CHAPTER 113: CHAPTER 113: HE’S HERE, TIME TO PAMPER HIS WIFE

Aiden Fordham tensed up like a fully drawn bow. In the next second, he shot out like an arrow, moving at an astonishing speed, almost a mere shadow.

"Bang!"

At the instant the flower pot was about to crash, a powerful force that made her dizzy suddenly enveloped Stella Grant, pulling her sideways a few steps.

A loud, ear-piercing "Crash!" rang out as the pot exploded at the spot where she had just been standing, scattering soil and shards everywhere.

Stella’s mind buzzed momentarily, only snapping back with the crash. She was dazed by the embrace, her body slightly limp, held by a firm, strong hug with a clean scent.

She quickly looked up, eager to see her rescuer, intending to ask, "Thank you, are you alright?"

But the man had already let her go, striding away with long steps. He was facing away, his right hand almost unconsciously adjusting his cap, pulling it low enough to conceal half his face.

Encountering a bakery, Stella walked in, bought a doughnut, and sat by the roadside eating it, her face full of happiness, completely forgetting about the earlier danger.

The breeze gently swept through her soft, long hair, her smile under the sun sweeter than the doughnut in her hand.

Aiden Fordham’s eyes fixated on the doughnut in her hand.

He suddenly recalled the scene from the press conference, that dialogue between her and D.

She asked D, "D, what’s your favorite food?"

D’s electronic voice replied, "My favorite is doughnuts."

At the time, he hadn’t paid attention.

In hindsight... it turns out, the one who loves doughnuts was her.

And D’s response on his favorite person was, Director Aiden Fordham.

At that moment, Aiden felt as if he’d been given a shot of adrenaline, instantly reinvigorated, coming alive on the spot!

It turns out... it turns out those offhand "truths" from D were simply projections of her subconscious!

This realization, made his formerly gloomy mood brighten up as if clouds dispersed, providing clarity.

He looked at her, his eyes intense, almost enough to melt her.

Meanwhile, inside a luxurious villa in Nation A.

"Useless! All of you are useless!" Andy Lockwood furiously stubbed out the cigar in his hand into the ashtray, veins bulging on his forehead.

"All this time! You can’t find a single person!"

The subordinates in the room were like frightened birds, heads down, not daring to breathe.

After venting his frustrations, the agitation in his chest slightly eased, he waved them out of the room.

The subordinates fled like receiving amnesty.

Andy slumped exhaustedly into the large leather sofa, closed his eyes, rubbing his aching temples.

Stella, where are you now? Are you safe?

At that moment, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in." His voice was hoarse.

Carlos Fenton entered, holding a small delivery box in his hand, "Senior, your package."

Andy opened his eyes, red with irritation, "What is it?"

"Not sure, no sender information." Carlos handed over the box.

Andy took the box, casually tore it open, inside lay a ring.

A strangely designed black skull ring, its hollow eye sockets seemingly carrying some evil curse.

When Andy’s gaze touched the ring, he was like being hit by electricity, his pupils contracted sharply!

He sat up swiftly, clutching the ring tightly, his fingertips slightly trembling from the force.

This symbol... it’s him!

He stared at the ring, his expression turning extremely fierce, dense killing intent erupted from his eyes.

The air seemed to freeze at that moment.

No, he must take the initiative, can’t let that madman find her first.

...

In the blink of an eye, it was the grand Feast Day in Rookstone.

Rookstone holds a beautiful legend, thousands of years ago a flood threatened to end the world. It was The Phoenix who carried stones one by one, placing them on the mountain, creating Rookstone.

Thus, the annual Feast Day is to thank The Phoenix, providing offerings.

At night, the town’s handsome men and beautiful women donned bird masks or eyepatches, preparing to attend the celebration dance.

By now, every household had laid out various delicacies in front of their doors, tourists passing by could freely sample, also placing bird’s favorite millet, signifying offerings.

]Such a lively day, Stella could certainly not miss it.

She wore a water-blue dress, with a peacock-designed deep blue eyemask, walking down the street, resembling a beautiful scene.

Tom Summers was three steps away, not daring to get too close, but his sharp gaze was constantly scanning around, removing any dangerous elements.

Suddenly, Stella’s eyes lit up, as every household’s offering trays were filled with doughnuts.

There were original, pink floral, and green matcha flavors... all kinds of flavors, labeled: Doughnuts do not contain milk ingredients.

The air was filled with a sweet aroma, she picked up a pink strawberry flavored one, took a bite, smiling contentedly, following the crowd towards Divine Phoenix Plaza.

Tom Summers suddenly stopped. A tall woman stood before him, wearing a simple black mask, revealing only her eyes, yes, it was the same woman from yesterday.

Tom Summers frowned, "You dare show up again?" His voice was lowered.

Seraphina laughed, "Why? Shouldn’t I be here?"

Tom Summers felt trouble was coming, "What do you want?"

