Ch. 101..110

Chapter 101: Someone Is Expecting Its Arrival

Many people were waiting for a pregnancy examination in the hospital. Moreover, most of them had a bulging belly. Comparing to them, Stella appeared to be more relaxed.

She used to come here for a pregnancy examination alone and it was the first time that someone accompanied her here. Moreover, there were many people waiting here and it sounded boisterous. Some of the pregnant women were quarreling with their husbands. Except for the pregnancy examination, Stella had to divert her attention to take care of Clarence, who seemed to be incompatible with this place and didn't know where he should stay.

A thought popped into Stella's mind: What's the use of a man? He can't help her in any matter and will only bring troubles to her. She would rather do this alone.

No wonder that those pregnant women, whose child was older than the one in her belly, got tired of their husbands.

Clarence noticed her lines of sights and looked askance at her. He said unhappily, "Why are you looking at me?" Stella smiled at him, "The hospital is packed with people. Mr. Conrad, if you feel it noisy, you can wait for me outside." "When did I feel it noisy?"

Stella licked her lips. Come on, Mr. Conrad, your expression had expressed everything.

She shouldn't have said those words in the morning. Otherwise, would it be so tiring and troublesome if she came here alone?

Stella said, "Then I will go in. Mr. Conrad, if you're impatient to wait for me, you can leave as you like."

Clarence didn't reply and just looked at her coldly.

After Stella entered the room, Clarence withdrew his lines of sights and leaned against the wall. He inadvertently looked towards a pregnant woman who was sitting on a chair not far away. Her belly was so big and it looked like she was about to deliver.

Her husband was squatting beside the chair. He stroked her belly and put his ear on it. He then exclaimed in surprise, "Honey, it kicked me."

The woman reply, "He had been sleeping when I was having the examination and didn't move a bit."

Looks like it only wants to interact with me. The man then said to her belly, "My baby, did you hear daddy's voice? You want to see daddy, right? Be obedient and wait for several more days, then you'll be able to come to this world."

The woman nudged her husband with a smile, "Why are you saying this to it? It doesn't know it."

I heard from some people that when a baby is in the mother's belly, it can actually perceive the sentiments of the adult. We should talk to it more and let it know that someone in this world is expecting its arrival. When it's time to delivery, maybe it would come to this world quicker and you'll suffer less.

After a short while, the young couple left the hospital.

When Stella went out, she found Clarence looking at two empty chairs with a weird expression, seeming to be lost in his thought.

She waved her hand in front of him, "Mr. Conrad?"

Clarence withdrew his lines of sights and glanced at her calmly, "Finished?"

Yeah, let's come back.

As Stella woke up early this morning, she felt sleepy on the way home. As the car was so silent, she fell into asleep with her head leaning against the window after a short while.

When she woke up, she found the car was parked beside a shopping mall.

Clarence unfastened the seat belt, "Get off the car since you've woken up."

Stella rubbed her eyes in confusion and directly got off the car. After taking several steps following Clarence, she finally realized what was going on and asked, "Mr. Conrad, what do you want to buy?" Stella realized that her question was superfluous after blurting it out. Clarence was a businessman, so maybe he was here to inspect the shopping mall.

Since Clarence had accompanied her to the hospital just now even though he didn't help at all, Stella thought that she should return his kindness and decided to accompany him to walk around in the shopping mall.

Stella then followed him while yawning.

When Clarence stopped, she found that they were in the area for children's products.

She was stunned for a second and then a sentence conjured up to her mind: It's easiest to earn money from women and children. It seemed like Clarence was not an exception.

Clarence suddenly turned around and said arrogantly, "Go select by yourself."

Stella was completely dumbfounded. What should she select?

She glanced around and couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Conrad, can you give me some tips?"

Clarence became impatient, "Are there anything else in this are?"

She became sober and glanced around again and found that this area was mainly selling products for infants. She roughly understood what he meant. Stella paused before speaking, "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Conrad. But I don't need these. I've prepared these things before."

But it seemed like Clarence didn't want to talk nonsense with her. He directly walked into a store and took everything he saw.

Was this man crazy?

Stella, who was following behind him, took the things he picked out from the shopping cart and put them back to the shelves, "Mr. Conrad, you..."

Clarence turned around and put the things into the shopping cart again.

Stella was completely speechless. She could only resort to other methods, "Mr. Conrad, the toys you pick are for kids over three years old."

A shopping assistant hurried over and said, "Mr. and Mrs., may I ask you how old your baby is? I can recommend some goods suitable for your kid."

No...

Clarence interrupted her, "It's in her belly."

Stella was still confused about what was wrong with this wretched man even after walking out of the shopping mall. He almost emptied all baby products of several stores!

Those shopping assistants had never seen such a rich and generous client and they all said they could deliver the goods to their house.

Looking at Stella who seemed to want to say something, Clarence asked, "You also want to buy something?"

Stella hurriedly refused him, "No... No... Thanks for your kindness, Mr. Conrad. I don't want to buy anything. Not at all."

Clarence sneered and then got on the car.

Stella finally heaved a sigh of relief.

This nightmare-like experience finally came to an end.

When they came back, Stella felt she not sleepy at all because she was startled just now. Sitting on the passenger seat, she stole several glances at the man sitting beside him. She tried to suppress her impulse, but failed. In the end, she asked, "Mr. Conrad, why did you buy those things?"

Clarence replied without looking at her, "It's funny."

This was really his way of doing things.

Stella didn't want to probe into this anymore.

Out of her expectation, Clarence suddenly asked her a question several minutes later, "When will you deliver the baby?"

Stella hadn't expected that he would ask this and was stunned. She then replied, "It's expected to be born twenty-one weeks later, roughly five months later."

Clarence replied with a nasal sound and didn't speak again.

Stella winded down the window to look at the scenes flashing by.

Clarence asked that question. So probably he was also expecting the birth of the child, right?

When thinking of this, Stella curled her lips into a smile and suddenly felt that her mood was greatly improved.

Clarence took a side long glance and saw her leaning her head against the car window from the mirror. He curled his lips into an inexplicable smile and his black eyes became gentler unknowingly. People in the world might have different feelings, but their good moods would affect others.

Chapter 102: What’s Your Reason for Remarrying Me?

The goods they bought were delivered to Stella's home one after the other in the afternoon.

As there were many cars, they attracted the attentions of Stella's neighbors.

Stella felt it embarrassed to show up, so she pretended that she was having an afternoon nap and refused to go downstairs no matter how boisterous downstairs was.

Dolores was also dumbfounded when seeing those boxes that were carried into the building one after the other.

Evelyn, however, was quite excited. She nudged Dolores and said exultantly, "Did you see it?"

See what?

Apparently it's possible that they would remarry. Evelyn said in a low voice, "I've been observing them for several days and apparently, Stella and Clarence love each other. Let's wait and see. They will definitely remarry soon, and you can just wait for the coming of your grandchild."

Dolores looked down onto the ground when she heard the last sentence, her smile gradually disappearing.

The noises in the yard gradually died out and Stella fell into asleep unknowingly. When she woke up, she heard the rings from the phone on the bedside table.

Stella found the phone number unfamiliar. She picked up her phone and answered, "Hello, who's that?"

Hello, Ms. Radomil, it's from Prison of City N. Excuse me, I want to ask you a question, is Jeffrey Radomil your father?

Stella was silent for a while. She then answered, "Yes."

Ms. Radomil, last night several prisoners tried to escape from the prison and caused a big fire. All of them failed to escape from the fire and died instantly in the fire. Your father is one of them. According to our regulation, we should deliver the bone ashes of the dead to their families. And we'll only dispose them if their families refuse to take the ashes.

Stella was a bit dumbfounded when she heard the words. After a long while, she asked, "He's dead?"

Yeah, Ms. Radomil, if you want to claim your father's ashes, please come to Prison of City N in three days.

After ending the call, Stella sat on the bed in a trance for a long period of time.

Several days ago, she thought that she would not like to hear any news about Jeffrey for the rest of her life, but she hadn't expected that Jeffrey would die and the prison officer would call her to take back his ashes.

