CHAPTER 69: CHAPTER 69: THE GLOBAL SUMMIT HAS BEGUN

He dialed back to Keegan Lindsey, his voice frighteningly deep.

"Vivi Sterling’s number."

Keegan didn’t dare delay and immediately reported a string of numbers.

Aiden Fordham dialed.

The phone rang a few times and was picked up.

Before Aiden could speak, Vivi’s angry scolding came roaring through.

"Aiden Fordham! How dare you call me?"

"I must have been blind to have believed your nonsense back then!"

Vivi’s voice was tinged with sobs, sharp and furious.

"You said you could take good care of Stella! And now? She’s more hurt than last time! If you want to be Corinne Kensington’s knight, then don’t bother Stella any more!"

"You’re such a bastard! I spit on you!"

She cursed wildly, her emotions high, giving Aiden no chance to speak.

After a while, she hung up the phone angrily.

Aiden held his phone, listening to the busy tone, his face expressionless, but the air around him was terrifyingly tense.

The phone vibrated.

It was a message from Keegan, an address.

Andy Lockwood’s private villa.

Aiden glanced at it, said nothing, and quickly walked out, his steps fast and urgent.

Imperial View Unit One.

One of Meritopia’s top luxury districts, every inch worth its weight in gold. He also kept two penthouses there.

Aiden’s car sped to a screeching halt outside the ornate iron gates of one of the villas.

The guard at the entrance stopped him directly, "Sir, who are you looking for?"

Aiden ignored him completely, shouting inside.

"Stella Grant!"

"Stella Grant! Are you in there?"

"I know you’re in there! Come out! I want to see you!"

His voice carried urgency and a hint of indistinguishable panic, echoing in the spacious courtyard.

"Stella Grant! Answer me!"

Before his shout could fade, the villa’s main door opened, and Andy Lockwood walked out.

He wore casual home attire, hands in his pockets, and a slight mocking smile on his lips, though his entire demeanor radiated an icy aura that deterred strangers.

"Whoa, what wind blew President Fordham here?"

Seeing him, a flame of anger ignited in Aiden’s eyes. Without a word, he lunged forward and grabbed Andy’s collar.

"Andy Lockwood!"

The guards nearby immediately moved to intervene.

Andy lifted his hand, signaling them to back off.

He looked down at Aiden’s hand gripping his collar and chuckled lightly.

"President Fordham, why such a temper?"

"Give Stella Grant back to me!" Aiden gritted his teeth, speaking clearly and firmly.

He didn’t know why he was so worried about Stella’s injury, but wherever Stella went, it couldn’t be with this man.

This man was a wolf in sheep’s clothing... always coveting her.

Andy’s smile deepened, laced with unapologetic mockery.

"President Fordham, when you chose to be the knight for your beloved last night, didn’t you consider this outcome?"

"Hmm?" He tilted his head slightly, leaning closer to Aiden, "Since you’ve already made your choice, picking your Lover, don’t come bothering Stella anymore."

"Unless..." Andy’s gaze suddenly turned cold, "you want her to get hurt again."

The veins on Aiden’s forehead twitched.

"This is between my wife and me; it’s none of your business!"

He shoved Andy away forcefully and shouted towards the villa again.

"Stella Grant! Come out!"

"I need to talk to you! Stella Grant!"

His voice penetrated the thick walls, faintly reaching the second-floor bedroom.

On the large bed, Stella had been sleeping soundly.

In a daze, she heard that familiar yet heart-wrenching voice.

Her body stiffened, stunned.

In the next second, she turned over sharply, pulling the thick duvet to cover her head.

Sealing off that disturbing sound completely.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Andy enjoyed watching him lose his calm, devoid of any composure expected from a top tycoon.

"President Fordham, rest assured, I’ll take good care of Stella, including... helping her wash up!"

Upon hearing this, Aiden’s fist had already swung...

After a while, Andy finally entered the hall.

His clothes were disheveled, his lip and the corner of his eye showing slight bruises, evidence that he had another "friendly exchange" with Aiden outside.

Neither had gained the upper hand.

Yet, Andy’s mood was exceptionally good.

He walked to the bar, took a crystal decanter, and poured himself a glass of amber liquor.

Tilting his head back, he drank it all in one gulp.

The spicy liquid slid down his throat, bringing a burning sensation.

He smirked, revealing a slightly wild smile.

Aiden Fordham...

This is just the beginning!

...

The next day, Aiden Fordham arrived at Imperial View Unit One again.

With only two days left before the summit, Andy was undoubtedly busy with hosting matters.

Sure enough, Andy’s car left Imperial View Unit One at eight-thirty in the morning.

Three luxury cars arrived at the villa’s entrance, and four guards stopped him. Aiden’s eight guards charged forward, quickly subduing them.

He hurriedly entered the house.

"Stella Grant." He anxiously searched the second floor, but after looking through all the rooms, she was nowhere to be found.

"Andy Lockwood!" Aiden’s eyes brimmed with anger, and he punched the wall with a muffled sound.

Andy had anticipated this move and had already prepared countermeasures.

The Fordham Group’s president’s office.

Aiden stood at the floor-to-ceiling window, staring at the apartment not far away, as if willing it to bleed.

He kept exhaling rings of smoke, looking somewhat haggard.

These past two days, he felt utterly lost.

Apart from thinking about that woman, he had no desire for anything, not even going to Corinne Kensington’s place.

The online rumors had long been handled.

The Fordham Group’s legal team directly sued the media outlet that issued the latest report, making everyone in the industry on edge.

Keegan knocked and entered, "President Fordham, it’s time to go."

Aiden didn’t move. He had originally anticipated meeting God N.

But right now, he felt indifferent.

"Today is the opening day of the Global Medical Summit, perhaps your wife will attend too!"

Aiden finally regained his spirit and entered the lounge, tidying his appearance, immediately restoring his elegant and noble demeanor!

Keegan: "..."

The Global Medical Summit finally unfolded.

Outside Meritopia’s largest exhibition hall, the crowd surged like the Spring Festival transport rush.

Security was tight at the entrance, police maintaining order, the flashing police lights silently indicating the event’s scale.

Those entering the main venue held VIP tickets, supposedly in short supply, limited to two per company.

The 6,000-seat lecture venue was packed.

Outside, two large circular exhibition areas were filled with neatly organized booths.

These were the companies that succeeded in the bid, showcasing their cutting-edge products and technology.

Rumor has it that an 18-square-meter booth was already priced at a sky-high rate of millions.

And the Fordham Group’s booth was extravagantly luxurious.

Located at the most prominent entrance, covering a massive 360 square meters, it was the largest in the venue, exuding grandeur.

Aiden Fordham was alone, pacing near the VIP staff entrance of the venue.

His sharply defined brows carried a hint of subtle agitation, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the entrance.

Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks.

In his sight appeared a familiar figure that made his heart race.

His eyes instantly brightened.

Stella Grant was walking alongside Andy Lockwood...