CHAPTER 104: CHAPTER 104: STELLA, DON’T FORCE ME TO TAKE ACTION

Sterling Residence.

Vivi Sterling’s mouth dropped open in shock, almost wide enough to fit an egg.

"Oh my God! Andy Lockwood must have lost his mind, colluding with that woman Corinne Kensington!"

This plot twist was a bit unexpected.

She turned to Stella Grant and asked, "Stella, what do you plan to do? Help Aiden Fordham, or... help Andy Lockwood?"

For the first time, Stella Grant faced such a choice, yet at this moment, she remained silent.

Her slender fingers unconsciously rubbed a small golden USB drive, which contained a recording of Corinne Kensington admitting she was the mastermind behind the kidnapping, as well as evidence of her handing over the security token to Andy Lockwood.

The "battle" of three women in the apartment earlier was merely a trap set by Stella Grant.

Without causing an uproar, how could she have secretly placed the bug on Corinne Kensington?

Without making herself a bit of a sacrifice, how could she have made Andy Lockwood angry enough to confront Corinne Kensington?

The Fordham Group’s current situation was very unfavorable. She only hoped her mentor could change his mind and spare the Fordham Group.

As for herself, she would leave with him as originally planned.

Suddenly, the butler walked in, "Outside, there’s a Mr. Keegan Lindsey, who wishes to see Miss Grant."

"Alright." Stella Grant nodded and walked out.

Keegan Lindsey stood outside, his hair messy, dark circles under his eyes, his voice hoarse.

"Ma’am, you must go check on the boss!"

He panted heavily, "The boss... he hasn’t eaten or slept for two days and nights! This morning, he directly fainted, and the doctor said if it’s any later... it might lead to sudden death!"

"I took him back to The Sovereign Estate, but the butler said, after he woke up, he still wouldn’t eat or drink, locking himself in his room, ignoring everyone."

Stella Grant frowned slightly, asked, "What are the plans for D’s press conference?"

Keegan Lindsey anxiously replied, "Everyone in the company is panicking, and we haven’t dared to announce the cancellation of the press conference. After all, so many partners have spent such a long time preparing..."

"You go back first, I have important business to handle." Stella Grant paused for a moment, her tone was unusually firm.

She paused, then added, "By the way, tomorrow’s press conference will proceed as scheduled. The Fordham Group cannot afford to lose credibility at this time. Please handle something for me."

She leaned closer to Keegan Lindsey, whispered a few words in his ear.

Keegan Lindsey nodded heavily, then hesitated to speak, "Ma’am, previously President Fordham insisted on supporting Helen Warren, actually it was..."

"Miss Grant."

The butler hurried over, directly handed over an envelope, and said, "Just now, a lady delivered this, said it’s extremely urgent, not convenient to call."

Stella Grant opened it to see it was a message from Cindy.

"Sis! Mentor is hurt! You must come to the company quickly!"

Stella Grant’s heart skipped a beat, she turned back to instruct Keegan Lindsey,

"I have an urgent matter at The Lockwood Group. Remember, tomorrow’s press conference, no one is allowed to cancel it."

Keegan Lindsey looked at her worriedly, "What about President Fordham..."

"Don’t worry, he will attend!" Her tone was firm, after she spoke, she turned and quickly walked out.

Stella Grant soon arrived at The Lockwood Group.

Entering Andy Lockwood’s office, at a glance she saw him standing with his back to her, at the large floor-to-ceiling window, his emotions unreadable.

Stella Grant quickly approached, only to see his stance was steady, his breathing calm, no sign of injury at all.

Her heart sank, she realized she had been tricked.

"You lied to me?" Stella Grant’s voice grew cold as she turned to leave.

Two bodyguards in black suits appeared out of nowhere, like walls, blocking her path.

Andy Lockwood slowly turned around, those eyes that always held a gentle smile now held a decisive firmness.

"Stella, let’s leave, today." His tone was light but carried a repressed expectation.

Stella Grant couldn’t fathom what he was thinking, asked coldly, "Has mentor come around? Is he willing to return C to the Fordham Group?"

Andy Lockwood walked to her in a few steps, reaching out to ruffle her hair as before, only to be subtly avoided by her.

He didn’t get annoyed, his hand paused in mid-air, he let out a soft sigh,

"Fool, you’re always so noble, but Aiden Fordham will never appreciate it."

"Three years ago, you gave up everything to return to him, I couldn’t stop you. But now, I won’t let you do anything foolish for him again."

Andy Lockwood’s gaze turned sharp, Stella Grant took a step back, looking at him warily, "What do you mean?"

Before the words were out, a loud roaring sound suddenly echoed from outside.

In the distance, a helicopter was flying towards the top of the Lockwood Building, where there happened to be a private helipad.

Andy Lockwood’s voice rang again, laced with a persuasive tenderness, "Stella, come with me, forget everything here, forget Aiden Fordham, we’ll start a new life."

"Since mentor has already made up his mind, I’ll walk my own path from here, I won’t go with you anymore."

Stella Grant’s eyes glinted with a frosty chill, responding decisively.

Hearing this, Andy Lockwood felt his heart being fiercely pierced, the pain almost stopping its beat.

But how could he easily give up on her?

"Stella Grant, wake up!" His voice rose a few notches, tinged with desperation, "What else do you want to do? Make Aiden Fordham change his heart? Love you again? It’s useless!"

"Because, he has an unbreakable bond with Corinne Kensington, he’d never hurt her, the only one he could hurt, is you!"

Stella Grant didn’t want to entangle with him anymore, "Whether he loves me or not, that’s my business, you don’t have to interfere."

Saying this, she was about to leave.

Andy Lockwood suddenly rushed forward, tightly hugging her from behind.

His solid chest pressed against her back, the burning heat almost scalded her.

His deep voice sounded by her ear, carrying an irresistible force: "This time, I won’t let you be willful again."

All these years, he had worked to build his business empire, just so one day he could rival Aiden Fordham, and have enough means to keep her by his side!

Stella Grant’s heart trembled, she struggled to break free, but he held her so tightly that she could clearly feel his heart inside his chest, beating fiercely, hot and urgent, pounding against her back, again and again.

"Mentor, let me go!" she growled.

His voice carried a hint of dangerous coaxing, the warm breath sprinkling over her earlobe, "Stella, come with me, don’t force me to take action."

Stella Grant’s heart suddenly sank, her struggling stopped.

Her voice suddenly softened, carrying a trace of an imperceptible exhaustion and compromise.

"Mentor, it’s too sudden, I’m afraid godmother will worry. Let me go back and say goodbye to them, tomorrow, we’ll set off, okay?"

Andy Lockwood’s grip on her seemed to slacken for a moment. In his moment of hesitation, Stella Grant suddenly broke free!

In a swift motion, she rushed to the desk, suddenly picked up a utility knife from the table, and swiftly pressed it against her own pale neck!

The cold blade pressed against her delicate skin, bringing a piercing chill.

"Stella! What are you doing?!" Andy Lockwood was scared out of his wits, shouting in shock, his face turning white.