see Keegan's unhappy expression.

After Stella spoke to the waiter and was about to enter the room, she heard Aurora's voice coming from inside. "Don't underestimate this wife of yours, Keegan. Not only does she know what Mom likes, but she also knows what Grandma likes very well. She's doing whatever she can to get into high society. I really don't know what Grandma was thinking when she agreed to let you marry her. She's miles behind Bella Young."

Stella's hand paused before pushing the door open. Then, she heard Keegan say, "Whoever I marry is the same."