CHAPTER 124: CHAPTER 124: MR. WEST IS ACTUALLY AIDEN FORDHAM

This operation is extremely dangerous!

Indeed, Aiden Fordham led his men to raid Andy Lockwood’s hidden base and brought Stella’s master back because yesterday, he heard Andy Lockwood using her master to threaten her.

Therefore, he had his team secretly investigate, as he would never allow Andy Lockwood to have any leverage against her.

Although he was injured, Andy Lockwood also got hurt this time and wasn’t lightly wounded.

The most severe blow was that his base in Mardale was destroyed, and Aiden also issued a hunt for him; if he stayed in Mardale, he would have nowhere to hide.

Stella anxiously followed the bodyguard upstairs.

In the room, Stella carefully tended to Mr. West’s wounds.

The wound was on the outside of his left thigh, very deep, a gruesome gash, with edges slightly turned outwards.

It was obvious he had fought hard, a fight to the death kind.

No matter what, he got injured saving her master, and Stella would remember this kindness in her heart.

She lowered her eyes, focusing on cleaning his wound, then stitching it. His thigh muscles were firm, the lines smooth and powerful, her cheeks flushed slightly, not daring to look more.

After finishing the last stitch, she cut off the thread.

Her gaze involuntarily fell on his face, mostly covered by a black mask, revealing only a cold and hard jawline.

She suddenly had a strong urge to reach out and remove that mask to see what kind of face was underneath.

This man had saved her from danger time and again; how could she ever repay this debt?

Suddenly, the man on the bed murmured, beads of sweat seeping from his forehead.

"Stella... don’t leave me... Stella..."

Stella froze completely at this voice...

No, it couldn’t be him, it must be she misheard, it was an illusion.

"Stella..." he muttered again.

This time, Stella heard it clearly!

Her heart pounded wildly, almost jumping out of her throat. She trembled with all her courage, gently holding his hand, then slowly removed the black glove from it.

On the back of his hand, the three familiar scars were starkly visible, left by the champagne tower.

Her heart fiercely clenched.

She shakily rolled up his sleeves. There, on his arm, were two more glaring slash marks, deeply ingrained. It happened in Borrin when he was drugged, lost his mind, and injured himself to stay awake!

It’s him! It’s really him! Mr. West is Aiden Fordham!

Stella felt like she was struck by lightning, she got up abruptly, staggering a bit.

Everything made sense now.

Why, the first time they met, he inexplicably asked her to dinner. Why, every time she was in danger, he would appear disregarding everything, why yesterday he went crazy to rescue her from Andy Lockwood.

Scenes flashed like tidal waves in her mind.

Her eyes immediately reddened.

It turned out, when he said "husband" yesterday, he was indeed referring to himself. But he... he clearly had the chance but never laid a hand on her.

A scalding tear uncontrollably fell down.

She slowly walked back to the bedside, sat down again. She reached out, lightly wiping the cold sweat from his forehead with her fingertips.

Then, she found anti-inflammatory medicine, carefully helped him take it, prepared a basin of warm water, and used a towel dipped in alcohol, gently wiping his body to cool him down.

She didn’t know how long it took, but Aiden Fordham’s high fever finally subsided a bit.

He slowly opened his eyes, his consciousness still a bit blurry.

Suddenly, a sharp pain like a needle prick came from his right shoulder, the pain sharp.

He frowned, trying to recall the fight with Andy Lockwood... the woman held the old professor with a knife... he rushed to save him... amidst the chaos, something seemed to jab his right shoulder!

At the time, in the urgency of the moment, he only felt a brief dizziness, thinking it was an ordinary anesthetic needle, he forced himself to safely bring the old professor out.

Now, it seemed, things were not that simple.

Next, a pounding headache suddenly hit, as if to split his head open.

At the same time, deep in the southern forest, Andy Lockwood and Cindy Chandler stood side by side in front of a massive waterfall, its roar deafening.

Andy Lockwood was also injured, his face ashen, but the corners of his mouth twisted into an extremely wild smile, which sounded particularly harsh amidst the waterfall’s noise.

"Hahaha! This neurotoxin, the lab took over a year to develop, was supposed to be a grand gift for old Erwin!"

His eyes were full of smugness and malice: "I never expected that mysterious Mr. West turned out to be Aiden Fordham! Hahahaha! This needle actually stuck into Aiden Fordham!"

"Truly, even heaven is helping me!"

Cindy Chandler also revealed a sinister expression and said, "Sister, will she develop an antidote for her?"

"She won’t be able to, because the world lacks that ingredient," Andy Lockwood continued laughing maniacally, "Aiden Fordham, enjoy this grand gift!"