When Stella went downstairs, Clarence was dealing with his work in the yard with Nathan by his side. When seeing Stella, Nathan nodded slightly at him to greet her and left sensibly.

Stella sat opposite to Clarence and said after hesitating for a while, "Mr. Conrad."

Clarence was still staring at the computer. He replied without lifting his head, "Spill the beans."

My father was put into prison before. Was it you to deal with it?

Does it have anything to do with... Clarence looked up and saw her pale face. He paused and then continued, "It was Nathan who dealt with it."

Stella replied with a short answer, "Thank you, Mr. Conrad."

She knew deep down that Jeffrey was like a time bomb for her and if she didn't deal with it well, he would still come to Channing even if she managed to get rid of him.

There would be never an end of this, unless one of them was dead.

Clarence closed his laptop, "What do you want to say?"

Stella shook her head, "Nothing. I'm just here to express my gratitude towards you."

It seemed like Clarence had helped her a lot without her knowing.

Mr. Conrad, please continue with your work. I want to go out to have a walk.

Nathan came in in a hurry after Stella's departure, "Mr. Conrad, I got the news that the Prison of City N had a fire last night and Mrs. Conrad's father... He died instantly in the fire. The prison had contacted Mrs. Conrad and asked her to claim the bone ashes of her father."

Clarence pressed him thin lips together. He stood up and said in a flat tone, "I see."

When Clarence found Stella, she was standing beside a stone balustrade of a river.

He slowly walked over and stopped beside her.

Stella turned her head when she heard the sound, "Mr. Conrad?"

Clarence asked, "What are you doing here?"

Er... I'm just walking around freely.

Clarence sneered. He didn't say anything again.

After a while, Stella asked, "Mr. Conrad, when are you going to come back to City N?"

Tomorrow.

Stella asked this question randomly, but she hadn't expected that Clarence would decide to come back so soon. She was stunned for a while.

She had been hoping that he would leave as soon as possible during this period of time, but unexpectedly, when she really heard that he was going to leave, she was not as happy as she had imagined. Stella pondered for a while and asked, "Will Ms. Dolores Anderson come back with you?"

It was reasonable. Judging from Dolores' personality, she also thought that she would not choose to come back with Clarence.

Then... Will you come to visit Ms. Anderson in the future?

Clarence tilted his head and fixed his eyes on her, "Which answer do you want?"

Stella pressed her lips together and didn't reply.

She didn't know which answer she was expecting. Moreover, no matter whether Clarence would come back or not, it had nothing to do with her. It would appear to be officious if she asked more about this. She then heard Clarence saying, "If you don't want to take back his bone ashes, you can choose not to come back."

Stella was muted. She wasn't surprised that he would learn about this.

After all, it was Clarence who sent Jeffrey into the prison.

As a matter of fact, Stella was not troubled by the question of whether to take back Jeffrey's bone ashes or not. It was just that if she came to the prison, it meant that she would have to come back to City N. She was afraid that it would be not that easy for her to leave the city again.

The city bore too many of her bad memories. And she had a feeling that if she came back, something bad would happen.

Before Stella could reply, Clarence continued, "He has died and it's useless for you to think about this. If you have the time, you should consider carefully about the matter I told you before." Stella was bewildered. She asked, "Which matter?"

Clarence glanced over her coldly,

Was he talking about remarrying her?

She thought it was just a joke, but it seemed like he was serious.

Stella laughed awkwardly and said, "Mr. Conrad, I though you're the one who needs to consider about this matter. Aren't you afraid that I have some other purposes in mind?" "You really think highly of yourself."

May I ask why you wants to remarry me?

Stella looked at her silently. Several seconds later, he replied, "Stella Radomil, do you think that I will allow a woman who's pregnant with my child to live out of my control?"

Stella was stunned and moved her lips trying to say something. As expected, he was here for this reason.

No matter it be the things he did for her during the past days, or his proposal to remarry her, his target had always been the child in her belly.

Luckily...

Luckily, she didn't really lose herself in his romance.

Stella said, "Mr. Conrad, I will let you know about my whereabouts as possible and I will tell you about the condition of the baby in the first place. I will not let your father... Er... your families learn about my pregnancy. As for remarry you, sorry, I won't consider it."

She finally got rid of the marriage that had confined her for three years. Clarence had no feelings for her, so their marriage was just a nominal one. Remarrying him? It was really crazy and she wouldn't consider it.

After a long while, Clarence's cold voice sounded, "I will take the fight leaving at eight o'clock tomorrow night. Pack up your things."

He then turned around and left in strikes without waiting for Stella's reply.

Stella withdrew her lines of sights when he was nowhere to be seen. Looking at the gleaming light of the sunset, she heaved a long silent.

It seemed like she had to come back.000☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐

Chapter 103: I Beg You

In the evening...

When Stella was packing up her things in the room, she heard a string of gentle knocking sounds on the door, "Stella, are you sleeping?" Stella opened the door, "Ms. Anderson."

Dolores saw the luggage case and asked, "I heard that Clare will come back tomorrow, are you going back with him?"

Stella nodded her head, "I have to come back to City N to deal with something."

Dolores handed a bag to her, "Here are some small weavings I made recently. Take them with you. Maybe you will use them one day."

Thank you, Ms. Anderson. Stella took the bag and asked, "Ms. Anderson, aren't you going back to City N again?"

Dolores curled her lips into a light smile, "I will not come back again. There're no memorable memories for me there."

Then Clarence...

It depends on himself. If he has time, he can come here to visit me. It doesn't matter if he doesn't have time. After all, I have never assumed the responsibilities that a mother should take. Stella didn't know what she should say at the moment. She could only nod her head silently.

Several seconds later, Dolores continued, "Stella, I don't know what happened between you and Clare and I don't have the qualification to comment on the things between you two. But... Clare, my kid, it's true that sometimes his temper is annoying. But he has always been firm in speech but soft in heart. I learned from my observation during this period of time that indeed he cares about you a lot. It's just that he doesn't know how to express his feelings."

Even if Dolores didn't tell her about this, Stella could still feel by herself that Clarence was just hard in speech.

Moreover, he grew up in the Conrad family, a place where was full of intrigues, hence he was accustomed to think that all people were evil and would weigh up all the pros and cons to the greatest extend. It was because Stella was so clear of these that she wanted to keep away from Clarence as far as possible to prevent being involved in the power struggle between him and the Conrad family.

Nevertheless...

Stella looked down at her belly. She roughly knew why Clarence didn't expect this child's birth.

But she was a mother who had once lost a child and now she was pregnant again. She thought this was a blessing from the god and she would by no means deprive its chance to come to this world. After a long while, Stella spoke, "Ms. Anderson, I and Clarence are unmatched in many aspects. The reason why we got married before is that..."

Stella suddenly chuckled, "Anyway, I'm the one to be blamed and I should bear the consequences."

Dolores sighed in her heart. She didn't say anything else. Before leaving, she told Stella to take good care of herself and feel free to call her if she had any problems. When Stella was about to close the door, she saw Clarence standing not far away and staring at her coldly.

She twitched her mouth corners, "Mr. Conrad."

With one hand in his pocket, Clarence said in an extremely indifferent voice, "Tell me, what consequences did you bear?"

'I bear your cynicism and harsh words over the past three years, you wretched man!' Stella thought to herself.

She replied honestly, "Divorce is the consequence that I ought to bear."

Stella, if you think that divorce means nothing has happened, I have to say that your thought is really simple and naïve.

I know this will possibly not be able to recover any damage. Mr. Conrad, maybe in your eyes, I'm having some other intentions, but this is the only thing that I can do.

If you really plan to bear the consequences, you should think over what you should do when then Conrad family learns about your pregnancy.

Clarence turned around and came back to his bedroom after finishing the words.

Stella was frozen on the ground. She finally realized that Clarence's acquiescence of the child's delivery had a premise - the Conrad family hadn't learned about her pregnancy.

