Chapter 5

The receptionist got kicked out of the chat group as soon as she sent the text. After a while, a handsome man knocked on the reception counter with his elbows, and he had a half-smile on his face. "What are you daydreaming about?" he asked casually. "Did I pay you to daydream?" The man was Vermont Snyder, her boss. Since she knew him well, the receptionist wasn't afraid at all. "Boss, you're often nowhere to be seen." "Heh, you sharp-tongued girl!" Vermont was about to flirt with the receptionist when an untimely cough came from behind. He paused for a second and immediately dropped the flirtatious expression. "Where is Andrew? Get him down here," he said seriously. "Mr. Keen is auditioning another artist," the receptionist replied. "Audition?" Vermont was surprised. "Dusk Galaxy is here?" The receptionist nodded. Vermont's eyes lit up with joy and surprise. But seeing Keegan's sullen expression, he quickly concealed his emotions and spoke firmly to the receptionist, "Give him a call. I need to talk to him about something." After a brief wait, the call connected. Vermont switched on the speaker and asked, "Andrew, how did the audition go? If it didn't work out, I have an artist here with a decent voice." "No need for that. We already auditioned her, and the contract is signed," Andrew replied, catching Vermont's hint. The truth was the contract had not even been drafted. Vermont felt at ease, but he pretended to be angry. "Signing someone is a big deal, and you didn't even discuss it with me?! Who's the boss here?" Andrew promptly hung up the call. Vermont cursed, "Andrew Keen is getting more insolent!" Then he turned to Keegan and sighed, "You heard him. The contract is signed. Let's wait for the next update. If there's a suitable role, we'll sign her." "Honor of the Deities" was currently his company's most promising project, and Vermont wouldn't let Bella ruin it. Keegan glanced at Vermont. "I will pay that person double the charges for the penalty of breaking the contract. Make her give up on this role, and I'll give you a three-percent cut for the project at North Cove Town." Vermont's face changed. He stared at Keegan for a few seconds before he asked, "You serious?" Although Keegan did not speak, his expression had made it clear. "You keep giving Bella so many resources. I'm starting to think those internet rumors might be true," Vermont remarked. But Keegan was only concerned about Vermont's decision. "So, is it a yes or no?" "I'll think about it," Vermont replied. As Keegan was about to say something else, the elevator door opened, revealing a familiar face. When their eyes met, Keegan froze for a moment. Stella only hesitated briefly before avoiding eye contact. After stepping out of the elevator, she nodded politely at Vermont and headed toward the exit. Vermont hesitated before asking, "Didn't your wife notice you?" Keegan's face darkened, but he ignored Vermont and quickly rushed after Stella. When he reached outside, he spotted her standing by the road, waiting for a car. Stella had a slim figure. She had her hair tied in a soft, low ponytail. She was looking at her phone, paying no attention to Keegan standing in front of her. "Why are you here?" The interrogating voice was filled with apathy. Meeting him so early in the morning had ruined Stella's mood, and her response carried a hint of harshness. "If you can be here, why can't I be here?" Keegan scoffed, "Still playing the stalking game, huh?" Stella was offended. She snarled inwardly, 'How presumptuous!' Seeing her silence, Keegan became even more convinced of his assumption, and his mood unexpectedly lightened a bit. Nonetheless, his tone remained cold. "If you want to know my schedule, just call and ask. No need for all these theatrics." Unable to hold back any longer, Stella retorted, "Keegan Kane, has anyone ever called you shameless? Who's the one stalking whom? Did I follow you out of the elevator? Did I even say anything to you? It's actually you who's following me!" "Pfft..." Vermont, who was eavesdropping, could not hold his laughter. Keegan shot Vermont a glare. Only then did Vermont immediately hide himself. "Then why are you here?" Keegan asked. Stella casually glanced at him. "What does that have to do with you?" Her words were harsher than his. Keegan's eyelids twitched hard. He was afraid that they would fight again if they continued the conversation. He suppressed his anger and stiffly said, "Aurora is back. Mom told us to go over to have a meal tomorrow." "Oh," Stella replied nonchalantly, "What does that have to do with me? We're getting a divorce. I don't need to play the wife and daughter-in-law act again, right?" "Act?" Keegan's anger flared up instantly. He scoffed, "You sure know how to put on a show. So, what's your latest demand this time? Clothes? Handbags? Jewelry? Or maybe a big project for your family? You've already made a spectacle of yourself with the whole divorce drama and running away. Just how big is your father's appetite this time? There should be a limit to his greed." Stella's heart shook, and she clenched her trembling fingers. The diamond bracelet on her wrist was a gift from Keegan on their first wedding anniversary. Or, to be more precise, she had demanded it from him. Every Valentine's day, wedding anniversary, her birthday, and other special occasions, Stella would use coquetry means to ask Keegan for presents, hoping it would make him remember those dates. But what were sweet memories for her were seen as insatiable greed by him. Trying to hide her emotions, Stella lowered her head, her face turning pale. When Keegan tried to get a better look at her, she raised her eyes. She then removed the bracelet. "When we divorce, you won't have to bother with this anymore. Your dealings with my father are none of my concern." As she said that casually, she slipped the bracelet into Keegan's suit pocket. Right then, an Uber pulled up before Stella. After taking a couple of steps, she halted and turned back at Keegan. "Why did I ever hold onto hope for you?" she let out a chuckle and got into the car. Keegan's gaze remained fixed on the departing vehicle, his eyes blazing with anger. "Stella wants a divorce?" Vermont's nosy voice came from behind. Keegan shot him a cold look. "Isn't it obvious that it's just a small argument between a husband and wife? Watch your mouth!" Vermont was speechless.