CHAPTER 127: CHAPTER 127: I HOPE YOU BURY ME WITH YOUR OWN HANDS

The room was bathed in ambiguous light.

He tossed her onto the soft large bed, and before Stella could react, the man’s tall figure pressed down on her.

Aiden Fordham kneeled on the bed with one knee, looking down at her. His long fingers slowly unbuttoned his shirt, one button after another...

In those deep eyes of his, dangerous signals flickered, like a big bad wolf ready to devour a little rabbit.

"You, you stay back!" Stella suddenly felt cornered, scrambling towards the edge of the bed, wishing she could dig a hole and escape immediately.

Aiden’s thin lips curled into a teasing smile, his unfathomable eyes locked onto her: "What, are you chickening out already? Don’t want to get married anymore?"

His voice was deep and hoarse, like feathers brushing her eardrums.

Stella’s head shook like a rattle, her little face pale as a sheet.

This frightened little doe look of hers amused him, instantly dispelling Aiden’s earlier irritation.

"Come here." He lazily hooked his finger, yet his tone carried an undeniable command.

Stella shook her head vigorously, her small lips pressed tight, a determined expression that she would rather die than yield.

Aiden’s gaze suddenly turned cold, like it had been quenched in ice: "Dare to find a boy toy for me? Who gave you the guts, huh?"

His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried the oppressive aura of an impending storm.

Before Stella could explain, he had already stretched out his long arm, accurately grabbing her slender ankle, yanking it back forcefully!

"Ah—!" Stella screamed, her entire body uncontrollably dragged back.

Her shin hit the edge of the bed, and she gasped in pain.

"Will you dare next time?" Aiden leaned down, his nose almost touching hers.

Hot breath sprayed across her face, laced with a strong masculine aura.

Stella shook her head desperately, "No more, no more! It was just a joke!"

At this moment, she’s at a disadvantage, can’t fight him head-on.

A look of satisfaction flashed through Aiden’s eyes, and only then did he release his grip on her.

He picked her up horizontally again, striding towards the balcony.

The night breeze was slightly cool, ruffling her hair.

Holding her, Aiden sat on the wide recliner, his arms like iron clamps, tightly holding her waist, preventing her from moving.

Stella’s entire body stiffened, her back pressed against his warm chest, feeling his powerful heartbeat clearly.

"Let me go..." she whispered struggling, her heart in turmoil, what was this man planning?

Aiden lowered his head, his warm lips brushed against her earlobe, his deep magnetic voice exploded near her ear: "Don’t move."

"If you keep moving, I won’t be so polite."

His tone was laced with laziness, a hint of threat, and an indescribable ambiguity.

Stella instantly chickened out, not daring to move around.

This man, with his cold facade, was playing with her heart! She and Mr. West seemed to have shifted slightly.

After a long time, Aiden spoke again, his voice incredibly gentle, as if he was a different person, coaxing her softly: "Tell me, what happened, hmm?"

That gentle tone at the end, like a feather, lightly tickled her heart.

Stella’s nose tingled, she sorrowfully sniffled, her voice thick with nasal sound: "She... she was seriously injured..."

"Couldn’t save her?" Aiden’s voice was void of emotion.

"She was saved..." Stella’s voice choked, "It’s just, she lost so much blood."

Just thinking about Vivi Sterling covered in injuries made her heart feel like it was being clenched by an invisible hand, it was unbearable!

"You know her?" Aiden’s tone carried a bit of surprise.

Stella nodded, her voice muffled, "Mmm, it’s Vivi."

Upon hearing this, Aiden’s body froze imperceptibly.

Vivi Sterling? He really didn’t expect this woman to come to Mardale too. What trouble is she causing here? Aiden’s brow furrowed slightly.

Aiden gently patted her back, using a tone like coaxing a child, he said, softly,

"She’ll get better slowly, don’t worry too much. Hmm?"

Stella mumbled "Mmm" in response, feeling his steady heartbeat, her mood seemed to calm down a little.

Aiden rested his chin on the top of her head, his voice carrying a peculiar sense of distance,

"Life is unpredictable, you never know what will come first, tomorrow or an accident. I heard a story, the person who buried you in your past life, will become your spouse in this life."

His voice was light, as if telling a legend unrelated to him.

"If...if one day I die," he paused, his voice stained with a slight, almost imperceptible hoarseness, "I hope, it’s you who personally buries me. That way, in the next life, I can... marry you!"

He said it breezily, yet it was like a giant boulder plunging into the lake of Stella’s heart, creating waves upon waves.

Stella abruptly lifted her head, staring at him in a daze.

In the moonlight, the contours of his handsome profile were distinct, his deep gaze seemed to want to draw someone in.

She never imagined that words carrying a sense of destiny would come from Aiden’s mouth.

"Mr. West... are you alright?" she cautiously asked.

Aiden looked down at her, the corners of his lips lifting into a pleasing curve, his eyes filled with a mischievous smile:

"What’s wrong? Weren’t you always clamoring to marry me? Now that I’m giving you a chance, you don’t want it anymore?"