This meant that once the Conrad family found out her pregnancy, Clarence would not give her any chance.

Stella only came to her own senses after a long while. She felt her fingers icy-cold.

Sitting by the bedside, Stella looked out of the window in confusion.

Could she really protect her child? Could she prevent the Conrad family from learning about its existence and deliver it safe and sound?

Stella pondered for a while. Actually, she didn't have too many contacts with the Conrad family. Except for Annie Conrad, she barely had any interactions with the other members of the Conrad family. Although she came into contact with Justin Conrad for some work reasons, she thought that Justin would not order customized jewelry for his mother all the time.

Therefore, theoretically, nothing bad would happen as long as she could evade that crazy Annie.

Stella heaved a sigh of relief and continued packing up her things. She put the small stockings and small clothes weaved by Dolores into her luggage case. Although she had comforted herself just now, Stella still felt inexplicably worried.

She then saw the pile of baby products in her room. Hesitating for a long while, she finally walked out of the room and knocked at the door of Clarence's bedroom. She kept down her voice and asked, "Mr. Conrad, are you sleeping?"

The door was opened after two minutes and it seemed like Clarence was woken up by Stella. With impatience written all over his face, he tried hard suppress his temper, "Stella, I remember that I told you before. Dare you to bother me in the midnight..."

Stella retorted him in a low voice, "You didn't allow me to call you in the midnight, but you didn't say that I can't come to find you in the midnight."

Ignoring his bad attitude, Stella continued, "It's about the child. Mr. Conrad, I want to talk with you."

Spill the beans.

I promise that I will try my best to evade meeting members of the Conrad family no matter whether I'm going. But... But my ability is limited, so Mr. Conrad, I want to ask for your help. You must have approaches to prevent them from finding out my pregnancy.

Clarence looked at her calmly, "Why should I help you."

Stella pressed her lips together, "Mr. Conrad, you bought many baby products today. You..."

It's just a random thought and this can't prove anything.

Stella had expected this answer from him.

After pondering for a few seconds, she gently tugged his sleeve, "I beg you."

Clarence fixed his black eyes on her. With his Adam's apple popping up and down, he quickly shifted his gaze, "I don't see any sincerity from you."

Stella pouted and withdrew her hand, "Then Mr. Conrad, what do you want me to do?"

Move back to Starry Lake Mansion, I can help you to keep it a secret from the Conrad family. But if they find it out when you're outside the mansion, it will have nothing to do with me.

Stella hadn't expected that his requirement would be so simple and easy. Comparing to the conditions that were so demanding and deprived her rights as a human being, this requirement was much better. Moreover, moving back to Starry Lake Mansion meant that she was much safer to some extent.

After that, she would only commute from her company and the mansion and she thought there would not be any accident.

Seeing that Stella still remained silent, Clarence looked dissatisfied.

This woman still didn't know what was good for her, just as she did in the past.

When he was about to say something, Stella said in a soft voice, "Dealt. I will move back."☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐

Chapter 104: A Cold-hearted Man Like You

In the next afternoon...

Evelyn also heard that Stella and Clarence were going to leave. She took many special local products from her home and asked them to receive them.

After that, she pulled Stella to a corner and asked in a low voice, "Stella, are you going to remarry Clare after coming back?"

'Ms. Beckham, this is your real purpose, right?' She thought to herself.

Nope...

Oh, don't feel embarrassed in front of me. I've been observing Clare for you during the past days. He has a good quality. He's handsome and rich. If you don't catch the opportunity, he will be easily snatched by the other woman.

Stella, listen to me, when you're as old as me, you'll find that the quarrels and conflicts you have now is nothing and in the eyes of the outsiders, they are some sweet things. It's just that I'm old now. If I'm twenty years old younger, I will...

Evelyn said nonstop, and Stella found it hard for her to get a word in, hence she chose to shut up.

Before leaving, Stella took a glance at this place in which she had been living for one more months, and she inexplicably had a feeling that she was now leaving her home.

No matter it be Dolores, or Evelyn, or the other neighbors, they all gave her the warmth and cares that she never had before.

Clarence, who was standing in front of the car, saw Stella keeping turning around while walking. He couldn't understand her twisted feeling at all and said, "Well, you can come back later. Why are you so upset?"

Stella withdrew her lines of sights and sighed, "Alas, it's reasonable. A cold-hearted man like you can never understand what it means to separate the ones that you've been staying with for a long time." Clarence pulled a long face, "Stella Radomil."

Stella curled her lips into an appropriate smile, "Let's set off, Mr. Conrad."

Evelyn originally planned to send them to the airport together with Dolores, but fearing that they would be more upset and that Evelyn would say something incredible on the way to the airport, Stella hurriedly refused them.

Moreover, based on Dolores and Clarence's personalities, Stella guessed that wouldn't like the scene of separation.

When they left Anqiao Street, Stella felt that her experience here was like a warm and comfortable dream.

But now the beautiful dream had to finish.

She must brace herself up now. Only in this way could she cope with the things that might happen after she came back to City N.

After getting of the airplane, Stella said, "Mr. Conrad, I have to come back to my home to pack up my things tonight and I will move to the mansion tomorrow.

Clarence ignored her after finishing the words and left in strikes.

As a matter of fact, Stella didn't have too many things to pack up as she took away all the things that she could take away when she ran away from City N. And all her valuable belongings were in the luggage

case.

It was just that she didn't want to stay together with Clarence and that she wanted to enjoy the last night for her to stay alone, so that she randomly found an excuse.

Stella followed behind him slowly. After walking out of the airport, Nathan came to her when she intended to call a taxi, "Ms. Radomil, let me drive you back." "Aren't you going back with Clarence?"

Mr. Conrad has to come back to the company first and he asked me to send you back, Ms. Radomil.

I see.

Stella wanted to tell him about her domicile after getting on the car, yet she saw Nathan input an address into the navigation application.

Stella, "..."

Nathan smiled drily.

He could only use the laughter to cover up his awkwardness.

Stella didn't feel it weird that Nathan would know about her address. He was Clarence's special assistant who helped him deal with many things in detail, so it would be abnormal if he didn't know about it. They then arrived at the downstairs of Stella's domicile. Nathan took her luggage case out, "Ms. Radomil, Mr. Conrad asked me to pick you up tomorrow. Which point of time is convenient for you?" Stella replied after a short while of silence, "No need. I can go there by myself."

After finishing the words, she looked up and saw Nathan's expression. It seemed like he wanted to say something. Stella secretly gritted her teeth, "Tell Clarence that I will definitely go there." "Okay. Goodbye, Ms. Radomil."

Nathan then left.

Stella watched the black car disappearing in her view and then turned around and walked into the apartment.

After getting upstairs, Stella turned on the lights. Looking at the chilling house that was covered with a layer of dusts, she lowered her head and sighed.

Actually, she had only been living in this place for less than one month, so this place was anything but a home for her.

When she finished packing up her things, it was already one o'clock in the morning.

Standing by the bedside, Stella pondered for a long while and then finally sent a message to Channing.

[Chan, come to Prison of City N together with me tomorrow morning.]

Channing also hadn't slept yet. He immediately made a phone call to Stella when he received the message, "Are you in City N now?"

Yeah, I got off the plane just now.

Channing then asked, "Why are we going to the prison."

Stella looked out of the window and replied in a low voice, "Jeffrey died."

There was dead silence at the other end of the phone. Channing then asked in a clam voice, "How did he die?"

He tried to escape from the prison and caused a fire, and then died instantly in the fire.

Channing said, "I will come to pick you up tomorrow."

In the early morning of the next day, it was drizzling and the whole city seemed to be shrouded by a layer of grey color. Stella, who was in black from top to toe, showed up at the entrance of Prison of City N with Channing standing by her side.

They came to the registration desk and told the officer why they were here today. Then the prison officer brought them to the place storing the bone ashes of the dead, "Here are Jeffrey Radomil's bone ashes and relics. You can take them away after signing here."

Channing signed his name on the paper. The prison officer took a glance at him and then at Stella who was standing beside him. He couldn't help but say, "I haven't expected that Jeffrey would have such two filial children. He was really lucky."

