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12 · Avoid💀DeadPeak
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Three years into their hidden marriage, they had always performed their marital duties like this. Today is the fifth day of the lunar month. As usual, Aiden Fordham had the butler bring Stella Grant to Coregarde. She had always loved the pure white lilies in the garden of Coregarde, their fragrance filling the garden, beautifully dreamlike. But now the three-year period has ended, and she came not just for one final meeting. Moreover, today she must divorce him! When she entered the room, Aiden Fordham was stepping out of the bathroom. He was shirtless, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, a typical inverted triangular physique, every inch exuding power. A loosely wrapped towel hung around his waist, droplets of water flowed down his smooth muscular lines, his well-defined abs deep and cut into the edge of the towel, inviting imagination. His handsome face was nothing short of the Creator's painstaking masterpiece. At the moment, his thin lips were tightly pursed, carrying a hint of post-shower warmth, yet showing no softness, instead radiating cold indifference. He picked Stella Grant up and walked directly to the bedside. She exclaimed in surprise, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck. Aiden Fordham said nothing, just bowed his head to kiss her lips, then reached to tug at her cheongsam. With her arms around his neck, the familiar cedar scent mixed with a faint hint of alcohol made her feel a bit dizzy. Today, he was as eager as usual, his movements rough, maybe because they hadn't seen each other for a long time. He kissed her with intensity, as if he wanted to swallow her whole. The temperature in the room rose higher and higher. The air was thick with an atmosphere of ambiguity. She and he melted into one... The fifth and twenty-fifth of every month were the days Aiden Fordham and she had agreed to be together. Whenever it was time, the butler would bring her to Coregarde, but they didn't live together. The time had come, and the divorce agreement in her bag told her this was the fate of her marriage. She borrowed him for her entire life, just three years. In the middle of the night, Stella Grant woke up from hunger. The man beside her had already vanished, leaving not even a trace of warmth on the bed. She was sore all over, struggling to get out of bed and put on a robe to go downstairs. Downstairs, the butler greeted her. "Madam, you're awake. Hungry, aren't you? Sir instructed the servants to make bird's nest porridge for you before he left." "Okay, thank you." Stella Grant sat down, slowly drinking the bird's nest porridge. She casually flipped through her phone, several hot searches suddenly popped up on the screen. #Magnate Fordham hosts a lavish birthday party for Kensington Group's heiress #Good news soon, Aiden Fordham and Corinne Kensington's engagement in F-Country. Her pupils contracted, clearly startled by the news. A sudden wave of dizziness came over her. Corinne Kensington! Turns out, his lover is called Corinne Kensington. This beautifully dreamlike Coregarde, constantly torturing her feelings. Coregarde... was built for Corinne Kensington! Her eyes turned slightly red, staring at the stunningly handsome face in the picture, it was her husband Aiden Fordham. He embraced the beauty, smiling brightly. She once thought he was born cold, never smiling. Turns out he just didn't like smiling at her. Corinne Kensington wore a blazing lily-shaped Red Jade Necklace, deeply piercing her eyes. That was the one she had liked for a long time... She put down her spoon, then went upstairs to change her clothes. Looking at the empty bed, her eyes grew colder. This man had boundless energy; in the afternoon rolling in bed with her, in the evening off to F-Country for his beloved's birthday. Ten minutes later, Stella Grant went downstairs and asked the butler to take her home. She would never return here again. Back home, she took out the divorce agreement from her bag and flipped through it. She had prepared this a month ago, always kept it in her bag, planning to give it to Aiden Fordham today, but he ran away. The next afternoon, she was awakened by the sound of the phone ringing. Seeing twenty missed calls from her best friend Vivi Sterling, what happened? She immediately called back. "Miss, you finally answered. I thought you were in despair, scared me to death." Vivi Sterling's whining made Stella Grant helplessly pat her forehead. "Don't worry, I love life, and I cherish it." After a nap, she felt her heart was less burdened. "Wait for me, I'll fly back to see you right away." Vivi Sterling spoke urgently. "Okay, I'll wait for you!" Hanging up the phone, Stella Grant felt hollow inside. She stared at the ceiling, recalling the bits and pieces of her years with Aiden Fordham. In middle school, he skipped a grade, and she followed; when he went abroad, she went abroad; he studied medicine, and she also chose medicine without hesitation... Even when he fell into the sea, she jumped in too... Yet he still had no impression of her! Three years ago, he was in a car accident and became blind. It was heard that his first love went abroad. She came! At that time, Grandma Prescott, on her deathbed, used her connections to marry her into the Fordham Family. At first, Aiden Fordham was very repulsed by her, but later, due to Grandpa Fordham's scheme, they became real husband and wife. Later, there was constant pressure to have children, so Aiden Fordham agreed to a twice-a-month marital life. She remembered that it wasn't until the second year of their marriage that Aiden Fordham's eyesight was restored. When he looked at her, he was full of coldness and disgust. She thought she could warm him. Turned out, the spark wasn't with her. The phone rang again, pulling her thoughts back. Stella Grant pressed the answer button, and the other side spoke two sentences before hanging up. The caller was Mrs. Fordham, asking her to return to the old residence immediately. She had a bad premonition, but there was no time to think about it. She quickly got out of bed. By four in the afternoon, Stella Grant had returned to the old Fordham Residence. The Fordham Family was the top noble family in Meritopia, with a large family and business. Elder Fordham had two sons and two daughters. Aiden Fordham, being the eldest grandson of the main house, naturally received more attention. When Stella Grant walked into the hall, Mrs. Fordham immediately stood up. She shot Stella Grant a vicious look, "You complained to Dad, didn't you? Didn't expect you to say little but play dirty this time?" Stella Grant looked at the malicious mother-in-law in front of her, her lips slightly parted, "Mrs. Fordham, I don't know what you're referring to." "Aiden is in the study, being punished." With a glance, the butler brought Stella Grant upstairs. Approaching the study, the sound of arguing could be heard. "You unfilial grandson, dare to talk back? Do you want to anger me to death?" Elder Fordham was scolding his grandson, so angry he nearly spat blood. "Grandpa, forced love is never sweet. Didn't you promise me before, if Stella Grant doesn't get pregnant within three years, you'd allow me to divorce and remarry?" "You little brat, you still want a divorce? Right now, you're still husband and wife. I won't allow you to keep spreading rumors with that Kensington girl. Release a public statement immediately to clear this up." "I can't control what's being spread online. Why bother with the internet!" "I'll beat you." Clanging noises emanated from inside. Stella Grant composed herself, then raised her hand to knock on the door. The door opened, and Steven Fordham looked visibly surprised to see Stella Grant. "Stella's here!" "Grandpa, please don't get so worked up." Stella Grant reached out to support him back into the room, offering a gentle smile. "Why are you standing there? Apologize to Stella!" Steven Fordham sternly commanded Aiden Fordham. Aiden Fordham pressed his thin lips together, full of disdain. He had released this news only because of the three-year limit, believing this woman would understand her place. "Grandpa, I'd like to talk to Aiden alone." After Stella Grant spoke, Elder Fordham tactfully left the room. Stella Grant glanced at him, "Aiden Fordham, let's get a divorce, I'll grant you this wish!" Aiden Fordham was slightly surprised, looking at her as if she were a monster. He expected her to come back and make a huge fuss, at least to have Grandpa on her side, but unexpectedly, she simply mentioned divorce so casually. Could she really be willing to give up the position of Mrs. Fordham? She added another sentence, "We can go through the procedures first, and whenever it's convenient, you can tell Grandpa." After a few seconds of silence, he finally spoke, "What kind of compensation do you want?" "No need, let's part on good terms. This is the drafted divorce agreement I prepared." She spoke freely, without hesitation, taking the prepared agreement from her bag and placing it on the table. Aiden Fordham sneered, grabbing her with icy eyes, "Since you're sensible, I won't shortchange you. Tomorrow morning, come to the company for signing. I'll have legal prepare the divorce agreement." The implication was that what's written in the divorce agreement is not for her to decide. "Alright, I'll be there!" Stella Grant gave him an indifferent glance, then walked out of the study. For her, parting amicably was the most dignified way to end this marriage. Stella Grant stayed at the Fordham Residence for dinner. As she was leaving, she hugged Grandpa Fordham and prepared to drive away. At that moment, it suddenly started to rain, the drizzle like a lament. She walked a few steps, suddenly feeling a sharp pain in her abdomen. A stream of warm blood flowed down her leg. Stella was shocked in her heart. Why did her period suddenly come? She quickly drove off, and by the time the car reached halfway up the mountain, she was already sweating cold sweat. No, it's too painful! She hurriedly stopped the car, then took out her phone and dialed Vivi Sterling, "Vivi, are you... back yet? Can you... come pick me up?" "Stella, where are you, what happened?" "I'm on the mountain road of Fordham Manor..." The wailing sound of an ambulance cut through the silence of the night, and fortunately, Vivi Sterling had called an ambulance. When Stella was taken to the hospital, it was already one in the morning. After a series of examinations, Stella had actually... miscarried. She was already six weeks pregnant. Stella lay on the hospital bed, a teardrop slipped from the corner of her eye. Poor child whom she never got to meet. Vivi Sterling instantly burst into a rage, spitting out curses, "That damn man, didn't he know you were pregnant? He still had someone take you to Coregarde, exhausting you to death." Stella's periods were always irregular, and she didn't know how she suddenly got pregnant. This child should have been conceived last month. Last month she wasn't taken to Coregarde but went to Nation A. At that time, he was on a business trip in Nation A, and he actually took her to Nation A. She stayed with him in Nation A for a full three days before returning. At that time, he even warned her that she had used up her quota for this month last month. Unexpectedly, he still had someone pick her up on time this month. At this moment, a female doctor knocked and entered with a report in hand. "You were really careless. Knowing you were pregnant, how could you still take birth control pills? Originally, the child could have been saved." Birth control pills? These words left Stella and Vivi stunned! Stella never took any measures with Aiden Fordham, how could there be birth control pills inside her? Vivi Sterling was immediately furious. "That damn man, for the sake of that bitch Corinne Kensington, he secretly gave you birth control pills. If he didn't want a child, he could have just said it openly, why hurt you like this?" At this moment, Stella's heart was in excruciating pain. Could it really be Aiden Fordham? Every time after, he would have the servants prepare bird's nest porridge or chicken soup for her, could the medicine have been mixed into the porridge? And last month, they were in Nation A, he had no chance to drug her, so this month he came to torment her again? Taking the opportunity to drug her? In an instant, she felt all her strength drained from her body. "You wait, I'm going to the Fordham Family to demand justice for the child." Vivi Sterling was shaking all over in anger, grabbing her phone and about to leave. "Vivi." Stella spoke weakly, her voice hoarse, "Don't go!" "Stella!" Vivi Sterling turned her head abruptly, looking at her in disbelief, "He killed your child! Are you just going to let it go like this?" Stella slowly closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened them again, all that was left was cold hatred and determination. "Aiden and I have already decided to divorce. I don't want to have any more entanglement with him." She paused, looked at Vivi Sterling, and said word by word, "But, I will find out how this child was lost. I won't let those responsible get away with it!" Her gaze was so cold, so fierce, that Vivi Sterling couldn't help but shiver. This was the Stella she knew; seemingly fragile on the surface, but stronger than anyone else inside. Vivi Sterling put down her phone and tightly held Stella's cold hand. "Don't worry, we'll avenge this together. No matter who it is, I will make them pay a painful price!" ... In the middle of the night, Stella