Chapter 3

Hollywood is renowned as a filming location for movies and TV shows, with many production crews gathered there. Avery often came for filming but didn't like staying in hotels. After all, with so many production crews there, all eyeing the rooms in those few five-star hotels, sometimes the crew couldn't book executive suites, and she didn't want to settle for just a standard room. Luckily, there was a new development from the Malone family nearby, and Avery knew that Aaron had reserved three apartments there. Apart from the penthouse he kept for himself, there were two left, one given to his younger sister, Kate, and the other set of keys ended up in her hands. However, what Avery didn't expect was that Kate's apartment had already been transferred, while the one she was living in had only given her a set of keys so far. She had known Aaron for almost twenty years, and their relationship had gone beyond just friendship. The Aaron of the past would never have shown favoritism between her and Kate. Avery put down her glass and leaned back on the sofa, her bright eyes slightly sleepy, her delicate and fair face pure and lovely. The burgundy silk pajamas smoothly clung to her body, accentuating her porcelain-like white skin and graceful curves. She watched the man standing alone by the window, his posture straight and his demeanor aloof. Aaron had always been the most outstanding among his peers. With the illustrious status of the Malone family and his position as the heir apparent, he excelled in looks, academics, and talents like basketball and piano, effortlessly mastering everything he touched. His youth and excellent upbringing had earned him praise from all teachers and elders. Over the years, the awkwardness of youth had faded away, and he had become more mature and decisive, exuding a charm from within. Avery used to feel that Aaron was very close to her, but since they had returned to the city, he seemed to have become somewhat distant, a change she had been unwilling to accept. After deliberating for a while, she got up and walked over to Aaron's side. The uninjured right hand clasped onto the man's arm, her head leaning closer, the neckline of her pajamas slowly lowering, teasingly revealing yet concealing, captivating. But she seemed oblivious, speaking up, "Aaron, did my cousin misunderstand again? Do you want me to help explain?" Her voice was clear, sweet, and tinged with self-blame. Aaron had become somewhat reticent over the years, but he was still relatively gentle with Avery. He pocketed his phone and walked aside, sitting down alone, rubbing his brow and speaking warmly, "It's okay, let's just cooperate with the police to handle yesterday's matter first." After all, he had broken his promise first, and he could understand Stella's speaking out of anger right now. He would explain properly to her when he got back. After experiencing so much together, he understood her feelings for him and had made up his mind to marry her. Even though there had been a few minor disagreements caused by Avery since they returned, Stella would never leave him. He was very sure about this. But he couldn't help feeling a bit annoyed. "Avery is just deliberately causing trouble. Even after you said the wedding was just postponed, she still talked nonsense about canceling it, not afraid of messing things up." Aiden yawned as he walked out of the guest room, his words filled with nonchalant banter. The main business of the Carlson family was mostly in the hands of Dean Fletcher, and marrying into the Malone family meant having the capital to vie for power with Dean. Aiden didn't believe Stella would really cancel the wedding, let alone break up with Aaron. As he finished speaking, he felt a piercing gaze coming his way. Aiden glanced back, "Why are you staring at me? Avery really got slashed by that lunatic. When I called you, weren't you worried too? You didn't even ask how serious it was." Avery's right forearm was wrapped in thick gauze, looking serious, but it was just a superficial injury. But both he and Avery knew the tricks of the entertainment industry and wouldn't miss this chance to trend. "Aiden, Stella is my wife. Even for my sake, you should show her some respect," Aaron's lips tightened, a subtle warning in his words. Aiden spoke freely, but Stella had a good temper and usually didn't argue with him, so Aaron didn't pay much attention. But thinking back to her attitude just now, he suddenly felt that maybe she did mind. She just didn't say anything because of Aiden's relationship with him. Hearing Aaron's address, Avery's expression suddenly stiffened, but she quickly covered it up. Aiden sneered inwardly, thinking, "they haven't even gotten married yet, right?" But he nodded perfunctorily, "Got it." He didn't like Stella, not just because of Avery, but also because of Avery's cousin, Jack Fletcher. Jack had pursued Stella in high school, but later, for some reason, he became afraid of her. And as soon as Stella returned to the Carlson family, she ruthlessly drove Jack out, and he always felt that the woman's meekness in front of Aaron was just an act. He and Aaron, Avery grew up together since childhood, were real childhood friends. Aaron had just broken up with Avery before leaving, but less than a year after leaving, he was with Stella, and it was Aaron who actively pursued her. Aiden's mood was indeed somewhat unhappy. Everyone knew that Aaron originally left because Avery initiated the breakup. Aiden also hoped that the two of them could reconcile, so when Aaron later told them about his relationship with Stella, he was somewhat angry. There are many fleeting romances in the world of the wealthy, but Avery was different from those women, and Aaron had remained faithful over the years. Since he deeply loved Avery, how could he turn around and be with someone else? Even though he claimed that he pursued her, Aiden still felt that Stella deliberately seduced him. She had always had a fox-like appearance, and even in high school, she managed to attract many boys without even trying. She had an arranged engagement with Aaron from their elders, and back in high school, she always stuck close to him because of this relationship. At the time, she seemed relatively well-behaved, but later, when she started dating Aaron, Aiden felt that she was scheming and pretending. On the other hand, Avery openly and generously congratulated them, which made Aiden feel a little sorry for her. Yesterday, when Avery was accidentally injured, Aiden deliberately exaggerated the severity of the injury and called Aaron. When he asked Avery beforehand, she didn't want to affect Aaron's wedding and politely declined. But with just one look, Aiden knew that she hadn't really let go of Aaron. Stella might have wanted to marry into the Malone family, and Aiden might not have been able to stop