Ch. 181..190

Chapter 181: He Must Skin Me Alive

On the second day, Stella didn't get up until noon. She looked quite haggard.

Seeing her, Sherry was shocked, "Stella, what happened to you?"

Stella yawned, "Nothing. I drew the draft last night and didn't go to bed until seven this morning."

Why are you working so hard? The deadline hasn't approached, has it?

Stella sat on the sofa, looking ahead in a daze, "I couldn't sleep anyway."

She was quite annoyed last night. She didn't calm down until two o'clock when she started drawing, so she didn't pay attention to the time at all.

Sherry peeled an orange and passed it to her. Looking at the big paper boxes in the living room, she asked, "Have you made up your mind how to deal with them?"

Stella followed her gaze. Lowering her head and thinking for a while, she answered, "Let's donate the dresses and send back the jewelry."

Sherry looked at her sincerely, "Please donate them to me."

She smiled, "Sure. Take them, please."

Forget it. Sherry curled her lips, "If Clarence Conrad knows it, he must skin me alive."

She was just kidding.

After a thought, Stella looked over at the boxes again.

Honestly speaking, those dresses looked luxurious with good design, but they were only suited for certain upper-class events. It didn't make any sense for her to donate them. After a thought, Stella stood up, "Sherry, I'll get changed. Please go out with me later."

Where are we going?

All the tags on these dresses still remain. Let's return them to the stores and get some cash.

Sherry heard it and her eyes were lit up, "Exactly! How come I haven't thought about it?"

While Stella changed her outfit, Sherry had already divided the dresses according to their brands quickly.

When they arrived at the first luxury store, a saleslady saw them take the whole box of dresses and gaped, "Excuse me, Ma'am. How may I help you?"

Stella smiled and told her what she was doing politely.

The saleslady said, "I see. Ma'am, please wait for a moment. I'll call our manager over and help you with them."

All right. Thank you.

The saleslady left. Sherry looked around the clothes in the store. She turned a tag over and took a glance. Immediately, she turned it back. Then she carefully patted on the spot where she touched.

On the dresses that Clarence gave to Stella, only the brand tags remained, but there were no price tags.

Although Sherry had thought that they were quite costly, she had never expected that they were that expensive.

A thin sun-top was more expensive on her lens.

Sherry approached Stella and said, "Stella, I guess only the dresses in this box would be worth hundreds of millions, let alone we have several boxes of other brands... We also have those jewelry and accessories. Since Clarence Conrad the wretched man treated you so generously, why did he ask you to return the money after divorce?"

Stella answered, "Because I've borrowed the money from him. I wrote him the IOU notes."

Well, no matter what, this man was weird sometimes. Nobody could figure out what's in his mind at all.

Stella pressed her lips into a smile and didn't echo.

Right then, the saleslady returned with the store manager.

The manager said, "Ma'am, we understand your request now. May I please confirm with you again? You want to return all the dresses here in the box, right?"

Stella nodded slightly.

Okay, please wait for a moment. It will take us a bit time to sort out the dresses here and then we can give you an estimate.

Thank you so much.

You are welcome. Please have a seat here.

Stella said, "No, thank you, though. We'll wander around and come back later."

Okay. May I have your contact number please? We'll call you after it's done.

Out of the store, Stella and Sherry went downstairs to grab something to eat.

While eating, Sherry said, "By the way, Stella, what should I have for dinner tonight with Daniel? I've been wondering for a whole night. Western? I don't know where he comes from and I'm afraid that he might not like the restaurant I picked. Chinese? I'm afraid that he doesn't eat spicy food. Gosh! It's so difficult to choose."

Stella said, "Just ask Emmett. He must know it."

That's right. How could I forget? As she spoke, Sherry immediately pulled out her cell phone. However, when she was about to send out the message, she suddenly calmed down. She whispered to ask, "Stella, what's your plan with Emmett?"

Upon hearing it, Stella paused, wondering how she should answer.

Earlier, even Sherry kept telling her that Emmett liked her, but Stella didn't think that was possible.

However, upon Emmett's words last night, she could clearly understand his intention.

Right at that time, Clarence the wretched man was also there, and she was angry, so she directly agreed to Emmett's suggestion without thinking too much.

Seeing that she was silent, Sherry said again, "Stella, I do think Emmett is a good man. Since we were in college, he started to have a crush on you. He's been liking you for so many years. How deep is his love!"

Stella asked in confusion, "How did you know it?"

Sherry looked away and coughed. She said with a sense of guilt, "Well... I guessed... It's not difficult to figure it out, anyway." Right then, Stella's phone started ringing. It was from the luxury store, telling her that they had finished sorting the dresses out. After hanging up the phone, Stella said, "Let's go back."

Since she didn't continue questioning, Sherry breathed a sigh of relief.

Unexpectedly, they encountered Phoebe when going back to the store.

Phoebe and Rebecca were shopping together. Probably they hadn't expected to encounter Stella. They were also taken aback.

Particularly Rebecca, since Clarence gave her a warning, she still felt quite uneasy. Right then when she saw Stella, she immediately looked away, pretending she didn't know Stella at all. She turned to coax her baby on the stroller.

Phoebe smiled at them, "Hi, Ms. Radomil. Long time no see."

Stella slightly nodded at her and said hi.

Phoebe said, "I haven't met you for two months. Ms. Radomil, you look good. It seems that you're leading a happy life recently."

Sherry chimed in calmly, "Without those hypocritical ones wandering around, of course, we are in good mood."

While they were talking, the store manager walked up, "Excuse me, Ms. Radomil. This way please."

Stella only nodded at Phoebe and left. Sherry didn't like Phoebe, so she wouldn't continue talking to the latter. She followed Stella.

Even the store added the depreciation cost of the dresses that they sent there, the estimate calculated by the luxury store was much higher than Sherry had guessed.

She gaped, "It costs that much!"

The store manager explained, "Several dresses in the box are limited edition or customized. There are also styles designed for the next seasons. Many of our VIP customers are waiting for them. Just now, I have contacted them, and they replied to me pretty soon. Ms. Radomil, your dresses are new, so we calculated according to the original price."

Stella said, "I see. Thank you."

You are welcome. I'll pay you now.

Chapter 182: Seems Like She’s Not as Wicked as We Think

When Stella and Sherry walked towards the door, the found that Rebecca's child was crying loudly and Rebecca failed to coax him no matter how hard she tried. Stella uncontrollably stopped when she saw this and subconsciously looked over.

It looked like the child was three or four months old.

Hearing him crying, Stella felt a touch of sorrow in her heart. She slowly walked over.

Sensing Stella's approach, Rebecca hugged the child tighter and moved aside.

Stella asked in a gentle voice, "Can I hug him?”

Rebecca didn't reply. Maybe it was because she was nervous, or maybe she was hesitant.

But when she looked into Stella's eyes, she felt it hard to refuse her request.

Originally, she suffered from insomnia because she intentionally pushed Stella into the water before. Moreover, she heard that Stella lost her child not long ago. As a mother, Rebecca understood how she felt.

Stella thought that Rebecca would not agree to it. But when she was about to leave, Rebecca handed the child to her.

Stella was stunned. She then gingerly reached out to take the child.

The strange thing was that when she hugged the child, he immediately stopped crying and fixed his round eyes on Stella while waving his small hands in the air and giggling. Looking at the little baby in her arms, Stella gradually curled her lips into a smile.

Sherry walked over, "Stella, seems like he likes you so much."

Rebecca also thought it incredible. Her child was usually hard to be coaxed and he would cry if other people hug him. This was the first time that he giggled so happily.

Phoebe who stood aside didn't say anything, but her expression was colder.

Stella didn't hug the child for too long. She returned him to Rebecca after a short while, "Thank you."

