CHAPTER 141: CHAPTER 141: THEIR WEDDING

Keegan quickly picked up his phone, his whole body trembling uncontrollably.

Stella noticed his unusual behavior and casually asked, "What’s wrong?"

His tongue was tied, "Madam, I... I’m cold, I’ll go get a jacket."

Stella looked at him, a grown man afraid of the cold, feeling a bit amused.

"Go ahead, go ahead."

Keegan waved over a servant to assist the lady with dinner, while he himself rushed like the wind to the back building.

The back building is where the bodyguards and servants reside.

He prayed frantically in his heart: President Fordham, you absolutely can’t be in trouble! Absolutely not! That old professor will be here in two days, you must hold on!

Back at the small building, three doctors were performing emergency procedures on Aiden Fordham, even using adrenaline.

Keegan dared not breathe heavily, shrinking silently into a corner, squatting down with fists clenched tightly, eyes reddening as he swallowed tears silently.

After a while, the heart monitor’s despairing straight line finally resumed to a fluctuating curve.

Several doctors simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.

Keegan, as if receiving a pardon, rushed over, "Doctor, how is President Fordham?"

The leading doctor took off his mask, sighed heavily, his voice exhausted,

"The toxins in President Fordham’s body have started to attack his heart and lungs. If an antidote can’t be found soon, even divine intervention might not help."

Pausing, the doctor added, "Mainly, President Fordham previously suffered a gunshot wound, which severely depleted his energy, allowing the toxins to spread so rapidly."

Keegan stayed in the small building for over half an hour before returning to the garden, lost and forlorn.

Stella had already returned to the main house to rest.

That night, he stayed by Aiden Fordham’s bedside, not daring to leave.

Aiden Fordham only woke up in the middle of the night.

He was unaware that his heart had stopped.

Keegan explained what happened to him, his gaze deepened, evidently not quite believing such a life-threatening event.

After a long time, he got up, stood by the window, lit a cigarette, and stared blankly at the garden full of lilies.

It seemed he was contemplating something!

In the morning, Stella got up, still not seeing any trace of Aiden Fordham.

The car sent by Zeno was already waiting at the villa entrance, and Keegan accompanied her to the castle.

No one knew how she managed to detoxify.

When she emerged, her face was slightly pale, her steps somewhat unsteady.

At this moment, Aiden Fordham was standing by the car waiting for her, followed by ten bodyguards in black, exuding a powerful aura.

He looked somewhat haggard, wearing a dark suit that outlined his broad shoulders and slim waist, exuding a cold and noble restraint.

He stepped forward, gently pulling her into his arms, "Are you tired?"

Stella calmly uttered a word, "Hungry!"

"I’ll take you to eat." He lightly patted her back, speaking with such tenderness it might drip water.

The previous dissatisfaction seemed long dissipated.

Zeno walked out at this moment, seeing the two intimately hugging, his gaze deepened, barely suppressing his fire, or rather, killing intent.

Aiden Fordham, seeing Zeno, tightened his jawline, voice iced, "It’s time I settle things now."

He raised his voice, commanding towards the castle, "Get up there, break Cillian’s hands for me!"

Stella looked up at him in shock; this man... she just saved!

Zeno seeing the situation, nearly scared witless, quickly ran out, almost kneeling:

"President Fordham! President Fordham! My brother’s body is still very weak, if he offended you in any way before, I beg you, show mercy, please, don’t hurt him!"

Aiden Fordham glanced at him coldly, his tone indisputable, "He touched someone he shouldn’t have, now he must suffer!"

Turning to say, "Miss West agreed to something; I hope you can fulfill it."

Indeed, the price for detoxifying Cillian was the annulment of the three-month companionship agreement.

Zeno looked at him sadly, nodded, "I understand."

Aiden Fordham paid her no mind, escorting Stella into the car.

The bodyguards, well-trained, dashed into the castle.

Zeno followed in fear.

In the car, Aiden Fordham tightly held Stella’s shoulder, his chin resting on the top of her head, his voice carrying a faint hoarseness, "I’m sorry for the hardship you’ve endured."

Stella indeed felt a bit dizzy, leaning lightly on his shoulder, "I’ll rest for a bit."

The car drove smoothly, about half an hour later, they reached the destination.

It was a picturesque little village scattered with many antique-styled dwellings.

On a large meadow, a lively group wedding was taking place, with a central ancient tree that seemed to be hundreds of years old, adorned with many red Wishing Balls.

The bride and groom were dressed in festive attire, engaging in some sacred ritual.

Stella and Aiden Fordham exited the car, looking at the lively scene, their eyes lit up.

"What is this?"

Keegan stepped forward to explain, "Madam, this is Mardale’s traditional wedding. Today just happens to be the wedding of a group deputy, so we’re attending the wedding banquet to share in the joy.

Why don’t you and President Fordham change into something more festive? We’ve prepared outfits that are more cheerful."

Keegan finished, taking two carefully wrapped gift boxes from the trunk.

Aiden Fordham gently held her hand, guiding her towards the main house.

Suddenly there were many people gathered to observe, men and women, young and old, all dressed festively, wearing flower crowns.

When Stella and Aiden Fordham emerged from the main house again, they instantly attracted everyone’s attention.