Jeffrey had created many troubles after being put into jail. He was always beat, and always hit others. He often shouted that his son-in-law was the president of the Conrad Group. He was just a typical loafer and ruffian.

But his words were effective that he gathered up a group of prisoners and they planned to escape from the prison. Unluckily, they failed.

After signing his name, Channing took a glance at Jeffrey's bone ashes. He pressed his thin lips together tightly and didn't reply the prison officer's question.

Stella asked, "Can we leave now?"

Of course. The prison officer came back to his own senses and gave Jeffrey's bone ashes and relics to them.

Watching them leaving the prison, the officer felt quite curious about a question: Jeffrey was so wicked and ugly, how could he have a handsome son and a beautiful daughter?

Could it be that the children were abducted from others?

After getting out of the prison, Channing said to Stella, "Leave the rest things to me. You shall go back and have a rest."

Stella paused. She knew that Channing was afraid that she didn't want to face Jeffrey anymore. She curled her lips into a light smile, "He had died and it's useless to mind the past. If I really mind it, I wouldn't have come today."

Channing slightly smiled, "No matter what, you're still pregnant and it's inappropriate for you to come to the cemetery. I can go there along."

Chan, it really doesn't matter. Rest assured.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐

Chapter 105: Humiliation

Jeffrey's funeral was very simple. More precisely, it was just a simple farewell ceremony.

There was only a name 'Jeffrey Radomil' on his tombstone.

Holding an umbrella, Channing stood beside Stella, "He suffered from his own actions and he can't blame anyone else for such a miserable consequence."

What they could do was to take back his bone ashes and find a cemetery to bury him. This was the last thing that they could do for him.

Stella didn't say anything and simply stared at Jeffrey's tombstone. After a long while, she said slowly, "Chan, let's go."

No matter what unforgivable things Jeffrey had done in the future, they would all end here.

She was now finally free.

They left the cemetery and went back to the old house to tidy up Jeffrey's relics.

The house was located in an old residence building in a poor district, so it was not valuable at all. Based on Jeffrey's personality, he would have tried to pledge the house by all means to pay his debts. Nevertheless, the weird thing was that he had never thought of pledging this house. It seemed like Jeffrey hadn't come back for a long time as the house was covered with a layer of thick dusts.

Channing waved his hand after entering the house and said to Stella, "Wait outside the house. There're many dusts here."

Stella nodded her head, "All right."

Channing found a carton and put Jeffrey's things into it.

Standing on the balcony and looking at the house in which she grew up, Stella was clutched by a gush of weird feelings.

It seemed like ever since she began to memory things, Jeffrey had been raffish. Nevertheless, when he was young, he was not addicted in gambling. It was just that he was an alcoholic and liked to ask for credit. Nevertheless, he would occasionally think of his children and then swear that he would thoroughly reform himself.

But usually, he would only persist for two days and would commit the same mistake again.

This situation was further intensified as the time passed.

When Stella was lost in her thoughts, Channing took out a locked old leather suitcase out form Jeffrey's bedroom. Judging from its appearance, it seemed like the suitcase hadn't been unlocked for many years Channing went to find lock picks. Stella asked, "Do you want to open it?"

Channing replied while rummaging for the lock picks, "I saw him open the suitcase once before and I guess there must be something important to him in the suitcase."

Stella moved her lips trying to say something, yet didn't utter a single word in the end.

Actually she was also curious about what were in the suitcase.

She guessed that the things in it were possibly related to their mother.

Their mother died in giving birth to Channing. There was no photo of her in their home. Stella forgot how she looked like, and Channing had never known about her appearance. Channing unlocked the suitcase after a short while.

They were greeted by the dusts. Then Stella saw the things in it.

There were several yellowed photos, a diary and a pocket watch.

Channing picked up a photo. It was a group photo of a beautiful woman and a man. Nevertheless, the man's face on the photo was scratched and he couldn't see his appearance. But judging from his figure and dressing, apparently he was not Jeffrey.

He picked up the other photo. It was a group photo of a family of three, including that woman and that man, whose face on the photo was also scratched. But there was a little girl between them. Channing studied the other photos and found that the man's appearance on the photos were all unrecognizable.

Stella picked up the diary and she didn't notice Channing's weird reaction. Judging from the narrative technique of the diary, she guessed that it was Jeffrey's diary. It recorded the whole process of how he had a crush on a girl, but it didn't clarify the girl's identity. It was roughly about the changes in his moods when he saw the girl every day.

He stopped writing diary on the date when the girl got married.

Stella turned several pages and found a line of words on the last page.

[She finally agrees to marry me. This date finally comes.]

Judging from the handwriting, he wrote down this line of words long after he stopped writing diaries before.

Stella put down the diary. When she turned around, she found Channing sitting there and staring at the photos silently. She asked in a gentle voice, "Chan, what's wrong?"

Channing handed the photos to her and then stood up and left.

Stella gradually widened her eyes when she saw the photos.

If her assumption was right, the photo was scratched by Jeffrey. And the man on the photo...

After a long while, Stella put the photos back to the suitcase and walked to the living room.

Channing was still packing up things silently.

When hearing the noise, he said without lifting his head, "You can come back now. I will pack up the rest things."

Chan. Stella called his name in a gentle voice, "I've seen the photos. But they can't represent anything."

Channing replied after a short while of silence, "I've been dreaming of the possibility that Jeffrey is not my biological father and I even hoped so when I opened the suitcase just now. I thought there must be his secret in it. Maybe we were all not his children, but I hadn't expected that..."

He hadn't expected that it was true that there was Jeffrey's secret in the suitcase. Nevertheless, he was Jeffrey's child and Stella was not.

Before learning about this, Channing simply hated bitterly of having such an unbearable and swore that he would protect his sister as they had been living together and helped each other in difficulties. Nevertheless, after learning about the truth, he didn't know how he should face Stella.

If it was not because of Jeffrey, Stella would not have such a life.

Channing felt being overwhelmed by humiliation at the moment.

Stella said in a calm voice, "Chan, when I was so despairing before, I also thought that it would be so good if Jeffrey is not my father. Because I can completely get rid of him if he's not my biological father and start my own life. But as things have come to this point, is there any difference even if he's not my father?"

No matter what, I'd been calling him 'father' for twenty more years. Moreover, the man on the photo is totally a stranger for me and he hasn't come to find me over the years. Maybe he's inferior to Jeffrey. Seeing that Channing was still silent, Stella continued, "Chan, even though I'm not Jeffrey's child, I'm still your sister. We have the same mother."

Although they had different fathers, they were delivered by the same mother.

After a while, Channing spoke in an upset tone, "I know."

Stella chucked, "All right. It's almost finished. Let's leave."

Wait a minute.

After finishing the words, Channing turned around and headed to the balcony. He then took the things out form the suitcase.

He handed the photos and the pocket watch to Stella, "Take them. Maybe you'll use them one day."

When speaking, he threw Jeffrey's diary into the carton.

Stella took a glance at the photos and then at Channing, "Chan, do you want to keep..."

I don't want them. I've never seen her and it doesn't matter to me no matter how she looks like.

Stella replied, "Then I will keep them. When you want to see the photos, you can come to find me."

Stella knew that the real reason why Channing didn't want to keep the photos was that these photos were all her group photos with that man."

Chapter 106: What Are You Waiting For?

After finishing the status report of his work, Nathan said, "Mr. Conrad, if there's nothing else, I shall go out."

Wait, Clarence stopped him. After a few seconds, Clarence raised his head and asked indifferently, "Has Stella moved over?"

Not yet...

Putting down his pen, Clarence asked unhappily, "What's she up to?"

Nathan answered, "Mrs. Conrad went to the Prison of City N this morning and took her father's ashes. In the afternoon, she went to the cemetery. Right now... she should be on the way back home."

Upon hearing it, Clarence snorted slightly without speaking anything else. Then he said, "You may leave now."