You're welcome. When Rebecca took the little child from Stella, his eyes were still fixed on Stella and he shifted his gaze along with Stella's movement as if he was reluctant to leave Stella's arms. Stella smiled at her and then said to Sherry, "Let's go."

When they walked out of the store, they heard Phoebe's voice sound from behind, "Ms. Radomil."

Stella stopped and turned around, "What's the matter, Ms. Steward?"

Stella slightly smiled, "Nothing. It's just that we haven't met for a long time and Ms. Radomil, I want to treat you a cup of coffee."

Stella replied, "Thank you, Ms. Steward. But I have some business to deal with. I have to go now."

Ms. Radomil, my engagement with Clare has been cancelled and I have no relationship with the Conrad family now. I guess you don't need to evade me, right?

Stella had learned that they had cancelled the engagement earlier. It was just that she didn't want to care about the things related to the past as they had nothing to do with her.

But Phoebe mentioned this out of the blue and there seemed to be dissatisfaction and question in her tone of voice.

Stella was not sure whether it was because she had thought too much of it or not.

Sherry felt more uncomfortable when she heard Phoebe's words. She wanted to say something, but was then stopped by Stella.

Stella sad with a smile, "Ms. Steward, you misunderstand me. I've never thought of evading you. It's just that do you want to see me, Ms. Steward? Or should I ask you: Do you still want to befriend me?" Phoebe pressed her lips. She didn't reply.

She had to admit that Stella was really smart.

She had hid it well, but Stella still perceived that she approached her because of Clarence.

Stella continued, "No matter what, I appreciate your favors to me before."

She paused and then said word by word, "No matter you were sincere or not."

After finishing the words, Stella pulled Sherry to leave.

After their leaving, Rebecca walked out of the store with the baby carriage, "Phoebe, what were you talking just now?"

Phoebe came to her own sense and smiled lightly at her, "Nothing. Rebecca, let's go on."

Rebecca lost the mood to go shopping after the baby's cry, "I want to go home now. My baby has cried for several times. I don't know whether it's because he's not accustomed to going out."

On the way back, Rebecca said, "Phoebe, I didn't have too many contacts with Stella before. Annie always curses her, saying that she is shameless or something else. Originally I thought that she was a vicious woman. But from her behavior today, it seems that she's not as wicked as we've imagined.

Phoebe asked, "Really?"

Yep. Her eyes are so clear and beautiful. How can an evil woman have a pair of pure eyes?

After finishing the words, Rebecca sighed emotionally, "No wonder that Horace and Clarence..."

Rebecca suddenly realized that she had blurted out something that she was not supposed to say and suddenly paused.

But Phoebe acted as if she didn't perceive anything and began to play with the baby in the carriage.

Rebecca changed a topic, "Phoebe, I heard that you invited Daniel to your birthday party. What's his reaction?"

Phoebe looked up at her, "Rebecca, do you know him too?"

He's quite famous. When I was abroad, I went to his music concert with my friend.

Phoebe said, "My friend recommended him to me, saying that he happened to have a show in City N recently. So I asked my friend to invite him. Probably he will come."

Rebecca smiled when she heard the words, "That's great. I have been wishing to see him, but I haven't gotten a chance."

Phoebe said apologetically, "Rebecca, I'm sorry. I'm afraid that I can't invite you to my birthday party."

Rebecca was stunned, "Why?"

Because ever since Clarence cancelled the engagement with me, my father detested the Conrad family. Moreover, he doesn't want to have any intercourse with the Conrad family.

I know this. But Horace has cancelled the engagement with Annie and we have no relationship with the Conrad family now.

Phoebe sighed, "But my father thinks that the Jason Group won the bids for several projects because of Conrad family and now these projects are progressing. I'm afraid that he would vent his anger on you,

So..."

Rebecca looked very disappointed when she heard the words. She looked onto the ground, "Well."

Noticing her reaction, Phoebe wrapped her arm around Rebecca's, "Rebecca, it doesn't matter even if you can't go to my birthday party as it's mainly for social engagement. You're my friend and we can meet personally."

Rebecca forced a smile, "You're right."

It's late. Let's go.

After sending Rebecca back to her home, Phoebe, who was sitting in the car, curled her lips into an indifferent and disdainful smile.

She winded up the window and said in a flat tone, "Let's go."

After coming back home, Phoebe asked a maid, "Where's my father?"

Master Steward is in the study.

Phoebe walked to the study and pushed open the door after knocking at it.

The moment she entered the study, she saw Charles putting something into the drawer.

Charles looked at her, "Phoebe, what's the matter?"

Phoebe said, "Dad, I'm here to discuss my birthday party with you. Are you busy now?" Charles shook his head and stood up, "I'm not busy. Let's go to the living room."☐☐☐☐☐☐☐

Chapter 183: Late Affection Is Cheaper Than Grass

In the restaurant...

Seeing that Stella was absent-minded, Emmett asked in a gentle voice, "Stella, don't you like the dishes?"

Hearing the words, Stella pulled herself back to reality and smiled at him apologetically, "Nope. They taste good. It's my own reason."

Maybe it was because Rebecca let her hug the child today, Stella had been absent-minded during the whole afternoon. She couldn't help but thinking that if her child was delivered, he should also be several months' old. He would be as soft and cute as Rebecca's child.

Emmett poured some hot water into her glass, "I'm to be blamed. You must have been startled by the words I said last night.

After coming back, Emmett reminisced about it and realized that his words were so abrupt and rude.

But since Stella had agreed to it, he would not go back on his words.

Stella pressed her lips, "Emmett, actually, I..."

Emmett smiled, "I know. The reason why you accept me so quickly was that you were in a fit of pique because of Clarence."

Stella was a bit stunned. She didn't deny it and simply said, "I'm sorry."

It doesn't matter. I'm happy if it has helped you. Emmett continued, "Stella, I don't know whether it's appropriate to say this or not. Over the past several years, I have been thinking that you're having a good life and maybe you've married Horace after graduation. But I haven't expected that I would get the news of his engagement with Annie."

When I learned about that, I have a complicated feeling. On the one hand, I feel happy secretly. On the other hand, I couldn't help wondering what happened between you two and guessing what feelings you would have. Actually, I never think of getting anything. I just feel that it would be enough for me if I can see you living happily.

Emmett suddenly chuckled, "But only until yesterday did I learn that you didn't live well over the past years."

Stella curled her lips into a smile and said in a relaxing tone, "It's natural since life is full of ups and downs. At least I'm so happy now. And those things have all been the past."

Emmett knew that Stella had never changed - she was stubborn and optimistic and she would never tell anyone about her sufferings and pains.

Stella had been a stunning beauty when she was a student. Therefore, many boys tried to pursue her. However, she would refuse them politely with a smile no matter they sent gifts to her or invited her to have a meal together.

Stella would come to a convenience store that was one street away from the school every day. Except for the school, she spent most of her time in that store. And it was the source of all her earnings.

At the beginning, Emmett had no impression of her and he only knew that she was a beautiful girl.

But one day, when he walked pass the convenience store, he saw a drunken man asking her to give him money. He guessed that Stella just got her wage.

She took out several notes from her bad and handed them to the man. The man was not satisfied and he wanted to grab the money in the envelope.

Stella said in an extremely resolute tone, "This is the living expense for me and Channing for the next month. I won't give it to you."

The man cursed at her hardly, but Stella's expression didn't change.

Judging from that man's cursing words, Emmett guessed that he was Stella's father.

The man left while cursing at her, but it seemed like she was not sad at all. After his leaving, she just took a deep breath and wore a smile on her face again and then walked into the convenience store to work. At that time, Emmett seemed to be driven by a mysterious force and he slowly walked into the store.

With a high ponytail, the girl made an inventory with a dedicated and serious look.