was startled awake by the sound of thunder, unable to sleep as she tossed and turned. She opened her eyes, looked at the dim nightlight, and her thoughts drifted far away. She remembered the events of when she was 10... it wasn't until she was 12 that she came to Meritopia. She had followed him for a full 12 years, enduring hardships to be by his side, and had given him everything she could. She had only accidentally conceived his child, it was really... an accident! Unknowingly, her tears flowed like a river. Fate seemed to have stripped away her last piece of armor, causing her daytime strength to collapse in an instant. This was the last remnant of her three-year marriage with him. But her child, was gone! Already gone! She covered her face with her hands, sobbing uncontrollably... The night was as deep as ink. Outside, the heavy rain poured, raindrops pelting the glass with a frenzied rhythm. Aiden Fordham suddenly sat up in bed, gasping for breath, his forehead covered in cold sweat. It was that dream again. Icy water surrounded him completely. No matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't breathe, only watching helplessly as he kept sinking into endless darkness, the suffocation so real it left him deeply shaken. He irritably raked his fingers through his hair, got up, and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the city shrouded in rain. No matter how heavy the night's rain, it couldn't wash away the gloom in his heart. He walked over to the liquor cabinet, poured himself a large glass of whiskey, and gulped it down. The fiery liquid burned his throat, unable to numb the inexplicable fear and unease. It seemed something had happened, unsettling his mind. Causing a faint pain in his heart... at a loss! The next morning, Stella was wheeled into the operating room by a nurse. The cold metal instruments, the glaring lights, and the lingering scent of disinfectant. The doctor looked at her report, eyebrows tightly knit. "There are still residues in your womb that must be cleared. You should know you have a genetic defect, and you're allergic to all anesthetics, so for this operation, we can't use any anesthesia." This meant that she must endure this bone-scraping pain in an almost conscious state. Stella nodded, her body trembling slightly with fear and cold. She gritted her teeth, digging her nails deeply into her palms. When the cold instruments entered her body, the sharp, tearing pain instantly engulfed her. "Ugh..." She couldn't help but groan, her forehead instantly covered in cold sweat. Pain. Such pain! Like her internal organs were being torn apart. Tears flowed uncontrollably, mixed with sweat, blurring her vision. She bit her lower lip hard, drawing blood, the metallic taste spreading in her mouth. She wanted to remember this pain. Remember who made her endure all of this! Remember the heart-wrenching pain of losing her child! Whoever harmed her child, she will never let them go! The pain rolled in like waves, battering her nerves. She felt like a small boat in a stormy sea, ready to be torn apart at any moment. Before long, she fainted! At the same time, in the president's office of the Fordham Group. Aiden Fordham looked at his phone screen, his frown getting deeper and deeper. It was already ten in the morning, and Stella's phone still couldn't be reached. Shut down! This woman, disappearing without reason? Wasn't it agreed that today they would come and sign the divorce papers? Could it be she was standing him up? An inexplicable rage surged up his heart, and he irritably threw his phone onto the desk. He didn't know why, but since the morning, he felt restless, as if something was about to happen. Was it Stella? What could happen to her? It's nothing but another trick to gain his sympathy or delay the divorce. He really wanted to see what new schemes she could come up with. Outside the operating room, time crawled unbearably slow. Vivi Sterling paced back and forth anxiously, her eyes darting now and then to the tightly shut doors of the operating room. At last, the door opened. Stella Grant was pushed out by a nurse. She had already fallen unconscious, but streaks of dried tears still clung to her face, and there were faint teeth marks on her pale lips. "Stella!" Vivi Sterling hurried up to her. The doctor took off his mask, his expression grave. "The surgery was a success, but the patient's body is extremely weak. Remember, in her condition, she needs proper rest, or else... she might never be able to get pregnant again." Vivi's heart plummeted as she looked at the sleeping Stella, tears welling up again. Such a good girl like Stella—how did she end up with a scumbag like Aiden Fordham! Stella woke up in the afternoon. Vivi's mother had come, carrying a steaming bowl of meat congee. "You're awake, Stella? Here, have some congee while it's hot, it'll help you recover." Mrs. Sterling gazed at her pale face with deep concern. "Thank you, godmother!" Stella managed a weak smile, struggling to sit up. "Don't move, just lie down, I'll feed you." Mrs. Sterling quickly steadied her, scooping up some congee, gently blowing on it to cool it, and then bringing the spoon to Stella's lips. Her heart ached so much—this child was so hard to come by, and now she lost it just like that! Back when Stella was homeless, Vivi had been bullied after school, and it was Stella who stepped in to help her. Vivi brought her home, and the Sterling Family supported Stella to finish her schooling. Mrs. Sterling even regarded her as another daughter. Stella sipped the congee little by little. The warmth spread through her stomach, but her eyes turned red with tears. Vivi was on the phone nearby, her voice pressed low but brimming with agitation. "Abraham Grant! I'm telling you, if you keep hanging around with that asshole Aiden Fordham, we're breaking up right now! Engagement off, and I never want to see you again for the rest of my life!" She slammed the phone down, her chest heaving with rage. Stella looked at her. "Vivi, don't do this just because of me—" "It's not about you!" Vivi cut her off, "I just can't stand Abraham Grant being so clueless! Aiden Fordham hurt you like this, and he's still acting like they're best friends? Whose side is he even on?" The Sterling and Grant Families had long been set for an arranged marriage—the two had been engaged since they were eighteen. But Vivi's spoiled princess ways had never changed, giving Abraham Grant endless headaches. At that moment, inside the most exclusive private booth at Nocturne, Meritopia's elite club. Languid music flowed; the air was thick with expensive liquor and the scent of perfume. Abraham Grant held his phone, his face clouded with confusion. He shot an innocent glance at Aiden Fordham. "What the hell is she flipping out about now? She says if I keep hanging with you, she's breaking up with me?" Aiden raised his glass, slender fingers swirling the amber liquid. At the words, he merely lifted a brow, his face unreadable. Damian Hawthorne, seated next to him, grinned. "Whoa, Second Master Grant, looks like shit's going down at home! Your girl really has it in for Aiden. Now she's giving you a choice—pick one." Abraham ran a hand through his hair, exasperated. "Who knows what's up with her! Forget it, let's drink." Just then, the private suite door swung open. A woman sauntered in—a red slip dress, sexy, every move oozing confidence. Corinne Kensington. Corinne, heiress to the Kensington Family, now a top A-list celebrity. Yesterday's high-profile birthday bash with Aiden Fordham had shot her fan count to twenty million—she shone like a star in the sky, everyone watching. If she could marry into the Fordham Family, she'd be the most honored woman in Meritopia. The wife of the wealthiest man! Just the thought made her giddy! She walked straight to Aiden's side, ignoring the stunned and jealous looks around her, sat down beside him, slipped her arm naturally into his, and rested her head on his shoulder. "Aiden, can I be your date for the Fordham Group's anniversary this weekend?" She was done hiding in his shadow. Three years. She'd waited long enough! Aiden's eyes softened. "Tomorrow, I'll have someone pick out a dress for you." Corinne's face lit up. "I knew it, you're the best." Damian raised his glass. "Congrats, Corinne! About to make it official." Abraham joined in, teasing, "Looks like the three-year agreement is about to end. Corinne, your hard days are almost over." It was obvious—Aiden's two closest brothers both sided with Corinne. After all, they'd never seen Aiden bring Stella out, ever. Besides, that marriage was a strict secret—no one on the outside knew anything. It might as well have not existed! Corinne graciously lifted her glass, clinking it with theirs. "Thank you, Young Master Grant, Young Master Hawthorne." Among the four great families of Meritopia, three heirs were all backing her. Once Aiden and Stella's marriage was over, she'd officially enter the Fordham Family. "Ding." Damian glanced at his phone at a pop-up message, almost leaping off the sofa in excitement! "Holy shit! God N is coming back!" He brandished his phone. The headline on the screen was impossible to miss—[Bluebird Technologies Founder God N Confirmed to Attend Next Month's Global Medical Summit!] Young Master Hawthorne's voice trembled with wild joy, eyes shining red, "My grandmother might be saved! This is incredible!" The Hawthorne matriarch had lung cancer—not much time left. This news was hope from the clouds. The young heirs in the room immediately erupted in even louder chatter. "God N? The one who, three years ago, cracked the cancer treatment equation, instantly becoming a legend, then vanished off the face of the earth?" "No way—they're finally reappearing? I thought she'd ascended already!" "Bluebird Technologies! The forever benchmark in medtech! That equation from three years ago pulled so many terminal patients back from the brink of death!" "Exactly! It's her! Three years ago she popped out of nowhere, dropped the equation, then disappeared—no one could find her. Now she's back? This is a bombshell! That medical summit is going to explode next month." Sitting not far away, Aiden's dark eyes suddenly flashed with burning intensity. The Fordham Group's medical division was already the domestic leader. He'd pioneered the country's top medical AI system and had become Meritopia's wealthiest man in only four years. The Fordham Group, under his leadership, operated in over eighty countries worldwide. He was the definition of the favored son of heaven. But...God N! That name wasn't just legend in medicine—it was a symbol of supreme, magnetic leadership. To Aiden, God N was like a fabled Arcanum Isle—shrouded in mystery and power he couldn't help but want to get close to... If God N could partner with the Fordham Group, the company's global standing in medicine would be unmatched! Aiden's fingers tightened minutely on the wineglass, and the corner of his lips lifted with a victorious curve. Abraham added, "I heard God N's 'Gene Therapy'! Uses biomolecular gene editing tech—directly targets cancer cells! Awesome!" Everyone chimed in excitedly, talking over each other, imagining the revolutionary changes God N's return would spark—the atmosphere was electric. God N, the world's top biologist—her value simply defied measure. At that moment, the suite door was pushed open lightly. A young waitress came in, carrying a tray, walking gingerly as she prepared to refill the guests' wine. But when she saw the three elite heirs before her, she got so nervous she suddenly tripped, lurching forward! The wine glasses on her tray crashed to the floor! "Bang—crash—" The crisp shattering of crystal pierced the din. Corinne, sitting nearest, couldn't react in time. "Ah!" Corinne let out a sharp yelp, and Aiden sprang into action. In the same instant the glass shattered, he pulled the startled Corinne straight into his arms. He shielded her face from flying shards, but glass still slashed two bloody lines across her fair hand. His brows knit tight as he saw the clear wound and blood oozing from Corinne's hand, his face instantly going cold. "Damn it!" Aiden's razor gaze swept the ashen, frozen waitress, his voice like frost. "What are you standing there for? Get out, now!" The waitress, terrified, scrambled out on trembling legs. "Aiden...my hand hurts so much..." Corinne huddled in Aiden's arms, tears shimmering in her eyes and her voice quivering with pain. "Don't be scared. I'll take you to the hospital." Aiden's tone softened. Carefully avoiding her injured hand, he swept her up in his arms and strode purposefully out of the suite. Hospital. The smell of antiseptic hung in the air; the corridor was so quiet only footsteps could be heard. Aiden settled Corinne in and had the doctor tend to her wound thoroughly, making sure it was properly bandaged. Looking at Corinne's pale, pitiful face, Aiden forced himself to comfort her gently and told her to rest well in the hospital room. He left the room, and just as he turned into the corridor, out the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse through a half-open door nearby. A familiar figure appeared in his sight. Aiden jerked to a stop. His gaze fixed on the hospital bed—white sheets, a pale face. A woman lay silently there, eyes closed. Her long lashes cast faint shadows under her lids, a slender arm hooked up to an IV, transparent liquid slowly dripping into her. Stella Grant! Why was she here? Lying in a hospital bed?! A torrent of unspeakable, tangled emotions seized Aiden's heart, as if an invisible hand had clenched him hard. Aiden pushed the door open and marched straight in!

