CHAPTER 16: CHAPTER 16: SHE ATTRACTS HIM EVERY MOMENT

He stood at the very front, his burning gaze fixed on Stella Grant on the stage, his heart uncontrollably restless.

He had never known that Stella Grant could play the piano!

To play the piano blind, even international maestros might not achieve such a level.

Might not... play with such soul-shaking impact!

She is undoubtedly a musical genius!

Aiden Fordham felt as if he was meeting Stella Grant all over again.

This woman he once ignored and dismissed actually shone with such a dazzling light!

In the audience, Andy Lockwood’s eyes blazed with heat. So many years had passed since he’d last heard her music.

As the piece ended, Stella Grant slowly opened her eyes. Her long lashes fluttered gently like the wings of a butterfly—breathtakingly beautiful.

The whole room was silent. Everyone was still immersed in the lingering music and song, unable to come back to their senses for a long time.

Suddenly, enthusiastic applause erupted, with all kinds of praises echoing in the air above.

Marianne’s eyes were wet as she walked to Stella Grant and spoke in excited French:

"You played so well! Thank you, for helping me complete the performance."

Stella Grant offered only a gentle smile.

Marianne took Stella’s hand proactively, and the two of them left the stage shoulder to shoulder, accepting the crowd’s applause and cheers.

Just then, Marianne’s husband and Aiden Fordham came forward together.

Mr. Berry said something to Stella Grant in French:

"Thank you very much for helping my wife."

Aiden Fordham was about to help translate when, to his surprise, Stella Grant replied in fluent French:

"Mr. Berry, you’re too kind. I really love Marianne’s songs. To be able to perform on the same stage is my honor."

This woman...

Aiden’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

He watched the woman before him; fluent, precise French pouring from her rosy lips, carrying a unique rhythm.

She actually knows French?

And... she directly called Mr. Berry by name, clearly aware that he was the F-Country’s ambassador—a man of great importance to The Fordham Group.

Just how many secrets does she have that he doesn’t know?

She’s like a lavishly-bound forbidden book—knowing opening it could bring ruin, yet unable to resist the urge to discover what’s inside.

Damn enticing!

Marianne embraced her, profusely grateful:

"Darling, thank you so much. I hope someday you’ll come to F-Country so I can host you properly."

Stella Grant gave a faint smile. "There’ll definitely be a chance. I really like F-Country."

Suddenly, Mr. Berry turned to Aiden Fordham and asked:

"Chase, is this beautiful lady your distinguished wife?"

Aiden Fordham was just about to reply when a cold, forbidding voice rang out.

"She’s my date: Miss Grant, Mr. Berry."

Andy Lockwood appeared just in time, a big hand gently wrapping around Stella Grant’s fragrant shoulders.

Aiden Fordham felt as if, right at the moment of victory, he’d suddenly been checkmated and lost a key piece—a jarring sensation.

Corinne Kensington suddenly walked over, taking his arm, and said:

"Aiden, let’s go to the deck to watch the fireworks."

Seeing Andy Lockwood and Mr. Berry chatting happily, they excused themselves from the small group.

Soon, thunderous sounds erupted in the sky.

The fireworks had begun, and the guests gradually made their way outdoors.

In the night sky, "bang, bang, bang"—deafening explosions, brilliant fireworks like giant colored blossoms, blooming fiercely against the deep dark night.

Orange, emerald, dazzling purple, gold... Countless sparks trailed long tails, intertwining and exploding, lighting up the entire sea as bright as day—like a dream.

The boat launching the fireworks was about three nautical miles from the main Fordham Group cruise ship.

This distance was just right—far enough to escape the main ship’s noise, yet close enough to take in the dazzling panorama of fireworks, like enjoying a flowing, spectacular giant painting.

"Wow, so beautiful!"

"Take a picture, quick! This angle is perfect!"

Guests lifted their phones one after another, a chorus of shutters clicking as they tried to immortalize this ultimate romance and extravagance.

In the sky above, The Fordham Group’s drone fleet circled silently, like loyal eyes, recording every splendid moment from all angles.

Corinne Kensington was like a peacock finally allowed to display her feathers, nearly melting into Aiden Fordham’s solid chest.

She tilted her face upward, eyes shining brighter than the fireworks.

It was an emotion mixed with excitement, infatuation, and wish fulfillment.

"Aiden, look, it’s so beautiful..."

Her voice held a deliberate charm and tremor.

Just then, a waiter passed by with a tray; Corinne’s quick hands snatched up two glasses of golden champagne.

She turned, offering one to Aiden Fordham, her burning eyes locking onto his.

"Aiden," she drew a deep breath, her tone earnest to the extreme.

"Before... I was so foolish, so immature.

When you were at your lowest, when you needed someone most, I... I left you behind for that so-called bullshit career."

She paused, as though weighing her words, or perhaps recalling a less-than-glorious past.

"Actually, I wanted... I thought only if I became strong enough—stood high enough—would I be qualified and capable to come back and help you, instead of being a burden."

Her eyes reddened, her voice choking up.

"Luckily, fate was kind to me. Today... I’m once again the one standing beside you."

Aiden Fordham looked at her, the corners of his lips curving into a faint smile, deep affection still in his eyes.

"I don’t blame you. As long as you behave, you can have everything you want."

Everything?

Corinne Kensington’s emotions instantly soared to the peak!

Was that his promise?

Tonight, she was going to give herself to him, here on this romantic sea.

She raised her glass, eyes steady and filled with anticipation.

"Aiden, may we... last forever."

"Clink—"

The crisp sound of glasses meeting was especially clear, set against the background of fireworks.

The two of them tipped their heads back and drained their champagne in one go.

Corinne Kensington set down her glass, content as she nestled against him again, as if wanting to forever embed herself in his life.

Just then, Aiden Fordham’s phone vibrated abruptly in his pocket.

He frowned slightly, took out his phone to check the display, and said to Corinne Kensington:

"I’ll be back in a moment."

With that, he turned and walked toward a relatively quiet corner by the ship’s railing.

On the other end of the call, Keegan Lindsey’s voice was rapid as he reported something.

Aiden Fordham listened silently, his deep eyes gradually turning cold, like tempered ice.

He hung up and stood where he was, his sharp gaze intentionally scanning and searching the crowd on the deck.

Vivi Sterling was not far away, chatting and laughing with several socialites.

Abraham Grant was holding a wine glass, speaking quietly in a corner with another beauty.

But... Stella Grant was nowhere to be seen.

The woman who could so easily stir his emotions had simply vanished at this moment.

Wait—Andy Lockwood was also missing.

Those two...

A thought raced uncontrollably through Aiden Fordham’s mind.

Where were they? Did they sneak away in the excitement to some secret, hidden corner for a rendezvous?