When Emmett was about to walk forwards, Horace came to find her and called her name.

She turned around with a bright smile.

Emmett paused and then slowly retrieved his foot.

From then on, Emmett knew that he could not stay by her side for the rest of his life and that he could only watch her at a distance.

But now, he was granted with such an opportunity again.

He didn't step forwards back then, but now, he wanted to work hard for it.

When Emmett was about to say something, an indifferent voice sounded, "Mr. Carter, what a coincidence.

Clarence didn't think that he was an outsider. He directly sat down beside Stella and said in a flat tone, "Mr. Carter, I think you'll not mind me sharing this table with you, right? To express my sincerity, I will pay for your expenses here tonight."

Both Emmett and Stella were rendered speechless.

Clarence took the menu from the waiter and ordered several dishes. He then added, "One more fish soup."

The waiter wanted to tell him that fish soup was not available in this restaurant, but the manager quickly walked over and said, "All right. Mr. Conrad, do you want anything else?"

Clarence said in a flat tone, "Put some Houttuynia Cordata in the soup."

Please wait for a moment. I will let the cooks prepare it right away.

After the manager's leaving, Stella suppressed her temper, stood up and said to Emmett, "I'm finished. Let's go."

Emmett nodded his head. He stood up and gestured a waiter to come over and told him that he wanted to pay the bill. He then said to Clarence, "Mr. Conrad, I will treat you this meal today." Clarence slightly pressed his thin lips together and grabbed Stella's hand.

Stella said in a cold voice, "Please don't touch me, Mr. Conrad."

Clarence said, "You like eating fish soup the most. Leave after finishing it."

I liked it before, but it doesn't mean that I still like it now.

Even if you don't like it now, it doesn't mean that you won't like it in the future. His tone of voice was emotionless, but the words he uttered had a connotation.

This wretched man was in higher spirits.

Stella flung off his hand with a great force, "Enjoy it by yourself."

It would be best if he would be stuffed to death.

She quickly left the restaurant after finishing the words.

After paying the bill, Emmett turned around and fixed his eyes on Clarence, "Mr. Conrad, don't you think your behavior ridiculous?"

Clarence looked up at him calmly, "I don't think so."

Emmett continued, "Mr. Conrad, have you heard of this sentence: late confession is cheaper than grass."

After finishing the words, Emmett slightly nodded at Clarence and then left in strides.

Right at this moment, the manager of the restaurant walked over, "Mr. Conrad, should I serve the dishes you order just now." Clarence replied, "Pack them up."

Two minutes later, Nathan walked into the restaurant in strides, "Mr. Conrad, Mrs. Conrad and Mr. Carter have left."

Clarence replied with a nasal sound. He didn't say anything.

Nathan asked tentatively, "Should I follow them?"

No need. Clarence, "I guess he's sending her home."

Moreover, he had achieved his goal today.

Twenty minutes later, the manager walked to him with several take-out boxes, "Mr. Conrad, sorry for keep you waiting for long."

They then left the restaurant. Even though Clarence didn't give an order, Nathan knew what he should do next.

He directly entered Stella's domicile into the GPS system.

Right at this moment, Nathan suddenly heard Clarence's emotionless voice, "Is grass cheap?”

Nathan was rendered speechless.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐

Chapter 184: There Must Be Some Problems with His Brain

When they arrived at the downstairs of Stella's apartment, Stella heaved a sigh, "Emmett, I'm sorry for the thing happened today."

Emmett smile and then gently shook his head, "I roughly heard from others of Clarence's personality. But I haven't expected he would do such an incredible thing."

Yep. He's ego, arrogant and boring. When speaking, Stella pulled open the door, "Sorry for bothering you today. Then I will come back first."

Stella, Emmett stopped her, seeming to be a bit nervous. Hesitating for a while, he then asked, "Are we still friends?"

Stella was a bit stunned. She nodded her head, "Yep. What's wrong?"

A smile appeared on Emmett's face again, "Nothing. You can come back."

Please be careful when driving home. And send me a message when you arrive home.

Emmett thought that he should try to get her heart step by step. He would be satisfied as long as she didn't repulse him.

Stella watched the black leave and then went upstairs.

When she opened the door, she saw Sherry lying on the sofa and eating junk food weakly.

Stella changed her shoes and then walked over, asking, "Sherry, didn't you have dinner with Daniel?"

Sherry heaved a long sigh again. It was the 57th time that she sighed tonight. "We went out together. Didn't Emmett say that Daniel can eat anything? As Daniel just came here not long ago, I brought him to eat the specialties of City N. But who knows that..."

Sherry became angrier and angrier. "When we arrived at the door of the restaurant, he suddenly told me that he bought a canned food several days ago and stored it in the refrigerator. If he didn't eat it today, it would be expired."

She asked, "So you two came back?"

Yep. Sherry leaned back to the sofa again and said with despair, "He even invited me to eat the canned food. I refused it."

Sherry heaved a long sigh again, "I think that it was an excuse because he didn't want to have dinner with me. Otherwise, there must be some problems with his brain."

Stella said, "But sometimes foreigners would have some habits that seemed to be weird for us. Don't think too much of it."

Sincerely, if it's not because he's so handsome, I would have dragged him to the hospital to have a check-up when he said those words in front of the restaurant. Sherry crossed her legs and sat up. She said in a serious tone, "Stella, do you think that the more handsome a man is, the weirder his thought."

I think that has nothing to do with one's appearance?

It has. I think Clarence also has some problems with his brain. But now I finally find a man like him.

Sherry said, "Never mind. I don't want to talk about those annoying things again. How's your dating with Emmett today? Is there any progress?"

Stella corrected her, "It's not a dating. I went to have dinner with my friend."

Well. Did anything that was beyond the scope of two normal friends happen in this meal?

Stella replied, "No."

Looking at the upset Stella, Sherry felt it fishy.

Usually, when Stella had such an emotion, it would have something to do with that man.

Sherry was cheered up, "Did Clarence ruin your dating again? Oh, look, I said that he has some problems with his brain just now. I was true."

Stella chuckled. She didn't know how to reply.

She couldn't understand what that wretched man was thinking.

Sherry then asked, "What's the subsequence?"

There's no subsequence. I and Emmett directly left.

Sherry said emotionally, "I figure it out now. When you were his wife, that wretched man didn't cherish you and he regretted it when you left him. But he forgets one thing - no one will be waiting for him in the same spot.

Just as Sherry had finished the words, there came a string of doorbells.

Stella stood up, but Sherry jumped up from the sofa and stopped her, "Oh, let me open the door. It must be Daniel. Maybe he recalls what he did tonight and feels embarrassed. So he comes to apologize to

me now."

Before running to the door, Sherry combed her hair in hurry-scurry glossed he lips. She then took a deep breath, wore a decent smile and then pulled open the door, "Hi... Oh, Mr. Con..."

Sherry froze. Why would he appear whenever she spoke ill of this wretched man?

Clarence looked at her expressionlessly. He tilted his head, gesturing her to make a way for him.

It was like a murder coming to your house to kill you asking you to open the door for him.

Sherry hesitated for several seconds, feeling her feet heavy.

When she was making the last try to resist it, Clarence took a step forwards and she hurriedly dodged aside.

Stella, who didn't hear any conversation from the door, felt it weird. When she looked up, she saw Clarence standing in the living room.

She took a deep breath, "Mr. Conrad, don't you know that it's criminal to break into other people's house?"

Clarence looked aside, "She opened the door for me."

Sherry, "..."

This man was so wretched.

Before Stella could say anything else, Clarence had placed the foods he took out from the restaurant in front of her, "Eat them when they're hot."

Stella couldn't help but frown. She asked directly, "Mr. Conrad, what do you want to do?"

Clarence replied, "I remember that you will feel hungry if you don't have midnight snack. Moreover, you ate little just now."