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Three years into their hidden marriage, they had always performed their marital duties like this. Today is the fifth day of the lunar month. As usual, Aiden Fordham had the butler bring Stella Grant to Coregarde. She had always loved the pure white lilies in the garden of Coregarde, their fragrance filling the garden, beautifully dreamlike. But now the three-year period has ended, and she came not just for one final meeting. Moreover, today she must divorce him! When she entered the room, Aiden Fordham was stepping out of the bathroom. He was shirtless, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, a typical inverted triangular physique, every inch exuding power. A loosely wrapped towel hung around his waist, droplets of water flowed down his smooth muscular lines, his well-defined abs deep and cut into the edge of the towel, inviting imagination. His handsome face was nothing short of the Creator's painstaking masterpiece. At the moment, his thin lips were tightly pursed, carrying a hint of post-shower warmth, yet showing no softness, instead radiating cold indifference. He picked Stella Grant up and walked directly to the bedside. She exclaimed in surprise, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck. Aiden Fordham said nothing, just bowed his head to kiss her lips, then reached to tug at her cheongsam. With her arms around his neck, the familiar cedar scent mixed with a faint hint of alcohol made her feel a bit dizzy. Today, he was as eager as usual, his movements rough, maybe because they hadn't seen each other for a long time. He kissed her with intensity, as if he wanted to swallow her whole. The temperature in the room rose higher and higher. The air was thick with an atmosphere of ambiguity. She and he melted into one... The fifth and twenty-fifth of every month were the days Aiden Fordham and she had agreed to be together. Whenever it was time, the butler would bring her to Coregarde, but they didn't live together. The time had come, and the divorce agreement in her bag told her this was the fate of her marriage. She borrowed him for her entire life, just three years. In the middle of the night, Stella Grant woke up from hunger. The man beside her had already vanished, leaving not even a trace of warmth on the bed. She was sore all over, struggling to get out of bed and put on a robe to go downstairs. Downstairs, the butler greeted her. "Madam, you're awake. Hungry, aren't you? Sir instructed the servants to make bird's nest porridge for you before he left." "Okay, thank you." Stella Grant sat down, slowly drinking the bird's nest porridge. She casually flipped through her phone, several hot searches suddenly popped up on the screen. #Magnate Fordham hosts a lavish birthday party for Kensington Group's heiress #Good news soon, Aiden Fordham and Corinne Kensington's engagement in F-Country. Her pupils contracted, clearly startled by the news. A sudden wave of dizziness came over her. Corinne Kensington! Turns out, his lover is called Corinne Kensington. This beautifully dreamlike Coregarde, constantly torturing her feelings. Coregarde... was built for Corinne Kensington! Her eyes turned slightly red, staring at the stunningly handsome face in the picture, it was her husband Aiden Fordham. He embraced the beauty, smiling brightly. She once thought he was born cold, never smiling. Turns out he just didn't like smiling at her. Corinne Kensington wore a blazing lily-shaped Red Jade Necklace, deeply piercing her eyes. That was the one she had liked for a long time... She put down her spoon, then went upstairs to change her clothes. Looking at the empty bed, her eyes grew colder. This man had boundless energy; in the afternoon rolling in bed with her, in the evening off to F-Country for his beloved's birthday. Ten minutes later, Stella Grant went downstairs and asked the butler to take her home. She would never return here again. Back home, she took out the divorce agreement from her bag and flipped through it. She had prepared this a month ago, always kept it in her bag, planning to give it to Aiden Fordham today, but he ran away. The next afternoon, she was awakened by the sound of the phone ringing. Seeing twenty missed calls from her best friend Vivi Sterling, what happened? She immediately called back. "Miss, you finally answered. I thought you were in despair, scared me to death." Vivi Sterling's whining made Stella Grant helplessly pat her forehead. "Don't worry, I love life, and I cherish it." After a nap, she felt her heart was less burdened. "Wait for me, I'll fly back to see you right away." Vivi Sterling spoke urgently. "Okay, I'll wait for you!" Hanging up the phone, Stella Grant felt hollow inside. She stared at the ceiling, recalling the bits and pieces of her years with Aiden Fordham. In middle school, he skipped a grade, and she followed; when he went abroad, she went abroad; he studied medicine, and she also chose medicine without hesitation... Even when he fell into the sea, she jumped in too... Yet he still had no impression of her! Three years ago, he was in a car accident and became blind. It was heard that his first love went abroad. She came! At that time, Grandma Prescott, on her deathbed, used her connections to marry her into the Fordham Family. At first, Aiden Fordham was very repulsed by her, but later, due to Grandpa Fordham's scheme, they became real husband and wife. Later, there was constant pressure to have children, so Aiden Fordham agreed to a twice-a-month marital life. She remembered that it wasn't until the second year of their marriage that Aiden Fordham's eyesight was restored. When he looked at her, he was full of coldness and disgust. She thought she could warm him. Turned out, the spark wasn't with her. The phone rang again, pulling her thoughts back. Stella Grant pressed the answer button, and the other side spoke two sentences before hanging up. The caller was Mrs. Fordham, asking her to return to the old residence immediately. She had a bad premonition, but there was no time to think about it. She quickly got out of bed. By four in the afternoon, Stella Grant had returned to the old Fordham Residence. The Fordham Family was the top noble family in Meritopia, with a large family and business. Elder Fordham had two sons and two daughters. Aiden Fordham, being the eldest grandson of the main house, naturally received more attention. When Stella Grant walked into the hall, Mrs. Fordham immediately stood up. She shot Stella Grant a vicious look, "You complained to Dad, didn't you? Didn't expect you to say little but play dirty this time?" Stella Grant looked at the malicious mother-in-law in front of her, her lips slightly parted, "Mrs. Fordham, I don't know what you're referring to." "Aiden is in the study, being punished." With a glance, the butler brought Stella Grant upstairs. Approaching the study, the sound of arguing could be heard. "You unfilial grandson, dare to talk back? Do you want to anger me to death?" Elder Fordham was scolding his grandson, so angry he nearly spat blood. "Grandpa, forced love is never sweet. Didn't you promise me before, if Stella Grant doesn't get pregnant within three years, you'd allow me to divorce and remarry?" "You little brat, you still want a divorce? Right now, you're still husband and wife. I won't allow you to keep spreading rumors with that Kensington girl. Release a public statement immediately to clear this up." "I can't control what's being spread online. Why bother with the internet!" "I'll beat you." Clanging noises emanated from inside. Stella Grant composed herself, then raised her hand to knock on the door. The door opened, and Steven Fordham looked visibly surprised to see Stella Grant. "Stella's here!" "Grandpa, please don't get so worked up." Stella Grant reached out to support him back into the room, offering a gentle smile. "Why are you standing there? Apologize to Stella!" Steven Fordham sternly commanded Aiden Fordham. Aiden Fordham pressed his thin lips together, full of disdain. He had released this news only because of the three-year limit, believing this woman would understand her place. "Grandpa, I'd like to talk to Aiden alone." After Stella Grant spoke, Elder Fordham tactfully left the room. Stella Grant glanced at him, "Aiden Fordham, let's get a divorce, I'll grant you this wish!" Aiden Fordham was slightly surprised, looking at her as if she were a monster. He expected her to come back and make a huge fuss, at least to have Grandpa on her side, but unexpectedly, she simply mentioned divorce so casually. Could she really be willing to give up the position of Mrs. Fordham? She added another sentence, "We can go through the procedures first, and whenever it's convenient, you can tell Grandpa." After a few seconds of silence, he finally spoke, "What kind of compensation do you want?" "No need, let's part on good terms. This is the drafted divorce agreement I prepared." She spoke freely, without hesitation, taking the prepared agreement from her bag and placing it on the table. Aiden Fordham sneered, grabbing her with icy eyes, "Since you're sensible, I won't shortchange you. Tomorrow morning, come to the company for signing. I'll have legal prepare the divorce agreement." The implication was that what's written in the divorce agreement is not for her to decide. "Alright, I'll be there!" Stella Grant gave him an indifferent glance, then walked out of the study. For her, parting amicably was the most dignified way to end this marriage. Stella Grant stayed at the Fordham Residence for dinner. As she was leaving, she hugged Grandpa Fordham and prepared to drive away. At that moment, it suddenly started to rain, the drizzle like a lament. She walked a few steps, suddenly feeling a sharp pain in her abdomen. A stream of warm blood flowed down her leg. Stella was shocked in her heart. Why did her period suddenly come? She quickly drove off, and by the time the car reached halfway up the mountain, she was already sweating cold sweat. No, it's too painful! She hurriedly stopped the car, then took out her phone and dialed Vivi Sterling, "Vivi, are you... back yet? Can you... come pick me up?" "Stella, where are you, what happened?" "I'm on the mountain road of Fordham Manor..." The wailing sound of an ambulance cut through the silence of the night, and fortunately, Vivi Sterling had called an ambulance. When Stella was taken to the hospital, it was already one in the morning. After a series of examinations, Stella had actually... miscarried. She was already six weeks pregnant. Stella lay on the hospital bed, a teardrop slipped from the corner of her eye. Poor child whom she never got to meet. Vivi Sterling instantly burst into a rage, spitting out curses, "That damn man, didn't he know you were pregnant? He still had someone take you to Coregarde, exhausting you to death." Stella's periods were always irregular, and she didn't know how she suddenly got pregnant. This child should have been conceived last month. Last month she wasn't taken to Coregarde but went to Nation A. At that time, he was on a business trip in Nation A, and he actually took her to Nation A. She stayed with him in Nation A for a full three days before returning. At that time, he even warned her that she had used up her quota for this month last month. Unexpectedly, he still had someone pick her up on time this month. At this moment, a female doctor knocked and entered with a report in hand. "You were really careless. Knowing you were pregnant, how could you still take birth control pills? Originally, the child could have been saved." Birth control pills? These words left Stella and Vivi stunned! Stella never took any measures with Aiden Fordham, how could there be birth control pills inside her? Vivi Sterling was immediately furious. "That damn man, for the sake of that bitch Corinne Kensington, he secretly gave you birth control pills. If he didn't want a child, he could have just said it openly, why hurt you like this?" At this moment, Stella's heart was in excruciating pain. Could it really be Aiden Fordham? Every time after, he would have the servants prepare bird's nest porridge or chicken soup for her, could the medicine have been mixed into the porridge? And last month, they were in Nation A, he had no chance to drug her, so this month he came to torment her again? Taking the opportunity to drug her? In an instant, she felt all her strength drained from her body. "You wait, I'm going to the Fordham Family to demand justice for the child." Vivi Sterling was shaking all over in anger, grabbing her phone and about to leave. "Vivi." Stella spoke weakly, her voice hoarse, "Don't go!" "Stella!" Vivi Sterling turned her head abruptly, looking at her in disbelief, "He killed your child! Are you just going to let it go like this?" Stella slowly closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened them again, all that was left was cold hatred and determination. "Aiden and I have already decided to divorce. I don't want to have any more entanglement with him." She paused, looked at Vivi Sterling, and said word by word, "But, I will find out how this child was lost. I won't let those responsible get away with it!" Her gaze was so cold, so fierce, that Vivi Sterling couldn't help but shiver. This was the Stella she knew; seemingly fragile on the surface, but stronger than anyone else inside. Vivi Sterling put down her phone and tightly held Stella's cold hand. "Don't worry, we'll avenge this together. No matter who it is, I will make them pay a painful price!" ... In the middle of the night, Stella was startled awake by the sound