CHAPTER 77: CHAPTER 77: LET’S NOT PART FOR NOW

The next morning, Aiden Fordham came downstairs. Not seeing Corinne Kensington around, he felt an inexplicable sense of relief.

Keegan Lindsey walked over. "Good morning, President Fordham. The restaurant’s almost finished renovations. Would you like to go take a look?"

Aiden was in a surprisingly good mood; apparently, last night’s dream had healed something inside him.

"Not today. You go oversee things. Pick an auspicious day next week for opening. Arrange for all the media, I want it to cause a city-wide sensation."

Keegan’s eyes lit up, and he quickly said, "President Fordham, let’s make it next Wednesday. That’s a fantastic date."

Aiden looked at him, confused. "Next Wednesday?"

"Yes, next Wednesday..." He quickly glanced around, then spoke up, "It’s Mrs. Fordham’s birthday! Two reasons to celebrate!"

Stella Grant’s birthday? Aiden was clearly surprised; he’d never celebrated her birthday before.

"Alright, next Wednesday it is. Make the arrangements. I want a grand ceremony."

He’d finally realized what mattered to him. Stella Grant... was important!

He’d made up his mind—on opening day, he’d invite all the city’s elite, and also offer an apology. Maybe she’d forgive him!

All those things he’d never done with her—first dates, first movies, birthdays, first confessions—he wanted to experience them all together!

Just thinking about it made him a little excited!

Noon, restaurant downstairs at the Lockwood Group’s headquarters.

Stella Grant and Cindy Chandler were having lunch, discussing their afternoon work schedule.

Suddenly, a small commotion erupted at the restaurant entrance.

A woman in a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses walked in, tall, with striking presence.

Someone whispered, "Isn’t that Corinne Kensington?"

"Oh my god, it really is the A-lister!"

Before anyone could react, several bodyguards in black quickly stepped forward, politely but firmly clearing a path, ushering a few tables of diners away.

Corinne Kensington walked straight to Stella Grant’s table, took off her sunglasses, revealing a delicate face with a hint of arrogance.

Her scarlet nails tapped lightly on the tabletop.

"Stella Grant, let’s talk alone."

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an unmistakable authority.

Cindy Chandler saw the situation and immediately found an excuse. "Senior, I’ll head back upstairs!"

She made a hasty exit.

Stella Grant lifted her gaze, calmly met Corinne’s eyes, then glanced at her watch.

"You’ve got five minutes. I have work this afternoon."

Corinne swept her hair aside, deliberately revealing a few suggestive red marks on her neck.

Stella Grant knew exactly what those meant.

"Aiden and I are living together now." Corinne said, her tone full of bragging, lips curled in a smug smile.

"He’s really not gentle at all—and so... intense."

She paused, watching Stella’s face, then added fuel to the fire, "He went at it five or six times last night. Nearly wore me out."

Stella Grant picked up her water glass, took a sip, her expression unchanging.

"Get to the point."

Corinne’s smug look froze, quickly replaced by a sharp edge.

"The point is, Aiden doesn’t love you anymore! You just won’t let him go. Don’t you have any shame?"

"Isn’t Andy Lockwood already around you? Here’s a tip: back off from Aiden!"

"Hurry up and get those divorce papers done! Don’t stand in the way of our marriage!"

Stella Grant set down her glass, her lips curling into a cold, indifferent smile.

"Then do me a favor and get Aiden to come with me to the civil affairs bureau. Otherwise, you’ll never be the legitimate one."

"At best, you’re just the side chick nobody admits to."

"You—!" Corinne was so furious her face turned pale, took a deep breath to block her anger.

She changed the subject, trying to regain control.

"Aiden built a restaurant for me, you know? It’s named ’Stellaria.’ Just the renovations cost three hundred million, and he planted lilies everywhere—my favorite. It’s almost like a fairyland."

"It’s going to be the place for us celebrities and socialites to gather."

She lifted her chin, voice laced with arrogance, "Hope you won’t show up at the opening. You’re not worthy."

At the mention of "Whisperwind," Stella’s eyes flickered, almost imperceptibly.

Whisperwind?

Coregarde?

Ha, that bastard—he’s got a whole routine for romance! How come she’d never known he was the romantic type?

She glanced at her watch again. "Time’s up."

Stella picked up her bag and left, her movements crisp and decisive.

Corinne watched Stella’s unhesitating retreat, dazed for a moment, then flashed a triumphant smile.

Aiden built a restaurant for her—no doubt about it. Keegan’s been overseeing renovations lately!

He must worry about her, a celebrity, having trouble eating out.

He does care about her—absolutely!

Stella Grant returned to the Lockwood Group, sank against the lounge sofa, rubbing her temples.

She was exhausted.

This afternoon, she still had to meet with agents.

Once this busy stretch was over, she ought to head off to F-Country.

Meritopia... would soon be just a memory.

2:30 p.m., Lockwood Group, reception room.

Stella Grant opened the door, paused in her tracks at the sight of the man at the conference table.

Aiden Fordham?

What’s he doing here?

He looked sharp in his suit, seemed to be in great spirits—a picture of self-satisfaction.

Ha! Must’ve had a satisfying night!

Stella sat across from him, her voice tinged with businesslike coolness and irony.

"Fordham Group run out of staff? The Great President Fordham has to deliver documents himself?"

This was their first meeting in an official business setting.

Aiden looked at her, a subtle, almost imperceptible smile on his lips.

"Some things need a personal touch. Shows sincerity."

He shot a look at Keegan, who immediately handed over a file.

Stella took it, not sparing Aiden a glance, and began reading carefully.

Aiden’s eyes lingered on her focused profile—the way her eyebrows knit, the way her slender fingers skimmed the pages.

This woman, working seriously, was outrageously captivating.

Suddenly, Stella stopped, picked up the red pen, and drew two marks on the file.

"There are two mistakes here."

Her voice was clear and cool.

"This product batch number’s wrong—it’s a repeat of the previous batch."

"And this chemical equation for the reduction is off—your balancing’s wrong."

She looked up, met Aiden’s eyes, closed the file, and pushed it back.

"Sorry, President Fordham. Please revise and resubmit."

A hint of admiration flickered in Aiden’s gaze; these two mistakes had been left there deliberately.

He hadn’t expected her to spot them, and so precisely.

God N’s chosen one, indeed extraordinary.

He darkened his expression, turning to Keegan, voice stern.

"Take it back and fix it! Be careless like this again and you’re fired!"

Keegan: "..."

"Yes, President Fordham!"

Another bullet dodged!

He hurried over, picked up the file, and slipped away.

Stella Grant looked at Aiden, issuing a clear dismissal.

"I have several more agents waiting. President Fordham, suit yourself."

Aiden got to his feet, but didn’t leave immediately.

He walked over to her, tall figure exuding pressure, eyes deep as if trying to pull her in.

"Stella Grant."

His voice was low, filled with some undefinable emotion.

"If you’re not ready to let me go, we don’t have to part—at least for now."