Stella felt it ridiculous.

She said in a cold voice, "Mr. Conrad, I ate midnight snack because I was pregnant before. Generally speaking, pregnant women intend to digest the food quicker than ordinary people. But now..." "You can also eat them now. No one forbids ordinary people to eat midnight snacks."

This wretched man interrupted her train of thoughts and she didn't know how to retort him.

Stella raised her voice, "I don't want to eat them."

Clarence acted as if he hadn't heard them. He sat onto the sofa, unpacked the packaging bags and took the dishes out. "It's fine if you don't want to eat them. I will eat them."

Stella took a deep breath. She was so angry that she even felt like her mind was going to explode.

She thought that she would be angered to death by him one day.

Clarence opened the lid of the bowl filing with fish soup and put it in front of her, "Are you sure you don't want to eat it?"

Stella looked at him silently. It looked like she had an impulse to splash the fish soup onto his face.

Sherry hadn't expected that Clarence could still eat the dishes as if no one was present in front of Stella who had the message 'I don't welcome you, please get out of my house' written all over her face. Regardless of other things, his ability of remaining calm in the face of dangers and his composure of neglecting the others' feeling and immersing in his own world, were laudable.

Sherry suddenly understood why the Conrad Group would expanded quickly under the control of Clarence and why the Conrad family had scruples about him.

Not to mention other things, Sherry had never seen a cheek person like Clarence.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐

Chapter 185: You Change Your Attitude So Abruptly

When Sherry was still appreciating it in her heart, the door beside her was suddenly pushed open.

Without hesitation, Sherry closed the door behind him as quick as she could and then looked at him with a smile.

Daniel took a glance at the closed door and then at Sherry, "I seemed to hear someone talking just now. Did your friend visit you?"

Sherry made an excuse, "Nope. Maybe Stella is watching TV and you misheard it."

Sherry wasn't sure whether Daniel was convinced or not. When he was about to go back, he paused and looked at Sherry again, "Why are you standing at the door? Why don't you go back?"

Oh... Sherry quickly racked her mind, "Didn't you invite me to your house to have canned food together? I suddenly felt hungry and wanted to find you."

Daniel was rendered speechless.

Sherry was satisfied with the excuse as even she herself thought it perfect.

Before Daniel could react, Sherry had walked to him, "I haven't tried canned food. You even missed your canned food when going to the restaurant with me. I guess that it must taste good. I really look forward to it."

Daniel covered his mouth with one fist and coughed, "You... Please take a seat first."

He pulled open the door of the refrigerator and felt him temples thumping when he saw the scene.

What a frustrated excuse.

Seeing that Daniel was motionless, Sherry asked with concern, "What's wrong? Do you need my help?"

Daniel closed the door of the refrigerator, "Seems like I've finished the canned food. Let me order some take-outs." Sherry blinked her eyes, "No problem."

She agreed to it without a second thought, so Daniel could only pick up his phone. He asked, "What would you like?"

I can eat anything. Just order some food casually.

Sherry wouldn't care about it even Daniel would think that she was cheeky.

After all, she couldn't come back now. And she would rather stay in Daniel's home cheekily than squatting at the door of her house. After ordering the take-outs, Daniel poured a glass of water and handed it to Sherry, "Would you like to call your friend here?"

Sherry hurriedly replied, "She's working hard to lose weight and she doesn't want to eat anything in the evening."

Daniel smiled lightly and sat down beside her. He didn't say anything else.

Holding the glass of water, Sherry stole a glance at Daniel from time to time. Since Daniel and Emmett were friends, she mustn't let Daniel know that Clarence was now in her house as he was here to find Stella. Otherwise, it would easily cause misunderstanding even though nothing happened between Stella and Clarence.

Sensing her gaze, Daniel looked up, "What's the matter."

No... Nothing.

Sherry withdrew her lines of sights and slowly took a sip of the water.

As long as she didn't feel it awkward, the one felt it awkward would be Daniel.

As expected, after a short while, Daniel found an excuse and went to the study.

In the living room...

With an expressionless face, Stella watched Clarence eating the fishes and began to ponder about the possibility of resorting to physical methods to drive him out of the house. The answer was: It was impossible.

It seemed like there was a huge gap between man and woman in strength in nature.

Moreover, the man in front of her was a cheeky wretched man.

She could only drop the idea.

Stella didn't want to stay here any longer because she felt the air here stifling.

When she was about to stand up and come back to her bedroom, a spoon was reached out to her mouth.

Stella subconsciously leaned backwards. Looking at the man who approached her out of the blue vigilantly, she asked, "What do you want to do again?"

Clarence looked down at the spoon in his hand and said concisely, "Eat it."

I don't...

I will leave if you finish it.

It was really a tempting excuse and Stella felt it hard to refuse it."

After weighting the advantage and the disadvantage in her heart, Stella decided to agree to it. But when she reached out to the spoon, Clarence said, "Open your mouth." Stella was very reluctant, "I can eat it by myself."

Clarence didn't reply and simply looked at her calmly with his black eyes.

She turned her head aside, "I don't want to eat it now."

Who was he threatening? Did she think that she was so meek?

Clarence licked his lips, "Or do you want me to feed you with my mouth?"

Stella was rendered speechless. She knitted her brows tightly, feeling disgusted, "Is there any problem with your brain?"

Then hurry up to finish it.

Stella looked at him angrily. She compressed her lips tightly and clenched her fists.

Clarence fixed his black eyes on her. Several seconds later, he suddenly leaned towards her.

Stella was startled and hurriedly swallowed the soup in the spoon.

When seeing this, Clarence curled his lips into a smile and scooped up a spoon of soup again.

Stella gritted her teeth. She had no other choice and could only finish the soup one spoon after another.

None of them spoke during this process.

The ambience in the room became a bit weird as a touch of inexplicit romance was added.

Stella, who was originally very fretful, gradually calmed down. She simply looked at him calmly, seeming to be lost in her thoughts. When she finished the soup, Clarence extracted a tissue from the box on the table and wiped her mouth.

His slender gently caressed her lips and she could even felt his temperature.

Stella was a bit stunned. She looked up, wanting to say smoothing, but her eyes met with his black calm eyes at the next moment.

She had to admit that this wretched man was really good-looking.

He looked especially handsome when he was so gentle to her.

Stella once longed for such kind of gentleness.

But at that time, she could only get his sneers and satires.

It was a weird rule: You would not get the thing when you desired for it; but when you drop the idea, it would come to you. He was now pestering her and she had no means to drive him away. Clarence slightly lifted his brows, "Are you stunned by me?"

Stella quickly pulled herself back to the reality when she heard the words. She slapped away the hand in front of her and said in a cold voice, "Mr. Conrad, can you leave now?" Clarence chuckled, "You change your attitude so abruptly."

Clarence didn't care about her words at all.

He said slowly, "What would you like to eat tomorrow? I will send them here."

Stella stared at him and said in a serious tone, "Mr. Conrad, I have a question. What are you doing recently?"

Clarence asked, "Isn't it obvious?"

Mr. Conrad, please make it clear.

I considered it again and decided to give you the last chance.

She should thank him for his generousness.

Stella said, "Mr. Conrad, didn't you say that I won't have an opportunity again?"

Clarence replied shortly, "It's a rare opportunity. Do cherish it."

Stella tried to suppress her anger, but failed. When she was about to curse at him, Clarence said, "But Vincent told me that for such kind of thing, it's useless to express it verbally only. And I have let you feel it."

Clarence twitched her lips. Vincent, right? She would remember his 'kindnesses.

Mr. Conrad, I think that you shouldn't listen to other people's opinion of this matter. You should follow your heart. How can you change the principle that you've been adhering to because of other people's words?