He inwardly complained how ungrateful Stella was - why did she waste her love on such worthless things? Right then, Clarence's phone started ringing. It was a call from Vincent.

As soon as the call was connected, Vincent asked, "Hello, Clarence. I heard that you've returned to City N."

Yep.

I didn't expect the project to be so tough. You went there to deal with it but it took you such a long time. Clarence said in a cold tone, "Are you quite idle now?"

Vincent let out a hollow laugh, "Nope. I'm quite busy. I just care about you. May I know what on earth you are thinking about? When there was a fierce competition in Conrad Group, how come you went to Anqiao Street to deal with the project that meant nothing to Conrad Group? I'm sure your father must be quite delighted recently."

If I didn't offer him any chance to let him be optimistic and he would stop right now, what would be so fun of it? Clarence said in an indifferent tone, "Besides, Anqiao Street is indeed an important project for Conrad Group. Said who it meant nothing?"

All right. All right. Whatever you said. So, let's have a drink tonight, shall we?

Clarence glanced over the piled documents, pressing his thin lips, "I don't have time."

Vincent fell into silence.

What a stubborn man! Vincent knew that Clarence wasn't willing to admit the truth.

After hanging up the phone, Clarence stared at his phone. Then he dialed Stella's number.

On the other side, as soon as Stella arrived home and before sitting on the sofa, her phone started ringing.

She swiped to answer it slowly, "Hello, Mr. Conrad. What else can I do for you?"

Clarence said in a cold tone, "Stella, you should know that the Conrad Family is keeping an eye on me right now."

Probably... Yeah, I heard of it.

She also read the finance newspapers that Dolores used to read. Probably it was more and more difficult to control Clarence, Dempsey wanted to take part of Clarence's power away, and he did it quite obviously.

Otherwise, he wouldn't insist on letting Horace and Annie get married.

Then, what are you waiting for?

Clarence added, "I've told you if you were found pregnant by them outside, it would be useless if you begged me."

Mr. Conrad, thanks for your kindly reminder. I'll pack up now.

After you've finished packing up, I'll ask Nathan to pick you up.

After hanging up the phone, Stella took out the suitcase and put her necessities into it.

Around half an hour later, Nathan called her.

Before leaving, she saw the paper bag in front of her door, in which there were photos and the pocket watch that she had found in Jeffrey's place.

Stella stared at it for a long time. Then she decided to take it along with her.

Arriving at the Starry Lake Mansion, Nathan said, "Ms. Radomil, Mr. Conrad still needs to deal with a lot of things in the company. He should be back pretty late." Stella answered, "I see."

She wondered why Nathan told her such information. She wouldn't be waiting for Clarence, anyway.

Nathan coughed. After taking the suitcase out of the truck for Stella, he said, "Ms. Radomil, I'm taking off now."

Stella nodded, "Okay. Thanks a lot, Nathan."

You are welcome. This is what I should do.

As soon as Nathan left, the servant who heard the sounds outside walked out. Seeing that Stella came back with a suitcase, she was happier than anyone else. Taking off Stella's suitcase, the servant walked into the house, "Mrs. Conrad, you finally came back! You've been reconciled with Mr. Conrad, haven't you? I've told you - it's normal for a young couple to get into a fight. You'll reconcile in the bedroom anyway."

Putting on a wry smile, she wanted to explain that she would be staying here for the time being. However, she guessed that the more she explained, the less persuasive it would be. Hence, she decided to give up on her idea and let the servant imagine. She wouldn't care.

After arriving on the second floor, when the servant was about to take her suitcase to the master bedroom, Stella hurriedly pushed the door of another bedroom open, "I'll stay here."

The servant was confused, "Mrs. Conrad, don't you stay with your husband..."

Stella pressed her lips into a smile. She took over the suitcase, "I can sort things out myself. You can go back to your work now. Thanks."

Upon hearing it, the servant couldn't insist on asking her, so she left.

Stella closed the door, exhaling.

She had never expected that she would return to this place. How decisive she was when she was leaving, how heavy the slap in her face was now.

Besides, she always thought that the accurate way for her to pass through the pregnancy peacefully was to distance herself from Clarence instead of staying with him in the same house. She might be annoyed to death every day.

However, under the current circumstance, she had no other ways.

The wretched man, Clarence, was watching her all the time, so she had to move in obediently. As for the further plan, she would take a step at one time.

There would be another five months before she gave birth to the baby. What if she could figure out a method and leave here without noticing anyone? There was always an exception.

Stella thought that all she needed to do was to wait for an opportunity.

When she left, Stella didn't take away a lot of things. Hence, when she moved back, she didn't have much stuff. After sorting out her belongings, Stella started to take a siesta.

In her dream, she faintly heard a huge bang from an explosion. Then she saw a big fire and heard someone's heart-wrenching voice calling "Dad".

Gradually, Stella found that it was she who was letting out that voice. She wanted to rush into the fire, but someone pulled her back forcibly.

Then the flame dashed to the sky and overwhelmed her, and the scorching heatwave wrapped her tightly. She felt as if she was stung by countless needles. Stella woke up, sitting up suddenly.

Looking at the dark sky outside, she finally realized that she had just had a dream.

Right then, she heard the servant's voice outside her room, "Excuse me, Mrs. Conrad. Dinner is ready."

Stella licked her dried lips, "All right. I'll be right there."

She washed her face with cold water in the bathroom and gradually stopped panting.

She stood in front of the mirror in a daze. Then she turned around and left her room.

She didn't think that she had the nightmare for no reason. It must have something to do with the photos she had seen earlier today.

Stella took out the photos again. However, no matter how long she stared at it, she couldn't find the missing memories in her brain. She couldn't recall the man's face on the photos at all.

She picked up the pocket watch aside, but she still couldn't find any memories relevant to it.

According to the photos and Jeffrey's diaries, her mother should have married Jeffrey with her. However, she didn't know what on earth had happened before that. She wondered why she couldn't recall anything in her childhood. Was it relevant to the explosion in her dream?

Chapter 107: Did You Do It on Purpose?

Due to the nightmare in the afternoon, Stella couldn't fall asleep at midnight, her eyes widely open.

Hence, she got up and started sorting out the design drafts recently.

In the past few weeks, she was out of town, so she worked online. Since now she had returned to City N, she should go back to SG Jewelry Magazine and report.

When she was half done, Stella heard the footsteps in the corridor. The next second, she heard the door of the bedroom next door was open.

She guessed that it must be Clarence who came back.

Subconsciously, Stella checked the time on her cell phone - one o'clock in the morning.

When they were in Anqiao Street, she always felt that the wretched man was quite idle. Except that he occasionally dealt with the documents delivered by Nathan, he kept making trouble to her for the rest of the time. However, as soon as he returned to City N, he got so busy.

After sorting out the drafts, Stella felt starved.

She opened her door, went downstairs to the kitchen, and started looking for food.

She checked the food in the fridge, but she didn't have an appetite to eat them. Fortunately, there were plenty of ingredients. She decided to cook by herself.

Stella took out the chicken wings and potatoes. She wanted to potato stuffed chicken wings.

Since the chicken wings were washed ahead, she only needed to take out the bones and soak the chicken into the cooking wine. Then she would cut the potato into slices and stuff them into the chicken wings After that, she only needed to deep fry them together.

After it was done, she poured some water into the pot and turned down the gas to boil them. It would be ready in another twenty minutes.

Stella put back the lid, wiped her hands, and turned around, only to find that Clarence was leaning against the door of the kitchen with both hands in his trousers pockets. He was watching her in silence. Stella was shocked, wondering when the wretched man came to the kitchen.

Clarence asked flatly, "Haven't you had enough for dinner?"

Stella shook her head, "Yes, I have. I'm just hungry again."

After that, she was afraid that the wretched man would mock her for eating much. She added tentatively, "It's past one in the morning now. Isn't it normal to have a midnight snack?" Clarence strode over, pulled a chair away from the dining table, and sat down, "You're starved after having dinner, ready for the midnight snack. I haven't had lunch yet. What do you think?" Stella was speechless.

