CHAPTER 90: CHAPTER 90: PRESIDENT LOCKWOOD, LOVE ON THE FERRIS WHEEL

The night wind was a bit chilly.

Stella Grant walked aimlessly along the street.

The streetlight stretched her shadow long and solitary.

Suddenly, a black Maybach silently stopped beside her.

The car door opened.

Andy Lockwood stepped out from the driver’s seat.

He was tall, wearing a perfectly tailored black suit that accentuated his slender figure, broad shoulders, and narrow waist.

The night outlined his clear features, his jawline tight.

He walked up to her in a few steps, his deep gaze landing on her face.

"Why are your eyes red?"

His voice was low, with an undeniable tone.

Stella instinctively turned her face away.

"Let’s go," Andy said succinctly. "I’ll take you somewhere."

He looked at her, adding, "It’s your birthday today, I’ll spend it with you."

Before Stella could react, her wrist was gently held by him, leading her to the back seat.

His palm was dry and warm, with an irresistible strength.

They drove in silence.

The car finally stopped beneath Meritopia’s landmark building—a towering Ferris wheel.

Neon lights flickered, the giant wheel turned slowly, like a dreamy invitation.

Andy led her directly to the VIP passage. Sitting in the transparent cabin, as the Ferris wheel gradually ascended, the dazzling nighttime view of the entire Meritopia unfolded beneath them, thousands of lights shimmering.

It was truly beautiful.

But also truly high, Stella’s palms sweated as she couldn’t help but grip the edge of the seat.

Andy noticed her stiffness, he reached out and gently wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

His actions were natural, carrying a soothing power.

"Don’t be afraid of heights." He turned his head, his warm breath brushing against her ear.

"Only by standing high can you see further."

His voice was close and clear.

"With me, you can laugh, you can cry, you can be willful, and you can be fearless; just be yourself!"

This sentence, like a key, unexpectedly unlocked the floodgates of her emotions.

The grievances and bitterness she had been holding back rushed forth instantly.

Tears uncontrollably fell.

She thought she didn’t care, she thought her armor was sturdy, but the reality...it was fragile!

It was only at this moment she realized how deep the scars imprinted over 12 years were! Forcing herself to say she didn’t care was merely a facade!

Andy said nothing more, just held her tighter in his arms, gently stroking her head. Three years, it was time to climb out of this pit!

His chest was broad and firm, through the thin shirt, she could feel his strong heartbeat.

Stella buried her face in his warm shirt, tears dampening a small patch of fabric.

He just held her like that, letting her cry.

The cabin rose to the highest point, overlooking the entire city that never sleeps.

It was uncertain how much time had passed.

Online, a new trending topic quietly climbed up.

#PresidentLockwoodandMissStellaFerrisWheelRomance#

The position of this trending topic was subtle, just below #AidenFordhamConfessesToBestActressKensington#.

The accompanying image was a silhouette inside the Ferris wheel cabin, the man gently holding the girl in his arms, against the unbeatable nightscape of Meritopia, the atmosphere maxed out.

It must be admitted, Andy Lockwood, won this battle beautifully!

Aiden Fordham, seeing this trending topic, was trembling with rage.

He made a call, and The Fordham Group immediately activated emergency PR and utilized global media channels to suppress Andy Lockwood’s trending topic! Moreover, they began to comprehensively eliminate any news about him and Corinne Kensington!

Andy Lockwood and Aiden Fordham, this game of one-upmanship and suppression, stirred the media world, leaving people anxious!

...

In the dead of night, the darkness was impenetrable.

A black sedan glided silently to a stop outside the Sterling Family villa.

The car door opened, and Aiden Fordham stepped out, chilled air biting.

Ten minutes ago, Keegan Lindsey’s report was straightforward: Andy Lockwood personally brought Stella Grant back here.

The garden of the Sterling Family villa wasn’t large, Aiden Fordham looked up at the second floor, most of the rooms were dark, only one was lit.

He had no intention of ringing the doorbell.

"Stella Grant!" He shouted directly towards the villa, "Come out, I have something to say to you!"

His voice carried exceptionally far in the silent night.

"Stella Grant, I want to see you, don’t hide from me!"

He called out several times, with a stubborn insistence that brooked no argument.

On the second floor, the main bedroom on the east side was unlit, two heads squeezed out from the gap in the curtains.

"I told you he would come," Mrs. Sterling whispered, a bit smug, "You lost, this month you’re under, I’m on top, no backing out!"

This wild bet was incomprehensible to most.

Mr. Sterling’s brows furrowed into a knot, "Shouldn’t we have heightened the wall? It should be fine, right?"

No sooner had Mr. Sterling spoken than a shadow deftly scaled the wall, landing steadily.

The movement was clean, without a hint of delay.

Mrs. Sterling gasped, "Hey, this kid’s got some skill."

Mr. Sterling: "..." That slap landed really quick.

Aiden Fordham rushed to the front of the villa in a few strides, looking up, he locked his sight on the window of the only room with lights on the second floor.

"Stella Grant! I know you’re there! Come out, I have something to say to you!"

He called out again, his voice a bit louder than before.

Suddenly a [click] sounded, and the one who came out wasn’t Stella.

It was Vivi Sterling, with Claire standing beside her looking tense, the two girls stood on the balcony, looking down at him.

Vivi Sterling crossed her arms, a mocking smile on her face.

"President Fordham, is your face made of reinforced concrete cornered walls?"

"Barely finished that deeply moving love confession with Corinne Kensington, and you’re already anxiously rushing to Stella’s doorstep?"

"This seamless switch, even if you’re not feeling awkward, I find it filthy!"

She looked him up and down, undisguised disdain in her eyes.

Vivi Sterling’s quick tongue could scrape off a layer of wall paint, her venomous skills fully unleashed, even Claire beside her shrank back.

Aiden Fordham’s temples pulsed nervously, but he didn’t argue with her, his voice lowered a bit.

"Tonight was a misunderstanding, I’ll explain it to her personally, please call Stella for me!"

"Explain?" Vivi Sterling scoffed out, "If explanations worked, what would you need Vivi Sterling for?"

She nudged Claire with her elbow, egging her on, "Quick, scold him! This is the scumbag bullying Stella!"

Claire immediately realized, gesturing vigorously at Aiden Fordham, her little face turning red with anger.

She gestured rapidly and urgently, her fingers flying.

Vivi Sterling, never one to miss the spectacle, immediately began her "simultaneous translation."

"Hear that? She’s calling you, big-stud, big jerk! Black-faced demon!"

Vivi Sterling paused, her smile turning even nastier, "Year-long prowess preparation, yet only three minutes in bed!"

Claire was so frightened she shot out both hands, covering her mouth tightly, not daring to make even the faintest "ah" sound.

She stared wide-eyed at Vivi Sterling in shock.

She hadn’t said that!

Aiden Fordham’s expression had already surpassed being black, it was the color of a pot’s bottom.

But he had no interest in arguing with a woman as fierce as Vivi Sterling, it’d be asking for trouble.

He took a deep breath, lifting his gaze once more to the window on the second floor.

"Stella Grant! You’re not coming down, are you? Fine, I’ll come up to find you!"

As he spoke, he rolled up his shirt sleeves, revealing his strong forearms, and with that stance, he truly seemed prepared to climb up with his bare hands.

The height of the second floor wasn’t really a challenge for him.

Vivi Sterling was annoyed.

"Aiden Fordham! Don’t you dare!"

"Try climbing once and see! I’ll call the cops immediately! Charge you with trespassing!"

Aiden Fordham completely ignored her threats, taking a couple of steps back, seemingly calculating distance and finding hold points, preparing to leap up.