CHAPTER 126: CHAPTER 126: TRIAL MARRIAGE TONIGHT

Knock, knock—

After the knocking sound, came the sound of the door opening.

"Mr. West." Stella’s voice.

His mind buzzed for a moment, he didn’t have time to think carefully, wiped away the blood from the tip of his nose haphazardly, tidied himself up, and then walked out of the bathroom with a stern face.

Seeing him come out, Stella quickly stepped forward to support him: "Let me help you downstairs for dinner."

Aiden Fordham abruptly shook off her hand, his tone as icy as the coldest winter wind: "No need, I can walk myself."

He absolutely, absolutely could not let her have too much contact with other men, not a bit.

They first entered the tea room of the side hall, and as soon as Liam Young saw Mr. West, he quickly came forward with a sincere expression of gratitude and said:

"Mr. West, thank you for saving my life without regard for your own safety. I have nothing to repay you with, but I hope to have the opportunity to repay you in the future."

Aiden’s tone was flat, with no discernible emotion: "You’re too polite, sir. You are a national treasure, saving you is saving the country and its people."

That’s not a falsehood. This 110-year-old gentleman here is the mentor of God N.

To have mentored a disciple as talented and exceptional as God N, calling him a national treasure is only fitting.

Liam stroked his gray beard and chuckled.

"Speaking of which, this crisis has indeed been a blessing in disguise. Unexpectedly, it led us to discover those few seven-color brocades. I wonder if Mr. West could set a restricted zone there? I’m just afraid those treasures might be trampled by ignorant tourists."

Aiden pondered for a moment and said, "Rest assured, sir, I’ll have people carefully transplant those plants to my castle, where they will be strictly monitored and you can access them at any time."

"Please have a seat, sir!" The two of them sat together on the luxurious Western-style sofa.

Hearing this, Liam’s eyes brightened, and his smile deepened: "That’s truly wonderful! On behalf of millions of people, I thank Mr. West for his noble gesture!"

With that, he was about to clasp his hands together in gratitude.

Stella quickly stepped forward to support him, coquettishly saying, "Master, no need to be so polite! From now on, we’re all family. In the future, Mr. West will have to respectfully call you Master!"

Liam was greatly surprised, looking at his disciple: "Girl, are you, are you..."

He didn’t dare to finish the sentence, but his eyes were full of inquiry.

Stella’s cheeks reddened slightly, but she smiled calmly: "Master, I’m going to marry Mr. West in the future. Since you are my master, naturally, you’re also Mr. West’s master."

"Whoosh."

Aiden suddenly stood up, his face darkening to an extreme degree.

This woman, hasn’t she dispelled this absurd notion yet?

"I will not marry you. Give up this thought immediately and at once!" His voice was like it had been forged in ice.

Before Stella could respond, Liam was the first to explode.

"Boy! What do you mean by this?" The old man huffed, "Do you think my disciple isn’t good enough for you? Let me tell you, the line of people who want to pursue Stella could stretch all the way to Country S! Don’t be ungrateful!"

Stella hurriedly tugged on Liam’s sleeve, then turned to Aiden, her voice still as gentle as water:

"Mr. West, you don’t have to answer me so hastily; we can take our time to get along. Feelings can be developed slowly."

Liam, noticing his disciple’s unusual behavior, furrowed his brow and suddenly asked, "Girl, are you serious? Weren’t you determined to marry that boy named Fordham before? It’s been so short a time, are you really going to... remarry?"

The smile on Stella’s face faded slightly, but then it spread out again.

"Master, we’ve already divorced. Now, I only like Mr. West. Mr. West saved my life twice, and such a favor deserves my commitment."

Aiden really couldn’t listen any longer.

These conversations, each word felt like a thorn pricking his ears.

He suddenly blurted out, "I don’t like women! I can’t marry you! I suggest you go back to your ex-husband and remarry!"

Stella struggled to hold back the laughter that was bubbling up inside her, blinking innocently.

"You don’t like women... then, could it be that Mr. West... likes men?"

Aiden squeezed the words out through his teeth: "That’s right!"

Stella’s smile suddenly blossomed, her beautiful eyes curving into crescents.

"Oh, that’s perfect, I prepared a special gift for you, Mr. West!"

She clapped her hands lightly, and two men walked in from outside the door in response.

They were truly exceptional handsome men, with model-like tall and straight figures, faces as attractive as popular celebrities, and wearing tight-fitting clothes adorned with sequins, dazzling under the light.

Stella beckoned to them: "Hurry up and attend to Mr. West!"

These newly recruited bodyguards had unwittingly been used by her as tools.

To test him? Aiden’s face was already so dark it could drip ink.

He clenched his back teeth, his gaze swept over the two men, and then, unbelievably, he actually gestured for them to approach.

The two men immediately understood and sat obediently on either side of him.

Aiden extended his arms and pulled the two men into his embrace with bold and unrestrained movements.

Only then did he look up, lowering his voice, and said to the dumbfounded Stella, "Is it appropriate for you to linger here?"

Stella was dumbfounded.

She forced down the herd of galloping horses in her mind, struggling to maintain her composure.

"Then... then I won’t disturb your pleasure anymore, Mr. West. I’ll accompany Master to dinner; you... enjoy yourself."

Indeed, life is full of acting; it’s either you act for me or I act for you.

Walking out of the side hall, Liam shook his head repeatedly, sighing, "This Mr. West... alas, such a pity, how did he... turn?"

Stella laughed until she was trembling with delight.

Inside.

As soon as the footsteps of the two had disappeared, Aiden practically jumped up immediately.

