Chapter 14

At an upscale Western-style restaurant, As they were dining, Anthony suddenly set down his knife and fork, dabbed his lips with a napkin, and glanced at Stella before speaking slowly. "Stella, there’s actually something I need to discuss with you." "Go ahead," Stella replied after swallowing the food in her mouth. "In a couple of days, we’ll be heading to the Silver Moon pack for a business trip to discuss a partnership with Brown," Anthony said, watching her expression carefully. "I know this might sound a bit impersonal, but you know this project is confidential, and it’s just the two of us responsible for it, so there’s no way around it..." "I just want to wrap up the project quickly and expand our market with the Silver Moon pack," Anthony continued. Stella smiled, her lips curving slightly. "I was wondering why you suddenly invited me to dinner. Turns out, you need me for the business trip." Anthony looked flustered and cleared his throat. "Ahem, that’s not exactly what I meant..." Stella chuckled lightly at his reaction, her pearly white teeth showing between her red lips, tempting one to pick them. "I understand. I’ll be prepared." Anthony found himself momentarily distracted, watching her lips move as she spoke, admiring her beautiful face. "Anthony? Anthony? Mr. President?" Stella called, noticing his sudden daze. Anthony snapped back to reality. "Huh? Oh... right, I’ll make sure everything is arranged." ... "Thank you, Anthony. I’ll head upstairs now," Stella said, closing the car door and bending slightly to say goodbye. Anthony tilted his head, smiling and nodding. "No need to thank me. Goodnight." Stella walked up the stairs, and at first, all that could be heard was the sound of her high heels clicking on the steps. Gradually, however, she began to hear the sound of a lighter flicking open. Click. Click. A sense of unease gripped her, and she almost turned around to run back down. "Where do you think you’re going?" The sharp sound of dress shoes on the floor was followed by a low, cold voice that seemed to draw closer to her. Hearing Eric’s voice, Stella immediately spun around and ran down the stairs. But in high heels, she couldn’t move fast enough. After just a few steps, Eric caught up with her. Eric swiftly closed the distance, stepping forward with three quick strides. He grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to face him. In the narrow stairwell, the two of them stood face to face, their breaths almost entangling with one another. "What are you doing?! Let go of me!" Stella struggled fiercely. "We’ve severed the bond!" "Severed the bond?" Eric sneered. "Words alone don’t mean anything. The Moon Goddess didn’t approve it, and I’m not severing your mark. Don’t forget, you still owe me fifty million dollars." Stella looked up at him defiantly, her voice firm. "I told you, I’ll pay you back!" Eric stared at her, watching the way her big eyes fluttered, so pure and innocent, a slight mist gathering in them, as though she was on the verge of tears. Pure? Innocent? Eric was startled by his own thoughts. How could such a dirty woman look so pure? It was utterly wrong! Eric reached out and tapped her forehead. "How are you going to pay me back, hmm? My little slave?" Stella winced from the blow, instinctively covering her forehead with her hand. “It’s none of your business! I’ll pay you back! And stop calling me a slave! I’m not one!” Eric stopped arguing. He grabbed her by the shoulder and said, “At least you’ve got a little conscience, not inviting that guy into your home. I thought for sure you’d invite him in to sit down… maybe even do a little more than that?” Stella snapped, her fur bristling like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. “What nonsense are you talking about?! Get away from me!” With a burst of strength, she shoved him away and bolted upstairs. While running, she fumbled for her keys, unlocked the door, and quickly locked it behind her, letting out a breath of relief once she was safely inside. “Crazy!” she muttered, glaring at the door. Eric stood outside her door, rubbing his nose nonchalantly. He took out a lighter and started playing with it, then slowly descended the stairs. Back in the car, he put on his Bluetooth headset and made a call. “Hey, Noah, keep an eye on Stella... yeah, all the time.” He already had her address, and he knew she couldn’t escape his reach. Silver Moon Pack, London. This business trip only involved Anthony and Stella. Stella walked down the street, inhaling deeply, and turned to Anthony with a bright smile. “Anthony! This place is beautiful!” Anthony looked at her beaming face and smiled softly. “Yes, it’s beautiful. But you’re even more beautiful.” Stella’s cheeks flushed. “Stop joking. Let’s check in at the hotel.” Eric’s Corporation. Boss’s Office. “Alpha Eric, we’ve just received information. Stella and Anthony are currently at the Silver Moon Pack,” Noah reported, standing stiffly in front of the desk. “The Silver Moon Pack?” Eric raised an eyebrow. “Just the two of them?” Noah nodded respectfully. “Yes. They’re in London at the Silver Moon Pack. They just checked into the S Hotel.” “One room?” Eric leaned back in his leather chair, his voice calm, his right hand playing with the lighter. The sound of the lighter’s switch clicking shut was soft, but it made Noah’s forehead break into a cold sweat. “No, no—it’s two rooms. But they’re next to each other,” Noah said, struggling to control the tremor in his voice. “Why are you only reporting this to me now?” Eric’s eyes, cold as ice, pierced Noah. Noah flinched under the pressure, forcing himself to explain. “They’re working on a confidential project, just the two of them. Lunaboss has been acting normal, both at home and in the office. It wasn’t until the airport staff picked them up that I noticed something was off.” Noah hurried to add, “Sorry, boss. I’ve done my best to gather and report everything I could.” “I understand. Now go, book the fastest flight to Silver Moon Pack, and reserve the room next to Stella’s at the hotel,” Eric said, slamming the lighter shut with a sharp click. The sound made Noah flinch involuntarily. “Understood. I’ll handle it right away.” Noah quickly left after receiving his orders. “Two people alone on a business trip, Stella, you really know how to get things done!” Eric chuckled darkly, closing his eyes.