of thunder, unable to sleep as she tossed and turned. She opened her eyes, looked at the dim nightlight, and her thoughts drifted far away. She remembered the events of when she was 10... it wasn't until she was 12 that she came to Meritopia. She had followed him for a full 12 years, enduring hardships to be by his side, and had given him everything she could. She had only accidentally conceived his child, it was really... an accident! Unknowingly, her tears flowed like a river. Fate seemed to have stripped away her last piece of armor, causing her daytime strength to collapse in an instant. This was the last remnant of her three-year marriage with him. But her child, was gone! Already gone! She covered her face with her hands, sobbing uncontrollably... The night was as deep as ink. Outside, the heavy rain poured, raindrops pelting the glass with a frenzied rhythm. Aiden Fordham suddenly sat up in bed, gasping for breath, his forehead covered in cold sweat. It was that dream again. Icy water surrounded him completely. No matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't breathe, only watching helplessly as he kept sinking into endless darkness, the suffocation so real it left him deeply shaken. He irritably raked his fingers through his hair, got up, and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the city shrouded in rain. No matter how heavy the night's rain, it couldn't wash away the gloom in his heart. He walked over to the liquor cabinet, poured himself a large glass of whiskey, and gulped it down. The fiery liquid burned his throat, unable to numb the inexplicable fear and unease. It seemed something had happened, unsettling his mind. Causing a faint pain in his heart... at a loss! The next morning, Stella was wheeled into the operating room by a nurse. The cold metal instruments, the glaring lights, and the lingering scent of disinfectant. The doctor looked at her report, eyebrows tightly knit. "There are still residues in your womb that must be cleared. You should know you have a genetic defect, and you're allergic to all anesthetics, so for this operation, we can't use any anesthesia." This meant that she must endure this bone-scraping pain in an almost conscious state. Stella nodded, her body trembling slightly with fear and cold. She gritted her teeth, digging her nails deeply into her palms. When the cold instruments entered her body, the sharp, tearing pain instantly engulfed her. "Ugh..." She couldn't help but groan, her forehead instantly covered in cold sweat. Pain. Such pain! Like her internal organs were being torn apart. Tears flowed uncontrollably, mixed with sweat, blurring her vision. She bit her lower lip hard, drawing blood, the metallic taste spreading in her mouth. She wanted to remember this pain. Remember who made her endure all of this! Remember the heart-wrenching pain of losing her child! Whoever harmed her child, she will never let them go! The pain rolled in like waves, battering her nerves. She felt like a small boat in a stormy sea, ready to be torn apart at any moment. Before long, she fainted! At the same time, in the president's office of the Fordham Group. Aiden Fordham looked at his phone screen, his frown getting deeper and deeper. It was already ten in the morning, and Stella's phone still couldn't be reached. Shut down! This woman, disappearing without reason? Wasn't it agreed that today they would come and sign the divorce papers? Could it be she was standing him up? An inexplicable rage surged up his heart, and he irritably threw his phone onto the desk. He didn't know why, but since the morning, he felt restless, as if something was about to happen. Was it Stella? What could happen to her? It's nothing but another trick to gain his sympathy or delay the divorce. He really wanted to see what new schemes she could come up with. Outside the operating room, time crawled unbearably slow. Vivi Sterling paced back and forth anxiously, her eyes darting now and then to the tightly shut doors of the operating room. At last, the door opened. Stella Grant was pushed out by a nurse. She had already fallen unconscious, but streaks of dried tears still clung to her face, and there were faint teeth marks on her pale lips. "Stella!" Vivi Sterling hurried up to her. The doctor took off his mask, his expression grave. "The surgery was a success, but the patient's body is extremely weak. Remember, in her condition, she needs proper rest, or else... she might never be able to get pregnant again." Vivi's heart plummeted as she looked at the sleeping Stella, tears welling up again. Such a good girl like Stella—how did she end up with a scumbag like Aiden Fordham! Stella woke up in the afternoon. Vivi's mother had come, carrying a steaming bowl of meat congee. "You're awake, Stella? Here, have some congee while it's hot, it'll help you recover." Mrs. Sterling gazed at her pale face with deep concern. "Thank you, godmother!" Stella managed a weak smile, struggling to sit up. "Don't move, just lie down, I'll feed you." Mrs. Sterling quickly steadied her, scooping up some congee, gently blowing on it to cool it, and then bringing the spoon to Stella's lips. Her heart ached so much—this child was so hard to come by, and now she lost it just like that! Back when Stella was homeless, Vivi had been bullied after school, and it was Stella who stepped in to help her. Vivi brought her home, and the Sterling Family supported Stella to finish her schooling. Mrs. Sterling even regarded her as another daughter. Stella sipped the congee little by little. The warmth spread through her stomach, but her eyes turned red with tears. Vivi was on the phone nearby, her voice pressed low but brimming with agitation. "Abraham Grant! I'm telling you, if you keep hanging around with that asshole Aiden Fordham, we're breaking up right now! Engagement off, and I never want to see you again for the rest of my life!" She slammed the phone down, her chest heaving with rage. Stella looked at her. "Vivi, don't do this just because of me—" "It's not about you!" Vivi cut her off, "I just can't stand Abraham Grant being so clueless! Aiden Fordham hurt you like this, and he's still acting like they're best friends? Whose side is he even on?" The Sterling and Grant Families had long been set for an arranged marriage—the two had been engaged since they were eighteen. But Vivi's spoiled princess ways had never changed, giving Abraham Grant endless headaches. At that moment, inside the most exclusive private booth at Nocturne, Meritopia's elite club. Languid music flowed; the air was thick with expensive liquor and the scent of perfume. Abraham Grant held his phone, his face clouded with confusion. He shot an innocent glance at Aiden Fordham. "What the hell is she flipping out about now? She says if I keep hanging with you, she's breaking up with me?" Aiden raised his glass, slender fingers swirling the amber liquid. At the words, he merely lifted a brow, his face unreadable. Damian Hawthorne, seated next to him, grinned. "Whoa, Second Master Grant, looks like shit's going down at home! Your girl really has it in for Aiden. Now she's giving you a choice—pick one." Abraham ran a hand through his hair, exasperated. "Who knows what's up with her! Forget it, let's drink." Just then, the private suite door swung open. A woman sauntered in—a red slip dress, sexy, every move oozing confidence. Corinne Kensington. Corinne, heiress to the Kensington Family, now a top A-list celebrity. Yesterday's high-profile birthday bash with Aiden Fordham had shot her fan count to twenty million—she shone like a star in the sky, everyone watching. If she could marry into the Fordham Family, she'd be the most honored woman in Meritopia. The wife of the wealthiest man! Just the thought made her giddy! She walked straight to Aiden's side, ignoring the stunned and jealous looks around her, sat down beside him, slipped her arm naturally into his, and rested her head on his shoulder. "Aiden, can I be your date for the Fordham Group's anniversary this weekend?" She was done hiding in his shadow. Three years. She'd waited long enough! Aiden's eyes softened. "Tomorrow, I'll have someone pick out a dress for you." Corinne's face lit up. "I knew it, you're the best." Damian raised his glass. "Congrats, Corinne! About to make it official." Abraham joined in, teasing, "Looks like the three-year agreement is about to end. Corinne, your hard days are almost over." It was obvious—Aiden's two closest brothers both sided with Corinne. After all, they'd never seen Aiden bring Stella out, ever. Besides, that marriage was a strict secret—no one on the outside knew anything. It might as well have not existed! Corinne graciously lifted her glass, clinking it with theirs. "Thank you, Young Master Grant, Young Master Hawthorne." Among the four great families of Meritopia, three heirs were all backing her. Once Aiden and Stella's marriage was over, she'd officially enter the Fordham Family. "Ding." Damian glanced at his phone at a pop-up message, almost leaping off the sofa in excitement! "Holy shit! God N is coming back!" He brandished his phone. The headline on the screen was impossible to miss—[Bluebird Technologies Founder God N Confirmed to Attend Next Month's Global Medical Summit!] Young Master Hawthorne's voice trembled with wild joy, eyes shining red, "My grandmother might be saved! This is incredible!" The Hawthorne matriarch had lung cancer—not much time left. This news was hope from the clouds. The young heirs in the room immediately erupted in even louder chatter. "God N? The one who, three years ago, cracked the cancer treatment equation, instantly becoming a legend, then vanished off the face of the earth?" "No way—they're finally reappearing? I thought she'd ascended already!" "Bluebird Technologies! The forever benchmark in medtech! That equation from three years ago pulled so many terminal patients back from the brink of death!" "Exactly! It's her! Three years ago she popped out of nowhere, dropped the equation, then disappeared—no one could find her. Now she's back? This is a bombshell! That medical summit is going to explode next month." Sitting not far away, Aiden's dark eyes suddenly flashed with burning intensity. The Fordham Group's medical division was already the domestic leader. He'd pioneered the country's top medical AI system and had become Meritopia's wealthiest man in only four years. The Fordham Group, under his leadership, operated in over eighty countries worldwide. He was the definition of the favored son of heaven. But...God N! That name wasn't just legend in medicine—it was a symbol of supreme, magnetic leadership. To Aiden, God N was like a fabled Arcanum Isle—shrouded in mystery and power he couldn't help but want to get close to... If God N could partner with the Fordham Group, the company's global standing in medicine would be unmatched! Aiden's fingers tightened minutely on the wineglass, and the corner of his lips lifted with a victorious curve. Abraham added, "I heard God N's 'Gene Therapy'! Uses biomolecular gene editing tech—directly targets cancer cells! Awesome!" Everyone chimed in excitedly, talking over each other, imagining the revolutionary changes God N's return would spark—the atmosphere was electric. God N, the world's top biologist—her value simply defied measure. At that moment, the suite door was pushed open lightly. A young waitress came in, carrying a tray, walking gingerly as she prepared to refill the guests' wine. But when she saw the three elite heirs before her, she got so nervous she suddenly tripped, lurching forward! The wine glasses on her tray crashed to the floor! "Bang—crash—" The crisp shattering of crystal pierced the din. Corinne, sitting nearest, couldn't react in time. "Ah!" Corinne let out a sharp yelp, and Aiden sprang into action. In the same instant the glass shattered, he pulled the startled Corinne straight into his arms. He shielded her face from flying shards, but glass still slashed two bloody lines across her fair hand. His brows knit tight as he saw the clear wound and blood oozing from Corinne's hand, his face instantly going cold. "Damn it!" Aiden's razor gaze swept the ashen, frozen waitress, his voice like frost. "What are you standing there for? Get out, now!" The waitress, terrified, scrambled out on trembling legs. "Aiden...my hand hurts so much..." Corinne huddled in Aiden's arms, tears shimmering in her eyes and her voice quivering with pain. "Don't be scared. I'll take you to the hospital." Aiden's tone softened. Carefully avoiding her injured hand, he swept her up in his arms and strode purposefully out of the suite. Hospital. The smell of antiseptic hung in the air; the corridor was so quiet only footsteps could be heard. Aiden settled Corinne in and had the doctor tend to her wound thoroughly, making sure it was properly bandaged. Looking at Corinne's pale, pitiful face, Aiden forced himself to comfort her gently and told her to rest well in the hospital room. He left the room, and just as he turned into the corridor, out the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse through a half-open door nearby. A familiar figure appeared in his sight. Aiden jerked to a stop. His gaze fixed on the hospital bed—white sheets, a pale face. A woman lay silently there, eyes closed. Her long lashes cast faint shadows under her lids, a slender arm hooked up to an IV, transparent liquid slowly dripping into her. Stella Grant! Why was she here? Lying in a hospital bed?! A torrent of unspeakable, tangled emotions seized Aiden's heart, as if an invisible hand had clenched him hard. Aiden pushed the door open and marched straight in!

