CHAPTER 149: CHAPTER 149: STELLA, CAN YOU LOVE ME ONCE MORE?

A secluded area in the dense forest.

Andy Lockwood watched the helicopter disappear into the distance, his deep-set eyes swirling with endless hatred.

Once again, he had lost Stella Grant, hoping Aiden Fordham could bring her back.

At least, the antidote had been destroyed.

Aiden Fordham, you won’t survive these ten days.

He began to predict the actions Stella might take; she would definitely try to find a way to re-formulate the antidote.

But that was impossible.

Time was not on her side.

So, her most likely choice was to take Aiden Fordham to Bluebird Labs in F-Country.

Or, as God N, gather the world’s top biologists to jointly develop that reagent.

Maybe, she could truly bring Aiden Fordham back to life.

He had to make some preparations in advance.

He wanted Aiden Fordham dead and gone for good this time!

To refine the antidote, two things were indispensable — the Seven-color brocade and Nine Days Warmth kept by the old man on the mountain.

As long as one of them was destroyed, Aiden Fordham wouldn’t be able to completely eliminate the neurotoxin and would die of heart failure.

Ten days, that’s all Aiden Fordham had.

A cruel smile twisted across his lips, and his voice was icy cold.

"Bring the old man; we’re heading back to F-Country."

Indeed, the one who knows you best can either be your greatest ally or the most fatal knife to stab you.

No surprise, the people Aiden Fordham sent to pick up the old man came back empty-handed.

Andy Lockwood, that cunning rabbit, was well-prepared.

When the news came, a chilling aura emanated from Aiden Fordham, and his expression was so dark it could drip water.

That was the moment Stella Grant awoke.

She slowly opened her eyes to see Aiden Fordham’s impossibly handsome face.

He was sitting right beside her, holding her small hand tightly, as if afraid she might suddenly vanish.

Her clear, lively eyes met his deep ones.

"Stella, you’re awake! Are you feeling unwell anywhere?" he exclaimed joyfully.

Stella only felt a pain in her right hand, and suddenly, as if pricked by a needle, she sat up abruptly.

"The antidote! Did we get the antidote?" her voice was urgent.

Aiden Fordham gazed at her, stretched out his long arm, and pulled her back into his embrace, his chin resting on the top of her head, comforting softly.

"It’s already been taken, don’t worry."

But she didn’t believe it and urgently reached out to check his wounds.

With just one glance, her face fell instantly, losing all color.

"The toxin isn’t gone, is it?" Her voice trembled, despair slowly creeping into her heart.

"It’s not gone!"

She looked down again at her carefully bandaged right hand, "Did I break the test tube? Is that right?"

She furrowed her brows, her eyes quickly reddening.

The antidote was gone.

She couldn’t save Aiden Fordham.

Aiden Fordham patted her head heartachingly, soothing her over and over, "Don’t be afraid, I won’t die, there will be a way."

His voice was low and firm, carrying a convincing strength.

Indeed, his people had already taken action, contacting the top biologists globally.

Even though none were as good as God N.

But with the collective wisdom and strength, they could surely race against time!

Keegan Lindsey came in with a bowl of plain porridge.

Aiden Fordham took it, gently blew on it, then sat by the bed, feeding her spoon by spoon.

His movements were exceptionally gentle, his gaze full of deep affection, as if she were the most precious treasure in the world.

Stella Grant had little appetite, forcing down just half a bowl before shaking her head.

"I don’t want to eat anymore."

"Okay." He didn’t force her, "Then rest a bit more."

He helped her lie back down, tucked her in snugly, then got up and left the room.

Keegan Lindsey stood outside the door; Aiden Fordham’s tone was icy, "Send someone to the airport, don’t let Andy Lockwood escape, I want him to pay."

"Yes." Keegan nodded.

"Contact Quentin, have him check thoroughly what Stella experienced four years ago. Every detail, I need to know everything."

From Andy Lockwood’s words, he faintly sensed that the crisis Stella experienced four years ago seemed related to him.

No matter what, he would never let her face danger again; he couldn’t bear the result of losing her.

He didn’t realize how deeply his feelings had taken root.

Keegan nodded again, then suddenly reported, "We received news today that Helen Warren has been bailed out of jail."

Aiden Fordham’s voice was angry, "Who did it?"

"The Whitman Family of the Imperial Capital. It seems they have been secretly searching for a missing daughter, and Helen Warren knows some of the clues."

This sentence was packed with information, but it sparked a sliver of hope in Aiden Fordham’s eyes.

"The only people that could be related to Helen Warren are Corinne Kensington and Stella Grant."

Keegan’s heart skipped, "President Fordham, do you mean, there’s a high chance that Madam is..."

Aiden Fordham was silent for a few seconds, "Have someone secretly investigate this. The Whitman Family of the Imperial Capital is deeply intertwined; don’t let Madam know for now."

"Understood." Keegan nodded knowingly, then asked, "You haven’t eaten all day; dinner is ready."

Aiden Fordham strode downstairs, suddenly declaring, "I want to make a cake."

Keegan: "..."

Is President Fordham addicted to making cakes?

In his mind, a scene suddenly appeared: himself standing in a bakery, welcoming customers, "Welcome, today’s freshly baked cakes by the Fordham Group."

