CHAPTER 151: CHAPTER 151: HE WANTS HER

The laboratory equipment was relatively simple, but top-notch, featuring functions such as biological extraction, insulation, and cultivation.

Stella Grant stood in front of the whiteboard and said seriously, "The plant component extraction we need to do in the lab is a very simple preliminary task. There are 24 types of plants in total, each of you will be assigned four types, and you only have 5 days."

After extraction, integrate it with my formula along with two special solutions. If the data meets the standards, it’s considered a success."

Applause erupted. Being able to experiment with God N was immensely valuable.

Keegan Lindsey stepped forward and announced solemnly, "President Fordham stated that whoever successfully completes the task will be hired as a lifetime consultant at The Fordham Group’s laboratory in Country S, with an annual salary not less than ten million."

"Those who do not complete the task will also receive a five million reward. Hope everyone seizes this opportunity."

Lifetime! Ten million!

Upon hearing this news, everyone was visibly excited, feeling incredibly lucky to be selected here, and if they could be hired as a lifetime consultant at The Fordham Group.

They would wake up from their dreams with laughter!

Dr. Jane Jenkins stood at the back, with a slight smirk. She was well aware: Aiden Fordham was buying lives with money.

Just wait, the humiliation he brought upon her back then would be avenged!

Stella Grant instructed everyone to rest; in the evening, the materials needed for extraction would be delivered.

Everyone watched her leave with respect.

By the time Stella Grant returned to the villa, it was almost dusk.

Iris Summers had already arrived with another group, and the villa’s hall was bustling with chatter.

As soon as everyone saw her and Aiden Fordham, they all eagerly stood to greet them.

"Hello Miss Grant, hello President Fordham!"

Stella Grant scanned her gaze, the three doctors she specified were all present, plus one young face that caught her eye.

Leo Lynch!

Professor Franck’s youngest son, according to the hierarchy, he had to call her aunt.

"Leo!" She ran over in surprise, giving him a big hug.

Leo was very tall, a head taller than her. He hugged her back with a bright smile, "It’s been a long time, Stella."

He never called her aunt, only Stella, which seemed particularly intimate.

Aiden Fordham watched the two tightly embracing, his handsome face suddenly darkened, and the atmosphere around him suddenly became tense.

He took a few steps forward, subtly pulling Stella Grant away, naturally wrapping his arm around her waist, and said ambiguously, "I’m hungry."

The voice wasn’t loud, but it was clear to everyone present.

Everyone was momentarily stunned.

Wasn’t President Fordham divorced from Miss Grant?

This posture, this tone, no matter how you look at it... it seemed like an affectionate couple!

Keegan Lindsey hurried forward to save the situation, "Ladies and gentlemen, it’s been a long journey for all of you. The rooms are all arranged, and the welcome banquet is ready. I’ll take you to rest first."

Stella Grant broke free from Aiden Fordham’s hand and quickly instructed Keegan Lindsey, "Arrange the second laboratory on the fifth floor of the small building at the back. Just clear out two large rooms. The team members can stay on the sixth floor, there are exactly five rooms available."

She had inspected it; the small building at the back had a floor area of 1500 square meters, built over six floors. The bodyguards and servants lived on the lower three floors, and there was ample space.

Aiden Fordham’s face turned darker.

The small building was too close to the main villa. If that lad lived over there, wouldn’t it be cozy access?

He spoke in a deep voice, "This place is too small, inconvenient. Moreover, all important equipment has been installed in the villa down the mountain."

Diana Grant turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow, "Didn’t you say that for this research, I’m in charge of everything?"

Aiden Fordham’s Adam’s apple bobbed, meeting her clear yet slightly challenging gaze, and ultimately compromised, "Then let’s do as you say."

Keegan Lindsey quickly stepped forward again, "Everyone has worked hard, I’ll take you to your accommodations first."

Leo Lynch gave Aiden Fordham a meaningful glance, that look, was undisguisedly disdainful.

This man wasn’t worthy of Stella at all.

Aiden Fordham also naturally sensed that gaze, returning a look that said, "Are you even an adult? Daring to compete with me for her?"

Stella Grant didn’t pay attention to the unseen rivalry between the two men, turning to Aiden Fordham and saying,

"Weren’t you hungry? I’ll cook."

His palate had become quite picky, only eating what she cooked herself, ignoring the meals prepared by the servants.

Stella Grant walked into the kitchen.

The servant had already washed and cut all the ingredients as per her instructions.

Her right hand was still unable to touch water, so she extended her left hand, carefully placing the prepared ingredients into a stew pot.

She was making soup for him.

He had previously lost too much blood; his whole person seemed withered and needed a good nourishment.

Aiden Fordham watched her busying herself in the kitchen with one hand, and somewhere in his heart softened.

He quietly walked over, gently embracing her from behind, resting his chin on her neck.

His warm breath sprayed beside her ear, his voice low and gentle, "Your hand is injured, let me do it."

Stella Grant’s body stiffened for a moment, then relaxed, turning to look at him.

"Then you have to promise me, whether it’s made by me or the servants, you must finish everything, no picking on food, okay?"

