9

Stella remained quiet for a while. She was staring at the maid. The maid had obviously knocked into her on purpose. She  remained silent.

Rather, she stood for a while before choosing to move on when a few of other maids came over. "Do you honestly believe that you become a noble lady only by marrying into the Conrad family? You are basically less important than a maid because Mr. Conrad dislikes you."

“Indeed, have a look at her. I've heard that she passed out last night in the corridor outside of Mr. Conrad’s room. It seems like he drove her away. If I were her, I wouldn't stay here any longer to act foolish; instead, I would hastily pack up and head home."

“Is she aware that she's doing foolishly? To them, money is the only thing."

Stella could hear them chatting about her when they got far enough away. Her complexion went horribly pale. Giving herself an embrace, she eased her way down the wall toward the door.

Why? Why had she to put up with all of that? Was it because she had split from her adulterous husband?

Her face was buried between her legs. She kept thinking about the maids' disparaging remarks, the fact that her step mother had her marry Clarence , and her first night at the Conrad home.

She  felt uneasy in her stomach at that moment. Her head jolted up. No, no! Tomorrow she has to go for a check-up at the hospital. There was no way that she could be expecting!

The room's door opened simultaneously with her  head rise. Joseph  wheeled the wheelchair outside with Clarence . As soon as she  heard the wheels on the ground, she glanced over.

Clarence just took a quick look in her  weeping eyes and was taken aback. It appeared as though someone had carelessly thrown a tiny stone into a still lake, causing the surface to ripple.

She wasn't unattractive. Her eyelashes were long and curled, and her looks were what many men wanted. Her eyes resembled pure, clean springs that held all of the world's spiritual mana. That was not to say that the spring was not bitterly chilly. Her eyes had the ability to make people feel chilly and frigid.

The expected charm of a woman was not evident in her eyes. But her eyelids were wet with tears at that precise moment. She appeared feeble and exposed with her eyes stained from tears. And everyone couldn't help but feel sorry for her because of how miserable she appeared as she knelt down like a ball. They did not say anything as they just looked at one another.

She finally said in a quiet voice , "You... you're heading out?"

Her speech sounded nasal and raspy.

Clarence  nodded, his lips pressed into an unprecedented line. "Yes."

"Okay."

Stella was silent for a while. She bowed her head and fixed her gaze on the toes of her shoes.

Clarence’s eyes hardened as he continued to stare at her. "Didn't I say that you shouldn't make an ass out of yourself here?"

When she  heard that, she lifted her head and gave him a shy look. "But we had already decided this. Did you not also promise me?"

"Hmph." He  scoffed. "I thought I would promise you? "When?"

She lost her words. It seems that he had made no genuine promises to her. That evening, he left without coming back.

Had she read him wrong? Stella  bit her lip and lowered her eyes as she considered that.

"I can let you stay here until I find her. We must, however, establish some ground rules." As Clarence spoke, She  snapped out of her reverie.

Stella  snapped her head back. "Find who?"

Clarence had a scary, unsettling expression in his eyes. "You better learn not to ask things you shouldn't know."

Once more, she  lowered her gaze. He was accurate. Did she genuinely care about the person he was looking for? What was the reason for her question? They were merely the pair in question. That would be all right as long as he let her stay.

Stella  muttered, "Alright, whatever, it's your call."

"I own the bed. You are responsible for determining where you will sleep. You are not allowed to place your belongings in my cabinet; only in your suitcase. "And, you're not allowed to touch me."

If he wouldn't let her sleep on the bed, at least she could still sleep on the floor. If he refused to let her place anything in his cabinet, she may still purchase a cabinet for herself. What made him ask her not to touch him, though?

With an unusual expression, she  lifted her head and gave him an odd look. Could anyone wish to touch him? Despite his good looks, she  didn't want to have sex.

Stella thought about all that and answered quickly. "Okay, I agree with these."

"Joseph."

"Yes."

"Let's go."

Clarence’s wheelchair was pushed down the hall by Joseph, and the two of them departed.

She eventually let out a sigh of relief as she watched them go. She then grinned to herself gradually. She was genuinely permitted to stay there because she was able to establish certain ground rules with him.

Stella stood and lugged her bag into the chamber.

The following day, she  got up, put on a hat, and dressed in nondescript clothing before leaving.

Jude was on his way to the company when she arrived at the front door. " Jenna? Are you searching for Clarence  in the office? Do you need me to drive you there since I'm going there too?"

It was unexpected for her  to see him that morning. She shook her head as she considered the location she would be visiting later. "Jude , thank you. However, I'm not going to the office."

"Oh? Where are you heading, then? I'll take you there by car.”

"Not necessary. I'm heading in the other direction from the office. It's not the route you take."

"Okay then, take care of yourself."

It took her a long while to come to the main road. She put on her mask before boarding the bus. She was truly troubled with guilt. She hadn't slept well the previous night and had been restless for a while due to the pregnancy test results from the previous day. Hopefully, the test result was incorrect.

Stella went to pick up a number and wait to be called at the hospital once she arrived. The folks in her immediate vicinity gave her strange looks.

With a small cough, she  reached into her bag for her sunglasses and put them on. The others gave her even stranger looks as a result. Imagine if a woman showed up at the obstetrics and gynecology department dressed strangely. She even donned sunglasses, a mask, and a hat. She appeared to be refusing to allow anyone to see her.

Stella’s attempts to maintain a low profile become increasingly ineffective. After all, she would undoubtedly attract notice if she wore such an attire in a public setting.

At last, it was her turn. The doctor frowned, unable to look at someone who was not even opening her eyes. "Why are you in this place? Are you having a check-up today?"

With a slight cough, she  reached up to remove her mask. "Yes, l'm here for a check-up."

"Why do you present yourself as so enigmatic? Do you feel so embarrassed that you'd rather not be seen by others?" the doctor asked jokingly, squinting. "Do you work in that kind of career?"

When she  heard those remarks, she was shocked. She was clueless about the doctor's meaning. "Huh?"

"I just asked if you work in a career where pregnancy would seriously get in the way?"

After giving it some thought, she  realization finally clicked into place. "Doctor, I-"

"So, you were accidentally knocked up? You just go get an abortion if that happens?"

The physician let out a sigh. "Why aren't you guys interested in your body at all? There was a woman working in your field yesterday. She's had five or six knocks ups. What is her desired number of abortions in her lifetime? Is she not concerned that her body is no longer able to tolerate it?”

"I'm not-" Before  Stella  could finish her sentence, a number of individuals wearing all-black clothing barged into the waiting area, frightening everyone inside.

Feeling bad, she  quickly put on her mask as she saw people entering and stood up to walk away, determined not to be part of any drama.

"Stop!" She was shocked to see that the individuals in black were pursuing her. They stopped her when they saw her attempting to flee.