His warm breath brushed against her cheek, carrying a crisp and clean fragrance unique to him.

Stella suddenly coughed to cover up her awkwardness.

"Can I really compete with those two big guys?" Her raised voice clearly revealed her guilty conscience.

Aiden Fordham suddenly laughed, "Or, you could compete a little. You have more to offer than them. I’ll give you the back door!"

Seizing the opportunity, Stella broke free from his embrace and then kicked him.

Aiden Fordham: "..."

She playfully remarked, "I wonder if Mr. West has ever heard of a place in the world where there’s a very special way to confess love: if you love him, kick him."

Aiden froze for a moment, "Got it, Miss NOVA’s love, I’ve received it!"

He gave a mischievous smile, "Now, I want to express a little something too."

He stood up, his tall figure approached her threateningly.

Stella was no fool; she dashed away in a flash!

Suddenly, Aiden’s nose started bleeding, and he rushed into the bathroom!

...

The next day, Vivi Sterling finally woke up.

She struggled to lift her heavy eyelids, and the first thing she saw was Zane Zimmerman’s sharply handsome face.

He was lying next to her, sleeping deeply, but his big hand was tightly holding her small hand, continuously transmitting warmth.

Vivi Sterling moved slightly, feeling that the pain in her body seemed to have lessened a lot, no longer as excruciating as before.

She subconsciously lifted her other hand, and the blood-red bracelet on her wrist once again pierced her eyes.

This is not a dream! Her brother really had come!

She gently moved her fingers that he was holding.

Almost at the same moment, Zane’s sharp hawk-like eyes suddenly opened, clear, with no hint of sleepiness.

He quickly sat up, reached out to feel Vivi Sterling’s forehead, and his brow relaxed, "Hmm, the fever’s finally gone."

His voice carried a trace of undetectable exhaustion. This woman had nightmares all night, exhausting him quite a bit.

Vivi Sterling turned her face away, a little embarrassed, her voice still somewhat hoarse, "This...where is this?"

Zane spoke indifferently, "Skylake Peak. The hot springs and air here are good for healing."

After speaking, he got up and walked out, leaving a tall figure behind.

Vivi Sterling watched his back, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Before long, the room door creaked open.

Stella rushed in like the wind, her face showing undisguised worry.

"Stella?" Vivi Sterling thought she was seeing things, incredulously widening her eyes, struggling to get up.

"Hey, don’t move!" Stella quickly rushed to the bedside, expertly holding her down, "Be careful of your wounds!"

"Stella! You dreadful woman!" Recognizing who it was, Vivi’s tears fell instantly, and she grabbed Stella’s hand, "That day at the arena...why didn’t you save me! I thought...I thought I’d never see you again! Boohoo...I almost kicked the bucket!"

Stella was momentarily stunned by this sudden accusation.

Arena? She had no memory at all!

Vivi Sterling cried for a while before her tears stopped, then suddenly remembered something, her eyes lit up, "Stella! I saw my brother! He’s still alive!"

Upon hearing this, Stella’s heart tightened, and she quickly asked, "Brother? Where is he? Quickly, tell me!"

Vivi Sterling sniffled, telling how she was kidnapped and how her brother rescued her, intermittently narrating the story.

Stella quietly listened, gently patting her back for comfort now and then.

Once Vivi finished, she hugged her tightly, softly comforting, "It’s okay now; it’s all over. You’re safe now. Once you recover, I’ll have someone send you home. I’ll also find your brother."

"No!" Vivi instantly retorted, clutching her arm, her gaze firm, "I won’t leave alone! Stella, you must come with me! Leave this damn place!"

Standing outside the door, Zane was ready to carry a bowl of medicine when he heard the word "leave," and his steps paused. His fingers tightened slightly around the bowl, and his heart felt inexplicably uncomfortable.

Stella went downstairs to get medicine and ran into Liam Young rushing out of a side room, his expression a bit strange.

She ran over, "Master, what’s wrong?"

Looking up, she saw Mr. West buttoning his shirt, as if he had just taken it off.

What’s going on...?

Liam grasped her hand, his tone somewhat urgent, "Girl, I need to go back to the lab, leaving today."

He glanced back at Mr. West, "Please, Mr. West, have someone take me to the airport."

"Okay!" Aiden Fordham walked out. Although the old man hadn’t said anything, from his expression, Aiden could predict that the poison in him was quite fierce.

So, for now, he wouldn’t let her know to prevent her from worrying.

Stella was surprised, "Why the rush? Did something happen?"

"No time!" he seemed at a loss, spitting out another sentence, "I have to leave now, quickly, send me off."

Liam ran out, and Stella followed. Liam stood not far away with Mr. West, seemingly explaining something, then took a small packet of pills from his pocket and handed it to him, giving detailed instructions.

Aiden Fordham nodded solemnly; Liam came over, explained a few things to Stella, and then left for the plane.

Stella curiously asked, "Mr. West, what did Master give you just now?"

Aiden glanced at her coldly, "Aphrodisiacs!"

Stella: "..."