Chapter 26

Stella didn't understand why Ethan suddenly praised her. After some thought, she figured it might be because he noticed she wasn't in a good mood, so he tried to comfort her. However, being comforted by him was quite rare. Meeting his casual and smiling gaze, Stella felt both amused and annoyed. She smiled and replied, "Thanks for your kind words. Hopefully, my taste will get better in the future." After a brief pause, she recalled the scene just now and furrowed her brows, adding, "It seems like every time I encounter Aaron, you show up quickly." The man glanced at her and said in a nonchalant tone, "Is that so?" Then, with a hint of implication, he added, "I must keep an eye on you to prevent you from straying off the path." Stella choked up slightly, feeling that he was subtly referring to her being entangled with Aaron again today. "Don't worry, as long as there's no divorce, I will cherish your pride," she retorted, a bit displeased. She hadn't expected Aaron to show up. However, after today, he should give up. The car stopped steadily at the entrance of the villa. Both of them got out of the car. Ethan's steps were unhurried as he walked ahead. After slowly unlocking the villa's fingerprint lock, he paused slightly and rubbed his forehead. "Stella..." "What?" "Could you... help me for a moment?" his voice was somewhat intermittent. In the soft light from the lamp above the door, Stella looked up at him. The man's half-drooped eyelids were tinged with a faint rouge from alcohol, his eyes slightly glazed, his tall figure casting a shadow that covered half the brightness, elongating the shadows on the ground. Not sure if it was because of dizziness from drinking, he now appeared confused, surprisingly exhibiting a hint of obedience that was completely out of character with him, which caught Stella off guard. Finding his scattered gaze and quiet demeanor somewhat pleasing, Stella smiled, reached out to support Ethan's arm, and leaned on his shoulder. A faint scent of alcohol lingered in the air, and as she turned her head, she noticed the man's disheveled hair scattered across his forehead, casting shadows on his handsome features. It took quite an effort, but she finally managed to help him upstairs. However, when they reached the bedroom door, he hesitated to unlock it. "Ethan?" Stella asked. She turned her head and found him lightly closing his eyes, breathing evenly, already... half asleep. Luckily, the villa's fingerprint lock had universal access, so Stella shook her head and opened the door. A minute later, she finally managed to lift the somewhat heavy man onto the wide, soft bed. As she was about to leave, her gaze lingered on Ethan's tranquil face. He lay there so peacefully, looking even somewhat adorable when he didn't speak. Yet even in his slumber, there were faint creases between his straight eyebrows, as if he hadn't completely relaxed. Recalling Natalie's words, Stella reached out with her fair and slender fingers, gently smoothing his slightly furrowed brow. This would help him have sweet dreams. After the Reeves family banquet, Ethan immediately went on a business trip abroad, only able to rush back on weekends. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the North City project was finally scheduled for the end of the month. However, Stella didn't have idle days either during this time. She was busy getting the project's design plans approved by the government planning department and had Marcel make several trips to the environmental protection bureau to obtain environmental impact assessment approvals. The government's process of review was slow, and sometimes there were delays and excuses. But before Ethan left on his business trip, he had helped her communicate with the planning department officials, and with his influence, the approvals were expedited. Of course, there were still necessary procedures to follow. By the time Friday rolled around, Stella and Aurora spent most of the day at the planning department, finally obtaining the approved planning documents. Just as they got into the car, Stella received a message from Natalie in the SnapChat group. Natalie: Hurry, check X, Let's see how Avery is going to show off this time. Stella raised her eyebrows slightly and immediately opened X. On the trending topics, Avery's name occupied the top two spots. One of the X posts had already surpassed one hundred thousand re-posts. @EntertainmentExposure: Recently, our secret informant received a private message from a netizen, exposing a female artist who portrays herself as a wealthy beauty. Not only did her cousin fake his education credentials, but he also attempted to organize cheating during the ICI exam. However, the female artist's father managed to smooth things over with his connections. Here are the detention records, case testimonies, and a photo of Avery with the female artist provided by the informant. Whether it's true or false, you be the judge. Even though the photo was pixelated by the blogger, there were only a few female stars in the entertainment industry who fit the wealthy beauty persona. Netizens quickly identified the female artist as Avery based on the red mole on her hand in the photo. The comments under the X post were overwhelmingly negative. "Just last time, when the Malone family issued a statement to refute the claims, the fans couldn't defend the straight male lead anymore, so they started whitewashing Avery's image as a wealthy beauty. How long has it been since then?" "They're supporting a wealthy beauty who condones cheating by her cousin. Disgusting. It's so difficult for ordinary people to pass the ICI exam, but she cheats and gets away with it, even making some money." "Isn't cheating in a major exam like ICI illegal? People like her must be punished; they can't just be let off so easily." "She has a cousin who's into legal matters and a father who supports him; it's clear that Avery's whole family isn't up to any good." "Hmph, Avery's image has completely collapsed this time, hasn't it? How could a wealthy beauty who wasn't