Chapter 186: You Can Get It Back by Doing Me

Clarence gradually pulled a long face. He stared at her silently.

Stella felt a bit unease under his gaze and said politely, "Mr. Conrad, can you please leave now? It's already now. I have to go to work tomorrow."

Clarence looked displeased, "When you dated Emmett just now, you didn't care about your work at all."

Life and work are equally important and I can't work for 24 hours every day. Stella took a glance at him and added, "Mr. Conrad, unlike you, I'm so busy. You can even put aside such a big company, broke into other's house, said some indescribable words and did some inexplicable things.

Clarence said in a flat tone, "I'm not always leisured."

Stella said sincerely, "I sincerely hope that the Conrad Group will develop prosperous and that Mr. Conrad will have to busy with your work every day."

Clarence sneered, "Stella Radomil, where's your conscience?"

Look, this wretched man finally betrayed himself.

His gentleness just now was just his pretense.

Stella said, "This is my sincere wish for you. Mr. Conrad, you're somehow ungrateful."

Clarence lifted his hand to pinch her chin and narrowed his eyes dangerously, "Dare you repeat your words again? Who is the ungrateful one?"

Stella curled her lips into a perfunctory smile, "Mr. Conrad, are there also some problems with your ears?"

Can you not be so aggressive towards me?

Mr. Conrad, what attitude do you suppose I to have? You broke into my house like a robbery. In the face of such a behavior, I think I've showed you some respect as I didn't call the police. Clarence stared for a while. After a short while, he suddenly chuckled, "You're really awesome. Your attitude was totally different when you were begging me. You're so two-faced."

Stella didn't feel embarrassed at all. She retorted righteously, "Men are also different before and after having sex with a woman. Are you qualified to criticize me?"

Stella continued to satirize him, "Aren't I right? Mr. Conrad, please recall how you hate me over the past three years. It was as if you would be nauseated for a long while if I touched your finger. But you had sexes with me again and again.

Clarence slightly moved his thin lips, trying to make an explanation. But he didn't know what to say.

So please don't say that I have two faces again, Mr. Conrad. After all, you often satirized me right after having sex with me.

Moreover, every time when he had sex with her, he would deliberately bring pain to her.

Why didn't he feel embarrassed when he scolded her just now?

When you wanted to beg a person, shouldn't you act lowly and politely? Otherwise, how do you suppose to achieve the wanted effect?

After a long while, Clarence said, "Don't go too far."

Stella retorted, "Mr. Conrad, it's you who abused me personally first. And I was just reasoning you."

Clarence looked down and landed his gaze at her lips. His Adam's apple popped down.

Several seconds later, he said with a serious tone, "If you're so angry, I have an idea to vent your anger."

Before Stella could reply, Clarence continued, "You can get it back by doing me."

Stella was bewildered.

What was this wretched man talking about?

Clarence continued, "I'm fine with it as long as you will not be angry."

Stella was so angry yet at the same time amused, "Mr. Conrad, sounds like you feel so aggrieved."

I'm not aggrieved. You can do it now.

Stella took a deep breath, feeling that she was on the verge of being angered to death by him. She wanted to pull side his hand that was pinching her chin, yet it seemed that Clarence didn't intend to let go of her.

Stella bit the back of his hand without hesitation.

She had used all her strength.

Clarence moaned silently and kitted his brows. He quickly withdrew his hand and said in a deep voice, "Stella Radomil."

Stella ignored him. She directly walked to the door and pulled open the door, "Mr. Conrad, please."

Clarence looked down at the back of his hand which was slightly bleeding and gritted his teeth.

He let out a cold sneer, "You're right. I have to go now."

Stella maintained a smile on her face and sent him out with her gaze.

When Clarence walked pass her, he looked askance at her, "After all, I should inoculate the rabies vaccine now. It can't be delayed." Stella, "..."

Finally, she drove that wretched man out of her house. Stella leaned against the door. The smile on her face gradually disappeared.

To put it simply, Clarence wouldn't give a shit to the thing he didn't want and he would even feel disgusted to take a glance at it; however, if he wanted one thing, he would try all means to get it at any cost. But how long would his enthusiasm and love last?

Stella didn't think over it. She knocked at the door of her neighbor.

Daniel showed up in front of her soon.

Stella smiled, "I'm here to find Sherry."

Daniel turned around and took a glance, "She's eating take-outs. Would you like some?"

No need. Then I will keep the door open for her. I will...

Hold on! Sherry ran toward the door with a drumstick in her hand, "I'm finished. Let's go back."

After finishing the words, Sherry turned around and looked at Daniel, "Thank you for your canned... Oh, dinner."

Daniel smiled politely.

Sherry pulled Stella back to their house. She closed the door and asked in a low voice, "Stella, did that wretched man do anything to you? I was scared to death when I saw him just now." Stella shook her head, feeling very tired, "I'm tired. Let's go to bed earlier."

Well, we can talk about this tomorrow. Good night.

Good night.

Two days later...

Sherry yawned while asking the man standing beside her, "Chan, don't you have classes this morning?"

Channing replied, "Nope."

Then you can stay here. I have to catch up on sleep. I'm so sleepy.

After a short while, Stella walked out of the office and began to sort out things beside Channing. She asked, "Where's Sherry?" "She go to sleep."

Stella chucked when she heard the reply. She then looked at Channing, "Why do you come here at this point of time?"

Channing shifted his gaze awkwardly, "I'm not busy today."

I remember you will have part-time job if you don't have classes. Why don't you go to work today?

Channing didn't reply.

Stella chuckled, "I can't pay you. I don't have money."

I don't expect to get a wage from you. Channing paused. He pressed his lips and asked in a low voice, "There's still no news." "So you specially came here because of this?"

Channing knitted his brows, "The newspaper office asked me whether they should publish the notice or not. So I come to ask you." They had published the notice for a long time and the newspaper was widely spread.

It seemed like it was hopeless for her to find her biological father.

Stella said, "No need. Why do we waste the money? I will feel happier if you can save the money for dating the girl you like." Channing was rendered speechless.000000☐☐☐☐☐☐☐

0

Chapter 187: Capitalists Were All Like the Cold-hearted Exploiter Clarence

Actually, Stella wasn't surprised at this result at all.

But this was good. They had tried and Chan would not feel guilty any longer.

After a long while, Channing said in an upset tone, "I will try other means."

Stella looked askance at him, "Chan, haven't you planned to be in a relationship?"

Stella suddenly thought of something and asked tentatively, "Could it be that you like boys? Rest assured, as long as he's the one you like, I will not have any rejection..." Channing pulled a long face, "Nonsense!"

He then added, "Don't worry about to. I will handle my own business and you should consider for yourself more."

Stella chuckled, "Aren't I having a good life?"

I heard from Sherry that someone is pursuing you.

Stella said, "Don't listen to her nonsense. We're just normal friend."

Channing had disbelief written all over his face.

Stella directly asked him to leave, "All right, I don't need your help now. Go back to your school."

Before leaving, Channing asked after hesitating for a while, "Will that man come here again?"

Stella was bewildered, "Which one?"

Your friend. That celebrity.

Stella came to her own sense, "Are you talking about Winnie Truman? She's quite busy. Maybe she will visit me when she's free. What's the matter?"

Channing replied in a flat tone, "Nothing. It's just that my classmates longs for her signature and they asked me to get it."

Then I will ask her for her signature when she visit me next time. How many do you want?

After finishing the words, Channing left in hurry without turning around.

Looking at his back, Stella chuckled. When she was about to withdraw her gaze and continue with her work, she saw an uninvited person standing at the door.

It was Phoebe. She watched Channing leaving and then walked into the studio.

Her eyes met with Stella's in the air and she curled her lips into a light smile, "Is that your friend, Ms. Radomil?”

He's my younger brother.