Soon, he’ll be in greater and greater agony, forget every person, everything bit by bit, and in a month, he will die in despair, completely disappear!

By then, there will no longer be Aiden Fordham in the world!

...

When Aiden Fordham woke up again, it was already dark; he heard the door being opened, quickly closed his eyes.

A small towel gently wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Stella checked his forehead; the fever had subsided.

Suddenly, a large hand gripped her small hand, and a pair of jet-black pupils opened, seemingly magnetic, pulling her in.

"Mr. West, you’re awake. The fever’s gone. Are you hungry? I made some porridge for you."

Stella asked with concern, choosing not to reveal his identity. After all, he was injured for her sake, she’d wait until Erwin’s matter was resolved.

Then she would distance herself from him!

"I feel...weak," he said proudly, struggling to prop himself up at the bedside.

Stella quickly reached out to support him, stabilizing his tall body, and then placed a pillow behind him.

"Mr. West, sit up; I’ll feed you some porridge!" She smiled gently.

That smile instantly made Aiden feel uneasy, prompting him to subconsciously touch his mask.

Luckily, it hadn’t fallen off!

She picked up a spoon, scooped a little meat porridge, blew on it gently, then brought it to his lips.

"It’s not hot anymore. Here, open your mouth." She spoke to him like coaxing a baby.

Aiden was momentarily dazed, but obediently opened his mouth, only for a sudden heat to seize his tongue, almost scorching it.

His brows furrowed into a deep crease.

Stella, flustered, apologized quickly, "Mr. West, I’m sorry, I thought it wasn’t hot anymore. Sorry, I didn’t mean it!"

"It’s okay!" He softly replied, finding her anxious demeanor somewhat endearing.

Stella scooped another spoonful, blowing on it furiously, until she felt confident enough to feed him again.

"Mr. West, this time for sure it’s not hot, trust me."

Aiden opened his mouth again. Mm, delicious, he hadn’t realized her porridge was so good!

To be treated with such tenderness, this injury felt worthwhile.

"Mr. West, thank you for saving my mentor this time."

Stella’s voice carried undeniable determination.

"Since I arrived in Mardale, you’ve taken such good care of me, saving my life several times, so I’ve... I’ve made a daring decision!"

Her beautiful eyes burned with an intense heat, fixating on the man before her.

"What decision?" Aiden’s voice was devoid of emotion.

Stella didn’t answer, suddenly stepped forward, and sat close beside him, gently resting her head on his shoulder.

In an instant, Aiden’s whole body stiffened.

He could smell the faint fragrance of her hair, so close, so enticing.

"I’ve decided to marry you, to be your Lady of the Castle." Stella’s voice was soft yet clear, "For the rest of my life, I’ve decided to stay in Mardale with you, to repay the debt of gratitude for saving my life."

Aiden’s heart first surged with uncontrollable joy.

But immediately, a sharp sense of tearing ripped through him, painfully harsh.

No, she intended to marry Mr. West, not him, Aiden.

He suddenly pushed her away, his movements bluntly rude.

The force was so strong that Stella staggered back.

"What did you say?" His tone was icy enough to drop shards of ice.

Stella steadied herself, but her gaze remained clear, with a hint of innocence.

"I said, I want to marry you." She tilted her head slightly, a curve gracing her lips, "Are you happy?"

Aiden’s eyes burned with furious flames.

He stared at her, asking deliberately, "Don’t you already have a husband?"

"Aren’t you quite fond of him?"

Upon hearing this, Stella laughed brilliantly.

"I no longer love him," she stated simply and directly, "Now I only like you, Mr. West, want to be with you, and aspire to walk boldly in Mardale; let’s see who dares to disrespect me?"

Her words carried a hint of willfulness, a touch of challenge.

"I don’t like those who have been married, do you think just anyone qualifies to be my woman, Mr. West?"

Aiden, looking dismissive, was so angry that the veins on the back of his hand protruded.

His fists clenched tightly, knuckles turning white.

Seeing him this way, Stella secretly delighted, yet she pressed further outwardly.

She approached again, her voice softened, with an intentional seduction, "Mr. West, perhaps being married could be more alluring, shall we try?"

As she spoke, her face carried a hint of shyness, yet her hand slowly raised, reaching for the zipper at the side of her skirt.

The posture was unmistakably one of readiness to offer herself.

"What are you trying to do?" He finally couldn’t hold back, shouting rapidly, his voice almost changing pitch.

She simply smiled serenely, her laughter containing an imperceptible trace of jest.

"The debt of gratitude is too great to repay." She uttered the subsequent sentence light as air, "Only a flesh offering could suffice!"

Aiden: "..."