even invited forcibly attend a fashion show? This truly broadens my horizons." "The fashion show mentioned in the comments, where Avery forcibly attended, was the one organized by Bing at the convention center." Although Jack was exposed for cheating, the netizens' anger clearly couldn't be suppressed. After digging into Jack, they started to investigate Avery's past travel schedule. Bing's official account also suddenly issued a statement at this time, stating that they had never invited Ms. Avery to attend the new product launch event, and implied that she had obtained the ticket to the fashion show through improper means. Many fans who followed her schedule knew that Avery had never attended Bing's events in the past. This was the only time, and Bing promptly distanced themselves. While netizens mocked Avery, they also began leaving comments on other brand's official accounts that had collaborated with Avery before. Brands with quick PR reactions also issued statements one after another, stating that they would terminate contracts with Avery and reserve the right to pursue her for breach of contract. After just a few hours of fermentation, Avery's image had completely plummeted, and she was now burdened with a pile of breach of contract lawsuits. As for Jack, with the situation escalating to this extent, he probably couldn't avoid the prison disaster that awaits him. Layla: Hahaha, this really pleases me! I can't wait to see if Aaron will still help Avery out this time! Natalie: I wonder who Avery has offended. That marketing account clearly has some backstage support, otherwise Aiden would have removed the hot search long ago. Even if Aaron wants to help now, it won't be enough. Layla: All endorsements have been terminated, and quite a few fans have unfollowed. How can Avery continue to survive in the entertainment industry? Natalie: She's been arrogant for so long, and there are still many people waiting to see if anyone will help her. If the hot search continues tomorrow, she probably won't be able to suppress the things that happened on the set. She deserves it. She used to rely on her backstage support, and now there are plenty of people waiting to see her downfall. Stella didn't rush to reply to their messages, but instead made a phone call, instructing Troy, the butler, not to mention anything about Avery to Thomas. Although Thomas had strongly opposed Avery's entry into the entertainment industry and never paid attention to such news, Avery was still his granddaughter after all, and Stella presumably didn't want to hear about Avery's embarrassment. Avery's relationship with her was not good, but she still had some concerns for Thomas who loved her, at least last time when she returned to the Carlson family's villa, she managed to smooth over Stella's narrative about the wedding. In the private room of the Golden Brilliance, Aiden brought Avery in. On the sofa closer to the inside, Aaron was drinking heavily. There were scattered empty bottles on the table, and Juan frowned and sat beside him, not knowing how long he had been persuading him. Seeing this scene, Aiden glanced at Avery again, hesitated for a long time before sighing and saying, "Aaron, please help Avery." On the other side, Aaron remained indifferent, his expression unchanged. Aiden furrowed his brow. He knew that Aaron had said last time that he wouldn't interfere with Avery's work anymore. But this time Avery's trouble was different. Dealing with the subsequent breach of contract responsibilities from the brand side would not only affect Avery but also affect the Malone family's entertainment business. Aiden said, "This time, Avery was also implicated by Jack. You've watched her grow up since she was a child. Are you really going to turn a blind eye like this?" He didn't want to see his friend in such a drunken state now, but no matter what he said, Aaron seemed to ignore it. Aiden sighed and turned to look at Juan beside him. After all, Natalie had issued a statement at this critical juncture, which also triggered a series of brand terminations. "Don't look at me," Juan said, his expression cold. "Last time you took two invitation cards from me, and Natalie had an argument with me. On the day of the banquet, I also called Aaron to come over. She threatened me, saying that if I dared to do it again, she would divorce me." He had long felt that Aiden was too biased towards Avery. The breakup of Aaron and Stella, it must be said, also had something to do with Aiden. They were clearly childhood friends who grew up together, how did it turn into this kind of situation? "Aaron," Avery bit her lip and walked to Aaron's side. Aaron pursed his lips and put down the bottle, raising his eyes lightly. He said, "Avery, I always feel that you are still the innocent and kind little girl from childhood. From childhood to adulthood, I have been even better to you than to Kate, but you have disappointed me too much. It's my fault. I shouldn't have spoiled you so much, making you feel like no matter what you do, someone will always bail you out." He felt that taking care of Avery was a responsibility that needed to be borne, but in reality, he was planting the seeds of breaking up with Stella. Blaming others was meaningless; he should blame himself. However, after figuring everything out, he was truly disappointed in Avery. Avery heard the indifference in his tone, her eyes slightly red. "I know you've been good to me, but Stella doesn't like me and my father. I don't want you to leave me too." She knew about the conflict between Stella and her father, and she could accept Stella standing against her, but she couldn't accept that Aaron, who had cared for her since childhood, would also oppose her one day. "I was wrong, will you forgive me just this once, please?" Avery pleaded. "Forgive you?" Aaron suddenly laughed, a sense of bewilderment in his eyes, "But even I can't get her forgiveness." "But—" Aaron interrupted, "No need to say more. If you really think you're wrong, the person you should be seeking forgiveness from is her, not me."