Phoebe raised her brows when she heard the words, "I haven't expected that your younger brother is also so good-looking. I begin to be jealous of you, Ms. Radomil." Stella knew that this was just a high-sounding polite formula, so she simply smiled politely, "Ms. Steward, do you have any matter?"

Originally, Stella thought that after she said those words to Phoebe last time, they would not meet again.

But she hadn't expected that Phoebe would visit her two days after that conversation.

Phoebe said, "I'm here for two things today."

She said with a smile, "Let's talk about the business first. Ms. Radomil, I want to ask you to customize a necklace for me. But maybe it's a bit urgent because I want it by Saturday."

Ms. Steward, I'm so sorry. We don't accept rush order. Moreover, our orders of customization are scheduled until several months later.

Phoebe seemed to be a bit upset, "Oh, that's it. It's my fault. I didn't investigate this before. Ms. Radomil, sorry for troubling you."

Stella maintained her smile, "Ms. Steward, do you have any other matter?"

Phoebe took out an invitation letter from her bag, "I will hold a birthday party on Saturday and I've invited many friends. I hope Ms. Radomil can join us."

Stella hadn't expected that Phoebe would invite her to her birthday party. She couldn't understand what Phoebe was thinking for the time being, nor could she figure out what she was planning.

Several seconds later, she replied, "Ms. Radomil, thank you for your kindness. It's just that I'm not family with your friends, so..."

Ms. Radomil, please rest assured. They are all of our ages and I'm sure that you will get along well. Moreover, I told them that I wanted to befriend you before, so they also know about you. I know that you have some misunderstandings of me and I hope we can solve it by this chance. It's unworthy to miss such a wonderful friend like you because of a man.

Her words prevented Stella from refusing her invitation again.

Stella suddenly didn't know whether she was sincere or not.

If she was sincere, then she had to admit that she misunderstood her before. But if she was pretentious, Stella had to admire her shrewdness and composure as she still came to invite her after that unpleasant conversation.

When Stella was pondering about how to answer it, Phoebe had placed the invitation letter in front of her, "Ms. Radomil, you can't consider it slowly. No matter what, I will be waiting for you."

After finishing the words, she slightly nodded at Stella and then turned around and left.

Stella looked down at the pinky invitation letter, her temples thumping.

Right at this moment, Sherry walked out of the lounge. She took a glance at the invitation letter and clicked het tongue, "Rich people are different. They even send invitations for a birthday party." Stella looked up at her, "You heard it?"

Sherry raised her hand and gestured her, "A little bit."

She then asked, "Are you going to her party?"

Stella shook her head and put the invitation aside, "Nope."

Although Phoebe had cancelled the engagement with Clarence, Stella didn't want to any relationship with a rich and powerful family like the Steward family.

Not to mention befriending her.

After all, their worlds were so different.

In the afternoon, there suddenly came a commotion outside. Stella felt it so noisy that she couldn't concentrate on her drawing. So she walked out of the office and looked towards the outside, "What's happening outside?"

A girl, who went out to check the situation just now, came back and said, "Seems a like an estate developer has bought this area. It's said that he thinks that this area has been seriously polluted over the past years and wants to focus on environmental protection. He's planning to green this area.

Which estate developer would be so kind?

Capitalists were all like the cold-hearted exploiter Clarence after all.

Sherry asked, "Will he has this dismantled?"

They didn't say this and simply said that they will plant many flowers, grasses and trees in the vicinity.

But how can we do business if it's real?

Before the completion of the project, the soil in the vicinity would be turned over and their customers would see the messy scene. It would be more troublesome if there was a rain because there would be muddy water everywhere.

Sherry felt it unacceptable when she thought over it. When she rolled up her sleeves as she was about to go out to reason them, a man in a business suit entered the studio.

The man said, "I'm the person in charge of the greening project. My boss asked me to apologize to the store owners who are affected by this project. I promise that all the construction will be done during the night and it won't affect your normal management."

Oh, that's it.

Sherry slowly rolled down her sleeves.

The man handed a name card to her, "This is my phone number. Feel free to contact me if you have any problem."

In the face of his politeness, Sherry felt a bit embarrassed for her impertinency just now.

All right. Thank you for your hard works.

The man slightly nodded at her. When he was about to leave, Stella walked over, "Can I know about your company?"

Erm... The man recalled what Nathan told him before and replied, "Our boss often does good deeds without asking for appreciation. You don't need to have any burden."☐☐

Chapter 188: One Approach Is Enough As Long As It Is Effective

Stella was confused. Why would she have any burden?

The man was afraid that he would expose something on a slip of his tongue, so he hurriedly nodded his head and then left.

Sherry took a glance at the outside and found that those onlookers had left one by one. She couldn't help but click her tongue, "That estate developer is so weird. Few people in this world would do good deeds without caring about other people's admiration."

At least she only knew one man that was of this kind.

She rubbed her brows, thinking that she didn't want to intervene in those matters, "I will continue with my drawing."

Sherry nodded her head, "Go."

Nathan reported the latest news to Clarence, "Mr. Clarence, it has been solved properly. Properly Mrs. Conrad hasn't doubted it. I've told them to complete the construction as soon as possible so that it won't affect Mrs. Conrad's normal work."

Clarence looked down at the Band-Aid on his hand, seeming to be thinking of something. He replied in a flat tone, "It doesn't matter even if she learns about the truth, unless she gives up everything, including her studio."

Nathan coughed. He didn't reply.

He had to admit that Mr. Conrad's behavior was really... Erm... wicked.

If Mrs. Conrad learned about the truth, she would be very angry and maybe she would have a life-and-death fight against him without caring about anything.

After a short while, Nathan said, "Mr. Conrad, the representative of the Complex Corporation will arrive at City N on Saturday and you will have a meal with him." Clarence pulled himself back to the reality, "I see."

Nathan nodded his head, intending to leave, yet was then stopped.

Clarence asked, "Is Emmett so free recently?"

Er...

Nathan wanted to tell him that Emmett was not as free as you.

But he didn't dare to say that.

It seemed like Clarence didn't expect his answer. He added, "Make some troubles for him so that he will not go to find Stella every day."

After Nathan's leaving, Clarence made a phone call to Vincent.

Vincent said, "I'm on a dating. Spill the beans quickly."

Clarence leaned back to the chair and said in a flat tone, "Your advice doesn't work."

Vincent didn't understand it, "What?"

What nonsense was Clarence talking about?

Clarence repeated his words impatiently, "I said that your advice doesn't work. It didn't work on Stella. And she..."

Vincent understood it now and he asked, "What did she do?"

She bit me.

Vincent, "..

He tried hard to suppress his laughter.

After a long while, he finally calmed down himself. Controlling his impulse to laugh at Clarence, he asked, "What did you do to her?" Clarence didn't want to tell him the details. He said in a displeased tone, "Didn't you say that I should take actions to let her feel my love.

Based on Clarence's personality, Vincent could conclude it without thinking that he didn't do a pleasant thing.

He must have done something very ridiculous that Stella even bit him.

Vincent said, "Bro, your action should depend on the situation. I asked you to be thoughtful and not to do something that you like but Stella doesn't like." Clarence knitted his brows, "How do you know that she didn't like it?"

She bit you. Can't this prove it?

... Clarence was silent for a while. Then she said, "It only proves that your suggestion doesn't work."

Vincent was suddenly in high spirits, "It will be boring if you say this. But I can summarize the reasons why you failed again and again."

Say it.

Actually, it's very simple. You have a sharp tone, and if you can say less, it's possible that you will succeed. You...

The call was ended before Vincent finished his words.

Looking at his phone, Vincent clicked his tongue. Never mind, honest advices are always unpleasant to wars.

Time flew and it was Saturday.

Sitting in her office and looking at the snow that was getting heavier outside the window, Stella heaved a sigh.