She didn't stop him from eating lunch, did she? Why would he ask her what she thought?

Since she was taken in by him, Stella believed that she should be polite. Reluctantly, she asked, "Mr. Conrad, what would you like to eat? I can cook it for you."

After all, she had to stand here, waiting for the food to be ready.

Clarence said, "Up to you."

Stella opened the fridge again, glancing in it quickly. She realized that no matter what she would cook, it would take a long time.

Since he hadn't had lunch yet, he couldn't eat something stimulating. Otherwise, he would have a stomachache.

Finally, Stella took out two eggs, deciding to make a steamed egg custard.

It should be ready when the potato stuffed chicken wings were ready.

After she put the bowel of whisked egg into the steamer, Stella looked over at the man who was sitting at the dining table, "Mr. Conrad, you may wait upstairs. I can deliver it to you when it's ready." "Am I disturbing you if I stay here?"

Stella curled her lips without answering.

Time passed by.

After a moment, Clarence suddenly asked, "Didn't you said you couldn't bear the smell of the lampblack?"

Ah... Stella understood what he meant, "Well, this is not so strong. But it depends. If he doesn't bother me, I'll be fine."

Of course, the most important was not only she was starved, but the little fellow in her belly was also starved.

Clarence glanced at her belly without speaking anything else.

Stella rubbed her nose, continuing to watch the food.

She knew that Clarence didn't like the baby in her belly at all. He had shown the little conscience that he had already. She couldn't ask him for more.

Shortly after, the twenty minutes were over.

Stella opened the lid of the pot and the food's smell spread in the whole kitchen.

She sprinkled sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Then she picked up the chicken wings and put them into a plate with chopsticks.

Then she went to take out the steamed egg custard and sprinkled sesame seeds and chopped green onions on it. She put the bowl in front of Clarence, "It's ready. Go ahead."

Clarence looked down at the food in front of him and glanced over the chicken wings on her plate, "Stella, did you do it on purpose?"

Stella just picked up a chicken wing and hadn't taken a bite yet. She heard his question and followed his gaze into her own plate. Then she looked over at his bowl.

Obviously, the steamed egg custard looked not delicious at all compared to the chicken wings on her plate.

The difference was too huge.

Haha... Mr. Conrad, you haven't had lunch yet, have you? So you can't eat anything spicy or oily. Otherwise, you may have a stomachache.

Clarence cast her a glance and said in a flat tone expressionlessly, "You know it very well. It seems you always suffer from stomachache." Stella was speechless.

The wretched man reminded her of her previous experiences.

She wondered if he did it on purpose.

Stella stood up again and got another clean plate. She put half chicken wings into the plate and pushed it to Clarence, "Mr. Conrad, since you want to eat them so much, you can eat the chicken wings after finishing the egg custard."

Upon hearing it, Clarence retorted unhappily, "When did I tell you I want to eat them?"

Oh, probably I misunderstood you. Mr. Conrad, it's alright. Forget it...

Stella was about to pull back the plate, but Clarence cast her a cold glance.

She knew that he denied with his lips but affirmed in his heart again.

She curled up her lips and coughed. Then she said solemnly, "Mr. Conrad, hurry up and eat your food. They're getting cold."

After that, Stella didn't care about him any longer. She started to eating. She was almost starved to death.

After finishing her food, she stretched.

Seeing that Clarence didn't eat the chicken wings on his plate, she asked, "Mr. Conrad, don't you want to eat them?"

Clarence asked, "Are you full?"

Yeah...

Then none of your business.

Her kindness wasn't appreciated again.

Ignoring him, Stella did her own dishes and went upstairs.

Clarence pinched his nose bridge. Sitting motionlessly, he was lost in thought. He didn't stand up and leave the kitchen until a long while later.

On the next day, when Stella got up, Clarence was gone. After having breakfast, when she was about to go out for work, the driver walked up to her, "Good morning, Mrs. Conrad. Please allow me to give you a ride."

Stella said, "No, thanks. I can..."

She just went to work. She didn't want to be so bothered.

Mrs. Conrad, Mr. Conrad told me that if you want to go out, I must give you a ride.

Stella exhaled, "All right."

She could imagine what reason the wretched man would use to convince her if she still refused.

However, the car would draw so much attention. Stella asked the driver to stop at the intersection in front of the office of SG Jewelry Magazine. The driver seemed to want to refuse, but Stella insisted. He had to give up.

Mrs. Conrad, I'll be waiting for you nearby.

As he spoke, he didn't wait for Stella's answer. He got in the car and drove away immediately.

Stella heaved a sigh, turned around, and walked to the office of SG Jewelry Magazine.

From afar, Modesty watched the scene, frowning. Her eyes were full of disdain and contempt. She knew it - Stella pretended to be aloof. In fact, she could sell out her own body for money and risk her life climbing up.

Chapter 108: Leaving Me a Way to Live

When Stella came back, Sherry was the happiest person.

After Stella reported her work status and walked out of Stanford's office, Sherry immediately pulled Stella to her office, "Stella, when did you come back? Why didn't you tell me?

I came back on the day before yesterday, said Stella, "Sherry, Jeffrey Radomil was dead."

Stella briefed what had happened to Stella, including the photos that she found in Jeffrey's suitcase.

After listening to her, Sherry felt quite relaxed, "I'm not surprised at all. Jeffrey Radomil was a jerk. He didn't look like a father at all, you know. No matter how bad a man is, he wouldn't sell out his own daughter He's such a shameless man!"

As she spoke, Sherry asked, "What do you plan to do now? Are you going to find your biological father?"

Stella shook her head, "Forget it."

Why not? Don't you want to know what happened in the past?

No matter what happened, it has been so many years. I don't think it means anything if I've found him.

Sherry thought for a while and asked tentatively, "Stella, you don't want to find him because of Chan, right?"

She knew Stella very much. For Stella, comparing with her biological father who she couldn't recall what he looked like, her brother, with whom they relied on each other since childhood, was much more important.

Stella smiled faintly, "Not really. You've misunderstood. Jeffrey Radomil is dead, and finally, my life is back to peace. I just don't want to experience anything unexpected again. Besides, if my biological father was still alive, he should come to find me. Since he hasn't, I guess probably he has disappeared from this world already, or he married another woman and has a new family. If I went to find him, I might cause him trouble and not get what I want."

Sherry thought about her words and found they indeed made sense. She changed the subject, "Besides this, I'm more curious about another matter."

What is it?

Are you going to remarry Clarence Conrad?

Stella was choked up by her question.

Sherry asked seriously, "Don't skip my question. After you've told me what happened in another town last time, I kept thinking about it. Even if Clarence Conrad would like you, a wretched man like him wouldn't treat you truly. Look at Vivian Sean. Back then, there were so many rumors and a lot of people thought that she was marrying Clarence Conrad. What did it end up to? Nothing! I guess the wretched man just like your appearance, and he hasn't lost his interest in you yet. All driven by his lust."

Stella's mouth corners twitched. After a long while, she said, "I know."

Even if Sherry didn't remind her, Stella was quite clear. Suddenly Clarence declared that he liked her probably because he had been used to having her by his side quietly. After all, she was always a dutiful good wife.

When she left the position of Mrs. Conrad and began her own life, she didn't do things obediently. On the contrary, he felt quite interested and surprised. A typical wretched man was just like that, wasn't he? Besides, he also admitted that they had been married for three years and they had sex countless times. If he would fall in love with her truly, it could have happened a long time ago.

Hence, Stella had a clear estimation of herself on this point.

Sherry added, "By the way, Stella, you are back now. How about I move to your apartment? I plan to sell my apartment. As soon as I go home, I will recall that Liam Keith used to stay there, which disgusts me a lot."

Stella put on a wry smile, letting out hollow laughter.

Sherry looked at her in confusion.

Stella rubbed her neck awkwardly, "You can directly move in. I'm not staying there."

What? Where are you staying now? Did you rent a new apartment?

Stella knew that she couldn't hide it from her, so she told Sherry bluntly.