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Three years into their hidden marriage, they had always performed their marital duties like this. Today is the fifth day of the lunar month. As usual, Aiden Fordham had the butler bring Stella Grant to Coregarde. She had always loved the pure white lilies in the garden of Coregarde, their fragrance filling the garden, beautifully dreamlike. But now the three-year period has ended, and she came not just for one final meeting. Moreover, today she must divorce him! When she entered the room, Aiden Fordham was stepping out of the bathroom. He was shirtless, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, a typical inverted triangular physique, every inch exuding power. A loosely wrapped towel hung around his waist, droplets of water flowed down his smooth muscular lines, his well-defined abs deep and cut into the edge of the towel, inviting imagination. His handsome face was nothing short of the Creator's painstaking masterpiece. At the moment, his thin lips were tightly pursed, carrying a hint of post-shower warmth, yet showing no softness, instead radiating cold indifference. He picked Stella Grant up and walked directly to the bedside. She exclaimed in surprise, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck. Aiden Fordham said nothing, just bowed his head to kiss her lips, then reached to tug at her cheongsam. With her arms around his neck, the familiar cedar scent mixed with a faint hint of alcohol made her feel a bit dizzy. Today, he was as eager as usual, his movements rough, maybe because they hadn't seen each other for a long time. He kissed her with intensity, as if he wanted to swallow her whole. The temperature in the room rose higher and higher. The air was thick with an atmosphere of ambiguity. She and he melted into one... The fifth and twenty-fifth of every month were the days Aiden Fordham and she had agreed to be together. Whenever it was time, the butler would bring her to Coregarde, but they didn't live together. The time had come, and the divorce agreement in her bag told her this was the fate of her marriage. She borrowed him for her entire life, just three years. In the middle of the night, Stella Grant woke up from hunger. The man beside her had already vanished, leaving not even a trace of warmth on the bed. She was sore all over, struggling to get out of bed and put on a robe to go downstairs. Downstairs, the butler greeted her. "Madam, you're awake. Hungry, aren't you? Sir instructed the servants to make bird's nest porridge for you before he left." "Okay, thank you." Stella Grant sat down, slowly drinking the bird's nest porridge. She casually flipped through her phone, several hot searches suddenly popped up on the screen. #Magnate Fordham hosts a lavish birthday party for Kensington Group's heiress #Good news soon, Aiden Fordham and Corinne Kensington's engagement in F-Country. Her pupils contracted, clearly startled by the news. A sudden wave of dizziness came over her. Corinne Kensington! Turns out, his lover is called Corinne Kensington. This beautifully dreamlike Coregarde, constantly torturing her feelings. Coregarde... was built for Corinne Kensington! Her eyes turned slightly red, staring at the stunningly handsome face in the picture, it was her husband Aiden Fordham. He embraced the beauty, smiling brightly. She once thought he was born cold, never smiling. Turns out he just didn't like smiling at her. Corinne Kensington wore a blazing lily-shaped Red Jade Necklace, deeply piercing her eyes. That was the one she had liked for a long time... She put down her spoon, then went upstairs to change her clothes. Looking at the empty bed, her eyes grew colder. This man had boundless energy; in the afternoon rolling in bed with her, in the evening off to F-Country for his beloved's birthday. Ten minutes later, Stella Grant went downstairs and asked the butler to take her home. She would never return here again. Back home, she took out the divorce agreement from her bag and flipped through it. She had prepared this a month ago, always kept it in her bag, planning to give it to Aiden Fordham today, but he ran away. The next afternoon, she was awakened by the sound of the phone ringing. Seeing twenty missed calls from her best friend Vivi Sterling, what happened? She immediately called back. "Miss, you finally answered. I thought you were in despair, scared me to death." Vivi Sterling's whining made Stella Grant helplessly pat her forehead. "Don't worry, I love life, and I cherish it." After a nap, she felt her heart was less burdened. "Wait for me, I'll fly back to see you right away." Vivi Sterling spoke urgently. "Okay, I'll wait for you!" Hanging up the phone, Stella Grant felt hollow inside. She stared at the ceiling, recalling the bits and pieces of her years with Aiden Fordham. In middle school, he skipped a grade, and she followed; when he went abroad, she went abroad; he studied medicine, and she also chose medicine without hesitation... Even when he fell into the sea, she jumped in too... Yet he still had no impression of her! Three years ago, he was in a car accident and became blind. It was heard that his first love went abroad. She came! At that time, Grandma Prescott, on her deathbed, used her connections to marry her into the Fordham Family. At first, Aiden Fordham was very repulsed by her, but later, due to Grandpa Fordham's scheme, they became real husband and wife. Later, there was constant pressure to have children, so Aiden Fordham agreed to a twice-a-month marital life. She remembered that it wasn't until the second year of their marriage that Aiden Fordham's eyesight was restored. When he looked at her, he was full of coldness and disgust. She thought she could warm him. Turned out, the spark wasn't with her. The phone rang again, pulling her thoughts back. Stella Grant pressed the answer button, and the other side spoke two sentences before hanging up. The caller was Mrs. Fordham, asking her to return to the old residence immediately. She had a bad premonition, but there was no time to think about it. She quickly got out of bed. By four in the afternoon, Stella Grant had returned to the old Fordham Residence. The Fordham Family was the top noble family in Meritopia, with a large family and business. Elder Fordham had two sons and two daughters. Aiden Fordham, being the eldest grandson of the main house, naturally received more attention. When Stella Grant walked into the hall, Mrs. Fordham immediately stood up. She shot Stella Grant a vicious look, "You complained to Dad, didn't you? Didn't expect you to say little but play dirty this time?" Stella Grant looked at the malicious mother-in-law in front of her, her lips slightly parted, "Mrs. Fordham, I don't know what you're referring to." "Aiden is in the study, being punished." With a glance, the butler brought Stella Grant upstairs. Approaching the study, the sound of arguing could be heard. "You unfilial grandson, dare to talk back? Do you want to anger me to death?" Elder Fordham was scolding his grandson, so angry he nearly spat blood. "Grandpa, forced love is never sweet. Didn't you promise me before, if Stella Grant doesn't get pregnant within three years, you'd allow me to divorce and remarry?" "You little brat, you still want a divorce? Right now, you're still husband and wife. I won't allow you to keep spreading rumors with that Kensington girl. Release a public statement immediately to clear this up." "I can't control what's being spread online. Why bother with the internet!" "I'll beat you." Clanging noises emanated from inside. Stella Grant composed herself, then raised her hand to knock on the door. The door opened, and Steven Fordham looked visibly surprised to see Stella Grant. "Stella's here!" "Grandpa, please don't get so worked up." Stella Grant reached out to support him back into the room, offering a gentle smile. "Why are you standing there? Apologize to Stella!" Steven Fordham sternly commanded Aiden Fordham. Aiden Fordham pressed his thin lips together, full of disdain. He had released this news only because of the three-year limit, believing this woman would understand her place. "Grandpa, I'd like to talk to Aiden alone." After Stella Grant spoke, Elder Fordham tactfully left the room. Stella Grant glanced at him, "Aiden Fordham, let's get a divorce, I'll grant you this wish!" Aiden Fordham was slightly surprised, looking at her as if she were a monster. He expected her to come back and make a huge fuss, at least to have Grandpa on her side, but unexpectedly, she simply mentioned divorce so casually. Could she really be willing to give up the position of Mrs. Fordham? She added another sentence, "We can go through the procedures first, and whenever it's convenient, you can tell Grandpa." After a few seconds of silence, he finally spoke, "What kind of compensation do you want?" "No need, let's part on good terms. This is the drafted divorce agreement I prepared." She spoke freely, without hesitation, taking the prepared agreement from her bag and placing it on the table. Aiden Fordham sneered, grabbing her with icy eyes, "Since you're sensible, I won't shortchange you. Tomorrow morning, come to the company for signing. I'll have legal prepare the divorce agreement." The implication was that what's written in the divorce agreement is not for her to decide. "Alright, I'll be there!" Stella Grant gave him an indifferent glance, then walked out of the study. For her, parting amicably was the most dignified way to end this marriage. Stella Grant stayed at the Fordham Residence for dinner. As she was leaving, she hugged Grandpa Fordham and prepared to drive away. At that moment, it suddenly started to rain, the drizzle like a lament. She walked a few steps, suddenly feeling a sharp pain in her abdomen. A stream of warm blood flowed down her leg. Stella was shocked in her heart. Why did her period suddenly come? She quickly drove off, and by the time the car reached halfway up the mountain, she was already sweating cold sweat. No, it's too painful! She hurriedly stopped the car, then took out her phone and dialed Vivi Sterling, "Vivi, are you... back yet? Can you... come pick me up?" "Stella, where are you, what happened?" "I'm on the mountain road of Fordham Manor..." The wailing sound of an ambulance cut through the silence of the night, and fortunately, Vivi Sterling had called an ambulance. When Stella was taken to the hospital, it was already one in the morning. After a series of examinations, Stella had actually... miscarried. She was already six weeks pregnant. Stella lay on the hospital bed, a teardrop slipped from the corner of her eye. Poor child whom she never got to meet. Vivi Sterling instantly burst into a rage, spitting out curses, "That damn man, didn't he know you were pregnant? He still had someone take you to Coregarde, exhausting you to death." Stella's periods were always irregular, and she didn't know how she suddenly got pregnant. This child should have been conceived last month. Last month she wasn't taken to Coregarde but went to Nation A. At that time, he was on a business trip in Nation A, and he actually took her to Nation A. She stayed with him in Nation A for a full three days before returning. At that time, he even warned her that she had used up her quota for this month last month. Unexpectedly, he still had someone pick her up on time this month. At this moment, a female doctor knocked and entered with a report in hand. "You were really careless. Knowing you were pregnant, how could you still take birth control pills? Originally, the child could have been saved." Birth control pills? These words left Stella and Vivi stunned! Stella never took any measures with Aiden Fordham, how could there be birth control pills inside her? Vivi Sterling was immediately furious. "That damn man, for the sake of that bitch Corinne Kensington, he secretly gave you birth control pills. If he didn't want a child, he could have just said it openly, why hurt you like this?" At this moment, Stella's heart was in excruciating pain. Could it really be Aiden Fordham? Every time after, he would have the servants prepare bird's nest porridge or chicken soup for her, could the medicine have been mixed into the porridge? And last month, they were in Nation A, he had no chance to drug her, so this month he came to torment her again? Taking the opportunity to drug her? In an instant, she felt all her strength drained from her body. "You wait, I'm going to the Fordham Family to demand justice for the child." Vivi Sterling was shaking all over in anger, grabbing her phone and about to leave. "Vivi." Stella spoke weakly, her voice hoarse, "Don't go!" "Stella!" Vivi Sterling turned her head abruptly, looking at her in disbelief, "He killed your child! Are you just going to let it go like this?" Stella slowly closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she opened them again, all that was left was cold hatred and determination. "Aiden and I have already decided to divorce. I don't want to have any more entanglement with him." She paused, looked at Vivi Sterling, and said word by word, "But, I will find out how this child was lost. I won't let those responsible get away with it!" Her gaze was so cold, so fierce, that Vivi Sterling couldn't help but shiver. This was the Stella she knew; seemingly fragile on the surface, but stronger than anyone else inside. Vivi Sterling put down her phone and tightly held Stella's cold hand. "Don't worry, we'll avenge this together. No matter who it is, I will make them pay a painful price!" ... In the middle of the night, Stella was startled awake by the