She couldn't go anywhere in such a weather.

She relaxed her eyes and then lowered her head to continue with her drawing. Right at this moment, there came some knockings on the door.

Stella stood up and walked to the door. When she opened the door, she saw Nathan standing at the door with a smile.

Stella wanted to lock the door, but Nathan hurriedly stopped her, "Ms. Radomil, I'm here for some business."

Stella looked at him vigilantly as if she doubted it.

Nathan coughed and continued, "Here's the case. Mr. Conrad needs to have a meal with a guest tonight, and he asked whether Ms. Radomil can go with him..." Stella refused without hesitation, "No way."

Ms. Radomil, Ms. Radomil.... Seeing that Stella wanted to close the door again, Nathan suddenly heaved a long sigh with disappointment, "Actually, my mom doesn't feel well recently and I want to bring her to the hospital to have a check-up. But I'm so busy with my work and I don't have the time. If..."

Stella said calmly, "This trick doesn't work on me."

Seeing that pretending to be miserable didn't work on Stella, Nathan coughed awkwardly and adopted another strategy, "Ms. Radomil, I will not beat around the bush. Mr. Conrad cancelled the engagement with the daughter of the Steward family before and it brought a great negative effect to the company. Even though Mr. Conrad seems to be very free recently, it's actually a way for him to alleviate his pressure." "I don't think that he's under pressure."

Nathan was anxious, "Er... Mr. Conrad doesn't want you to worry about him, so he has been pretending that he's good."

Tell him, it's unnecessary to tell these words to me. I won't accompany to have meal. Moreover, I won't worry about him.

Just as Stella had finished the words and was about to close the door, Clarence showed up in her studio.

Nathan took a step backwards when he saw him.

Clarence looked at Stella calmly, "Stella, I remember that you owed me a meal last week."

You remember it wrong.

She hadn't promised him!

Well. Clarence looked towards Nathan, "Send the rest of the clothes in the Starry Lake Mansion here."

Clarence continued, "What are you waiting for?"

Nathan hastily produced his phone, "I will arrange it right away."

Stella gritted her teeth, "Hold on."

She hadn't dealt with the boxes in her home yet. Although she had donated the money earned from selling those clothes to a charity organization, she was so busy that she couldn't only sell those clothes every day.

This wretched man was here to make troubles for her.

Clarence was not in a hurry. He sat on the sofa cross-legged, "I will give you time to consider it."

Seeing this, Nathan slowly stepped out of the office to make room for them.

Stella asked, "Mr. Conrad, don't you think such a behavior shameless? What can you do except for intimating me?"

Clarence replied calmly, "One approach is enough as long as it's effective."

Sitting opposite to him, Stella pressed her lips and said, "Mr. Conrad, can I negotiate it with you?"

Stella said it slowly, "Mr. Conrad, I can accompany you to the meal this time."

Clarence looked at him, waiting for the rest of the words.

He could conclude it without thinking that the words she was going to spit out were not pleasant to his ears.00☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐

Chapter 189: Looks Like Mr. Conrad and Mrs. Conrad Are Intimate

Stella looked at him sincerely, "Mr. Conrad, after this meal, can you..."

No way.

Stella furrowed her brows, "I haven't finished my words."

Clarence glanced at her inadvertently, "Stella Radomil, I'm not here to bargain with you."

Mr. Conrad, are you compelling me?

Clarence said slowly, "Didn't you think that you were also compelling me when you asked me to take back your brother's admission letter?" Stella, "..."

She asked, "Do you mean that I can return your favor if I accompany you to the meal, Mr. Conrad?"

Clarence inexplicably knitted his brows, "Almost. After all, you owe me many favors."

Stella asked expressionlessly, "Mr. Conrad, do you mean that you will not let go of me?"

Perceiving the coldness in her tone of voice, Clarence turned his head to look at her with a displeased expression, "Stella Radomil, when Emmett came to find you, you looked so happy. But when I came to find you, you said I will not let go of you?"

Clarence, you can ask yourself, are you a match for Emmett? Before Clarence got mad, Stella continued, "Will you ask for my opinion and not force me to do something that I don't want to do?" Clarence replied righteously, "Nope."

She wished him to stay away from her as possible as he could. If he didn't resort to these excuses, how could he appear in front of her again?

It was the first time for her to see something regard shamelessness as a normal thing.

Clarence stood up, "There's little time left. You have to select a dress later. Hurry up."

Stella was the only one in the studio today. She quickly stood up and walked to her office to pack up her things and then took a lock form the reception desk. She said to the man standing aside coldly, "Mr. Conrad, please go out. I'm going to lock the door."

Clarence said, "I will wait for you outside."

Clarence didn't worry that Stella would run away. After all, she couldn't escape to anywhere.

When locking the door, Stella gritted her teeth so tightly as if she wished so much to chop Clarence into pieces.

He came to torture her from time to time. Now in such a snowy weather, he even forced her to accompany him to a socializing meal.

All right. She could come with him, but if she would mess up the meal as a return for what he had done to her recently.

After locking the door, Stella found that Clarence's car was parked by the roadside. When she was about to rush into the snow, an umbrella suddenly shield the snow for her above her head. Sending her gaze, Clarence looked askance at her and moved his thin lips, "What are you looking at?"

Stella snorted, "I don't need your pretentious care."

After finishing the words, she put the cap of her hoodie and directly ran into the snow.

Seeing this, Clarence pressed his lips together and slowly followed her.

The meal was scheduled at the seven o'clock this evening. When they arrived at the hotel, it was already dark.

After parking the car, a waiter of the hotel pulled open the car door for them.

When Stella was about to get off the car, a hand that had clear and symmetrical knuckles was reached out in front of her. She slightly looked up and saw the tall and slender build of a man and then his stunning features.

Behind him was the snow flying all over the sky.

This scene was inexplicably like the scene when he reached out his hand to her and helped her aboard the yacht before. Recalling that happy time, Stella felt like a stone was thrown into the waveless lake in her heart, which caused ripples of emotions. She hesitated for a while and slowly reached out her hand. She then slapped away his hand, lifted her dress and got off the car. Clarence, "..."

Nathan, who stood behind them with an umbrella in his hand, hurriedly shifted his gaze and pretended that he hadn't seen it. Stella took several steps and then felt that her waist was wrapped by a hand.

She furrowed her brows, "Mr. Conrad..."

Clarence interrupted her in a flat tone, "Even though you were forced to here, you should pretend to be my companion." Stella pressed her lips tightly and struggled for the last time, "But Mr. Conrad, I can't walk if you hug me like this."

She hadn't expected that this sentence would work. Clarence slowly loosened his grip.

When Stella secretly heaved a sigh of relief in her heart, she saw Clarence slightly raised his arm and looked askance at her. He said concisely, "Wrap my arm."

Stella twitched her mouth. She could only make a concession.

At least this was better than what she faced just now.

Stella slowly raised her arm and put it around Clarence's.

She didn't notice that Clarence slightly curled his thin lips into a smile.

After entering the private room, Stella found that a middle-aged man, who was in his forties, was talking into his phone in fluent English.

When he saw them, he talked a sentence into the phone and then ended the call. The man approached them and reached out to Clarence, "Mr. Conrad, nice to meet you."

Clarence also reached out his hand, "Mr. William, I've been admiring you."

Stella stood aside, feeling it boring.

But based on her understanding of Clarence's personality, Stella thought that since he was so polite to the middle-aged man just now, it fully indicated that this cooperation was so important to him.

After a short while, William landed his gaze on Stella. He paused for several seconds and then asked, "Who's this lady."

Clarence wrapped Stella's waist again when he heard the words and introduced her to William, "This is my wife."

Stella immediately corrected him, "Ex-wife."

