Caelum Restaurant was located on the top floor of a skyscraper next to Belsar Lake. From its lofty vantage point, one could take in a panoramic view of the lake’s scenery.
The restaurant’s design was classic and elegant, the dishes exquisite, and the atmosphere tranquil, making it very popular.
The only drawback was that, to ensure every private room had a view, there was limited seating. Ordinary people could only get a reservation by booking a month in advance.
But Ariana Grant was no ordinary person.
The two sat down in a private room, with Ariana sitting close to Stella Sterling.
Her gaze remained glued to Stella, her eyes demanding a confession. "Was it really Owen Rhodes?"
Stella Sterling took a tactical sip of water. "Mhm."
"Not bad, Stella Sterling!" Ariana’s eyes widened in disbelief as a thought occurred to her. "So you’re saying Owen Rhodes actually posed as a live model for you back then?"
Stella took another gulp of water. "Yeah... but I didn’t know it was him at the ti..."
That wasn’t important.
"Then what’s this about him being frigid?"
"...No, you’ve misunderstood..."
But thinking about it carefully, it didn’t seem to be a complete misunderstanding either.
She didn’t get it.
Ariana Grant was the one who’d led Stella Sterling down the path of "being bad." Since Stella couldn’t figure it out, she turned to Ariana for advice.
Despite the intimate nature of these bedroom secrets, Stella described her recent experiences with Owen Rhodes to Ariana as best she could.
By the ti she finished, she was as red as a cooked shrimp.
Ariana listened, a thoughtful expression on her face.
Although she had never officially crossed paths with Owen Rhodes in the business world, she had heard a lot about him.
Owen Rhodes was a man who valued efficiency—that was his style.
Take his marriage, for instance. Once he decided on it, despite the sowhat hasty beginning, he and Stella Sterling still got their marriage license.
The whole thing took no more than three days.
So, she felt that Owen Rhodes wouldn’t make exceptions in other matters either.
But now, it seed her assumption was wrong.
Generally speaking, a man who’s been abstinent for a long ti is like a starving wolf; he can’t wait.
But Owen Rhodes hadn’t touched Stella Sterling, not even when she was unconsciously tempting him.
’Either Owen Rhodes can’t perform.’
’Or he’s gay.’
But either way, Stella Sterling was the one losing out.
’Actually, there’s a third possibility,’ Ariana thought, ’but I think it’s highly unlikely.’
’That he’s in love with Stella Sterling. Deeply in love. So in love that he couldn’t bear to touch her, and is waiting for her to co to him willingly.’
’But that’s just inconceivable, isn’t it?’
’Stella Sterling was almost his nephew’s wife!’
Ariana didn’t say anything for a mont, just kept staring at Stella, who started to feel a little flustered under her gaze.
"Ariana Grant, why aren’t you saying anything?"
Ariana calmly patted her hand. "Let’s eat first. After we eat, you’re coming out with ."
"Where are we going?"
"A nightclub."
...
Before going to the nightclub, Ariana first took Stella Sterling to a mall to change into her "battle attire," then they headed to the Qillian Club.
The main hall on the first floor of the Qillian Club was no different from any ordinary nightclub.
When Stella Sterling left the house, she had been wearing a moonlight-white lace long dress, looking like a fairy.
Ariana said that kind of outfit was suitable for art museums, galleries, and any other elegant venue, but not for a nightclub.
So, at Ariana’s insistence, Stella changed into a short, tight, black backless dress.
Her impressive curves were on full display, her delicate waist so slender it looked like you could encircle it with one hand. Her smooth back was partially hidden, yet tantalizingly visible, under her long, wavy hair. Yet her limpid, beautiful eyes were calm and indifferent, a distant allure that captivated the soul.
Ariana clicked her tongue. "A true stunner."
Unfortunately, this stunner was unaware of her own allure and felt completely uncomfortable.