sound of thunder, unable to sleep as she tossed and turned. She opened her eyes, looked at the dim nightlight, and her thoughts drifted far away. She remembered the events of when she was 10... it wasn't until she was 12 that she came to Meritopia. She had followed him for a full 12 years, enduring hardships to be by his side, and had given him everything she could. She had only accidentally conceived his child, it was really... an accident! Unknowingly, her tears flowed like a river. Fate seemed to have stripped away her last piece of armor, causing her daytime strength to collapse in an instant. This was the last remnant of her three-year marriage with him. But her child, was gone! Already gone! She covered her face with her hands, sobbing uncontrollably... The night was as deep as ink. Outside, the heavy rain poured, raindrops pelting the glass with a frenzied rhythm. Aiden Fordham suddenly sat up in bed, gasping for breath, his forehead covered in cold sweat. It was that dream again. Icy water surrounded him completely. No matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't breathe, only watching helplessly as he kept sinking into endless darkness, the suffocation so real it left him deeply shaken. He irritably raked his fingers through his hair, got up, and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the city shrouded in rain. No matter how heavy the night's rain, it couldn't wash away the gloom in his heart. He walked over to the liquor cabinet, poured himself a large glass of whiskey, and gulped it down. The fiery liquid burned his throat, unable to numb the inexplicable fear and unease. It seemed something had happened, unsettling his mind. Causing a faint pain in his heart... at a loss! The next morning, Stella was wheeled into the operating room by a nurse. The cold metal instruments, the glaring lights, and the lingering scent of disinfectant. The doctor looked at her report, eyebrows tightly knit. "There are still residues in your womb that must be cleared. You should know you have a genetic defect, and you're allergic to all anesthetics, so for this operation, we can't use any anesthesia." This meant that she must endure this bone-scraping pain in an almost conscious state. Stella nodded, her body trembling slightly with fear and cold. She gritted her teeth, digging her nails deeply into her palms. When the cold instruments entered her body, the sharp, tearing pain instantly engulfed her. "Ugh..." She couldn't help but groan, her forehead instantly covered in cold sweat. Pain. Such pain! Like her internal organs were being torn apart. Tears flowed uncontrollably, mixed with sweat, blurring her vision. She bit her lower lip hard, drawing blood, the metallic taste spreading in her mouth. She wanted to remember this pain. Remember who made her endure all of this! Remember the heart-wrenching pain of losing her child! Whoever harmed her child, she will never let them go! The pain rolled in like waves, battering her nerves. She felt like a small boat in a stormy sea, ready to be torn apart at any moment. Before long, she fainted! At the same time, in the president's office of the Fordham Group. Aiden Fordham looked at his phone screen, his frown getting deeper and deeper. It was already ten in the morning, and Stella's phone still couldn't be reached. Shut down! This woman, disappearing without reason? Wasn't it agreed that today they would come and sign the divorce papers? Could it be she was standing him up? An inexplicable rage surged up his heart, and he irritably threw his phone onto the desk. He didn't know why, but since the morning, he felt restless, as if something was about to happen. Was it Stella? What could happen to her? It's nothing but another trick to gain his sympathy or delay the divorce. He really wanted to see what new schemes she could come up with. Outside the operating room, time crawled unbearably slow. Vivi Sterling paced back and forth anxiously, her eyes darting now and then to the tightly shut doors of the operating room. At last, the door opened. Stella Grant was pushed out by a nurse. She had already fallen unconscious, but streaks of dried tears still clung to her face, and there were faint teeth marks on her pale lips. "Stella!" Vivi Sterling hurried up to her. The doctor took off his mask, his expression grave. "The surgery was a success, but the patient's body is extremely weak. Remember, in her condition, she needs proper rest, or else... she might never be able to get pregnant again." Vivi's heart plummeted as she looked at the sleeping Stella, tears welling up again. Such a good girl like Stella—how did she end up with a scumbag like Aiden Fordham! Stella woke up in the afternoon. Vivi's mother had come, carrying a steaming bowl of meat congee. "You're awake, Stella? Here, have some congee while it's hot, it'll help you recover." Mrs. Sterling gazed at her pale face with deep concern. "Thank you, godmother!" Stella managed a weak smile, struggling to sit up. "Don't move, just lie down, I'll feed you." Mrs. Sterling quickly steadied her, scooping up some congee, gently blowing on it to cool it, and then bringing the spoon to Stella's lips. Her heart ached so much—this child was so hard to come by, and now she lost it just like that! Back when Stella was homeless, Vivi had been bullied after school, and it was Stella who stepped in to help her. Vivi brought her home, and the Sterling Family supported Stella to finish her schooling. Mrs. Sterling even regarded her as another daughter. Stella sipped the congee little by little. The warmth spread through her stomach, but her eyes turned red with tears. Vivi was on the phone nearby, her voice pressed low but brimming with agitation. "Abraham Grant! I'm telling you, if you keep hanging around with that asshole Aiden Fordham, we're breaking up right now! Engagement off, and I never want to see you again for the rest of my life!" She slammed the phone down, her chest heaving with rage. Stella looked at her. "Vivi, don't do this just because of me—" "It's not about you!" Vivi cut her off, "I just can't stand Abraham Grant being so clueless! Aiden Fordham hurt you like this, and he's still acting like they're best friends? Whose side is he even on?" The Sterling and Grant Families had long been set for an arranged marriage—the two had been engaged since they were eighteen. But Vivi's spoiled princess ways had never changed, giving Abraham Grant endless headaches. At that moment, inside the most exclusive private booth at Nocturne, Meritopia's elite club. Languid music flowed; the air was thick with expensive liquor and the scent of perfume. Abraham Grant held his phone, his face clouded with confusion. He shot an innocent glance at Aiden Fordham. "What the hell is she flipping out about now? She says if I keep hanging with you, she's breaking up with me?" Aiden raised his glass, slender fingers swirling the amber liquid. At the words, he merely lifted a brow, his face unreadable. Damian Hawthorne, seated next to him, grinned. "Whoa, Second Master Grant, looks like shit's going down at home! Your girl really has it in for Aiden. Now she's giving you a choice—pick one." Abraham ran a hand through his hair, exasperated. "Who knows what's up with her! Forget it, let's drink." Just then, the private suite door swung open. A woman sauntered in—a red slip dress, sexy, every move oozing confidence. Corinne Kensington. Corinne, heiress to the Kensington Family, now a top A-list celebrity. Yesterday's high-profile birthday bash with Aiden Fordham had shot her fan count to twenty million—she shone like a star in the sky, everyone watching. If she could marry into the Fordham Family, she'd be the most honored woman in Meritopia. The wife of the wealthiest man! Just the thought made her giddy! She walked straight to Aiden's side, ignoring the stunned and jealous looks around her, sat down beside him, slipped her arm naturally into his, and rested her head on his shoulder. "Aiden, can I be your date for the Fordham Group's anniversary this weekend?" She was done hiding in his shadow. Three years. She'd waited long enough! Aiden's eyes softened. "Tomorrow, I'll have someone pick out a dress for you." Corinne's face lit up. "I knew it, you're the best." Damian raised his glass. "Congrats, Corinne! About to make it official." Abraham joined in, teasing, "Looks like the three-year agreement is about to end. Corinne, your hard days are almost over." It was obvious—Aiden's two closest brothers both sided with Corinne. After all, they'd never seen Aiden bring Stella out, ever. Besides, that marriage was a strict secret—no one on the outside knew anything. It might as well have not existed! Corinne graciously lifted her glass, clinking it with theirs. "Thank you, Young Master Grant, Young Master Hawthorne." Among the four great families of Meritopia, three heirs were all backing her. Once Aiden and Stella's marriage was over, she'd officially enter the Fordham Family. "Ding." Damian glanced at his phone at a pop-up message, almost leaping off the sofa in excitement! "Holy shit! God N is coming back!" He brandished his phone. The headline on the screen was impossible to miss—[Bluebird Technologies Founder God N Confirmed to Attend Next Month's Global Medical Summit!] Young Master Hawthorne's voice trembled with wild joy, eyes shining red, "My grandmother might be saved! This is incredible!" The Hawthorne matriarch had lung cancer—not much time left. This news was hope from the clouds. The young heirs in the room immediately erupted in even louder chatter. "God N? The one who, three years ago, cracked the cancer treatment equation, instantly becoming a legend, then vanished off the face of the earth?" "No way—they're finally reappearing? I thought she'd ascended already!" "Bluebird Technologies! The forever benchmark in medtech! That equation from three years ago pulled so many terminal patients back from the brink of death!" "Exactly! It's her! Three years ago she popped out of nowhere, dropped the equation, then disappeared—no one could find her. Now she's back? This is a bombshell! That medical summit is going to explode next month." Sitting not far away, Aiden's dark eyes suddenly flashed with burning intensity. The Fordham Group's medical division was already the domestic leader. He'd pioneered the country's top medical AI system and had become Meritopia's wealthiest man in only four years. The Fordham Group, under his leadership, operated in over eighty countries worldwide. He was the definition of the favored son of heaven. But...God N! That name wasn't just legend in medicine—it was a symbol of supreme, magnetic leadership. To Aiden, God N was like a fabled Arcanum Isle—shrouded in mystery and power he couldn't help but want to get close to... If God N could partner with the Fordham Group, the company's global standing in medicine would be unmatched! Aiden's fingers tightened minutely on the wineglass, and the corner of his lips lifted with a victorious curve. Abraham added, "I heard God N's 'Gene Therapy'! Uses biomolecular gene editing tech—directly targets cancer cells! Awesome!" Everyone chimed in excitedly, talking over each other, imagining the revolutionary changes God N's return would spark—the atmosphere was electric. God N, the world's top biologist—her value simply defied measure. At that moment, the suite door was pushed open lightly. A young waitress came in, carrying a tray, walking gingerly as she prepared to refill the guests' wine. But when she saw the three elite heirs before her, she got so nervous she suddenly tripped, lurching forward! The wine glasses on her tray crashed to the floor! "Bang—crash—" The crisp shattering of crystal pierced the din. Corinne, sitting nearest, couldn't react in time. "Ah!" Corinne let out a sharp yelp, and Aiden sprang into action. In the same instant the glass shattered, he pulled the startled Corinne straight into his arms. He shielded her face from flying shards, but glass still slashed two bloody lines across her fair hand. His brows knit tight as he saw the clear wound and blood oozing from Corinne's hand, his face instantly going cold. "Damn it!" Aiden's razor gaze swept the ashen, frozen waitress, his voice like frost. "What are you standing there for? Get out, now!" The waitress, terrified, scrambled out on trembling legs. "Aiden...my hand hurts so much..." Corinne huddled in Aiden's arms, tears shimmering in her eyes and her voice quivering with pain. "Don't be scared. I'll take you to the hospital." Aiden's tone softened. Carefully avoiding her injured hand, he swept her up in his arms and strode purposefully out of the suite. Hospital. The smell of antiseptic hung in the air; the corridor was so quiet only footsteps could be heard. Aiden settled Corinne in and had the doctor tend to her wound thoroughly, making sure it was properly bandaged. Looking at Corinne's pale, pitiful face, Aiden forced himself to comfort her gently and told her to rest well in the hospital room. He left the room, and just as he turned into the corridor, out the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse through a half-open door nearby. A familiar figure appeared in his sight. Aiden jerked to a stop. His gaze fixed on the hospital bed—white sheets, a pale face. A woman lay silently there, eyes closed. Her long lashes cast faint shadows under her lids, a slender arm hooked up to an IV, transparent liquid slowly dripping into her. Stella Grant! Why was she here? Lying in a hospital bed?! A torrent of unspeakable, tangled emotions seized Aiden's heart, as if an invisible hand had clenched him hard. Aiden pushed the door open and marched straight in!

