Chapter 92 Extra Story 1

At the Horizon Group Building, Jason had just finished his work and carried his lunch to the top floor CEO's office. Behind the expansive desk, Ethan was solemnly reviewing the market research report handed over by Director Atticus, his expression serious. Jason placed takeout on the table beside the sofa and teasingly asked, "Has Stella not gone back yet?" Knowing that Stella had moved back to her previous apartment two days ago, Ethan had been gloomy for two consecutive days, casting a pall over the entire company. "What are you here for?" Ethan closed the market research report in his hand and glanced over. As for being caught by Stella, Jason couldn't help but remember his jinx-like mouth. Rarely encountering Ethan losing his dignity, Jason couldn't help but laugh. "She barely wants to quarrel with you, but you said you'd punish yourself." Now his wife had moved out. Ethan's expression darkened slightly. He'd been played by Luke. That guy's words were sincere enough, but what if he was right? They would argue over old grudges in the future. After Stella and Layla finished shopping and returned home, she promptly stated that there couldn't be no punishment for this, and she would move back to the apartment for a while to make him reflect. Thinking about this, Ethan responded coldly, "Is this what you came to tell me?" "Not really. I heard Aaron is leaving and came specially to deliver a message to you." Jason teased, "You're still quarreling with your wife, and he's about to leave. Isn't that unfortunate?" Aaron injured his leg and had to undergo follow-up surgery in Germany, a fact Jason had learned from Kate. Ethan paused for a moment and lifted his eyes quietly. "You seem well-informed." "Well, of course. It's almost New Year. If she doesn't come back, won't you be a lonely man?" Jason clicked his tongue. "Living alone in an empty house, how pitiful." Thought telling Ethan would make him more cautious. But on the day Aaron left the country, he showed up for work as if nothing was wrong. After silently observing all day, Ethan showed no sign of heading to the airport. So, Jason had no choice but to take the lead and leave early to check out the airport. Unfortunately, he was too late. When he arrived at the airport, he found out Aaron's flight had already passed security and was preparing for boarding. Damn, missed the mark. Feeling like he'd made a pointless trip, Jason was about to leave when someone called out to him. "Hey, what are you doing here?" Turning around, Kate stood a few steps away, looking at him with a puzzled expression. "What a coincidence," Jason brightened up his eyes, his mind spinning slightly, and asked with a grin, "I heard your brother went to Germany." Kate nodded silently, "Yeah." Jason pretended nonchalance and continued, "Now that he's incapacitated, aren't you going to accompany him?" "No need for me." Jason's heart sank. Damn, if not his own sister, then who? Could Aaron be using gratitude to force Stella to go along? Ethan was in danger. Kate didn't know why Jason suddenly fell silent, so she continued, "I don't actually take care of him. There are two nurses, and my mom went over to keep him company. They don't need me." It wasn't that she was heartless; Kate just knew her limitations. When Aaron saw that Stella hadn't come to see him off, his eyes dimmed. He stubbornly waited until the very last moment. Unable to bear it, Kate muttered, "Stella helped find a doctor. There was no need for her to come see you off. Blame Avery, not her. You've always indulged Avery since we were kids, making her so extreme." If she had known Avery would end up in jail, Kate wouldn't have bothered comparing herself to her when they were young. As for her brother, since he said he wouldn't bother Stella anymore, he should just stay abroad after getting his leg treated. If she missed him, she would naturally fly over to see him. As the words slipped out, Kate realized her mistake. Turning her head, she indeed saw Aaron looking devastated. Kate felt that if she said a few more words urging her to go take care of him without thinking, it might infuriate her brother. "Oh, I see," Jason said with relief upon hearing that Claire and the nurses were taking care of Aaron. "So, why did you come then?" Kate asked suspiciously. "Oh, I came to pick someone up from the airport. Turns out their flight got canceled, and I missed the update," Jason hurriedly replied. To cover up, he added, "If you're not driving, can I give you a ride home?" Kate nodded graciously, "Sure." Meanwhile, Stella returned to her apartment after work. Stepping out of the elevator, she paused, her eyes widening as they fell on the familiar figure standing at her door. The man, in a meticulously tailored suit, dominated the space in front of her apartment door with his tall stature. Meeting his deep eyes, Stella remained calm and asked, "What brings you here?" Ethan was too proud to admit that the punishment and reconciliation were his own words. Stella had mentioned moving out for 2 weeks as a form of punishment, and he hadn't insisted she return. He only occasionally bumped into her downstairs and hadn't come up until now. Was today different? Ethan's profile was hidden in the dim shadows as he studied her with lowered eyes. After a long silence, he spoke calmly, "I heard Aaron left the country today?" His tone was neutral, but it instantly made Stella understand his reason for coming today. She smiled lightly, meeting his gaze, "You thought I was going to see him off, so you came here to wait for me to come back, right?" Aaron's leg wasn't healed yet, although they had already consulted with doctors through telemedicine. The trip to Germany for treatment was well planned. She and Aaron had nothing left to say to each other, so was there any need