A swarm of flamboyant women rushed in, shouting to buy, the one President Fordham made himself...

Keegan shivered on the spot.

"Boom!" A loud explosion echoed from the direction of Los Castle, a flash of firelight piercing the dark sky.

As if to shatter the night.

That’s right, at this moment, Mardale has already been turned upside down. The affluent area is now under Zane Zimmerman’s control.

Yesterday at one in the morning, Aiden Fordham collaborated with Zane Zimmerman for a brilliant diversion tactic.

Only then could Zimmerman’s forces so easily penetrate the impregnable Los Castle.

Mr. West was shot dead in the chaos.

At this moment, Zane is leading his men in a thorough search of the castle, rooting out the remnants of the West Group.

There are two things he must find to rightfully take control of all Mardale.

The first is the Heavenly Fire Dagger.

A hundred years ago, Mardale was plunged into chaos. A general wielding this dagger stabilized the situation, establishing Mardale as an independent small nation. Later, the nation fractured, and the largest city became what is now Mardale.

This dagger symbolizes supreme power and prestige.

The second is Cillian West’s treasury.

The treasures inside belong to all of Mardale and must not be taken elsewhere.

Only after completing these two tasks can he truly retire in glory.

At this time, a subordinate walked over, escorting a woman.

It was Zeno West.

Zeno watched as Zane Zimmerman walked towards her, four imposing bodyguards following behind him.

This man, powerful like an emperor ruling the world, made her once dull eyes light up instantly.

She spoke, her voice carrying a subtle hint of seduction.

"Mr. Zimmerman, don’t waste your efforts."

"You won’t find that dagger; my brother put it in a very safe place."

She paused, her red lips curving into a meaningful smile.

"However, I can help you."

Zane stopped in his tracks, his gaze falling on the beautiful woman before him.

As beautiful as she is, she’s as venomous as a serpent, exuding a lethal aura.

His eyes narrowed slightly, exploring, "Miss West, we can have a chat."

He merely gave a look.

The subordinate immediately understood, releasing their grip on Zeno.

Zeno adjusted her slightly disheveled clothing and elegantly walked up to him, her breath fragrant as orchids.

"That depends on Mr. Zimmerman’s sincerity."

She boldly reached out, her fingertips gently grazing the cold, hard silver mask on his face.

The texture under her fingertips stirred her heart slightly.

The old saying is true.

To conquer a man is to conquer a city.

Zane’s eyes darkened, and he suddenly bent down to pick her up, carrying her into the castle...

Stella, hearing the explosion, got up from the bed. She stood by the window, watching the orange sky, seemingly lost in thought.

Suddenly, she quickly picked up her phone and started dialing numbers.

Indeed, her thoughts aligned perfectly with Aiden Fordham’s.

She intended to invite the world’s top bio-elite to Mardale at once, to assist her in refining the antidote again!

She made three calls, using different languages for different countries. These three people were talents she had always valued highly.

With their help, success would be twice as effective with half the effort.

She called Iris Summers, asking her to prepare the materials and also to have the most advanced equipment in the lab airlifted over.

For her, staying in Mardale was far safer than returning to F-Country right now.

F-Country, that was Andy Lockwood’s home base.

This time, she would not allow any more accidents with the antidote!

After arranging everything, she went out into the garden for a walk.

It was winter now, with a significant temperature difference between day and night. The cold wind made the lilies in the garden sway wildly, scattering the scent, yet the fragrance still filled the air.

She walked to a green lily and saw a petal with a drop of dark blood still on it.

Gently stroking the dried blood, she guessed the reason for Aiden Fordham’s absence that night.

Her heart was blocked with discomfort.

"Stella." A familiar voice came from behind.

She turned around.

He held a cake, walking out from among the flowers, his lips slightly arched, the wind tousling his hair, both unruly and carefree.

The candlelight lit up his handsome face, vibrant and alive.

"That night, I promised to make up your birthday, but I missed it. So, I made another cake to celebrate again."

He placed the cake on the table and then took her hand.

Stella looked at the cake; there was a drawing of a lily on it, with black chocolate letters saying, "My Stella."

She couldn’t help but tease, "It’s so ugly."

"Ugly makes it unique, which is its value," he replied nonchalantly, urging, "Come on, make a wish!"

Stella didn’t make a wish, but just gave a light smile, "If wishes could come true, there wouldn’t be so much suffering in the world."

The wind suddenly blew out the candle flame.

Aiden Fordham grabbed her hand, his face serious, "Stella, listen, no matter what happens in the future, never harm yourself."

"When you went to grab that antidote that fell into the sea, I was scared to death."

"Luckily, you were safe, but I... I was really terrified!"

"You are God N, your life belongs to everyone in the world, you can’t..."

Suddenly, some liquid trickled from his nose, and he paused.

Stella frowned, immediately pressing her left hand against his nose.

He took a deep breath and continued, "Stella, can you love me once more?"

"Even if it’s just for ten days..."

His eyes were locked deeply onto hers, his voice carrying a plea.

He had sent her away once before, but this time, he didn’t want to let go.

He was being selfish, but... just in case... he didn’t want to leave with regrets.

Blood seeped through her fingers and slipped down her hand, drop by drop, hitting the ground.

Scalding her eyes.