They were dressed in the local-style white attire, primarily in pure white, with exquisite red and gold embroidered edges at the cuffs and collars, depicting vivid Seven-color Fruit and various joyful birds.

It’s truly beautiful!

The man standing tall and handsome, the woman graceful and exquisite, overshadowing even the ten couples who were meticulously dressed.

As they walked out, the ten couples spontaneously made way for them.

Beside the ancient tree, an elderly woman with silvery hair, supported by two young girls, approached with trembling steps.

The elderly woman stopped before them, murmuring a string of words entirely foreign to Stella’s understanding, circling them three times slowly, as if performing some ancient blessing ritual.

Aiden Fordham whispered into her ear, "This is the local High Priest, responsible for blessing all the guests attending the wedding feast."

Stella was a bit surprised—guests could receive such privileges?

With so many guests, how many times would the elderly woman have to turn around!

Next, the High Priest picked up an ancient-looking Holy Grail, gently pouring the Holy Water onto them.

Instinctively, Stella tilted her head to avoid it.

Aiden Fordham raised his hand, softly blocking the splashing droplets, then tenderly wiping the water off her hair tips with his fingertips, flashing a smile full of deep affection at her.

After a while, the elderly woman signaled to those beside her to bring up a velvet box, saying a few words, pointing to the sky, and jumping twice.

Aiden whispered again in her ear, "The priest says this is a blessing gift from the heavens, wishing you peace and success."

She nodded and softly said, "Thank you!"

So diligent!

The box opened to reveal a necklace lying quietly inside, its pendant a finely cut pink stone ring, so beautiful it dazzled the eyes.

Aiden Fordham picked up the necklace, personally fastening it around her snow-white neck.

"Do you like it?" he asked.

"It’s very beautiful!" she nodded once more, lightly touching the cool pendant at her chest with her fingertip.

She didn’t know this was the ten-billion-dollar pink diamond, engraved with the letters GXN.

The elderly woman smilingly handed them bracelets made of Seven-color Fruit.

Indicating for them to wear them on their wrists together, they each carefully helped the other to put them on.

Aiden suddenly leaned close to her ear, his breath warm,

"Now, I’m going to pretend to kiss you, and the ceremony will be complete. Otherwise, when we eat, we can’t sit at the main table."

Stella hadn’t had time to rebut when he slightly lowered his head, gently imprinting a kiss on the corner of her lips.

It was a fleeting touch, yet assertive and inescapable.

The surrounding guests cheered immediately, throwing the flower petals they held into the air.

Some elders and children rushed to the Wishing Tree, tossing their red Wishing Balls onto the ancient tree.

The warm and wonderful scene instantly elevated the wedding atmosphere to its peak, suffusing the air with the fragrance of happiness.

Keegan Lindsey approached with a tray, on which lay a red and green Wishing Ball.

"President Fordham, you and Madam should also throw a Wishing Ball for prosperity."

Aiden turned his head to see her, Stella happily nodding.

Aiden gently twisted the red and green Wishing Ball together and handed it to her.

Then standing behind her, he gently embraced her, his large hand enveloping her small one, and with a vigorous throw, the pair of balls hung steadily on the tree.

The ten couples laughed and led them to the center of the venue, inviting them to dance together.

Stella was instantly infected by the atmosphere of this joyful and unique wedding.

Aiden Fordham held her hand, dancing joyfully in a group dance with everyone.

Watching her radiant smile blossom on her face, that pure, heartfelt happy expression, the corners of Aiden Fordham’s lips involuntarily lifted.

It was beautiful!

In the crowd, a pair of sharp eyes focused on Stella.

"Aiden Fordham, how dare you?" he gritted each word with venom.

Indeed, this was Mardale’s authentic marriage ceremony; today was a meticulously planned wedding, the last gift from Aiden to her, the final sentiment.

And she knew nothing!

After dancing and finishing the feast, it was afternoon, and Aiden Fordham hugged Stella and walked out.

At this time, she was somewhat drunk.

She squinted her eyes, turned her head to look at his handsome face, and said, "Aiden Fordham, how much... did you give as a gift, add mine to it... today’s wedding... happy!"

Aiden Fordham reached out, encircling her slender waist, whispering softly, "Gave a lot of money, bought lots of blessings, much happiness, many memories!"

Stella tried hard to open her eyes wide, extending her little hand, constantly counting, "Aiden Fordham, I know... a lot of your... secrets. I also have a... big secret... to tell you."

Aiden’s eyes lit up, bringing his ear close to her mouth, "What secret, hmm?"

"Remember... the big shark? You were... going to be eaten, I... pulled you... up."

She ended with a giggle, burying her head in his neck, her breath warming his skin, tickling!

Aiden Fordham froze for a moment, then dismissed it with a laugh.

Big shark, eating him? He regarded it as her talking in dreams, rambling nonsense.

"I want... to go... to the bathroom."

"Alright, I’ll go with you." Aiden Fordham picked her up quickly heading to the main house.

He stood by the window not far from the bathroom, smoking, his face marked with lingering happiness.

After a long time, she hadn’t come out, he went over to knock on the door.

No response, could she have fainted?

His heart skipped a beat, pushing the door open, only to find the bathroom deserted.

"Stella!"

He was startled, sweat breaking out all over, rushing out...