for her to see him off? After saying this, Ethan knew she hadn't actually gone to the airport, silently blaming Jason for his exaggeration that day. Yet he denied it verbally, "No." "Then why did you ask?" Stella looked at him quietly, a faint smile in her eyes. Ethan raised an eyebrow slightly, smirking, "Just felt it was a pity." Stella puzzled, "Pity for what?" "Pity—" Ethan paused, drawing out his words leisurely, "that I didn't have the chance to personally see him off." Stella thought to herself, "What a jerk!" Despite the punishment, he was diligent in preparing for their wedding after the New Year, not delaying at all. He even thought of cashing in on Aaron's wedding gift. So Stella nodded, mischief gleaming in her clear eyes as she teased, "Oh, in that case, you can invite him back again." The man's expression froze slightly. Stella continued, "After all, you're quite capable, aren't you?" As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Ethan, who had been at her door the first time she asked, was silenced by Stella's words. The next day, Stella left work early and paid a visit to the prison. Behind the glass partition, the woman in prison uniform, still with her delicate appearance, but her eyes revealed an undeniable weariness, devoid of brightness. "I heard from my uncle that you wanted to see me." Looking at Avery opposite her, Stella didn't waste time and got straight to the point. Avery nodded, paused for a moment before speaking, "There are still some belongings of our grandparents in the apartment that need regular maintenance. Take them away." However much Stella disliked her, Avery still had a conscience when it came to their grandfather. "Okay," Stella agreed. Avery fell silent again, and there was truly nothing more to say between them. Just as Stella thought the conversation was over and prepared to leave, she heard one last sentence, "Actually, I used to think about getting along well with you." Before returning to the Carlson family, her grandfather told her that her cousin was also her family and treated her well. Initially, she really wanted to get along well with Stella. But her father gradually suggested that Stella would take everything away from her. At that time, she believed her father was right. Because her beloved grandfather began to favor Stella more, Aaron also started treating this cousin well, and the engagement returned to Stella. Later on, she lost even more. For so many years, Avery only wanted to reclaim what she had before she turned 15. But in the end, it was all in vain. Watching the gradually receding figure, her brows furrowed, and she murmured softly, "I'm sorry." She didn't know if this apology was for Stella or for her grandfather. But Stella didn't hear it, nor did she turn back. After getting out of prison, Stella didn't stay put. She drove straight to a restaurant near the theater, where she had arranged to have dinner and watch a play with Natalie and Layla. On the way, Natalie called her and listed out the dishes they had ordered. When Stella arrived at the restaurant, the food was already ordered, ensuring they wouldn't miss the start of the play. "What made you suddenly want to see a play?" Stella took off her coat and smiled at Natalie across the table. Natalie raised an eyebrow, not mincing words, "Forced by circumstances. Those rich wives in designer clothes love to talk about 'class'. After finally getting divorced, I need to make time to cultivate some 'elegance'." Layla said with a click of her tongue, "Boss, you really live up to your name as a follower of refined tastes." "You wouldn't understand, sweetie. People who claim they love theater are often just followers of refinement," Natalie chuckled and then asked, "By the way, how's the house hunting going?" Layla's face looked slightly dejected as she sighed, "Forget it. Finding a suitable house is so difficult. If I can't move by the end of the year, I'll have to go back and endure my mom's nagging." "Letting you go to my apartment, yet you didn't go," Stella said. "Well, keeping your apartment empty gives you a place to go when you argue," Layla kindly advised. Stella chuckled, "So, are you still with Luke?" Layla angrily poked the piece of fish in her plate with her fork, "Of course I am. He actually took me for a fool." Whenever this topic came up, she couldn't hold back. Last time, she and Stella had vented their anger about being deceived, which had also affected Ethan. "Don't mention him. I just hope Natalie returns to being single. Being single is really better," Layla added. Natalie generously clinked glasses with Layla, "You're right. Once you get that divorce certificate, you can do whatever you want. You don't have to worry and can go home early." Seeing her relaxed expression, Stella couldn't help but laugh, "If Juan knew you thought that way, he would probably regret agreeing to the divorce." She knew that Natalie and Juan had parted amicably, but the other party definitely had other calculations. "There's no way around it, marriages always have a period of fatigue. Now, I actually think maintaining some distance in a relationship is better. No wonder so many people choose not to marry," Natalie said, then turned to Layla, "Dear, this is your first relationship, so keep your eyes wide open. Even if he proposes, there's no need to rush to accept. Life is still wonderful." Seeing this, Stella silently worried for Luke. The restaurant was just on the street next to the theater. After finishing their meal, the three of them left the restaurant and walked towards the nearby theater. Before they reached it, Stella stopped by the roadside to take a call from Aurora. When she looked up again, she saw Natalie talking to a man at the entrance of the theater. As she got closer, she recognized the man and was quite surprised.