She paused, adding, "I’ll be very busy in the coming days, might not be able to come over to cook for you on time every day."

Aiden Fordham was silent for a few seconds, feeling the soft body in his arms, uttering a low "Hmm," "Okay. But there has to be a reward."

"What reward?" Stella Grant asked.

He didn’t say anything, just turned her body to face him, then lowered his head to kiss her lips.

His eyes sparkled as he unexpectedly tasted a flavor, a hint of sweetness in her mouth.

...

At the same time, Vivi Sterling stood in front of the massive iron gates of Los Castle, the cold wind making her cheeks numb.

She had been waiting for a long time, but the people inside hadn’t come out to report, and the guards at the gate wouldn’t let her in.

She turned her head and coldly ordered the bodyguard next to her, "Rocco, beat them up for me!"

Alvin Fletcher was a bodyguard specially arranged for her by Zane Zimmerman, who was very skilled.

He nodded and signaled to the two bodyguards behind him.

The three of them, like tigers descending the mountain, instantly started fighting with the castle guards.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Vivi Sterling’s petite figure deftly slipped through the gaps and ran straight toward the castle door.

In front of the door, a black Maybach was parked silently.

Suddenly, from the castle door, a familiar tall figure walked out, falling into her sight.

Vivi Sterling’s steps halted.

Zane Zimmerman.

He was holding a woman in his arms.

The woman was wrapped in a soft thin blanket, revealing only her snowy round shoulder and a section of her arm, with ambiguous marks of varying depths spread across her neck.

The woman’s face was buried in Zane’s chest, indistinct, but the languid, weary yet satisfied expression was one Vivi Sterling knew all too well.

Once, Zane Zimmerman had held her like this, leaving the same marks on her.

This scene, like countless sharp needles, stabbed fiercely at her eyes, her heart aching intensely.

In vain she had worried about his safety, standing outside, chilled for two hours.

Zane, holding the woman, suddenly looked up, and his gaze met Vivi Sterling’s from not far away.

His eyes were calm, without any ripple, as if he hadn’t seen her, and he got into the waiting car with the woman in his arms, which quickly drove away.

Vivi Sterling stood where she was, staring at the car that was driving away, her expression frighteningly calm.

...

Late at night, the lights in the laboratory were still on.

In the evening, after the distribution of materials, the doctoral teams raced against time to engage in the experiment.

Stella Grant was responsible for the study of two toxins, one was the "Seven-color brocade," and the other was "Nine Days Warmth."

For Nine Days Warmth, she had to return to her master’s old house to obtain it.

Thinking of her master, her eyes dimmed.

She knew Andy Lockwood wouldn’t be crazy enough to hurt her master, but her master was so old, and dragged into this because of her, it made her heart ache intermittently.

After 11 o’clock, Stella Grant told everyone to go rest, while she stayed alone, still busy in the laboratory.

Sometimes checking the data on the precision instruments, rapidly taking notes.

After finishing, she wearily rubbed her eyebrows.

Suddenly, her body felt light, and she was lifted up horizontally.

She was startled, suddenly opening her eyes to find Aiden Fordham’s enlarged handsome face in front of her.

His face was expressionless, but his tone was domineering and irrefutable: "Go back and rest. I don’t intend to use your life to exchange for mine."

Stella Grant struggled a bit, "Put me down, I can walk by myself."

Aiden Fordham held her tighter, saying in a low voice, "It’s cold outside, I can block the wind for you."

She was somewhat speechless.

Out of the building, a bone-chilling north wind blew over, indeed very cold. She subconsciously shrank closer into his chest.

Back in the room, Stella Grant ran to take a shower, washing her hair as well.

When she came out, it was close to midnight.

Her face bore a deep fatigue, holding a towel, gently wiping her wet hair.

"Knock knock." The door was knocked.

Aiden Fordham entered, surprisingly holding a hairdryer.

He walked right up behind her, plugged it in, turned it on.

Warm air blew through her hair, his long fingers interweaving gently through her wet strands.

Stella Grant watched the scene in the dressing mirror, her heart quite moved.

In the mirror, he appeared gentle and focused.

In the past, when they were still married, she had fantasized about enjoying such meticulous service from him.

Unexpectedly, this scene actually occurred after their divorce.

The "buzz" of the hairdryer in the late night was somewhat noisy, also disturbing her mind.

When her hair was ninety percent dry, he unplugged the cord.

Stella Grant stood up, intending to go to bed.

But he held her tightly from behind, scattering searing kisses all over her neck, gently taking in her earlobe...

He used to kiss her like this, it was a dangerous signal.

The room was filled with ambiguous factors, scenes of past intimacy flooding her mind uncontrollably.

It had been a long time... since they had done it.

At this moment, Aiden Fordham longed for her desperately.

Stella Grant’s body was somewhat stiff, she tried to pull back her drifting rationality.

"Aiden Fordham, get out!" her voice carried a deliberate coldness.

Aiden Fordham seemed unaware, tightening his grip, lifting her horizontally, striding toward the bed.

```