CHAPTER 140: CHAPTER 140: PRESIDENT FORDHAM, HIS HEART HAS STOPPED

Stella Grant ran outside, ignoring Aiden Fordham’s calls as if she hadn’t heard them.

After wandering outside for half the day, when she returned to the villa, it was already past seven in the evening.

As night fell, a familiar scene of The Little Garden appeared vividly before her eyes.

Various lilies swayed in the night breeze, tiny flashing lights adorned them like stars, with two huge fan-shaped flower arches standing on either side.

This scene was so much like Coregarde at The Sovereign Estate.

Stella’s eyes suddenly froze, the chill piercing to the bone.

She didn’t spare it another glance, walking straight towards the door.

Just as she reached the door, the conversation between Aiden Fordham and Keegan Lindsey clearly came through from inside.

"President Fordham, this cake you made looks really ugly. I’m afraid it might affect madam’s appetite. Why don’t we have the pastry chef make a new one?"

Keegan’s voice carried a hint of caution.

Aiden seemed to be busy with something, his voice steady, "This is my heartfelt gesture, regardless of appearance."

He was holding a chocolate pen, outlining on the cake.

Keegan sighed and advised again, "President Fordham, before this, you used seven private planes to transport chocolate, made a city of doughnuts for madam in Rookstone, and folded paper planes all night by hand, yet madam still hasn’t forgiven you.

I think we should switch strategies."

Hearing this, Stella’s heart uncontrollably fluttered for a moment.

So it was he who arranged for the three-story-high doughnuts in Rookstone.

And those paper planes flying everywhere were also his doing.

Aiden finally lifted his head, casting a faint glance at Keegan, his tone bearing a hint of subtle weariness,

"Strategy? Do you have a better way to make her happy?"

Keegan immediately perked up, "Why not be honest! They say honesty is the best policy. Just tell madam that you were the one pretending to be Mr. West.

You arranged for Cillian West to invite her for dinner to stop her from falling for Mr. West, putting on such a show. Who knew that scoundrel actually dared to have designs on madam! It was hardly unjust for you to beat him."

Aiden let out a cold laugh, tinged with self-mockery, "This time it backfired. Actually, she knew Mr. West was me long ago."

"Huh?" Keegan was so shocked his jaw nearly dropped, "When did madam figure it out?"

Aiden lowered his eyes, pondering, his voice deep, "When she suddenly joked about wanting to marry Mr. West."

He only fully realized it today.

With her proud nature, how could she casually say she wanted to marry a stranger?

Turns out, he had been found out long ago.

Keegan, still unwilling to give up, continued plotting, "Why don’t you go explain to madam! Because back then you had to borrow Mr. West’s identity, it allowed Cillian to exploit the situation and forcibly pair you with Miss West.

If madam hadn’t already entered Mardale, you wouldn’t have agreed to such a shameless demand in your haste to ensure her safety!"

Outside the door, Stella was once again stunned by this sudden information.

So, on the very first day she entered Mardale, he had already arrived.

And paved every path for her, eliminating so many potential dangers.

The anger simmering in her heart unknowingly began to subside, and her chest didn’t feel as congested anymore.

Aiden interrupted Keegan, his voice decisive,

"It’s no use saying these things. Alright, take the cake and put it in the freezer."

Keegan tried to say something else, "President Fordham, why don’t we tell madam..."

"Will you stop already!" Aiden finally snapped, his voice suddenly rising, "Why do you talk so much! If the enemy captured you and tortured you for information, wouldn’t you spill all of The Fordham Group’s secrets? Get out!"

Keegan shivered at his shout and dared not say another word.

He hurriedly carried the undeniably hideous cake to the freezer.

Stella chose not to enter the room.

She quietly retreated, walking to the table in the garden styled after Coregarde and sat down quietly.

The night breeze swept through, carrying the fresh scent of lilies.

So, Aiden Fordham had done so many things for her that she never knew about.

But why, knowing all this, did she feel... even more sorrowful?

Her heart seemed to be finely wrapped in something, making it hard to breathe.

After a while, Keegan came out of the house, immediately spotting Stella, his eyes lighting up as he ran over eagerly.

"Madam, you’re back! That’s great! Your dress has been placed in your room, go change quickly, we’re going to have a birthday party soon!" he said jubilantly.

Stella frowned, a bit puzzled, "Whose birthday?"

Keegan beamed from ear to ear, "President Fordham wants to make up for your birthday. And while we’re at it, we’re celebrating his birthday early, so today, together! A double celebration!"

Stella gave him a blank stare.

"Ridiculous."

She really wasn’t in the mood to deal with his excitement.

Keegan wasn’t discouraged, carrying back a pot with a green lily.

"Madam, look at this!" Keegan presented it proudly, "President Fordham went to great lengths to find ’The Wizard of Oz’! Isn’t it beautiful? It’s the only one in all of Mardale!"

Stella’s eyes indeed brightened.

It was truly beautiful.

A green lily, exotic and noble, it was the first time she had seen one.

But the next second, the slight glow on her face quickly faded, returning to her usual indifference.

She looked up at the ocean of meticulously arranged lilies around her, "Did you set this up?"

Keegan immediately puffed his chest out with pride, "Of course! This is entirely designed after Coregarde at The Sovereign Estate, how is it, madam, does it look nice? Does it have the vibe?"

