The furnishings in the hall have been cleared out, and the scene is arranged with a romantic elegance.
The entire hall is decorated in alternating shades of white and pink.
Bright lilies and roses bloom in clusters, their subtle fragrances of lily and white rose wafting through the air.
At the staircase, delicate circular garlands entwine the handrail.
Pink drapes are hung around, light and ethereal.
Soft music flows through the air, it’s her favorite piano piece.
Pink lights gently bathe the room, each step feels like entering a fairyland.
Beneath the giant crystal chandelier, the long dining table is covered with an exquisite tablecloth, adorned with shining silver candlesticks, and the red wine is already exuding a rich fruity aroma from the decanter.
The servants are placing a succession of sumptuous Chinese dishes on the table, appealing in color, aroma, and taste.
There’s beef stir-fried with fresh mushrooms, stead deep-sea fish, hibiscus shrimp balls... A full eight dishes and one soup, each mouth-watering.
At this mont, Aiden Fordham erged from the kitchen.
He actually had a cartoon-patterned apron that didn’t quite fit the setting, carrying a plate of fragrant orange ribs in his hand.
Fresh oranges are sliced thinly, ticulously arranged around the ribs, golden and shiny, looking very appetizing.
He practiced this dish secretly in the kitchen all day, coughing through the smoke countless tis and scorching his hands with hot oil, finally achieving the flavor made by the old house chef.
Stella was a bit dazed watching him appear as the perfect family man.
She softly said, "I’ll go change clothes, be right down."
Aiden gently nodded his head.
Stella returned to her room, her gown was already prepared, lain neatly on the bed.
Dining with him, he appreciates ceremony.
Indeed, she needed this sense of ceremony to dilute the unease and heaviness in her heart.
She changed into the moon-white long gown, and thoughtfully styled her wavy long hair into an elegant updo, revealing her graceful swan neck.
When she descended the stairs again, a tender and lingering lody filled the hall.
Aiden had also changed, donned in a tailored black suit, making him appear tall and aristocratic.
He stood silently at the base of the spiral staircase, waiting for her.
She descended in her gown, gracefully from upstairs, the hem gently swaying with her movent.
He stood below, slightly tilting his gaze upward, welcoming his princess with deep, gentle eyes.
She was truly breathtaking.
Every step seed to tread upon his heart.
The last two steps, he reached out his hand, firmly taking hers, then lowered his head to place a reverent kiss upon her bandaged hand.
The kiss landed on the conspicuous bandage.
Stella suddenly felt like laughing, her cheeks flushed.
He knew what she wanted to say, nothing more than the joke about the four bear paws.
"If you want to laugh, just laugh." His voice was deep and soft, with a barely noticeable indulgence.
Stella couldn’t hold back anymore, covering her mouth and laughing lightly, laughter creasing her eyes and brows.
He gentlemanly pulled out the chair for her, and she sat down accordingly.
He poured her so red wine, drawing his lips into a perfect, charming smile.
He elegantly raised his wine glass, his deep eyes unusually bright in the candlelight.
"The first glass, to God N."
His voice was rich and magnetic.
"Thank her for saving D, saving The Fordham Group, igniting hope for all cancer patients worldwide, and also thank her... for opening a window for Aiden Fordham."
Stella was briefly stunned, "Isn’t today your birthday? Why are we toasting to ?"
"Wait for to finish toasting, then you can wish a happy birthday!" His tone carried an authoritative air, it was his first ti formally thanking her, this "thank you" needed to be solemn and ceremonious, thus tonight happened.
"Alright." Stella nodded and lifted her wine glass.
"Clink!" The crisp sound of glass colliding.
They tilted their heads back and drank heartily.
Stella looked at him and spoke to lighten the atmosphere, "President Fordham, D is now in high demand, don’t forget to pay Bluebird dividends."
Upon hearing this, he laughed softly, "Don’t worry, it’s already prepared."
Everything is in his will!
He looked up at her, his eyes filled with endless tenderness that seed ready to drown her.
"Let’s eat sothing first."
Aiden picked up the serving chopsticks, placing a piece of orange ribs in her bowl.
Stella slowly picked it up, taking a bite; the ribs were tender, infused with the sweetness of the orange, with a slight tang—it wasn’t vinegar, it was the subtle acidity from the orange, tantalizing the taste buds, the flavor was simply impeccable.
She looked at him in surprise, "Aiden Fordham, did you make this? I suspect you ordered takeout."
Smiling softly, Aiden replied, "Mrs. Jean from the old house guided all afternoon, Keegan Lindsey tasted it."
Then he added, "If you don’t believe it, you can call him."
Keegan Lindsey: Don’t ntion , I never want to eat ribs again, let alone oranges.
Stella laughed, "Looks like President Fordham has the potential to be a great chef."
Aiden poured a second glass of wine and raised the glass once more.
"The second glass, to Stella Grant." His gaze lingered on her face, "Thank you for coming into my life, thank you for twelve years of silent love."
Seeing his earnest expression, Stella’s heart skipped a beat, "Aiden Fordham, you’re bidding ... farewell."
She wordlessly set down her glass, the atmosphere suddenly turned heavy.
"Stella, these past three years, I didn’t cherish you, this may... be my lifelong regret."
Aiden locked his loving gaze on her, his voice low, "In the tis ahead, I hope for your peace and joy."
He gently clinked her glass, then drank the wine in his cup to the last drop.
"Aiden Fordham, today, don’t say goodbye to , okay?" Her beautiful eyes sparked with light, "Today is your birthday, we should be happy, right?"
Aiden was silent for a few seconds, then feigned a light-hearted manner, "Stopping at the second glass, I suspect you’re cheating."
"Well?" Stella was provoked by him and directly picked up her glass, "To Stella, to Aiden, to the four bear paws."
She downed the wine in her glass in one go.
The previously oppressive atmosphere was entirely dispelled.
Aiden hurriedly added dishes to her bowl, "Eat sothing first."
Stella happily ate, praising as she went, "Aiden Fordham, if you go bankrupt soday, you can open a restaurant, I’ll visit every day."
Aiden watched as she ate, her small mouth puffed out, and she smiled at him, a burst of happiness erged.
At this mont, happiness beca tangible in his eyes: like a cozy winter morning bed, a hot bowl of noodles when hungry, an embrace when reunited, and the slight curve of a lover’s lips...
She ate while adding food to his bowl, exclaiming, "Hurry and eat sothing, even though you can’t taste it, you can fill your stomach."
He put the food in his bowl into his mouth, chewing elegantly, he found it delicious.
Before long, he set down his chopsticks and poured a third glass of wine.
He never imagined that he would make grave mistakes due to drunkenness.
Nor did he realize, he would tornt her for an entire night.
The sins of this night caused them to brush past happiness once more...
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