CHAPTER 128: CHAPTER 128: MY HEARTBEAT MISSING FROM YOUR LIFE

In the afternoon, the wind picked up, and Mardale officially entered winter.

Stella Grant curled up in a large office chair, her fingertips tapping lightly on the touchpad.

On the computer screen was the latest email from Iris Summers.

She excitedly reported the progress of the collaboration between Bluebird and D, praising The Fordham Group’s strong capabilities, as they’ve really expanded D to over 80 countries worldwide.

Now, approximately 100,000 cancer patients are diagnosed globally every day, all actively cooperating with treatment, with excellent results.

The excitement was evident between the lines of the email.

The corners of Stella Grant’s mouth involuntarily lifted.

Choosing The Fordham Group was indeed the right decision.

She never regretted giving the fruits of her labor over the years unreservedly to Aiden Fordham.

Because The Fordham Group had the capability to allow D to have the greatest impact, saving many, many people.

That was the shared wish of her and Aiden Fordham.

But later, she never expected... she could save millions, but couldn’t save just him!

"Knock knock—"

The knock on the door sounded abruptly.

Stella Grant looked up, only to see Mr. West coming in with a tray.

On the tray were exquisite snacks and a steaming cup of coffee.

He gently placed the items on the table in front of her, his distinctly jointed fingers pausing at the rim of the ivory porcelain cup.

"You’ve been here all morning." His voice was gentle, like a spring breeze brushing over a lake, "Have something to eat and take a break."

Stella Grant was slightly startled, then softly said, "Thank you."

This thank you was not just for the snacks and coffee in front of her, but also for everything he had done for D before.

He seemed to notice her good mood today and asked, "What are you busy with?"

"Nothing," Stella Grant casually replied, "Just replied to some emails, checking on the company’s situation."

Mr. West’s gaze fell on her slightly parted pink lips, his pupils darkening a shade.

It was a kind of impulse, wanting to taste what it was like.

He swallowed slightly and suddenly spoke, "I heard that God N’s cancer treatment has saved many lives; it’s a blessing for all people."

And also his blessing, a fortune of this lifetime!

Hearing this, the curve of Stella Grant’s lips deepened a bit, carrying a hint of relief, "I hope one day, D can also enter Mardale and help the people there."

He replied calmly, "That’s not difficult."

Pausing, he added, "As long as you want it, as long as it’s within my power."

Before he finished speaking, he leaned forward slightly, moving closer to her.

A clear, pleasant scent of cedar, mixed with his unique warmth, enveloped her instantly.

Stella Grant’s breath caught, instinctively leaning back.

The faint fragrance from his hair lingered at the tip of her nose.

The mysterious golden mask magnified suddenly in her widened pupils.

What... what does he intend to do?

Mr. West reached out, his long fingers barely grazing her earlobe.

The tip of his fingers had a cool touch, but it felt like an electric current instantly running through her entire body.

With a "boom," Stella Grant’s cheeks turned bright red, the heat rushing to the top of her head.

She could even feel the tips of her ears burning.

Yet he seemed unfazed, his arm stretching over her shoulder, pulling a book from the shelf behind her.

"This book is good." He handed the book to her, his voice still gentle, "You can take a look if you have time."

Stella Grant lowered her eyes and saw the title — "Your Life Lacks My Heartbeat."

Her heartbeat skipped a beat.

The corners of the lips beneath the mask curled into a gentle smile as he walked out of the study at a leisurely pace.

Stella Grant sat blankly in her chair, her ears still tingling from where he had brushed past her earlobe.

A tingling sensation!

Two peaceful days passed, and Vivi Sterling’s wounds gradually healed.

At sunset, the two women were strolling arm in arm on the cliffside clearing.

Their outstanding appearances and cheerful conversation formed a rare pleasing scene in the chaos of Mardale.

On the balcony, two sharp gazes pierced through the air, locking onto them.

At this moment, Aiden Fordham was standing at the balcony, on the phone.

He had just received news that Erwin might have colluded with Andy Lockwood.

They were reportedly seen together at an abandoned power plant in the south.

Aiden Fordham’s fingertip tapped lightly on the railing; why would Andy Lockwood be involved with Erwin?

Could it be just to deal with me? Isn’t he worried about Stella Grant’s safety?

"Find out their exact location and then proceed with the setup," he instructed coldly over the phone.

After hanging up, Aiden Fordham’s eyes darkened.

This time, he was determined to catch them all in one go. He wouldn’t let her fall into danger again.

Meanwhile, Andy Lockwood stood on a high building, staring intently at this tall peak, constantly sending people into Mardale.

This time, he wouldn’t let Aiden Fordham walk out of Mardale alive.

Four years, this "snatched-wife" feud should be avenged; Stella Grant should have been his long ago.

That night, Aiden Fordham finally met with Zane Zimmerman privately.

He held a wine glass, swirling the crimson liquid inside at a leisurely pace, his voice emotionless.

"Mr. Zimmerman, it seems you quite enjoy it here."

Implying: When are you leaving? By the way, take that troublesome woman with you.

Zane Zimmerman responded unhurriedly, "Is Mr. West so confident in his personal charm? Aren’t you afraid Miss NOVA will follow Vivi down the mountain for some fun too?"

Implying: When that happens, you’ll be left alone here on the mountain, you’ll be begging her to stay.

Aiden Fordham snorted softly, "I heard the hooligans in The East Sector have been quite rampant lately. Shouldn’t you, as the person in charge of The East Sector, take some time to manage them?"

This was a taunt at his low status, in charge of things that were unpresentable.