⏱ 3 days (ended)
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❤️🔥Owned by My Cruel Billionaire Boss

Zoe's POV I'd been surviving on caffeine and hope for years. Early in the morning, I unlocked the front door of the café where I worked, stepping into the darkness. The soft hum of machines, the rich scent of roasted beans, the familiar tap of my name tag against my apron—these small rituals anchored me. Before sunrise painted the city skyline, I'd already poured coffee for a dozen exhausted professionals heading to offices I could only fantasize about working in. Today felt different, though. For the first time in ages, I had genuine reason for excitement. After class the previous evening, my professor had asked me to stay behind. I'd braced myself for criticism—falling grades, too many missed classes. Instead, he'd grinned and handed me a letter bearing the university's official seal. We are pleased to inform you... You've been selected for this year's exclusive internship opportunity with Sterling Enterprises... The words knocked the breath from my lungs. I stared at the page, convinced this had to be some cruel error. Sterling Enterprises. The city's most formidable corporation. Maybe the country's. A worldwide empire forged through dominance, precision, and an unshakeable reputation for perfection. Each year, Sterling Enterprises chose one elite university to receive a single internship position. Only one. This year, they'd picked my school. Out of hundreds of candidates—most with stellar résumés, prestigious surnames, or powerful connections—I'd somehow won. When I'd gaped in stunned silence, my professor had chuckled. "Hard work trumps privilege sometimes," he'd said. "You've earned this." I'd stumbled home trembling, tears threatening before I'd even shut my apartment door. Leo, my younger brother, was sprawled on our couch, looking fragile but cheerful, still wearing his hospital bracelet from that day's appointment. When I shared my news, his smile stretched wider than it had in months. "See?" he'd whispered. "You're magic, Zo." Magic? No. I was desperate. And this... this was a miracle. I examined my reflection twice before leaving the next morning. My blouse was thrifted but crisp. My black pants were one of the two pairs I alternated for important classes. I slipped on my sole pair of professional shoes and twisted my hair into a tidy bun. Without a car, I rode the subway, anxiety squeezing my chest the entire journey. Every person I glimpsed seemed richer, more refined, more suited for somewhere like Sterling. But I'd earned this opportunity. I repeated those words silently as the elevator climbed skyward, carrying me toward a realm I'd never experienced. When the doors slid open to reveal the Sterling Enterprises lobby, I felt like I'd stepped into an alien dimension. The ground floor reception stretched before me—sleek and sterile, a cathedral of glass, steel, and silent scrutiny. Figures in designer suits floated across the mirror-bright floors like specters with multimillion-dollar priorities. I approached the central desk hesitantly. The receptionist ignored me initially. "Yes?" she finally inquired, her tone arctic. "I'm—uh—Zoe Harrison. I'm here for the internship program," I managed, my voice weaker than intended. Her eyes raked over my outfit like it had committed a crime. "One moment." She lifted the phone, whispered something brief, then replaced it. "You'll report straight to the executive level. Someone will collect you near the CEO's office." I stared. "The... CEO's office?" Her razor smile held zero warmth. "Mr. Sterling's leadership team handles intern orientations personally. You're expected." I nodded stiffly and moved toward the next elevator bank—the private ones. Each footstep felt like lead. The elevator opened into a space that bore no resemblance to the lower building. The upper floors were hushed and frigid, walls combining smoky glass with matte black surfaces. Everything here breathed wealth and authority. The carpet was so plush my footsteps made no sound. My breath hitched as I absorbed the endless corridor lined with frosted doors and understated gold lettering. At the far end stood imposing glass doors etched with: CE. Sterling – CEO My pulse hammered wildly. I wasn't meeting him. Not today. Just his assistant. Still, knowing who occupied that office—Cedric Sterling himself—made my legs unsteady. Everyone knew his reputation. Young. Billionaire. Untouchable. Cedric was the man who could destroy someone with a whisper. He'd transformed a modest logistics company into a global monster through pure vision and merciless strategy. He avoided public appearances, refused interviews, and only allowed photographs when absolutely required. Media outlets couldn't decode him, and even rivals trembled at his name. He was a phantom wrapped in steel. And I was about to work on his floor. A woman with a razor-sharp bob and lethal stilettos emerged from behind the reception area. "Zoe Harrison?" she asked, clutching a clipboard. "Yes, ma'am," I responded quickly. "Come with me." She didn't pause, and I hurried to match her pace. We moved through a narrow hallway before entering an immaculate private waiting area just outside the CEO's office. Buttery leather sofas. An untouched coffee station. A panoramic view of the entire city. I lingered awkwardly against the wall. "One of Mr. Sterling's senior aides will orient you today," she said, passing me a thick confidentiality packet. "Start with this. He has zero tolerance for information breaches, and you'll follow internal discretion protocols immediately. Sign everything." She pivoted and left. I sank slowly into a chair, my fingers shaking as I fumbled for a pen. My gaze wandered to that office door. Behind it sat Cedric Sterling. The man who controlled this empire. The man I would soon work for. I swallowed hard. This internship was supposed to be my salvation. A gift. A lifeline. But sitting there, my signature half-finished on the contract, something coiled tight in my chest. Hope... or dread. I couldn't tell which. ... Chapter 2 Into His Domain Zoe's POV I arrived well ahead of time the next morning—showing up late wasn't even a consideration in a place like this. Sleep had been impossible. My thoughts kept circling back to that elevator ride, the suffocating quiet outside Cedric Sterling's office, and his assistant's frigid warning: "Sign everything. He doesn't tolerate leaks." This felt less like an internship and more like walking into a predator's cage—blindfolded. Stepping back into the private lounge, I ran my hands over my blouse and forced myself to take steady breaths. No coffee shop buzz existed here, no relaxed conversation. Just pressure. Glass. Steel. Dominance. "Harrison?" a cutting voice rang out. I glanced up. A woman emerged from a nearby doorway—blonde, statuesque, polished like cold marble—clutching a digital tablet. Her stilettos struck the floor like bullets. "I'm Margot. Mr. Sterling's senior executive assistant," she announced. "You'll report to me." "Yes, ma'am," I responded instantly. Margot raised an eyebrow. "Skip the 'ma'am.' Just don't screw up." I nodded, already sensing I was disappointing her. We walked through an extended hallway bordered by black-tinted glass. To my right, I spotted a sealed door flanked by two silent men in dark suits. No markings. No identification. But I understood exactly what—who—lay beyond that barrier. The atmosphere changed near that spot. As if the structure itself recognized who occupied the space behind the glass. We kept moving. Margot guided me into a compact office in the adjacent wing—polished desk, stark decoration, a corner featuring a circular table loaded with marketing files. "You'll begin here," Margot stated crisply. "Filing, organizing, reviewing, and—assuming you're worth more than window dressing—helping prepare internal reports." Heat rose in my cheeks. Window dressing? "I'll handle whatever you need," I answered cautiously. Margot examined me with an expression I couldn't decode. Not exactly antagonism. Not approval either. "We'll find out," she said. "Sterling Enterprises doesn't reward participation trophies." The morning vanished in a whirlwind of passwords, files, documents, and endless corrections. My hands shook until I finally mastered the database system's rhythm. Margot never shouted, but her feedback cut deep. "Don't use red highlighting—that's reserved for flagged transactions." "CEO-level memos go to the secured drive first. Always." "No coffee runs. This isn't a romantic comedy." I swallowed my responses and absorbed every instruction like a dry sponge. What unsettled me most was Cedric Sterling's invisible presence, even though he never appeared. Everyone mentioned him in hushed tones, as if he might materialize instantly. "Mr. Sterling despises delays." "Get those reports uploaded by mid-afternoon—Mr. Sterling reviews them directly." "Stay clear of that corridor. That's Mr. Sterling's path." His name wasn't spoken with admiration. It carried reverence. Fear. Power incarnate. I glimpsed him occasionally, or imagined I did—shadows in the glass, flashes of dark suits and broad frames down remote corridors. Always protected. Always surrounded. Never motionless. But I never caught sight of his face. Not yet. During lunch, I sat by myself on the rooftop terrace few employees visited. The city sprawled endlessly beneath me—countless lives pushing forward, just like mine was attempting to. I pulled out a pathetic sandwich from my bag and nibbled at it. My phone chimed. A message from the hospital. Leo's levels stable today. Docs say we're holding steady. Relief flooded through me as I smiled, breathing freely for the first time in hours. That single text reminded me why I was enduring this. This wasn't about pursuing some corporate fantasy. I wasn't here to climb the ladder of privilege. I was here for him. My brother. My only remaining family. If working beneath people like Margot... in towers like this... around phantoms like Cedric Sterling... could bring me one step closer to financial security— I'd endure it. I'd endure everything. When I returned from lunch, new anxiety permeated the air. Employees were murmuring. Moving with urgency. I slipped into my designated office, but Margot was already stationed at her desk, hammering out emails frantically. "Is everything alright?" I asked quietly. Margot didn't lift her eyes. "Mr. Sterling's coming back to the tower today. Ahead of schedule." My throat went dry. He'd been gone? On business? I hadn't realized. Margot rose abruptly and smoothed her dress. "Don't address him. Don't stare at him unless he speaks first. And whatever happens, don't obstruct the elevator hallway when he walks through." I stammered. "I—I wasn't going to—" "I'm not joking," Margot cut me off, her tone flat. "He sees everything." The time that followed was pandemonium. The lounge was evacuated. The corridor beside the executive suite was cordoned off. Staff scrambled like startled birds. I remained planted behind my desk, staring at my screen—but my pulse hammered in my chest. Something inside me knew... I'd sense his arrival. And I did. A sudden calm. The way conversations faded. The distant hum of elevator doors parting somewhere behind me. Footsteps. Solid. Deliberate. Assured. I didn't risk turning around. But I watched Margot stiffen, clipboard ready. I caught the reflection of a tall, imposing silhouette accompanied by two others moving past the tinted glass. I glimpsed only the edge of a strong jaw. A cufflink gleaming under the lights. Then he vanished. Cedric Sterling. Real. Occupying these corridors. Sharing the same atmosphere. And I—merely the intern—was officially part of his domain now. ... Chapter 3 Against My Will Cedric's POV I don't notice interns. I don't need to. Most aren't worth a second glance—those select few who secure the prized position at Sterling Enterprises survive brutal university screening, a symbolic offering from our company to preserve connections with prestigious academic establishments. One university gets chosen annually. One student receives the chance. It's half publicity, half dominance display. Let the institutions boast. Let the candidates fantasize. It maintains the pretense of accessibility—while proving just how untouchable Sterling remains. They never survive. They shatter under strain, or collapse the moment they discover that working for Sterling isn't some fairy tale. I won't accept frailty. I won't accept disorder. I won't accept distraction. So I'm puzzled—irritated, actually—when I find myself noticing her. It occurs by chance. I've just come back from a grueling extended conference in Tokyo—draining, maddening, lucrative—and I'm cutting through the 42nd floor toward my private quarters when movement catches my peripheral vision. I can't