CHAPTER 135: CHAPTER 135: GIVING HER A CHILD

Aiden Fordham’s tall and straight figure appeared at the restaurant entrance like a divine being descending.

He wasn’t wearing a mask!

That unmatched, stunning face with its defined features exuded an intimidating chill and nobility under the crystal light, enough to awe anyone.

Stella Grant watched as he stormed over, his large hand like an iron clamp, gripping Mr. West’s indecent hand that was trying to harass her!

"Ah—ouch, ouch, ouch!" Mr. West’s features twisted in pain as he screamed loudly, "President Fordham, President Fordham! It’s a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding! I was just joking with Miss NOVA, you don’t need to take it to heart!"

"But I don’t like joking around with people," Aiden Fordham’s gaze was so cold it could freeze someone to death, "especially not with unruly people."

Before he finished speaking, he jerked his arm with force!

Mr. West’s bulky body was effortlessly flung straight out, crashing into a food cart three meters away, causing a loud crash and shattering dishes everywhere!

Stella Grant was stunned.

She looked up at Aiden Fordham dumbfounded, wanting to ask how his injuries were, but she swallowed the words back down.

She couldn’t ask.

She couldn’t reveal his previous guise.

"Scared stiff?" Aiden Fordham turned his head, the chilling cold in his voice instantly dissipated, transformed into a barely perceptible doting tone.

Mr. West climbed up from the ground in embarrassment, his face alternating between pale and flushed, both shocked and angry.

He suddenly waved his hand, and then, swoosh swoosh swoosh!

Six burly bodyguards rushed out from every corner, instantly surrounding Aiden Fordham, the atmosphere fraught with tension.

"Aiden Fordham!" Mr. West threatened with a facade of bravado, clutching his painfully throbbing wrist, "This is my territory, don’t be too arrogant!"

Aiden Fordham didn’t even look at him, just lightly pulled Stella Grant behind him, shielding her with his body, his voice incredibly gentle, "Stand over here, don’t get hurt accidentally."

Stella Grant’s heart trembled, she instinctively wanted to grab his arm, "Don’t..."

He was still injured!

But Aiden Fordham just turned his hand, gently patting her soft hand in reassurance.

"It’s okay!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly moved!

The bodyguards who looked so fierce were no match for him at all!

Fist winds fierce, leg shadows like whips!

Aiden Fordham moved as fast as lightning, each strike aimed directly at their vital points, decisively swift, carrying a touch of ruthless strength.

In just a moment, those six tall bodyguards were battered and moaning on the ground, unable to get up.

"You... just wait!" Mr. West saw the situation, scared out of his wits, not caring about any dignity, he hurriedly scrambled away with the rest of them.

The restaurant returned to a momentary silence.

Aiden Fordham’s tensed body suddenly staggered.

"Aiden Fordham!" Stella Grant acted quickly, rushing forward to support his swaying body, "Are you okay?"

He barely shook his head, but sweat was already beading on his forehead, and his face was somewhat pale.

Indeed, his wound was bleeding, though not painful, he could feel the sticky sensation on his left shoulder, luckily he was wearing dark-colored clothes.

At this moment, Keegan Lindsey rushed in with a large group of people, looking at the mess around.

"President Fordham! Why did you do this again!" Keegan Lindsey jumped anxiously upon seeing Aiden Fordham’s state, "The doctor repeatedly warned that you absolutely couldn’t move around now, and now look, the wound must have reopened!"

Only then did he notice Stella Grant standing nearby, and he paused, "Ma’am? Why are you here?"

Then, like grabbing a lifeline, he urgently looked at Stella Grant, "Ma’am, could you help take care of President Fordham? In his current state, I’m afraid..."

Stella Grant looked at Aiden Fordham’s pale face, her heart ached, and she nodded without any hesitation, "Okay."

A glint flickered under Aiden Fordham’s lowered eyelashes, so quick it was almost indiscernible.

"That’s great!" Keegan Lindsey seemed relieved, "Then could you... help him to the car, I’ll notify the doctor to come to the villa immediately."

Aiden Fordham’s tall and heavy body leaned most of its weight on Stella Grant’s petite frame, nearly overwhelming her.

He seemed to notice this too, discreetly applying some strength himself to lighten her burden.

As soon as they got in the car, Aiden Fordham closed his eyes, his head naturally resting on her shoulder, his breathing a bit heavy.

"Sorry," he said hoarsely, with a hint of imperceptible weakness, "I’m a bit dizzy."

His warm breath brushed against her neck, carrying his unique crisp scent.

Stella Grant’s body stiffened for a moment, wanting to push him away, but halfway raising her arm, she felt a little embarrassed.

After all, he had saved her again just now.

Yesterday, he had even taken a bullet for her...

The weight of that gratitude was so heavy it felt suffocating.

Soon, the car drove into a large garden, inside was a luxurious villa, offering great privacy. The entrance was equipped with a high-security system, signaling that the person residing here was someone of considerable status.

Stella Grant helped Aiden Fordham out of the car and headed straight upstairs.

After laying him down on the bed, Aiden Fordham’s face appeared very pale, as if in great discomfort.

Indeed, Aiden Fordham was feeling alternately hot and cold, seemingly having a fever.

"Lie down, let me check your wound," Stella Grant suggested, her tone filled with concern.

"No need, the doctor will be here soon. I’ll have Keegan take you back first."

He didn’t want her to see the blackened, poisoned area on his back, too terrifying, nor did he want her to know this cruel truth.

Soon, Keegan Lindsey brought in the doctor.

Stella Grant waited outside in the hallway, the air somewhat stagnant.

After a while, Keegan Lindsey escorted the doctor downstairs and then came back up, looking like he had something to say but hesitated, scratching his head, making Stella Grant’s temples throb.