He scolded the two still smiling men, "Get over there!"

The wicked fire in his heart flared up.

This woman was simply out of control! How had he not noticed before that she was so... mischievous?

Needs disciplining!

Before long, a servant came to invite him for dinner, and he coldly spat out, "Not eating."

With these words, he walked out of the room.

He was standing on the cliff’s edge, smoking, thinking about the possibility of being poisoned.

He wondered if he should tell Stella, but then thought better of it. Maybe he should find a chance to talk to the old man first.

Soon, a bodyguard came rushing over to report.

"Boss, Zane Zimmerman is here, carrying an injured woman, and he says he wants to enter the hot spring to treat her wounds."

Aiden Fordham’s face instantly darkened, his tone devoid of warmth: "This place is not open to the public."

"Yes, sir."

The bodyguard took the order and turned to leave.

But Zane Zimmerman had already rushed in with the person in his arms! The girl was covered in blood, nestled weakly in his embrace, her face obscured.

Aiden Fordham’s anger flared up instantly, and he pointed to the exit, roaring, "Get out!"

Zane Zimmerman ignored his order to leave, speaking calmly, "Mr. West, I’m sorry for the intrusion today, but she’s seriously injured, and I beg your leniency."

Just then, Stella came out, and the sight of that silver mask made her heart skip a beat.

She had seen this man once in the arena.

Upon seeing Stella, a glimmer of hope lit up in Zane’s eyes, "It’s great to see you! Please save her, she’s lost so much blood and is running a high fever. If it drags on, I’m afraid..."

Stella’s heart tightened, and she instinctively stepped forward.

But Aiden Fordham grabbed her tightly, his gaze dark and cold as he glared at Zane, his words like ice, "Zane Zimmerman, do you think this is The East Sector’s junkyard? When have my people become yours to order around? Get out immediately!"

He had a deep-seated aversion to this "hero" who had clawed his way out of the slums.

Zane’s eyes turned cold, but his lips curled into a mocking smile, "Mr. West, are you afraid I can’t afford the medical expenses? Or do you run this hot spring resort to take advantage of others’ vulnerabilities?"

He knew too well that the Mr. West before him was a businessman to the core.

"Someone come!" Aiden was completely enraged, his voice rising sharply.

"Mr. Zimmerman," Stella suddenly broke free from Aiden’s grip and stepped forward, her tone calm yet firm, "Please carry her to the room and follow me."

Aiden gritted his teeth fiercely. This woman... does she really think she’s the lady of this place? Has she grown wings?

Stella quickly came in with a set of clean clothes.

When she saw Vivi Sterling’s face, pale as paper, on the bed, she felt as if she’d been struck by lightning, and the clothes in her hand fell to the ground with a thud.

"Vivi... Vivi? How could it be you? How did you get here?"

Her voice trembled, barely daring to believe her eyes.

"How could you be hurt like this..." Her eyes quickly reddened, and tears uncontrollably rolled down in big drops.

Zane stood to the side, his tall figure somewhat desolate, his eyes filled with guilt, "I’m sorry, it’s me... I didn’t protect her well."

Stella snapped back to reality, this wasn’t the time to cry!

She rushed out and soon returned with a small medical kit.

"I need to treat her wounds immediately," she took a deep breath, looked at Zane, and in a tone that brooked no argument, said, "Please, leave the room for a moment."

Zane opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing and walked out silently.

He leaned against the cold door frame, lighting a cigarette, his expression obscured by the smoke.

In the room, Stella held her breath as she used sterilized scissors to carefully cut open the dress that was soaked and solidified with blood on Vivi Sterling.

When the fabric was peeled away, and those three deep whip marks appeared before her, Stella gasped, her heart wrenching tightly.

The whip marks stretched from shoulder blade to waist, the skin ripped open and flesh exposed, a truly horrific sight!

How painful it must be... What terrible ordeal did she go through?

No time to think, no time to be heartbroken, the only thing she could do now was save her...

As night fell.

When Stella emerged, her eyes were red.

She stood by the door, her voice hoarse from crying, speaking softly with Zane.

Zane’s cold eyes grew solemn, he nodded, pushed open the door before him, walked in, and soon disappeared inside.

Stella turned around, scarcely able to compose herself, when Aiden Fordham appeared like a specter, blocking her path.

He sized her up and down, his gaze finally resting on her swollen eyelids.

"I’m hungry!" he suddenly said, his voice deep, devoid of emotion.

Stella sniffed, her voice still flat, "I’ll have the chef make you something to eat."

Saying that, she tried to sidestep him.

This attitude was strange. After seeing Zane, she was this cold towards him?

And crying?

Aiden’s mind rang with alarm bells, could it be... her affections had shifted?

The thought alone ignited a nameless flame within him.

He suddenly bent over, extending his long arm to scoop Stella up horizontally.

Stella was startled, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck, and then realizing, she started to struggle.

"What are you doing? Put me down!"

But the man was oblivious, holding her, his tone unyieldingly domineering, "Didn’t you want to marry me? Let’s have a trial marriage tonight."

"?" Stella was both anxious and angry, flailing with all her limbs, "Don’t you like men?"

At this, Aiden lowered his head, a playful curve on his lips, though his eyes remained unfathomable.

"Women, I can try as well." His thin lips parted, his voice seductive, "It might be even more interesting!"

With that, he chuckled lightly, taking long strides toward his room.

"I don’t want to try, put me down!"

He paid no heed!

"Bang!" A loud crash.

Aiden kicked open the room door...