Stella’s lips twitched, her gaze was chilling enough to drop icicles.

"Keegan, don’t you know that Coregarde is a humiliation to me?"

Her voice wasn’t loud, but every word was clear.

"That’s the eternal bond Aiden Fordham planted for Corinne Kensington! Who are you trying to disgust by bringing it here now?"

Keegan’s smile froze instantly on his face, his heart skipped a beat.

"Who told you that?"

A familiar, deep male voice suddenly sounded from behind Stella Grant.

Stella turned sharply, and somehow Aiden Fordham was already standing there, the night outlining his tall and slender figure, his eyes deep and inscrutable.

She met his gaze, her tone as cold as frost, "The person involved said it in person, could it be fake?"

Aiden’s tall figure trembled slightly, as if he suddenly understood something.

"So, when you set fire to Coregarde, was it because of this?" His voice carried a hint of disbelief.

Stella looked him straight in the eye, not backing down in the slightest, "So what if it was?"

Next to them, Keegan was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, oh my God, there was such a colossal misunderstanding!

Aiden stared at her for a few seconds and suddenly started to laugh softly.

Using a tone as if having a casual conversation, he said lightly, "So, at that time you were jealous."

"I wasn’t!"

Stella turned her head sharply, stubbornly denying it.

Aiden didn’t give her the chance to escape; he took a step forward, stretched out his long arm, and accurately wrapped it around her waist.

His unique cool scent mixed with the chill of the night wind enveloped her, making her lose focus for a moment.

"Don’t you really know?" His voice was very low, carrying a bewitching magnetism, his warm breath brushed against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.

"Coregarde takes its ’Core’ from Stella’s name, not Corinne’s ’Cor’."

"Fool." He uttered these two words like a sigh, filled with endless fondness and helplessness, "That place has always been yours."

His voice was deep and gentle, like a feather gently caressing her heart.

"The first time I saw you walking out from among the flowers, you picked a white lily, smelled it, then looked up and smiled at me."

"From that moment, I wanted to bring all the best and most beautiful lilies in the world to you."

"That’s why there was Coregarde later; it was our secret garden."

Stella looked up in shock, gazing into his deep, ocean-like eyes.

Her heart, like a stone tossed into the lake, couldn’t calm down for a long time, rippling with waves upon waves.

She hadn’t expected that Coregarde was actually... hers!

Aiden bowed his head, gently resting his forehead against hers, his gaze full of deep affection and focus, as if trying to pull her in.

"Stella, you can’t burn down Coregarde."

"Because it has long taken root and sprouted in my heart, intertwined with it."

His gaze enveloped her, leaving her nowhere to escape, almost drowning in the tenderness that couldn’t be dissolved.

How could this be?

Stella only felt her mind was in chaos, her heart pounding as if it would leap out of her throat.

She reached out in a bit of a panic to push him away and strode into the main house.

Aiden watched her walk away, smiling tenderly; so, she cared so much about Coregarde.

Suddenly, he felt dizzy and spat out a mouthful of dark blood, staining the tray of green lilies.

Keegan quickly stepped forward to support him, "President Fordham, what’s wrong? Do you need to go to the hospital?"

"Clean... don’t scare... her."

He had already fainted once in the afternoon, and after waking up, he suddenly had the idea to hold a belated birthday party for her to make her happy. So, he had Keegan arrange all this.

After saying this, he passed out!

Keegan hurriedly gestured for the bodyguards to help him to a small building at the back, where there were emergency medical equipment and a doctor on standby.

President Fordham had instructed that the madam should not be aware of the poisoning until the gentleman arrived.

Before long, Stella, in a beautiful gown, came over, looking like a dancing fairy in the night breeze.

But Aiden and Keegan were nowhere to be seen, only the cooks were coming and going, delivering sumptuous dishes, the air filled with the aroma of food.

After waiting for about half an hour, Keegan hurriedly ran over, holding a very ordinary-looking cake with a single candle on it.

"Where’s Aiden Fordham? Is he playing hide and seek?"

Stella glanced around, not a shadow in sight.

Keegan took a deep breath, composing his expression, "Madam, please make a wish first. He just... President Fordham... had something urgent come up. He might be back later."

"Standing me up again?" She seemed a bit upset but obediently closed her eyes to make a wish.

The night wind suddenly blew the candle out, a wisp of light smoke was scattered by the wind.

"Madam, please have a taste of this cake... President Fordham... made it... by himself!"

Keegan handed her the small fork, and Stella looked at the poorly drawn little girl on it and the words in black chocolate: my dear nova.

Ugly!

She was a bit speechless; it seemed President Fordham didn’t have an artistic talent.

But she still gently forked a small piece and placed it in her mouth; it melted instantly, the sweet, fruity aroma hitting her taste buds.

"Hmm, not bad!" She nodded in satisfaction, her eyes revealing undisguised delight, and she had a few more bites.

Keegan quickly turned away, his eyes red.

Suddenly, Keegan’s phone rang. He stepped away a few paces and quickly answered it, "Assistant Lindsey, President Fordham’s heart has stopped, he is undergoing emergency resuscitation, you need to come quickly."

The phone suddenly slipped, fell to the ground, and the screen shattered...