Chapter 6

When Stella woke up, her body was sore all over, and the fatigue from yesterday had not yet dissipated. Indeed, weddings are exhausting—physically tired, but even more so emotionally drained. A bride has to stand for half a day in pointed high heels, maintain a straight posture, and wear an elegant mask while exchanging pleasantries with people of various intentions. After the wedding, Ethan had to return to the company for some business. Stella didn't return to her family's house but was instead dropped off by him at the deluxe apartment she bought after returning to the city. Her bank account wasn't lacking in funds. Besides the profits she made from helping her mentor with hedge funds and the 30% stake in New Era Culture that Aaron gave her during the proposal (he kept only 5%). There were substantial dividends. Although it was tough accompanying Aaron in starting the business in the past two years, he had been considerate to her to some extent, and their life was still somewhat warm. This was also why, despite being in dispute for the past half year, she had not given up on this relationship. She thought that some problems could be solved through communication. But the fact was, she had overestimated their relationship. However, if the Fletcher family ever found out that Aaron was essentially 'working' for her, their expressions would be extremely varied. After washing up, Stella walked into the kitchen and made some porridge casually, sitting in the dining room and sipping it to fill her stomach. Later, she would have to have dinner with Ethan at the Carlson family's house, which would obviously be troublesome and could easily ruin her appetite. As she was halfway through her porridge, her phone rang on the table. She glanced over and saw that it was Dean. "Stella, changing grooms is such a big deal, why didn't you discuss it with the family?" Dean's tone carried the typical 'concern' of an elder. Stella chuckled lightly and put down her spoon. She thought to herself that the Fletcher family was so impatient that they couldn't wait for her to return to the old house before interrogating her. They really couldn't hold back. "What are you talking about? Why did I change grooms? Don't you know best? Or do you think not only should I not marry into the Malone family, I shouldn't marry Ethan either, so," she raised an eyebrow, then spoke slowly, "you're feeling ashamed and lashing out?" Dean didn't expect her to be so straightforward. After a brief pause, his voice also grew colder, "Do you think I would believe that Ethan is helping you without expecting anything in return?" "Indeed not, the North City project will benefit Horizon Group." This was something Stella had never intended to hide. "Are you insane?" Dean was genuinely surprised; that was the biggest project of the past two years for the Carlson family. Stella also gained influence within the Carlson family because of the North City project. Stella remained calm, added some sugar to her porridge, and continued, lowering her gaze, "Before the bidding, you knew that the Carlson family's cash flow couldn't support this project. Asking me to lead the bidding team, promising me the project afterwards, wasn't it just aiming for the purpose that I would fail no matter what? You could appear magnanimous in front of my grandfather, wait for me to admit defeat and bow to you, then use the cooperation on the project to curry favor with the Reeves family. That's really killing three birds with one stone." Dean's ability to see the situation in the business world was average, but he was always adept at scheming and taking advantage of opportunities. Thinking of this, Stella smiled faintly and said, "I obtained the project, so naturally, I have the right to decide. After all, Ethan is now my husband, and my grandfather will agree too." The plan fell through, Dean hesitated slightly, gritting his teeth. "Aren't you afraid I'll tell your grandfather that his granddaughter's husband isn't sincere?" "Then tell me, will my grandfather give me all the shares because he feels sorry for me for having my wedding ruined?" Stella didn't back down. Clearly cautious about her words, Dean remained silent for a while, his voice dark and sinister with a hint of a smile. "Stella, this doesn't sound like you. I really misjudged things back then." When Stella returned, he had been wary as well. But ultimately, he thought she was just a shy and dull bookworm, nothing to fear. He never expected to be blindsided by her eight years later. "You flatter me. My abilities are nothing compared to half of yours in front of my grandfather," Stella faked a smile. Stella's aunt, Melinda Carlson, had been cherished since childhood, naive and inexperienced in the ways of the world. Initially, when she insisted on marrying Dean, the elders in the Carlson family were not entirely in favor, but Dean treated Thomas with filial piety as if he were his own son. As the old man grew older and his children all left, he became somewhat sentimental. Stella truly wasn't a rival to Dean. ... At 11 o'clock, just as Stella had changed out of her loungewear, she received a call from Ethan. His words were brief, "Come downstairs." Stella quickly tidied up and took the elevator out of the apartment. The shiny black Bentley sat quietly under the trees diagonally across the street. She took a few steps towards it but hesitated, stopping in front of the car. The window rolled down, and the man in a well-tailored suit leaned back against the rear seat with a detached expression. His clean knuckles casually rested in the middle, his long legs naturally crossed. Ethan glanced up slightly and noticed that she seemed to have recovered quickly after yesterday's turmoil, appearing a bit tired but still in decent shape. Well, she had always been excessively calm and sober since before, but outsiders always mistook that composure for weakness and gentleness. After locking eyes with her, the man gestured subtly towards the seat beside him. "Get in." Stella pursed her lips, then opened the car door and sat in the back. The man instructed the driver to start the car, then leaned back with his legs crossed and closed his eyes, appearing somewhat fatigued. Having suddenly announced their marriage, he had returned to the company after the wedding to meet with shareholders until the early hours of the morning, only then addressing the matters that would affect Horizon Group after their marriage. There was a brief silence in the car before Ethan, with his eyes closed, casually spoke up, "Have you figured out what you're going to say?" Naturally, he was referring to how the marriage would be explained to Thomas. Stella nodded slightly, lowering her gaze silently. "I didn't have any feelings for Aaron. I agreed to the marriage only because of the engagement. He likes Avery, and I..." she hesitated for a moment before continuing, "love you." Aaron and Avery left a mess behind together, that was the only way to put it so her grandfather won't get too upset. "Really?" Ethan casually lifted his eyelids, his deep eyes scrutinizing her. "True love?" The man's voice was low and magnetic, as if he had carefully polished each word on the tip of his tongue. Stella choked up, feeling that the statement did indeed lead to speculation. She explained softly, "Don't worry, there's no other meaning, just the story we'll tell my grandfather." But he raised an eyebrow and asked in a mocking tone, "Should I be worried?" Stella looked up at him, puzzled. "Why did you come to me?" Ethan had changed the subject. Thinking about the standards Natalie laid out yesterday and also wanting him to cooperate well in front of Thomas later, Stella decided to praise him a bit. "You're handsome, wealthy, and in just five years, you've turned the mess your father left behind into Horizon Group now. It shows remarkable ability. Natalie said that people who want to marry you are lined up from Paris to the Radiant Arts Institute, just slightly fewer than those after Aaron." Although Ethan had a bad temper, there were still plenty who want to marry him for his money. She lavished praise, but the man's attention was only on the last part. "Slightly fewer?" Stella thought he might be stirred by a sense of competition, so she quickly reassured him, "Don't be discouraged. As long as you change your... not very friendly personality, you'll definitely be able to come from behind. Aaron is now caught up in scandals, but you maintain your integrity. That's definitely a plus in the eyes of women." "Is that so, am I that good?" The man stared at her, his eyes playful. Seeing his good mood, Stella nodded along, "Of course, otherwise I wouldn't have chosen you as the groom." After all, Ethan was ranked first on Natalie's list of potential grooms. He glanced at her, his gaze scanning her face with scrutiny before he chuckled, "Well, then I'm even more worried." He worried about her intentions. Stella didn't respond. "But, your taste has improved," he added, praising her. Stella was speechless.