CHAPTER 13: CHAPTER 13: THE DANGER AT THE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

In the following days, Stella barely stepped outside, immersing herself in research in her small laboratory.

On Saturday night, the Fordham Family’s private dock was ablaze with lights, as bright as day.

A jaw-droppingly massive five-deck luxury yacht lay docked in silence, its hull pure white, glowing with a pearlescent luster under the spotlights.

This was more than just a ship—it was a symbol of the Fordham Group’s power and wealth.

Today marked the Fordham Group’s fiftieth anniversary, and the celebration was set on this yacht, aptly named the "Starship."

Luxury cars arrived on the pier in an endless stream, and those stepping out were all prominent business elites and notable figures from Meritopia and even across the nation.

The guests, armed with gilded invitations, boarded the ship in orderly fashion.

"Did you hear? President Fordham really spared no expense—he’s prepared a fireworks show with five hundred thousand shells!"

"Five hundred thousand? My god, I heard Best Actress Kensington loves fireworks. President Fordham just throws millions away to win a beauty’s smile!"

"The key is, I think President Fordham is going to make an official announcement tonight. Even the old patriarch of the Fordham Family is on board. I wonder which heiress he’ll choose!"

"I think it must be... Corinne Kensington."

"Who else could it be? Just recently, Young Master Fordham even flew abroad to celebrate her birthday. That’s definitely the future Mrs. President treatment!"

The guests whispered among themselves, excitement and expectation on their faces, following the attendants through a private passageway onto the Starship.

The yacht’s main banquet hall was arranged like a fantasy palace—every detail exuding the owner’s wealth and taste.

Gigantic crystal chandeliers hung from high vaulted ceilings, dazzling lights reflecting on polished marble floors.

The air was scented with the blend of luxury fragrance and fresh flowers.

Classical melodies wafted through the spacious hall, while the servers, graceful and well-trained, wove through the crowd with trays piled high with champagne and delicate hors d’oeuvres.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out at the entrance. The quiet murmurs abruptly stopped, and all eyes snapped toward the door as one.

Aiden Fordham appeared.

He wore a handmade white suit, cut to fit his figure perfectly—every line sleek and precise, not a thread too much or too little to mar his imposing presence.

Handsome.

But it was not the harmless, gentle kind of handsome. His beauty carried an aggressive edge and aloofness—chiseled brow bones, obsidian sword-shaped brows slanting sharply, all radiating a razor-sharp aura.

Beside him, held in the crook of his arm with proper ceremony, was none other than the stunning actress, Corinne Kensington.

Corinne wore a couture red strapless gown, her skin glowingly pale, a dazzling diamond collar draped around her slender neck.

Her makeup was flawless, the corners of her mouth curving in a perfect smile, though her eyes couldn’t quite conceal a gleam of pride and triumph.

At this moment, she was the queen of the entire room.

"Good evening, President Fordham."

"President Fordham and Miss Kensington, what a perfect match!"

"President Fordham is certainly blessed—Miss Kensington only grows more radiant by the day!"

"A talented man and a beautiful woman—a match made in heaven!"

Compliments and praise rose in waves like the tide.

The socialites stepped forward to greet them, expressing due respect and clear approval for the future mistress of the Fordham Family.

Corinne responded with poise, her heart surging with an irrepressible sense of vanity.

Tonight’s glory felt more precious than any award she’d ever won.

Just as Corinne basked in the attention of countless stars, the music in the banquet hall cut off abruptly, plunging the crowd into silence once more.

More guests had arrived.

This time, their entrance caused an even greater sensation than Aiden Fordham and Corinne Kensington.

Andy Lockwood entered, arm in arm with an exquisitely beautiful woman in a gold backless gown.

The shimmering golden dress, crafted from flowing satin with a lustrous metallic sheen, rippled under the lights—the hem trailing behind her like molten gold.

If Corinne was a vibrant red rose, then this woman was a regal golden tulip.