After a while, she said seriously, "Stella, for the sake of our years of friendship, if you truly reconcile with that wretched... Mr. Conrad, please don't tell him that I've cursed him, leaving me a way to live!"

When Stella and Sherry walked out of Sherry's office, they happened to meet Modesty, who just received a client for couture jewelry.

Sherry and Modesty couldn't get along at all. When they met each other, they could easily get into fights, so they didn't even try to maintain their relationship as coworkers.

When they brushed past each other, they heard a woman's clear and indifferent voice, "Wait a minute."

The client looked back over at Stella, "Excuse me, Miss. Are you also a designer of SG Jewelry Magazine? If not mistaken, you must be the designer of the 'Puppy ' Series, Ms. Radomil, right?" Stella nodded at her slightly, "Yes. Nice to meet you, Ma'am."

I never met you when I came to SG Jewelry Magazine several times. I thought you've resigned.

Stella answered politely, "Well, I had some personal errands to deal with earlier, so I took a few days off." Watching the scene, Modesty hurriedly walked up to them and said, "Excuse me, Miss Steward. We..."

Phoebe smiled and interrupted her, "It's alright. No hurry. I'm not quite busy today, anyway."

As she spoke, she turned to Stella and continued, "Ms. Radomil, I like the 'Puppy ' Series you designed very much. Recently, I have a friend how's getting married. She's younger than me. I want to give her a wedding gift. May I ask you to design for her, please?"

Modesty bit her lower lip, "Miss Steward, but..."

Miss Parker, I won't change our agreed design. This friend of mine is quite important to me. Besides, I can send her as many gifts as I want, can't I?

Since Phoebe said so, Modesty couldn't find another excuse. She wasn't reluctantly though. It was quite hard for her to get this important client, and she wasn't willing to share her with Stella so easily. After finishing her words to Modesty, Phoebe looked over at Stella and asked in a gentle voice, "Would you like to do it, Ms. Radomil?"

Before Stella answered, Sherry chimed in, "Of course. Of course. Miss Steward, you do have good taste. Ms. Radomil is the first contracted jewelry designer in our company. The 'Puppy ' Series is always the high demanded design in the market, always short in supply. You've made the wisest decision to ask her to design the jewelry for your friend."

With a smile, Phoebe said, "Certainly. I heard that Ms. Radomil won the first prize in the Young Designers' Contest three years ago. I'm sure my friend would like the wedding gift designed by Ms. Radomil very much."

Stella asked, "Miss Steward, do you have a preferred style?"

Well, how about like this? Let's find a place to sit down and talk. While she spoke, Phoebe seemed to recall Modesty was there, "By the way, Miss Parker. Please use the previous version of your design. I like it a lot."

After a while, Modesty nodded stiffly in agreement.

Phoebe was obviously not happy with that version of the design. She deliberately came to the company in person today for updating the design.

However, judging from Phoebe's behaviors, Modesty didn't think her design was important at all.

In her opinion, Phoebe had chosen Stella already. The reason why Phoebe would still use her design was just to keep her dignity.

Thinking of that, Modesty clenched her fists deeply. Her fingernails sank into the flesh of her palms.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐

Chapter 109: Sharp Tongue Would Be Cut off in Hell

Cafe.

Phoebe ordered a cup of Cafe Americano and asked Stella, "Ms. Radomil, what would you like to drink?"

Stella said to the waiter, "A glass of milk, please. Thanks."

After the waiter left, Phoebe smiled faintly and said, "I didn't know you don't drink coffee, Ms. Radomil. Since designers need inspiration in your careers, I thought you need the caffeine more or less."

I do like coffee. Just because of my health issue, it's more appropriate for me to drink milk right now.

Stella didn't think it's necessary to let a person who she met for the first time know that she was pregnant. She made an excuse at random.

Phoebe said, "Right. Ms. Radomil, you look quite well. I guess you must be very careful with your diet and drink usually."

Stella smiled politely. She changed the subject and came straight to the point, "Miss Steward, could you please let me know what kind of style your friend prefers? I can design a draft version for you to take a look at. If you have any suggestions, just let me know. Then I'll modify the design."

Well, we don't have a specific idea yet, so currently there's no special requirement, said Phoebe, "Ms. Radomil, I guess upon your capability, you can design it freely. My friend favors the 'Puppy ' Series a lot, which meant quite differently for her. If she knew that her wedding gift would be designed by you, she must be overjoyed."

Stella said, "Miss Steward, thank you for your compliment. I'll have a try then. In a week, I'll send you the first version of the draft. If you have any other requirements, I'll add them on."

Deal! Phoebe gave Stella an email inbox, "Ms. Radomil, please send the draft to this inbox. Thank you."

Stella nodded slightly, "All right."

Phoebe stood up, "I gotta go now. Ms. Radomil, nice meeting you. I look forward to your design."

Nice meeting you, too, Miss Steward. See you.

Out of the cafe, Stella wanted to hail a cab as usual, but suddenly she recalled that the driver arranged by Clarence was waiting nearby for her.

She exhaled. After taking a few steps, she received a call from Sherry, "How did it go, Stella? Made the deal?"

Yep. I'll give her the draft in a week.

Sherry almost applauded. After a pause, she asked, "Stella, just now I accepted the offer for you without your permission. Are you mad at me for that?" Stella answered with a smile, "You are helping me make money. Why would I be mad at you?"

Although she didn't owe Clarence any money now, she needed money to bring up her baby. Even if Sherry didn't accept it for her, she wouldn't reject it.

It was her job. She didn't need to reject the opportunity for Modesty's sake.

Sherry breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good then. Have you noticed that? Modesty's face turned pale in anger. I guess she must be puking blood in her office now. I'm so delighted at the thought of the scene." Stella said, "You'd better go back to your work. I'm going home now. Miss Steward asked me to design it freely, but I don't have a clue yet."

If there was no requirement for a design, it meant the most difficult. Fortunately, at least she knew it would be a wedding gift. She decided to find her inspiration based on that.

All right. After you've finished this design, let's have dinner together.

After hanging up the phone, Stella saw the driver standing not far away and waving at her. He called, "Mrs. Conrad, I'm here."

Stella walked over. After hesitating for a moment, she said in a low voice, "Please don't call me Mrs. Conrad in the future. I divorced Clarence long ago." "Yes, Mrs... Miss... Ms..."

Besides "Mrs. Conrad", the driver wasn't sure what else he could address her. He couldn't finish his words after stammering for a long while. Stella heaved a sigh, "Let's go."

After all, it was the conflict between Clarence and her. It had nothing to do with the driver.

As soon as she arrived home, Stella locked herself in the bedroom, starting to design the draft.

When dinner was ready and the servant came to inform her, Stella replied, "Oh... I'm not hungry yet. Thanks."

She wasn't hungry indeed, because she had eaten a lot of snacks when inspiring herself.

When Clarence came home, it was ten o'clock in the evening.

The servant walked up to greet him, "Good evening, Mr. Conrad. Would you like to eat something?"

Clarence loosened his necktie and said indifferently, "Go ask her what she want's to eat. She will get up at midnight and grab some food."

The servant said, "Mrs. Conrad hasn't had dinner yet. She said she's not hungry."

Clarence looked up at the second floor, creasing his handsome brows.

Stella's bedroom.

When Stella was drawing the line of the necklace, she heard a few impatient knocks on the door.

She thought that the servant came to inform her about the dinner again, so she answered, "Alisa, please don't bother. If I'm starved later, I'll go downstairs and cook something myself..." Before she finished her words, the door of her room was opened by someone.

Clarence asked in a cold tone, "Don't you know you should eat on time?"

Stella looked at him, speechless.

He was a man who ate his lunch at one o'clock the next morning. What right did he have to blame her?

Stella answered seriously, "I'm working now, so I forgot all about eating and sleeping."

Clarence glanced at the snack bags next to her, "But you kept eating."

That's why I couldn't have dinner. I had eaten too many snacks.

Clarence wasn't in the mood to argue with her, "Come downstairs in five minutes."

