CHAPTER 91: CHAPTER 91: LAST NIGHT WAS A MISUNDERSTANDING

Vivi Sterling panicked at the sight and shouted into the house.

"Old man! Dad!"

"There’s a thief in the house! Come out quickly, catch the thief! Someone’s trying to climb our building!"

Just as Aiden Fordham was bending his knees, ready to exert force.

The lights in the villa’s hall suddenly flicked on, dispelling the darkness at the entrance.

Charles Sterling strode out leisurely in a dark robe.

No one knew what he said, but Aiden Fordham actually left obediently.

Vivi Sterling cursed under her breath, "Old fox! If I’d known he was so formidable, I would’ve saved my breath!"

Nonetheless, it felt satisfying to curse.

...

The next day, at 9:30 in the morning, Aiden Fordham charged directly into the Lockwood Group.

Aiden Fordham burst into Andy Lockwood’s office, seething with rage.

"Andy Lockwood!"

He gritted his teeth.

Andy Lockwood was sitting calmly behind his desk and looked up at the sound, his expression serene.

Without a word, Aiden Fordham took a step forward, grabbed Andy Lockwood by the collar, and punched him.

"Thud!"

A punch landed solidly on Andy Lockwood’s face.

What was up with this wimp Andy today? Where was his usual fierceness? His combat skills?

He just took a punch without reacting, his expression unchanged.

"Stay away from Stella Grant; she’s not someone you can covet!" Aiden Fordham threw another punch, and Andy Lockwood groaned, blood quickly appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Not fighting back? Aiden Fordham looked at him, more confused than ever.

"Stop!" Stella Grant’s sharp voice rang out as she burst in from outside.

She rushed to Andy Lockwood’s side, seeing the blood at his mouth, her brows furrowing. She hurriedly pulled out tissues, gently wiping it away.

Her actions were so gentle, they could melt water.

She turned her head, glaring at Aiden Fordham, "Aiden Fordham, why are you acting crazy? The Lockwood Group doesn’t welcome you! Please leave!"

Looking at her protecting Andy, Aiden Fordham’s anger flared even more.

Stella Grant anxiously asked Andy Lockwood, "Senior, are you okay?"

Andy Lockwood shook his head, his voice sounding a bit weak, "I’m fine, just a bit dizzy, probably from those two punches earlier."

His tone and demeanor were like a fragile little flower needing care.

Stella Grant quickly supported him, carefully guiding him to sit on a nearby sofa.

"Rest here for a bit."

Aiden Fordham looked at Andy Lockwood’s frail appearance and Stella Grant’s worried expression, and finally understood.

Good heavens! He was acting! An Oscar-worthy performance!

After settling Andy Lockwood, Stella Grant turned back to Aiden Fordham, her gaze icy and hostile.

"President Fordham, what do you want now?"

Aiden Fordham took a deep breath, suppressing his anger.

"I have something I want to say to you."

Stella Grant’s face remained cold, "Alright, come with me."

Meeting Room Three.

Stella Grant led him inside, then crossed her arms, leaning against the conference table, her attitude as indifferent as if she were facing an irrelevant salesperson.

"President Fordham, say whatever you have to say, my time is precious."

Looking at her distant demeanor, Aiden Fordham felt another wave of pain.

He spoke, his voice somewhat dry, "Last night... was a misunderstanding."

"I wasn’t planning to confess to Corinne Kensington. I thought it was you."

Stella Grant was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter.

The laughter was clear yet laden with sarcasm, as if she had just heard the funniest joke of the year.

"Are you saying, President Fordham, that you wanted to confess to me? Apologize to me?"

She raised an eyebrow, her eyes full of mockery.

"So, the bling-bling pink diamond was actually meant for me?" She seemed to confirm, fearing she might have heard wrong.

Did Aiden Fordham think she was blind or deaf?

Everyone heard the shout "Corrie" loud and clear!

And the heartfelt "We lost three years," who was that performance for?

Seeing her mocking smile, Aiden Fordham felt as if an invisible hand was gripping his heart tightly.

He nodded earnestly, for the first time speaking with unprecedented seriousness.

"Yes. Everything was prepared for you, except... an unexpected error occurred."

The smile on Stella Grant’s face did not fade as she nodded thoughtfully, drawing out her words, "Oh—I see."

She tilted her head, looking at him playfully.

"Is President Fordham going to say that the carefully built Stellaria Restaurant was also built for me?"

Aiden Fordham nodded again, seriously.

"Yes!"

Without a hint of hesitation.

The corners of Stella Grant’s smile widened further.

Suddenly, being in the same space with him felt like a colossal waste of life.

She stood up straight, stifling her smile, with only impatience remaining on her face.

"Alright, understood. If you have nothing else, President Fordham, please leave."

"I have a lot of work to do today."

A clear and concise dismissal.

Watching her impenetrable, indifferent demeanor, Aiden Fordham’s anger surged.

Something felt off.

Very off!

"Stella Grant!" he raised his voice, slightly losing control, "You don’t believe me?"

He reached out emotionally, grabbing her wrist.

Her wrist was slim, carrying a slight chill.

Stella Grant frowned slightly at his grip but didn’t immediately shake it off.

She remained silent for a moment, the air filled with an indescribable tension.

Then, she raised her eyes, looking directly into Aiden Fordham’s eyes, speaking slowly.

"Aiden Fordham." Her voice was calm, emotionless, "If next time, I have a conflict with Corinne Kensington and you stand by me, I’ll believe you. How about that?"

This proposal was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring ripples.

Without hesitation, Aiden Fordham nodded firmly.

"Alright! I’ll definitely help you!"

He thought the request was simple.

He felt nothing romantic towards Corinne Kensington anymore, only former gratitude remained.

Stella Grant nodded, her gaze still calm and indifferent.

"I hope you keep your word."

She gently pulled her hand back.

In the Lockwood Group’s President’s office.

Andy Lockwood reclined in his chair, the computer screen in front of him clearly displaying everything from Meeting Room Three.

Watching Stella Grant and Aiden Fordham’s conversation, especially hearing Stella Grant’s "request," a meaningful smile curved Andy Lockwood’s lips.

Interesting!

Back at the Fordham Group.

Aiden Fordham sat in the President’s office, still feeling a heavy sense of unease.

The feeling that something was wrong was like a thorn, stuck in his heart, neither removable nor swallowable.

He restlessly tugged at his tie.

Just then, the office door was knocked on, and Quentin Lockwood entered, face serious.

"Mr. Fordham, we’ve found something."

Aiden Fordham looked up, "Speak."

Quentin Lockwood handed over a file, "Andy Lockwood’s background is far more complicated than we imagined. He was once the second-in-command of Nation A’s Mafia, known in the underworld as ’The Night Owl,’ ruthless and enigmatic in action."

"Don’t let Stella Grant get close to him, it could be dangerous!"