"A little spar?" Seraphina said, "This time I won’t ambush you."

Tom Summers cursed inwardly, a trick to lure him away? He glanced at Stella’s silhouette; she was intently watching the food stalls by the roadside. He couldn’t afford to be delayed.

"I don’t hit women." Tom Summers tossed out this line, bypassing her, intending to quickly catch up to Stella.

A force struck from behind, the sound of wind? He shifted his body sideways, dodging the powerful kick. This woman, so troublesome!

"Didn’t you say no ambushes?" Tom Summers angrily looked at her.

Seraphina shrugged. "All’s fair in war, never heard that?"

Tom Summers was irritable; he only wanted to return to Stella’s side. This woman was like a sticky plaster. He didn’t want to get entangled.

Seraphina had already charged over, moving swiftly, her fist swung directly at his face. Tom Summers had no choice but to defend; he raised his hand to block it and simultaneously grabbed toward her wrist.

Seraphina went along with his force, her body suddenly softened and unexpectedly fell right into his arms.

Tom Summers was dumbfounded! What kind of move was this? Instinctively, he wrapped his arms around her.

Then, a sensation like an electric current spread from their point of contact, tingling! He felt that all his strength was instantly drained from his body.

"You..." he wanted to speak, but his tongue refused to cooperate, and Tom Summers’ body collapsed down.

The outcome was grim; Tom Summers was knocked down again, diverted.

"Sleep tight." She looked at him, her eyes beneath the mask devoid of emotion, then she turned and merged into the reveling crowd.

Tom Summers lay on a bench, motionless, like an abandoned puppet.

Arriving at Divine Phoenix Plaza, Stella was stunned by the scene before her.

There stood a giant donut, three stories high, entirely white, made of chocolate.

A white phoenix perched on top, also sculpted from chocolate. Under the lights, the phoenix shimmered with a dazzling array of colors, looking almost alive.

White chocolate flowed slowly from the top of the donut, rolling below like a spring, magnificent and sweet.

Little did Stella know, it was Aiden Fordham who had mobilized seven private jets to transport the chocolate from abroad, exhausting the city’s resources to build, all for her delight!

She covered her mouth in surprise.

Is this a food festival? Or a donut open day?

If Vivi Sterling and Claire were here to see this giant donut themselves, they’d be ecstatic.

At this moment, Vivi Sterling was watching a video when her phone rang. She opened her email and saw a message. A photo appeared, and the person in the picture was... her brother!

She suddenly widened her eyes as the phone slipped from her grasp, trembling with excitement!

Stella maneuvered around the crowd, arriving at the spot for releasing sky lanterns, where countless lanterns floated into the sky like fireflies, each tied with corn and wish strips.

"Thorne!" She called out once more.

Where is he?

Perhaps due to the mass of people, they got separated. Stella mused, these crowds were indeed incredible.

She approached a stall, bought a lantern, scribbled a note on it, and set it free.

The lantern swayed as it ascended into the sky. She closed her eyes, hands joined, sincerely making a wish.

Not far away, in the corner, a tall figure stood, lifting his chin.

Keegan Lindsey got the hint, quickly darting into the crowd, heading in the direction the lantern was flying toward.

With him there, the lantern would surely never reach the sky!

In the center of the plaza, on stage, Mayor Henry gave a speech, discussing the origins of the food festival and offering blessings.

When he finished, the music started playing, and the ball began. Romantic waltz melodies spread throughout the area.

The young men and women across the plaza quickly sought out suitable dance partners and entered the dance floor.

Stella was planning to slip away amid the chaos when Mayor Henry’s commanding voice echoed from the stage,

"Beautiful lady, could you please accompany my nephew Mr. Chancellor for a dance?"

All the young people saw where the mayor was pointing. Wasn’t this the beauty they had been inviting? Could someone really use connections to seize a dance partner?

"Yes, you, the lovely lady in the blue dress." Mayor Henry smiled warmly. "It’s my nephew’s first time attending the food festival. I hope you can make him feel at home."

Stella was dumbfounded. Does the mayor have the authority to do this?

Standing next to her, a man who looked like a bodyguard immediately whispered in her ear, warning, "The mayor’s kindness must not be refused. Otherwise, you might not be able to leave this town."

Stella: "..."

A man dressed in a white suit, tall and upright, approached her...

He wore a white peacock mask, obscuring his face, leaving only a sharply defined chin and tightly pressed lips visible.

His aura was formidable, carrying an inherent pressure warning others to keep their distance.

She opened her mouth, about to say it was her first time participating too.

Yet Mr. Chancellor had already stepped forward, stopping in front of her, and slightly bowing.

"Miss, you seem very nervous." He spoke, deliberately lowering his voice, with a captivating, magnetic tone.

Stella’s heart skipped a beat.

This voice... was too familiar, but how could it be him? This place is over 30,000 kilometers away from Meritopia!