Stella had never worn a skirt this short and subtly tried to tug down the hem.
Ariana’s sharp eyes caught her, and she lightly slapped her hand away.
"What are you doing? Stella Sterling, this is a nightclub, not the Arch of Virtue. Chest out! Head up! Rember, you are the hottest queen of the night!"
The "queen" gave an awkward smile, feeling like her limbs didn’t belong to her.
Soon, a fashionably dressed man holding a glass of wine ca over to hit on them. "Hey beautiful, care for a drink together?"
Stella sat ramrod straight on the barstool and said coldly, "Not interested. Go away."
The man wouldn’t give up. "How will you know if you’re interested if we don’t chat a bit?"
Stella glanced at him. "Sorry, I’m not interested in your face."
Stella didn’t pull any punches. Stung by her words, the man couldn’t save face and walked away, muttering curses.
Ariana teased with a smile, "Looks like Owen Rhodes’ face is one you’re interested in."
Stella Sterling: "..."
Several more waves of n ca over to hit on them, but without exception, Stella shot them all down.
Stella was getting tired. She really didn’t see what was so fun about coming to a nightclub.
’These guys are all so tacky and common,’ she thought. ’Does anyone really fall for them?’
Tacky or not, the swarm of suitors kept coming, one after another.
Just as another one of these common-looking guys sidled up to Stella, a woman walking toward a private room in the distance paused.
Zoe Yates was still talking to herself, but when she turned her head, she saw that Kiana Sterling, who was with her, had fallen behind.
She walked back a couple of steps and saw Kiana holding her phone, taking a picture of a dimly lit corner of the hall.
She seed to be having trouble with the angle, moving a few tis before she was finally satisfied.
Zoe Yates asked curiously, "What are you taking a picture of? It’s pitch-black over there, can you even see anything?"
A smile played on Kiana Sterling’s lips. "Of course."
After fending off the latest wave of suitors, Stella was ntally and physically exhausted.
Ariana couldn’t stand to watch anymore. She shook her head. "Alright, that’s enough. Have your President Rhodes co pick you up."
’Have Owen Rhodes pick up from a nightclub?’
’That doesn’t seem like a good idea.’
Seeing the look on Stella’s face, Ariana knew exactly what she was thinking.
She held out her fair hand. "Give your phone."
Ariana knew Stella’s passcode. As she unlocked the phone, she said, "Stella Sterling, he’s your husband, not your uncle-in-law. Let loose and flirt with him, okay?"
She went straight to the chat with Owen Rhodes, sent him a location pin, and typed: [Stella Sterling had too much to drink. Co get her.]
After sending it, Ariana rcifully took Stella to the entrance to wait for Owen Rhodes.
Stella had drunk a little fruit wine that evening. She slled slightly of alcohol, but not strongly.
"Rember to act the part. I said you were drunk," her wily advisor reminded her.
Just as she finished speaking, Stella’s phone started vibrating.
It was an unknown number she hadn’t saved.
She didn’t answer, but the calls kept coming, one after another.
On the fourth call, Stella finally pressed the answer button.
She didn’t speak, but a familiar voice ca from the other end. "Stella Sterling?"
Oh, it was Ms. Jennings.
"How did you get my number?"
Ms. Jennings didn’t answer, just barreled on. "Never mind that. Why didn’t you co ho last night?"
"Is that important?"
Just hearing Ms. Jennings’ voice irritated Stella. She took a slim cigarette from her purse, lit it, took a shallow drag, and then just held it between her fingers, letting it burn.
"Kiana said her engagent ring is missing. Did you take it? The engagent party is in a few days, and if sothing goes wrong, I won’t forgive you! I see your wings have hardened, moving all your things out. Are you planning on never coming back? If you’ve got the guts, then stay away from this house for the rest of your life! And another thing, I heard Owen Rhodes is already married. You’d better behave yourself. If you cause so kind of scandal, don’t co crying to and your father!"
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