The whole room was dead silent.
"What did you say?"
Aiden Fordham’s voice was so dry it was frightening. It was as if he hadn’t heard clearly or couldn’t believe it, stubbornly asking once more.
Quentin Lockwood t his startled gaze and hamred each word into his ears clearly.
"I said, you have been thanking the wrong person."
"The one who really jumped into the sea to save you and almost lost her life was Stella Grant."
Aiden Fordham’s pupils shrank sharply, his entire body frozen in place.
It was like he had heard so far-fetched fantasy, each word crashing onto his eardrums, yet unable to form a sentence he could comprehend.
"Impossible."
His voice was as dry as before, an Adam’s apple rolling.
"Stella is afraid of water. She doesn’t even dare to go into a swimming pool, how could she... jump into the sea to save ?"
Quentin Lockwood exhaled one last puff of smoke, pressing the cigarette butt harshly into the ashtray, extinguishing the ember.
He lifted his eyes, his sharp gaze pinned onto Aiden Fordham’s face.
"This is the other truth I want to tell you today."
"Four years ago, when Stella Grant saved you, she encountered a shark attack in the sea."
"She was unconscious for a long ti, almost beca a vegetable. After waking up, she suffered from severe psychological trauma, which made her afraid of water, and she underwent six months of psychological therapy because of it."
These words exploded like a thunderclap in the minds of Aiden Fordham and Keegan Lindsey.
The whole world went silent.
Only the sharp ringing remained in their ears.
In Aiden Fordham’s mind, images from the day of the wedding in Mardale flashed by abruptly.
She was drunk, her cheeks flushed, leaning close to his ear, mumbling incoherently with a breath of alcohol.
"Aiden Fordham, I know... a lot of your... secrets. I also have a... big secret... to tell you."
At the ti, he had smiled indulgently, asking softly.
"What secret, hmm?"
"Do you rember that... big shark? You were going to... be eaten, and I... I pulled you... up."
So that’s how it was.
So what she was talking about was her own experience.
And he, at the ti, thought it was just her drunken ramblings and didn’t take it to heart at all.
Quentin Lockwood’s voice rang out again, cold and clear, like a scalpel slicing through bloody reality.
"We interviewed several of the crew mbers on the ship back then, and they all said that when Andy Lockwood finally brought Stella Grant back up, her hands were covered in blood, and she had already passed out."
"Everyone thought she was bitten by a shark, but actually she wasn’t."
Quentin Lockwood paused, emphasizing each word heavily.
"After pushing you forcefully to the sea surface, she used a hairpin to cut herself, drawing the shark away with her blood."
"To save you, she didn’t even care about her own life."
"Bang!" The chair by Aiden Fordham’s foot was knocked over, making a loud noise.
He couldn’t stand any longer, all the strength drained from his body in an instant.
His heart was gripped tightly by an invisible hand, hurting so much he couldn’t breathe.
It turned out that four years ago, he had almost cost her life.
He was completely broken, his defenses crumbling inch by inch.
Finally, Keegan Lindsey, who had been silent all along, spoke up with difficulty, his voice doubtful,
"Then... what about Corinne Kensington jumping into the sea to save soone?"
Quentin Lockwood lit another cigarette but did not smoke it, just held it between his fingers.
He looked at Aiden Fordham again before slowly opening his mouth.
"By then, you had already lost consciousness, your body sinking deeper. When Stella Grant dived to your side, you were already forty ters down."
"She dragged you upward recklessly."
"Just when she was about to reach the surface and diverted the shark, it gave Corinne Kensington the chance to ’pick’ you back onto the boat."
"What happened afterward was logical; Corinne Kensington beca your lifesaver."
"I even investigated specifically; Corinne Kensington can’t dive, it’s impossible for her to dive down to forty ters."
"Do you know how much courage and physical strength it takes at that depth to pull an unconscious adult man up?"
"I guess Stella Grant at the ti was willing to risk her own life."
"The docunts of her hospitalization and psychological therapy have already been sent to your email; this is the truth!"
Quentin Lockwood patted Aiden Fordham’s shoulder.
At this mont, the dream that repeatedly appeared in Aiden Fordham’s mind beca incomparably clear.
Endless darkness, icy seawater.
He kept sinking, sinking...
A figure swam desperately toward him, piercing through the desolate blue.
So... it was his Stella indeed.
The one who gave him life amid despair was her, from beginning to end.
Yet he thanked the wrong person, wasting four years pampering Corinne Kensington, neglecting Stella in the marriage for three years.
His body began to tremble uncontrollably.
Shock, ecstasy, overwhelming guilt... all the emotions surged like a tsunami, drowning him instantly.
He couldn’t stay here for another second.
He abruptly turned, striding out.
He wanted to see her.
Now, he desperately wanted to see her.
...
The afternoon sunshine of Sterling Manor was just right, warmly spilling onto the balcony.
Vivi Sterling’s mouth opened into an "O" shape from shock.
"So, Corinne Kensington stole your credit?"
"All these years, she rode on the title of your lifesaver to gain all of Aiden Fordham’s affection and resources?"
This plot is just too dramatic.
Stella Grant nodded.
Everything that happened at the seaside that day, her senior brother had told her in full detail.
Only then did she understand why Aiden Fordham spared Corinne Kensington again and again, never truly having the heart to act ruthlessly.
Vivi Sterling stomped her foot in fury.
"Too despicable!"