explain why I look. But I do. She's sitting in one of the secondary offices—what was once a storage room, if memory serves. The glass shows slight condensation from morning moisture, yet I can see her perfectly. A woman. Young. Lean. Head lowered over a device, one foot anxiously bouncing under her workspace. Her top isn't couture. Her hair lacks professional grooming. And those shoes—I notice them as she adjusts position—show wear at the front. Beat up, as if they've carried her through countless miles over too many years. She remains unaware of me. But I see her. And somehow the scene sears itself into my consciousness like an electric jolt. Back in my office, I pull off my jacket and toss it onto the sofa. Margie maintains her rhythm, delivering her briefing as she follows me inside. "The Zurich vendor problem might push deliveries back considerably, but I've already handed it off to Aris's division. Legal needs to examine the liability terms on the Sanctuary contract. Oh—and the new intern showed up recently." I'm midway through rolling up my sleeves when that final detail makes me stop—barely, but enough. "Her name's Zoe Harrison," Margie continues, checking her device. "Mid-twenties. Full academic grant at Northpoint. Lives off-campus, no vehicle, no traceable social platforms under her identity. Coffee shop shifts in the mornings, evening courses in business management. Nothing showy. No warning signs. Just... reserved. Driven. I assigned her to one of the smaller spaces to keep her from interfering." I don't glance up. Don't respond. Just circle to the far side of my workspace and settle into my chair like someone preparing for war. The computer before me comes alive. Figures. Agreements. A series of meetings arranged like pieces ready to topple. But I'm not processing any of it. Not truly. My hands pause above the keyboard, yet my thoughts—against my will, annoyingly—return to the image of the woman behind the glass wall. Reserved. Driven. Worn-out shoes. My expression stays frozen. Empty. Disconnected. But something within me moves. A tremor. A shift. Nothing apparent, nothing I'd ever admit. I can't fathom why she captured my attention. Don't want to analyze it. Yet somehow, the name Zoe Harrison has taken residence in my mind. Uninvited. Unwelcome. Undeniably present. Later that evening, I remain alone in my office well after the building has gone silent. The cityscape glows amber and crimson through the massive windows behind me, but I'm not seeing it. Her profile lies open next to my untouched meal. Northpoint. Delayed scholarship. Clean record. Grades in the highest bracket. Barista from necessity, not choice. Guardian to a younger sibling. Lost her parents as a teenager. No connections. No drama. No influence. Pure determination. Raw, unrefined determination. She doesn't move like someone seeking spotlight. She moves like someone who's lost the privilege of pretending. Her gaze carries weariness—but not surrender. That purity in her features? It's not delicate. It's earned through struggle. The type you guard fiercely when existence keeps attempting to strip it away. I can't understand why it captivates me. Actually, it frustrates me that it captivates me. I've encountered stunning women. Taken them to bed. Forgotten them. But her? She exists... untainted by this realm. Not breakable. Simply unreachable. And now? I can't stop picturing her. Margie stands before me, delivering the day's final reports with her typical crisp precision. "The board demands quarterly forecasts completed soon. I informed them to hold off. PR identified another celebrity controversy—something involving Vertex Tech's former spokesperson and—" "What's your assessment of the intern?" I interrupt suddenly. Margie pauses. "Harrison?" "Yes." She wavers. "She's... subdued. Compliant. Stays out of trouble." "That's everything?" "She's not here to create waves. Likely just wants the credentials to finish school." I nod once. Consider briefly. Then, evenly: "Transfer her to the west corridor." Margie tenses. "That's near the core departments. PR, planning—" "I'm aware of the location." She pauses again, then gentles her voice. "Of course." I return to my monitor. The woman with the battered shoes has just moved closer to my domain. I don't understand why. But I'm observing now. And I never observe without purpose. ... Chapter 4 Within His Scope Zoe's POV Sleep had been a stranger to me. By the time I wrapped up my evening class and got Leo settled with his medications, the clock had already struck the early morning hours. I managed to catch what felt like mere moments of rest before my alarm shrieked before dawn. Barely any time—that's all my exhausted body received, yet somehow it had to suffice. It simply had to. Standing before the bathroom mirror, I dabbed concealer beneath my eyes as if makeup could somehow banish fatigue. The fluorescent bulb above flickered once, making that telltale hum of dying electricity. Just like me, I thought. I twisted my hair into a tight bun at the nape of my neck and studied my reflection. My blouse was spotless but worn thin at the edges. My slacks were hanging on by a thread. The same beaten-up shoes stared back at me. None of it mattered. I squared my shoulders and murmured under my breath, "Just survive today." Leo remained fast asleep on the couch when I slipped out. I pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead, pulled the blanket up to his chin, and left a quick note beside his medicine bottles in case I didn't make it home on time again. Subway. Walk. Elevator. The familiar sequence delivered me back into the steel and silence that defined Sterling Enterprises. Not even early in the morning, yet the building pulsed with an almost sentient awareness. Not bustling with activity—but watchful. As if the structure itself awakened before its occupants. The security guard stationed on the 42nd floor offered me a brief nod as I walked past. I didn't expect warmth in this place. When I arrived at my designated workspace, Margot's desk stood empty. The quiet felt simultaneously comforting and ominous. I placed my bag down, accessed the computer system, and began organizing the flagged files from the previous evening. My movements were swift and precise. In this environment, efficiency meant survival. A while later, Margot materialized without announcement, her heels striking the marble like gunshots. "You're being relocated," she declared, dropping a manila folder onto my desk without offering so much as a greeting. I stared at her. "I—excuse me?" Margot remained standing. Her expression stayed glacial. "Mr. Sterling has requested your transfer to the west wing." "The... west wing?" "The section adjacent to executive strategy and public relations." My pulse stuttered. "But—why would he—" Margot's gaze sharpened dangerously. "That's not for you to question." I dropped my eyes immediately. "Of course. I understand." "Gather your belongings. Now. An escort is waiting." I collected my tablet, the reports I'd been analyzing, and stuffed my pen into my bag's front compartment. My hands were damp with nervous sweat, and that familiar knot of anxiety twisted in my stomach—the same one that used to plague me during exams I hadn't studied for or medical appointments I couldn't afford. A man in an expensive dark suit materialized at the doorway. Silent. Professional. He exchanged no words with Margot. He motioned forward. I followed. We didn't travel far—just several turns through an elegant labyrinth of glass dividers and dimly lit corridors. But the transformation was instant. The atmosphere shifted completely. The west wing was hushed, but not in any restful sense. In a charged, electric way. The kind of silence that suggested momentous decisions were being crafted behind locked doors. Destinies altered with single sentences. Market values fluctuating based on conversations held within these walls. My new workstation sat outside a frosted glass office marked Strategic Development – Internal Communications. A different assistant—older, more seasoned—barely acknowledged my arrival. "You'll liaise directly with the communications team when assigned tasks," she stated matter-of-factly. "Otherwise, organize and prepare internal documentation. Deadlines are published weekly. Missing them isn't an option." I lowered myself slowly into the chair, setting my bag on the floor. This new seat was more supportive, the monitor significantly larger, and the view—dear God, the view—commanded the entire skyline with shameless authority. For a moment, I simply sat motionless. What had shifted? Had I made some terrible mistake? Or... had I somehow succeeded? My fingers shook slightly as I opened my email. A single new message waited: From: e.green@sterling.com Subject: Relocation Notice Per Mr. Sterling's directive, your workstation has been transferred. Continue executing your responsibilities as designated. Direct any additional inquiries to Human Resources. – E.G. Mr. Sterling. He'd actually noticed me? I hadn't even glimpsed his face directly. Just his reflection caught in glass. The flash of an expensive cufflink. That impossible presence that seemed to bend reality around him like a gravitational field. How could someone of his stature remember my existence at all? Yet somehow—he had. Undeniably. My thoughts were spiraling when a bright voice suddenly shattered the tension. "Hey there! Oh wow—you must be the new intern, right?" I startled slightly, my hand freezing above the keyboard. A woman appeared at my desk wearing an enormous smile, oversized frames, and a cascade of wavy hair dyed a soft purple that should have violated every corporate dress code—but somehow didn't. She wore heels decorated with tiny yellow suns. Actual suns. With smiling faces. "I'm Piper. Piper Chen. PR specialist and self-appointed office snack curator." She thrust her hand forward theatrically. "And you, sweetheart, look like someone who just wandered into the villain's secret hideout." I blinked, then offered a tentative smile. "I'm Zoe. Zoe Harrison." "Perfect name! You totally look like a Zoe. I could tell the second I saw your outfit that you weren't one of them." I cocked my head. "Them?" "The corporate zombies who forgot facial expressions exist. Don't stress—they're mostly harmless. Just... steer clear of the mergers guy. Pretty sure he hasn't blinked since the financial crisis." I found myself laughing quietly, which surprised me. "Good to know." Piper settled against my desk's edge like we'd been friends for years. "So. Welcome to organized chaos. You lucked out—our wing's the least soul-destroying. Strategic communications can be rigid, but the PR team retained some humanity. Plus, we maintain the premium snack stash on this floor. And I know the access code." "Thank you. Honestly, I was preparing myself for complete hostility." "Oh, there's plenty of hostility," Piper said with a grin. "But you adapt to the freeze. Or bring a blowtorch. Either strategy works. You're inside now, though. That means you've earned the privilege of survival. Barely." Before I could respond, the door behind me swung open. "Harrison," a sharp voice commanded. I turned to see Lydia, one of the PR managers from my brief orientation. "You're observing this morning's internal presentation review. Bring documentation. Speak only when addressed." "Absolutely," I replied. Piper winked and whispered, "Don't stumble. That's their elimination method." Despite everything, I smiled. Then I followed Lydia down the lengthy corridor into an elegant glass conference room. Minutes ticked by. Then more. People filtered in—designer suits, luxury timepieces, profound silence. Then— He arrived. Cedric Sterling didn't simply enter. He dominated space itself. He wore black, naturally. His eyes remained unreadable, his expression carved from something more frigid than marble. Tall. Imposing shoulders. Sharp angles, zero warmth. I avoided direct eye contact. I didn't need to look. He passed close enough that I caught the faintest hint of something crisp—clean, costly, dangerous. His hand grazed the table as he claimed his seat. A casual gesture. When he spoke, his voice was deep and smooth and absolutely certain. Everything in the room oriented toward him. Even time itself. And yet—somehow—I felt the intensity of his attention settle on me for just one beat too long. Not accidentally. Not in passing. I remained perfectly still. Didn't dare breathe. I just sat there, pretending not to feel it. But my racing heart exposed the truth. And deep in my core, I understood— This relocation? This transfer? It wasn't coincidental. It wasn't standard procedure. Cedric Sterling had noticed me. And now? I wasn't merely another face in the building. I was firmly within his scope. And I couldn't yet determine if that meant salvation... or destruction.