"Assistant Lindsey, do you have something to say?" Stella Grant couldn’t stand the suspense any longer.

Keegan Lindsey took a deep breath, mustering up the biggest courage of his life, his voice trembling slightly.

"Ma’am..."

He paused, seeing Stella Grant’s expressionless face, steeled himself.

"President Fordham... isn’t lightly injured this time, the doctor cleaned his wound and gave him a fever-reducing shot, could you... stay and take care of him for a few days?"

Having said it, Keegan Lindsey nervously swallowed, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Stella Grant’s eyebrows furrowed into a character "川", but she remained silent.

The atmosphere grew even more stagnant.

Seeing this, Keegan Lindsey panicked and quickly added.

"I know it’s difficult for you, but President Fordham this time might... might..."

Can’t say it, definitely can’t say it.

He forcefully choked the cruel truth down his throat, a pain swelling in his chest.

"President Fordham promised the old master to bring you back safe and sound. In his current state, there’s no way he can return to Meritopia anytime soon."

"After you go back, Madam, don’t mention to the old master that he’s injured. Just let him fend for himself here, anyway... he’s planning to kick me out too."

Keegan said, his head drooping, with a tone of being abandoned like a stray dog.

Stella Grant’s heart inexplicably softened a bit.

Coming to Mardale this time, he saved her three times, and each was life-threatening, which led to these injuries.

At this moment, Keegan took the opportunity to pull out a delicate small box from his pocket, presenting it with both hands, as if holding an invaluable treasure.

"Madam, have a look at this!"

Stella suspiciously accepted it and opened it.

Inside lay a note quietly, with her signature on it.

It was the promise she casually wrote for him after he helped fend off a hacker attack.

What did she say back then? Something like "Owe you a favor, will return it in the future."

On the note, a line of bold and assertive handwriting, filled with an undeniable dominance:

"I hope you can stay and celebrate my birthday with me!"

Yes, his birthday is late next month, about 25 days away.

But she didn’t know, he wouldn’t make it to that day.

Stella’s fingers holding the note tightened slightly.

She took a deep breath, as if making a major decision, "Prepare the guest room."

"Alright! Alright!"

Keegan was so excited he almost leaped in the air, nodding repeatedly, his smile even brighter than the sun in Mardale.

...

Early the next morning.

Stella paused her steps when she came downstairs.

A tall figure emerged from the kitchen.

Aiden Fordham was holding a white porcelain plate with two poached eggs on it, not very well-shaped, but at least not burnt.

His loungewear sleeves were casually rolled up, revealing a section of strong, muscular forearm with smooth and defined lines.

Stella blinked hard, doubting if she was still dreaming.

Aiden Fordham? Kitchen? Poached eggs?

How did these words even fit together?

The scene was too surreal.

Seeing her, Aiden’s previously tense expression relaxed, his voice carrying the distinct huskiness of early morning, yet still gentle.

"Come, have breakfast."

Stella’s gaze fell on the dining table.

A bowl of what seemed like long-simmered meat porridge, a few green vegetables beside it, and those two... well, uniquely shaped poached eggs.

She walked over, pulled out a chair, and incredulously asked, "Did you make all these?"

Aiden placed the poached eggs in front of her, speaking with an air of nonchalance.

"The housemaid took leave, so I tried my hand at it."

He paused, adding, "It looks alright."

In the corner, Keegan’s mouth twitched. Tried his hand? That was the result of battling from five in the morning to eight.

Poor him, forced to taste over a dozen eggs.

Never in this lifetime does he want anything to do with "eggs" again, he thought, suddenly hit by a wave of nausea.

Stella sat quietly, picked up a piece of poached egg, and tried it. Wow, it was soft-boiled!

"Not bad!" she nodded, showing some satisfaction.

Never thought she’d ever eat a poached egg made by The Great President Fordham in this life.

"Try this meat porridge." Aiden served her half a bowl, setting it in front of her.

Stella picked up a spoon, took a sip, the taste was decent.

"I never understood why those ordinary couples wake up to make breakfast for their beloved until I felt it myself." He said calmly, appearing indifferent, yet deeply moved.

At this moment, he truly understood what simple happiness was.

Perhaps it’s a bowl of porridge in the morning, an afternoon rain, or maybe this... Unsightly but somewhat tasty poached egg.

"Clang!" The spoon clattered against the bowl.

Stella put down the spoon, looking at him seriously, "Aiden Fordham, I’m staying to take care of you just out of gratitude for saving me... Nothing else!"

She got up, adding, "We’re no longer a couple, you don’t have to do these meaningless things."

Her tone was distant, as she turned to leave.

Aiden watched her back, feeling a heaviness in his heart. Only now he realized how deep the wound he left in her heart was.

That bowl of porridge, she only had one sip.

He forced himself to take a sip of the porridge too, unexpectedly tasteless as water, without any flavor.

"Keegan!"

Keegan rushed out from the corner, "President Fordham, you called?"

He placed the untouched bowl of porridge in front of him, "Try this porridge, think I forgot the salt?"

Keegan quickly took a couple of sips, chewing carefully, then spoke, "No, tastes just right, not salty or bland."

Aiden’s eyes widened in shock, rushing into the kitchen, taking the white vinegar bottle and downed it.

Still, plain as water, he realized his sense of taste had disappeared.

Just like his life, gradually fading away... Suddenly, a strange sensation hit, his eyes turned fierce, and his temples throbbed.

Keegan stepped forward and nervously said, "President Fordham, are you alright? Madam, could it be she’s still troubled by the child’s issue?"

"Then I’ll give her another child."

His tone was cold, a surge of uncontrollable anger rising within him, striding upstairs.