Clarence said calmly, "She's joking."

Stella felt dissatisfied and struggled in his arms. But he then tightened the grip on her waist.

Stella didn't know whether it was a deliberate movement or a warning.

William chuckled, "Looks like Mr. Conrad and Mrs. Conrad are so intimate."

Stella would by no means miss any chance to resist against that wretched man, "We're in poor relationship. I divorced him long time ago."

Clarence wasn't angered. He smiled and explained, "We had a quarrel recently. She's still angry at me."

Stella took the opportunity and used great force to pinch his waist. But out of her expectation, that wretched man didn't have any reaction. William saw through their relationship, but he didn't say anything about it. "Take a seat."

The private room had a Chinese-styled decoration and there were some gauze curtains and screens, making it look graceful and peaceful. William picked up the teapot on the table and poured two cups of tea for Clarence and Stella.

Clarence and William were talking about their cooperation before the dishes were served.

When Stella entered the private room just now, she heard William speaking English fluently so she thought that William was a foreigner. But she hadn't expected that he also spoke Chinese fluently and clearly. Moreover, he was so gentlemanly and elegant.

But Stella was suddenly confused - they arranged this meal for the sake of their cooperation and William didn't take a female companion here. Why did Clarence insist on her company?

After a short while, the door of the private room was opened and the dishes were served onto the table one after another.

William stopped talking about the business with Clarence. He said with a smile, "Mr. Conrad, I'm surprised that you're so outstanding at such a young age. I only heard from others about you before, but when meeting you and talking with you today, I'm so surprised."

Clarence replied, "Thank you for your admiration. But you can't believe in the rumors. I'm much more outstanding."‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒

Chapter 190: She Had Never Been So Vexed

Stella wished so much that she could find a hole on the ground to hide herself when she heard the words. She felt so embarrassed for him.

Could this wretched man not be so shameless?

William still maintained a smile on his face. He was in his forties and had been engaged in the business world for a long time. It was not his first time to see such a shameless person. William looked at Stella with a touch of gloominess flashing across his eyes. He then complimented her, "Mrs. Conrad, you're beautiful."

Clarence said, "Beauty always matches with temper."

Was he suggesting that she had a bad temper?

Stella sneered in her heart and then took the initiative to talk with William, "Mr. William, according to your accent, I guess that you're a citizen of City N. Am I right?"

William paused when he heard the words. He then nodded his head, "Yep. But I've been living abroad for a long time."

Oh, then why do you come back to City N this time? Are you visiting your relatives, or travelling?

William didn't reply her question. He said, "I have no special schedule. And I'm here mainly for the cooperation."

Stella also noticed that William evaded the question just now. She knew that she wasn't supposed to mention that topic in front of William.

She pondered for a while, and still chose to touch his bottom line, "Mr. William, you've been abroad for a long time, do you have any relative in City N?

William picked up his cup and curled his lips into a light smile, "No."

When Stella was about to ask some other questions, Clarence put a piece of cake into her mouth.

Clarence said, "Don't talk when you're eating. Be careful that you may bite your tongue."

When Stella swallowed the cake with difficulty, Clarence and William had started to talk about others and she couldn't find a chance to get a word in. So Stella could only remain silent again. During the meal, Stella went to the restroom.

But she hadn't expected that she would bump into an acquaintance here.

Daniel was also surprised when he saw Stella.

He asked, "Ms. Radomil, I'm surprised to meet you here."

Stella replied, "I'm here to have dinner. What about you?"

Daniel shook his head and said slowly, "I was invited to have a performance here."

Oh, Stella said, "Then I will not bother you. Let's talk later."

Daniel slightly nodded his head.

After Stella's leaving, he squinted at her back, seeming to be thinking of something.

Stella didn't want to come back to the private room so quickly. She walked to a gazebo of the hotel to enjoy the cold breezes.

When she calmed down, she realized that she had gone too far just now.

Although she wanted to mess up the cooperation, no matter what, it was inappropriate to touch William's painful past.

What was her difference with Clarence then?

Stella took a deep breath. When she felt it chilling, she headed towards the private room.

There was only William in the room.

William broke the silence, "Mrs. Conrad, Mr. Conrad is looking for you."

Stella replied, "I'm sorry. I went to the gazebo just now."

William chuckled, "It must be boring to hear we two talking about the business."

Nope. It's just that I... Stella pressed her lips together, "Mr. William, I'm sorry for my rudeness just now."

William added some tea into his cup, "Oh, Mrs. Conrad, what are you mentioning?"

I shouldn't have asked you about your private affairs. I'm so sorry.

It doesn't matter. William continued, "I noticed that there seems to be some conflicts between you and Mr. Conrad. So you deliberately asked those questions just now, right." Stella gently nodded her head as a tacit approval.

William continued, "I didn't want to answer your questions just now because I don't want to recall the past. But Mrs. Conrad, this has nothing to do with you. And you don't need to blame yourself." Stella said after a short while of silence, "Mr. William, I have a request."

Mrs. Conrad, please say it.

Stella said in a low voice, "Er... Can you not call me Mrs. Conrad? My name is Stella Radomil and I divorced Clarence half a year ago."

William was stunned when he heard the words, "I'm sorry. I didn't know this before."

It doesn't matter. I'm not blaming me for this. It's just that the address 'Mrs. Conrad' is really too...

I understand it, Ms. Radomil.

Stella curled her lips into a smile, "Thank you."

William was in a trance when he saw her smile. He lowered his head to take a sip of the tea and said, "Ms. Radomil, you said your name is Stella just now, right?"

William continued with a smile, "Stella, what a good name."

He paused and then asked, "Ms. Radomil, are you the only child in your family?"

I have a younger brother.

William slowly nodded his head, "Your parents must be happy with a son and a daughter."

Stella only smiled lightly when she heard the words. She didn't say anything about it.

William asked when noticing this, "Ms. Radomil, did I mention something that I'm not supposed to mention?"

Stella shook her head with a smile, "Nope. It's just that my parents had all died and few would mention hem."

It's me who feels sorry this time.

Stella asked tentatively, "Do we get even?"

Probably William hadn't expected that she would say this and he was stunned. After a short while, he pulled himself together and the smile on his face became brighter, "Yep, we're even."

Clarence came back after a short while.

Clarence sat beside Stella and looked askance at her while licking his thin lips.

It seemed like he was very dissatisfied as she disappeared for a long time just now.

Stella ignored him and lowered her head to enjoy the food in her bowl.

When the meal was finished, they walked out of the private room.

But Stella hadn't expected that she would bump into Phoebe here.

And the one standing beside Phoebe was Daniel.

Noticing Phoebe's gaze, Stella subconsciously kept a distance away from Clarence.

She felt guilty out of no reason.

The smile appeared on Phoebe's face soon. She said with a smile, "Clare, Ms. Radomil. What a coincidence."

Clarence replied with a nasal sound. He didn't have any other reaction.

They all felt it awkward.

Daniel suddenly asked, "Ms. Steward, Ms. Radomil, do you two know each other?"

Stella was a bit surprised when she heard the question, "So you two also know each other?"

Ms. Radomil is my neighbor.

What a coincidence, said Phoebe. She then looked at Stella with a smile, "No wonder that Ms. Radomil didn't come to my birthday party today. Turns out that you had an appointment with Clare. If I had known this, I would not send the invitation letter to you. I'm sorry that I almost bothered you."

Stella had never been so vexed. She wanted to explain it, but she couldn't. So she could only suppress her anger.

Clarence looked at Phoebe coldly, "I've told you to stay away from her."

Phoebe chuckled, "I just want to befriend Ms. Radomil. Do I have to get your permit first? Clare, please remember it, it's true that we had an engagement before, but you regretted it later. Are you qualified to intervene in my private affair?"☐☐☐☐☐☐