her, but he wouldn't let her waltz in there triumphantly. A groom fleeing the wedding, the postponement of the wedding, everyone's sympathy and ridicule, must have been quite stimulating. Since Stella wanted to be Mrs. Malone, then she had to bear Avery's grievances for a lifetime. Aiden took out his phone and glanced at the hot search topics. He was a little curious about how embarrassed Stella must have been feeling right now. ... Stella hesitated for a moment as she looked at the name in her contacts, then finally dialed the number. The dial tone dragged on, echoing repeatedly. The wait seemed unusually long, and just as Stella was about to give up, the call finally connected on the other end. In that instant, the words she had prepared got stuck in her throat. Both of them remained silent, a strange silence lingering for ten seconds, before the phone was ruthlessly hung up by the other end. Having no other choice, Stella exhaled and composed herself, dialing the number again. This time, the call was answered much more quickly. She hesitated slightly and said, "Ethan, it's me." "Well, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. Miss Carlson, how come you have time to call me when you're about to be a bride?" The man's lazy voice mixed with a hint of huskiness, still carrying the same nonchalant tone from their youth. It wasn't surprising that Ethan Powers was caught off guard; he and Stella rarely contacted each other privately. If it weren't for necessary business interactions, based on their last encounter during the bidding in North City, they might have even blocked each other. Stella wasn't surprised by Ethan's arrogant attitude, but at this moment, she couldn't help but sense a hint of sarcasm in it. She furrowed her brows lightly, her voice cold, "Are you making fun of me?" "I wouldn't dare," he chuckled lightly, his tone casual and concise. "What do you want?" Ignoring the sound of glass clinking from the other end, Stella gently bit her lip and got straight to the point. "I remember you were quite interested in the North City project." Earlier in the year, the Seattle government planned to build a theme park resort area in North City. After multiple bids, the project was ultimately awarded to the Carlson family, solidifying Stella's position within the family. Ethan's family had significant business interests, and he had put in a lot of effort for the North City project, only to return empty-handed in the end. At the conclusion of the bidding process, he had even come to "chat" with her, an old classmate with whom he had a strained relationship. Bringing up this topic seemed to pique his interest. "What? Are you willing to give up now? Will the Fletcher family agree?" Stella's parents had passed away, and although the Carlson family was still technically named Carlson, in reality, power had gradually shifted into the hands of Dean, her uncle by marriage. Stella paused for a moment, then said slowly, "There's a way to make Dean have no choice but to agree." His voice over the phone took on a playful tone. "Oh, what's the method?" "Ethan," she said after a brief pause, her voice slightly solemn as she glanced at the clock on the wall. "Come marry me now, divorce me a year later, and the North City project is yours." As soon as the words fell, there was a muffled sound from the other end. The call was abruptly disconnected once again. Stella was speechless. What did he mean by this? Could it be that he was scared off by her? Even if their relationship was strained, their old classmate bond was fraigile, but she wouldn't bite. Was it really necessary for him to avoid her like this? Stella glanced at the call log on the screen, furrowing her brow slightly, then sighing inwardly. Oh well, anyone would find being forced into marriage all of a sudden unacceptable. "With Aaron as a reference, the standards are too high. If you want to consider the Carlson family's reputation, Ethan is the best choice," that's what Natalie said just now. So even though Stella knew Ethan was her mortal enemy, she still chose to discuss the deal, but she couldn't force him. Although Ethan was the best choice, he wasn't the only option. Since that was the case, she could only continue to consider the backup options 2 and 3 that Natalie had listed for her. Just as she was thinking, the screen suddenly lit up. Stella raised her eyebrows in surprise and answered the call. "Well, sorry. I just found out that Miss Carlson's groom ran away," the same indifferent, lazy voice came out from the other end. Ethan, who seemed to be in a good mood, left Stella momentarily speechless. She asked, "Are you happy?" Although Ethan was arrogantly aloof and their relationship was tense in high school, Stella also felt that he wasn't the type to kick her when she was down. But now, that belief was shattered. Her groom ran away, yet he seemed pleased? Wasn't that kicking her when she was down? "No, you misunderstood," Ethan denied, then chuckled casually. "I just think your taste is lacking a bit. But Aaron really fell into a big pit." Stella had forgotten that Ethan and Aaron didn't get along well in high school. In the past, she might have argued with him for a few words. But now, considering that Aaron was already an ex in her heart, she didn't want to ruin their cooperation. "Stella." "Yes?" She responded. "Just wait, I'll come to marry you," the other end continued immediately. His casual tone caught her off guard. Stella hadn't expected Ethan to agree so readily. She had even prepared herself for some bargaining. But his nonchalant agreement left her momentarily bewildered about the promised benefits. Ethan didn't seem to mind her silence and continued, "Oh, by the way." Stella suddenly snapped back to attention, thinking he was finally going to negotiate. But what he said next puzzled her. "Is there a mirror in the room?" Ethan asked. "Yes." "Then go over there now," the voice was neither cold nor indifferent, but rather relaxed. Stella walked into the dressing room, where on the left side of the wardrobe stood a full-length mirror over two meters tall. She stared at the young woman in the mirror, dressed in a pristine wedding gown, feeling dazed for a moment. Then, coming back to her senses, she patiently asked, "And then?" "What do you see?" "What exactly are you trying to say?" Stella was almost out of patience. On the other end, Ethan deliberately dragged his tone, chuckling softly, "Stella, don't shed any tears. I vaguely remember, the way you cry, it's just like my...plucked quail." Stella suddenly choked up, "Ethan!" She was actually played by him. Ethan still had that ability. While she had been emotionally steady for years, she found herself laughing out of frustration at this moment. But thanks to him, the slight sadness she felt earlier was suddenly gone. Only a lingering bit of anger remained.