Chapter 72

Jason led Luke forward. After greeting Stella, he waved to Layla, whom he had met at Thomas's funeral. When he looked at Kate, he hesitated for a moment. "Kate," Stella introduced, "this is Jason and Luke. Jason, Luke, meet Kate." Furrowing his brow, Jason pondered for a moment before saying, "Hi, Kate. You look familiar somehow." Kate casually replied, "Oh, Aaron is my brother." She simply thought that Aaron's name should be more familiar than hers. Jason's expression paused for a moment, then he calmly raised an eyebrow. "So you're Miss Malone. Nice to meet you." With that, he turned to Stella. "Why don't you catch up with each other? We'll go to the next booth." Immediately, he pulled the silent Luke to the adjacent booth. Stella felt Jason's expression was a bit odd, but before she could dwell on it, Kate started talking to her again, and she quickly returned her attention. Meanwhile, as soon as Jason sat down, he immediately took out his phone and sent a SnapChat message to Ethan overseas. Jason: Urgent! Aaron sees that you and Stella are inseparable. He even sent his sister to snatch your wife! Several minutes passed. Ethan replied: ? Jason secretly took a photo of Stella and Kate 'deep in conversation' and sent it to Ethan. Jason: Aaron's sister is chatting fervently with Stella. I even heard her mention her brother. Is she here as a mediator? But don't worry, I'll figure out a way to separate them! It must be said, Jason had very keen ears. Next door in the booth, Kate had just mentioned Aaron to Stella. "My brother hasn't been himself lately. Since returning from Kenwest, he hasn't mentioned anything about the engagement to Grandpa. My mom thinks he's compromising, but I just don't feel that's the case." In truth, Kate wanted to say she felt Aaron hadn't given up on Stella yet. Seeing Stella's subdued expression, she had to hold back her words. Having finally met Stella, she didn't want to strain their relationship. She changed the subject. "And then there's Avery. I saw her meeting Lionel in the car the other day. She's always trying to compete with you. Be careful." Stella listened patiently to Kate's chatter, her brow furrowing slightly. She nodded quietly and responded softly, "I understand." "Now that Stella is married and hasn't been in touch with Aaron, Avery shouldn't stir up trouble again, right?" Layla added, raising an eyebrow. "But then again, you never know. Avery is wired; she always thinks Stella took something from her." Kate stirred her cocktail in front of her and said, "Her makeup brand has been in a lot of negative news lately. I can see she's in a bad mood recently, yet she insists on pretending nothing's wrong and sucking up to my mom. It's exhausting. Why not just enjoy being rich instead of causing unnecessary trouble?" "I can understand her, though. She's been praised all her life, envied by the elite circles. Now that her reputation is in tatters, she can't accept the fall from grace and wants to maintain her dignity. So, she clings onto my brother. But I bet my brother won't marry her," Kate added. She believed that she understood Aaron better than Claire did. Although her brother was gentle and kind to everyone, the same rebellious streak that had once kept him far from home might also prevent him from marrying someone he didn't want to marry. Stella listened quietly, not saying a word. After they finished speaking, she smiled and looked at Kate. "Kate, keep an eye out for me. If Avery tries to sell my Grandpa's collection of houses and calligraphy—" "Then I'll have someone help you buy them!" Kate interrupted eagerly. Stella glanced at her. "Smart." Just then, the phone on the table rang. Stella checked it—it was a call from Ethan. "I'll take this call, " she said, noting the noise from nearby booths in the bar. She got up and walked out of the bar before answering the call. "Where are you?" came the man's low voice in her ear. Stella hesitated before blurting out, "I'm out with Layla and the others." Subconsciously, she felt like she couldn't admit she was at the bar right after he left on his business trip. As soon as she said it, Ethan let out a chuckle on the other end, followed by his teasing tone, "When you say 'out,' do you mean the bar?" "How did you know—" Stella started, then instantly realized, "Was it Jason who told you?" Ethan didn't deny it, calmly saying, "Don't stay out too late. If you're drinking, have the driver pick you up." He didn't press her further about being at the bar so late. Stella sighed in relief and replied softly, "Okay." "Very good," he said lazily, then followed up casually, "Do you miss me?" Stella didn't reply. She turned around and saw her own faint smile in the reflective glass in front of her. She kept silent, and he waited patiently. After a while, Stella heard Isaac's voice, "Boss—" "Missed," Stella's voice was soft, she sighed, her eyes showing a serious look, "I think about holding you every day." Even though Layla lived in the villa with her, waking up alone every morning still didn't feel quite right. She really wanted to hold him. "Well, it seems like I'm the one thinking about it more," Ethan chuckled softly, leisurely continuing, "I don't just want to hold and kiss you, I also want—" "Stop," she interrupted. "What? Shy?" he teased, drawing out his words, "No need to be shy about such things between a couple." Stella was speechless. Despite him not being able to see it, she couldn't help but cover her face in embarrassment. How could that man be so unabashed, especially with Isaac right there! The call ended. Ethan stood in the bright and magnificent hotel corridor, glanced up at the sparkling and delicate crystal chandelier above, the smile on his lips still lingering. Suddenly he thought, every time her bright eyes clouded with a hazy mist, yet she still managed to command him with a hint of sobriety to turn off the lights.