The wretched man gave her a command.

Stella put down her brush and walked out of her room reluctantly.

Alisa saw them both come downstairs, so she served the heated dishes to them, "Mrs. Conrad, Mr. Conrad said that you like drinking the fish soup recently. This is my first time putting the houttuynia cordoba into the fish soup. Please have a try."

Clarence retorted expressionlessly, "I never said that."

Alisa patted herself on the forehead, "Right. Right. Mr. Conrad, you didn't say that. I just guessed that."

Stella took a sip and smile at Alisa, "It's so yummy. Thank you, Alisa."

Great! As long as you like it, Mrs. Conrad. Please enjoy your dinner. If you need anything, just call me.

After finishing the soup, Stella suddenly had an appetite to eat and felt hungry.

When she had half done the dinner, she raised her head, only to find that Clarence was gazing at her without a blink, his eyes calm and deep.

Stella felt creepy. She put down the chopsticks and asked tentatively, "Mr. Conrad, what's up?"

Clarence withdrew his gaze, "Nothing. Go on with your dinner."

Since he went upstairs and asked her to eat dinner today, Stella believed that she should show some care for him in return, "Mr. Conrad, do you always come home so late recently?" "You can't fall asleep if I haven't come home, can you?"

Stella was chocked up.

She felt amused and annoyed. After a while, she finally could react, "Mr. Conrad, you must be kidding."

Clarence said in a cold tone, "Then it's none of your business when I come back every day."

Stella believed she had plenty of reasons to understand why Clarence asked her to move back - he wanted to piss her off. After he pissed her off, his wish could come true.

After a moment, Clarence said indifferently, "Has anyone told you not to talk while eating?"

Stella answered quite sincerely, "I've only been told that a sharp-tongued person's tongue would be cut off when he goes to Hell."

The dining room fell into the silence.00000☐☐☐

Chapter 110: You Are Indeed a Pickup Artist

Stella always believed that when she stayed in the same house with Clarence, either she would be pissed off by him, or Clarence couldn't bear her any longer and get rid of her without stained with blood. Then he would bury her in a place nobody knew.

Fortunately, the following few days, the wretched man seemed to be busier. She even didn't know if he had come back home at night.

Finally, Stella could concentrate on her design in peace.

After she sending the draft to Phoebe's inbox, she stood up and moved her neck.

Stella picked up her cell phone and found it was the weekend, so she sent Sherry a message, asking her if she wanted to go shopping.

Sherry happened to lie in Stella's rented apartment. Receiving her message, Sherry became spiritual, "Sure. Sure. I can go out after changing my outfit."

After meeting each other, Sherry looked at Stella with a meaningful smile, "Stella, you look better and better. Your face became rounder. The wretched man treats you quite well."

Stella said, "What are you talking about? The reason why you can see me alive today after I stay in his house for such a long time is that I'm lucky enough."

After chitchatting for a moment, Sherry noticed a store selling the babies' supplies, so she wanted to drag Stella in. Stella stopped her, "No. No. Sherry, stop it. Please don't."

Sherry asked in confusion, "What's wrong? I just saw a set of baby outfits. So adorable!"

As soon as she looked at the babies' supplies, Stella had a migraine. Earlier, Clarence lost his mind and bought some supplies. Recently, some supplies were mailed to her from Anqiao Street, delivered to Starry Lack Mansion one box after another by Nathan with his men.

Stella didn't know how to explain it to her, and she could only say, "I've truly had plenty of them. Let's go browse other things."

All right. Let's buy them after you give birth.

After shopping, Sherry happened to see a new real estate project nearby, so she dragged Stella to check it on.

Sherry had already informed a housing agency about her current apartment, giving the agency a free hand to deal with it. As long as the buyer offered a pleasant price, she could go over and sign the contract. She was looking for a new apartment at the same time. As long as she liked it, she could pay the deposit first.

The new project was in a commercial area with an extremely good location and facilities. Hence, a lot of people were interested.

When Sherry was looking at the details, they heard a familiar voice aside, "Honey, I like this apartment. Let's buy it, OK?"

If it were another thing, as long as Jolie spoke in a coquettish tone, Liam would definitely agree. However, they were looking at an apartment with a down payment of millions. He didn't have much money at all. He could only say perfunctorily, "Well, I think this apartment is just so-so. Why don't you have a look at others?"

No way! I like this one so much. Look. We can stay in this master bedroom. This room could be my dressing room. This room is the baby's room. There's a big balcony facing the Central Plaza. I'm sure the evening scenery would be quite beautiful.

The salesman was also echoing aside, "Sir and Ma'am, this apartment is quite popular with our customers. Currently, only a few floors are left. Probably later you wouldn't have many choices at all." Upon hearing it, Jolie insisted Liam pay the down payment right away.

The salesman said, "Sir, since your wife likes it so much, why don't you buy it?"

Liam looked hesitant. However, for his dignity, he couldn't shake off Jolie's hands and leave.

After watching the fund, Sherry sneered, "If he wants to buy it, he should have money first."

Upon hearing her voice, a few people looked over at her.

Liam looked delighted, "Hi, Sherry! Why are you here?"

Jolie dragged him quite unhappily. She looked at Sherry and then at Stella, "What are you two doing here?"

Sherry said, "What else? Of course, we want to buy an apartment. We're not like you, only window shopping."

Said who we're not buying the apartment? Jolie looked disdained, "Can you afford one? If not, you'd better leave as soon as possible. Don't make fun of yourselves."

Stella said indifferently, "Why don't you just go ahead and buy the apartment? Cut the crap."

Sherry echoed, "Exactly. Show us!"

Jolie held Liam's arm, playing at being cute, "Honey, look at them..."

Liam wasn't a fool so he wouldn't buy the apartment on rage. Besides, he didn't have enough money to afford the down payment. He said, "Sherry, I heard that you registered our apartment online for sale." Sherry corrected him, "It's mine, not ours."

No matter what, that's our matrimonial home. You want to sell it now without informing me. You've gone too far.

Upon hearing it, Sherry was amused, "Have a shame, will you? My parents paid the down payment for that apartment for me, and I'm paying back the loan. Does it have anything to do with you?"

Back then, to buy this apartment, I contacted my network and spent a lot of money treating them for meals. When you were paying the loan, I offered you the living allowance. I also bought a lot of gifts for you. No matter what, I should have a share of that apartment.

All right. Tell me, how much living allowance did you give me? All your money was spent on cheating on me. How can you be so shameless as to mention the gifts? You always bought two sets of gifts for me and your sweetheart. You are truly a pickup artist!

Since a lot of people were inquiring about the real estate project, when Liam and Sherry were arguing, all the onlookers were watching the fun.

Someone said, "It turned out that woman was his secret lover. No wonder I don't like her. She looks like a temptress."

What's wrong with people nowadays? How could such a woman be so arrogant? As soon as she won her boyfriend, she wanted him to buy her an apartment. How shameless she is!

Jolie heard the onlooker's discussion, and her face changed between livid and pale. Immediately, she targeted Stella, "We're in love truly, much better than someone who's a mistress in the dark. She even doesn't dare to tell others that she's pregnant. I guess she just wants to marry into a rich family by using her son. How ridiculous!"

As she spoke, she looked over at Sherry, "If you have plenty of time to sicken me, you'd better educate your bestie."

Sherry went ballistic directly. She rushed over and grabbed Jolie, slapping across her face, "Shut the fuck up, bitch!"

Jolie wasn't willing to submit. They got into a fight immediately.

Stella was pregnant. She wanted to separate them but couldn't.

Fortunately, the employees of the selling office separated them shortly. With messy hair, Jolie yelled in a harsh voice, "You lunatic! I won't let you go easily!"

Sherry sneered, "Try me! Let's see what you'll end up with. I've disdained you bitch and son of bitch long ago!"

Liam looked quite annoyed, "Sherry Perry, you..."

What's wrong with me? Liam Keith, you are a man. How can you spread rumors at others' backs? I curse you have a rotten tongue!

What rumors did I spread? I've said the truth.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