"I’ve seen people snatching husbands and boyfriends, but never soone who snatches the identity of a lifesaver!"
"She’s been basking in the grace of your goodwill and living arrogantly for so many years, does she not feel the least bit guilty?"
Fuming, she patted Stella Grant on the shoulder, filled with righteous indignation.
"Don’t worry, Stella, we must avenge this!"
"Let’s do it at that grand recognition banquet when everyone’s watching, and publicly expose her; it’ll definitely be a spectacle!"
Stella lowered her eyes and spoke softly.
"I still want to go to The Imperial Capital to see that old man."
"I think I might be able to find so clues about my identity."
Vivi Sterling hugged her shoulders, "Alright, I’ll go with you."
Daughter of the Whitman Family, she’ll make her turn black!
Just as she finished speaking, a familiar black Rolls-Royce Phantom slowly stopped outside the manor’s gate.
The car door opened, and Aiden Fordham stepped out with his long legs.
He instinctively looked up and imdiately saw Stella Grant and Vivi Sterling standing on the second-floor balcony.
Stella’s eyes instantly beca cold, and she turned around to walk back into the room, not even bothering to spare him an extra glance.
Making it clear she didn’t want to see him.
Aiden stood there, fishing out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and lighting one.
He took a deep drag, then slowly exhaled white smoke, the haze blurring his deep features.
He had many things he wanted to say to her.
A thousand words stuck in his throat.
But he knew she was still angry.
He flicked the ash from his cigarette, steeling his resolve to wait until the matter in The Imperial Capital was settled. Then he would propose to her and explain everything in detail.
This ti, he would spend his life repaying her kindness.
In this lifeti, she wouldn’t leave him either.
Soon, another car arrived.
Keegan Lindsey, holding Robot 001, got out of the car, followed by two bodyguards carrying computers.
Seeing Aiden Fordham, he went over to greet him.
Then, boldly walked into the Sterling Residence.
Aiden watched his back, suddenly tossing the cigarette butt away, striding forward to snatch a mouse from a bodyguard, and followed inside.
These days, you have to be shaless to et your wife.
Keegan walked ahead, sensing footsteps behind him, and couldn’t help but smile.
Keegan: Never thought the famous President Fordham would be the little follower behind him one day.
Refreshing!
The servants respectfully led them to the study.
Keegan had them set the equipnt down and said to Stella.
"Ma’am, the computer permissions are all set up for you, 001 is downstairs playing with Miss Sterling."
Stella said softly, "Thank you."
Keegan added, "Ma’am, if you have any problems, feel free to call anyti."
"Alright."
Receiving the response, Keegan left with the two bodyguards.
Stella turned on the computer, ready to start working.
"Click."
The door to the study suddenly closed behind her.
Then, from behind the heavy curtains, erged a familiar, tall silhouette.
Stella was taken aback, seeing the incomparably handso face before her, and the fire in her heart flared up in an instant.
"President Fordham, when did you turn into such a sneaky little thief?"
His eyes were burning bright, and he took a few steps forward, pulling her tightly into his arms without saying a word.
"Stella, I’ve missed you so much."
The familiar and pleasant scent of firs enveloped her instantly.
Stella tried with all her might to push him away but couldn’t budge him.
"Aiden Fordham, get out! Or I’ll call soone!"
The softness in his eyes was practically tangible, and thinking about how she had risked her life to save him by jumping into the icy sea, his heart was gripped tightly as if by a giant hand, nearly drowning him in regret and heartbreak.
He stared at her intensely, his voice hoarse.
"Stella, I’m sorry."
"My love ca too late, making you suffer so much."
Stella was stunned.
Then, the fire in her heart burned even fiercer.
"Get out, I don’t want to see you right now!"
But Aiden’s expression was gentle, and he spoke in a nearly pleading tone.
"Stella, I was wrong, please forgive ."
Stella was so angry she almost burst into laughter.
"Aiden Fordham, do you think the wounds can be so easily erased? You must be dreaming..."
The word "dreaming" had barely left her lips when he sealed them with a kiss.
"Mmm..." Stella struggled a little.
His kiss was searing, domineering, and irresistible.
Unable to push him away, she made up her mind and bit down hard on his lips.
He grunted, finally letting go of her.
His sensuous lips were tinged with a shocking red.
He reached up, carelessly wiping the blood from his lip.
"Little bunny, still biting people?" He wasn’t angry; his tone even carried that damn pampering.
Stella shouted again, "Aiden Fordham, get out!"
Aiden, however, used a bit of force and lifted her onto the wide desk.
His hand tightly encircled her slender waist to prevent her from falling.
Then he curved his lips into a smile.
"Do you rember that ti in Mardale?"
"If you don’t forgive , I’ll kiss you until you do."
With that, he approached her again.
Stella was startled, quickly dodging and shouting, "Aiden Fordham, don’t you have any sha?"
His eyes twinkled with amusent, "For my wife, I can do without."
As his words fell, his domineering kiss hit her again, overwhelming her, causing Stella to nearly suffocate, her small hands repeatedly batting at him.
Aiden didn’t stop, adding more pressure, feeling hopeful for a coback...
Suddenly, with a "bang," the door to the study was violently pushed open.
An electronic voice resonated throughout the room.
"Two heat sources detected in the study! Enemy intruder detected! Miss Grant is in danger!"
Aiden paused, looking back, his face instantly turning dark as coal.
D, along with everyone from the Sterling household, stood outside the door, including that horrid-looking gray cat...
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