Zane Zimmerman retorted without changing his expression, "The wealth of the West District blinds the eyes; it’s more prone to attract small-time crooks’ attention. After all, desires are insatiable, aren’t they?"

Just as he finished speaking,

"Boom——!" A loud explosion suddenly rang out, shaking the windows of the entire hotel, making them hum.

Everyone’s expressions changed slightly, and they quickly walked to the edge of the cliff to look towards the city.

They saw flames soaring in the direction of the castle, with thick smoke billowing up—clearly, a severe explosion had occurred.

A bodyguard rushed in with a panicked look, "Mr. West! The castle has been invaded! Should we return to headquarters immediately?"

Aiden Fordham took a couple of long strides forward but suddenly stopped.

He slowly turned his head to meet Zane Zimmerman’s meaningful gaze.

"You take people over there, and report back swiftly with any updates."

Indeed, he had seen through the enemy’s attempt to lure them away. Anyone with sense knew that the explosion at the castle was an obvious target.

The night deepened.

A group of figures dressed in black silently climbed Skylake Peak under the cover of night.

The hot spring area at Skylake Peak lived up to its reputation.

Each house had its own private hot spring, with bamboo shadows swaying, flowers scenting the air—a truly beautiful scene.

At this moment, Vivi Sterling and Stella were comfortably soaking in the hot spring, as steam rose around them, whispering private conversations.

"These hot springs are amazing. It feels like my bones are melting."

Vivi Sterling sighed with contentment, a sense of relaxation spreading throughout her body.

The warm waters seemed to have healed various minor injuries on her body.

She lazily leaned against the edge of the pool, her voice slightly coquettish.

"Stella, I miss Claire, and the shrimp that the old man peels for me."

Little did she know, the old man she spoke of, Charles Sterling, was already on his way to Mardale.

He was on a free plane ticket. But at this moment, his eyes were blindfolded, an icy gun barrel pressed firmly to his forehead—it was a dire situation.

Stella lightly stirred the water and softly spoke.

"Don’t worry. In a couple of days, I’ll send you back. I have to finish things here first, then I’ll join all of you."

Vivi Sterling mumbled, "I lost my passport, so I probably can’t leave."

"But Zane said he’d handle it for me. He seemed eager to get me out of his sight."

She suddenly leaned closer to Stella and asked mysteriously.

"Stella, don’t you think he really resembles Number Seventeen?"

Stella frowned slightly at her words.

"At first, I thought so too. But, supposedly, Zane has been here for five years—how could he be Number Seventeen?"

"Unless he knows how to clone himself?"

Vivi Sterling also felt discouraged.

"You’re right, how could Number Seventeen be Zane? Sigh, if he really were my Number Seventeen, I’d propose to him immediately and make him my husband!"

Her tone was one of determined desperation.

Not far away, in a hidden corner, a pair of sharp eyes narrowed slightly, with a heartbeat skipping a beat.

Suddenly.

"Snap."

The surrounding lights instantly went out, plunging the hot spring area into darkness.

"Ah!"

Vivi Sterling was startled and instinctively clung to Stella, shivering with fear.

"Don’t panic, let’s get out first," Stella, relatively calm, said as she tried to lead her towards the edge of the pool.

Just then, Vivi Sterling felt a tightness around her waist, an arm had embraced her.

Still petrified, she was about to scream.

"Don’t be afraid, it’s me." Zane’s deep voice sounded in her ear, carrying an undeniable sense of security.

Vivi Sterling relaxed slightly and urgently asked, "What about Stella? Is she okay?"

"She’s fine. Someone will save her," Zane replied succinctly. "Someone has infiltrated. Follow me."

His tone left no room for argument.

Before Vivi Sterling could react, he had already moved her away from the hot spring pool.

Zane took her to a room, and under the weak moonlight streaming in through the window, he glanced over her unhealed scars and her pale skin, his eyes darkening.

He swiftly removed his coat and put it around her.

"Wear it." Then, he turned and walked out the door, quickly disappearing into the darkness.

On the other side, the lights in the hot spring area suddenly came back on.

The seven figures in black who had surrounded Stella were now all taken care of.

Six were left dead on the scene, while one lay on the ground, barely breathing.

Aiden stood there, exuding a chilly aura, his gaze so cold it could freeze a person.

"Clean it up," he said, his voice without inflection, yet exuding a bone-chilling chill.

His subordinates dared not slack, immediately bowing and swiftly dragging the bodies away.

Only then did Aiden step forward, grabbing a clean towel and wrapping the dazed Stella from head to toe securely, then picked her up horizontally.

She asked, muffled, "Who were those people?"

"Andy Lockwood’s men," Aiden replied casually.

Stella was incredulous, "Impossible, hasn’t he already left Mardale?"

Aiden snorted lightly, his tone slightly mocking.

"Once a person develops an obsessive mania, it’s as tough as clinging seaweed. Is it so easy to completely eradicate?"

He paused, his gaze settling on her face, speaking meaningfully, "Just like you insist on marrying me, is it so easy to give up?"

Stella was left speechless again.

He continued, his voice laced with an undebatable dominance, "To prevent any remaining threats, you’re sleeping with me tonight."

"!" Stella was startled by his unexpected words, her cheeks flushing slightly, "I’ll... I’ll just sleep with Vivi."

Aiden replied with an unchanged expression.

"She’s with Zane; she won’t be back tonight."

Stella: "..."

"Afraid I’ll eat you?" He saw through her concern, "I don’t like women!"

Stella’s mouth twitched; he’s really getting into character!

Who would’ve thought, not in heat, he’d go crazy in the middle of the night...