Her features were breathtaking, and her jet-black eyes, deep and luminous, seemed to captivate anyone who looked at her. Her long, chestnut hair tumbled freely over her shoulders, making her snow-white skin appear even whiter. Much of her delicate, flawless skin was left bare, her shoulder blades graceful as butterfly wings, with each subtle movement revealing bewitching curves.

The gown outlined her sensual figure perfectly, every curve in just the right place, leaving everyone in awe.

Even more impossible to ignore was the dazzling sapphire necklace on her elegant neck—it gleamed hypnotically beneath the lights.

That wasn’t just jewelry—it was a royal treasure of F-Country, a symbol of ultimate glory and devotion!

"Oh my god, who is that beauty? She’s unreal!"

"That figure... It’s to die for!"

"My gosh, is that F-Country’s ’Emperor’s Heart’ necklace? One of a kind!"

"Who is she... what’s her story?"

"Isn’t that the legendary President Lockwood of Bluebird Technologies? He’s so handsome—could this be his fiancée?"

The crowd buzzed, all eyes drawn to Stella Grant—shock, admiration, envy, jealousy... emotions colliding in a storm.

Even Aiden Fordham couldn’t help but be shaken by Stella’s beauty.

He’d known Stella for so long, but never had she been so dazzling, so overwhelming—so aggressively striking.

Did she dress so magnificently tonight for Andy Lockwood’s sake, or her own?

Aiden Fordham quickly regained control, schooling his features into a smile before stepping forward to greet them.

"President Lockwood, welcome." He extended his hand warmly, his gaze fixed tightly on Stella.

Yet he could find no emotion on her face.

Corinne Kensington also approached, her smile frozen and polite. She reached out her hand: "President Lockwood, hello!"

Andy Lockwood glanced at her but made no move to shake hands, directly ignoring her.

"Are you hungry? Let me take you over there for something to eat," Andy Lockwood said gently to Stella, doting in his tone.

Stella nodded.

"Excuse us." Andy Lockwood nodded at Aiden Fordham, then led Stella away with quiet elegance.

Corinne’s face instantly turned a livid green.

She was, after all, a top actress and the future hostess of the Fordham Family!

And yet to be treated with such disregard—what a humiliating insult!

"Aiden, what’s with this President Lockwood? And Stella Grant—how could she tangle herself up with him? Has she forgotten her place?" Corinne hissed in a sharp, low voice.

Aiden Fordham frowned, about to answer when two business partners strode over and greeted him warmly.

"President Fordham, good evening."

"Congratulations, President Fordham."

"Corinne, why don’t you have something to eat over there? I’ll come find you in a bit," he said to her softly.

Corinne, though sulking inside, could only suppress it and nodded before heading over to the dessert area.

Her bright eyes trailed Stella’s figure with venomous intent.

Andy Lockwood’s phone rang. He bent to whisper something into Stella’s ear, and she nodded in response. He turned and walked away.

Stella paid no mind to the surrounding commotion, heading straight to the dessert table, picking up a delicate macaron and biting into it gently.

"Mm, not bad," she murmured to herself.

A thirty-tier champagne tower, crystal glasses stacked to a glittering height, reflected rainbows under the dazzling chandeliers—a feast for the eyes.

Stella stood not far from it, holding a glass of juice, boredly watching the liquid ripple in her cup.

Suddenly.

Without any warning.

The soaring tower of decadence let out a teeth-grinding groan as it began to tilt.

Before anyone could react, it crashed down with a deafening crash!

Its target—exactly where she was standing!

"Ah—!"

Screams instantly shattered the previously elegant atmosphere.

Countless glasses rained down like hailstones, shards glinting with deadly light, flying at Stella in a dense barrage!

Too close.

She was far too close to that deathly tower!

Stella’s mind went blank, her body frozen in place, gripped by colossal fear.

Corinne’s eyes widened in glee, eagerly awaiting the sight of Stella’s beautiful face and snowy back dripping with blood—

A tall, cold silhouette flashed by at lightning speed—