CHAPTER 33: CHAPTER 33: THE CULPRIT BEHIND THE DRUGGING FOUND

Inside the cultivation box was a strangely shaped seedling, its leaves showing a rare shade of pale lavender.

"He really found it?"

"That’s amazing!"

She held the thing like it was some priceless treasure, her voice trembling with excitement.

Aiden Fordham watched this scene, his heart in turmoil.

He’d been married to Stella Grant for three years, and he’d never seen her so alive, so full of joy.

The way she looked at the professor—with utter trust and reliance—made his eyes sting.

He glanced to the other side.

Andy Lockwood was naturally picking up a large shrimp, carefully peeling off the shell, then placing it into Stella Grant’s bowl.

Stella didn’t even check who put it there; she just picked it up and ate it, her movements smooth and natural, as if she was used to it.

Andy then took the serving chopsticks and added some of her favorite dishes to her plate.

Every now and then, he’d refill her empty juice glass.

Every action radiated familiarity and intimacy.

Aiden Fordham’s chest felt like it was full of fire, burning so fiercely his organs ached.

That was his wife.

Why did some other man get to care for her, fuss over her, be so attentive?

He lifted his wine glass, turned to Andy, his voice deliberately raised.

"President Lockwood is really considerate. So thoughtful—even to someone else’s wife."

The words had barely landed when the atmosphere around the table froze.

Everyone at the table stopped moving.

Andy’s hand froze midair with the juice glass, as he looked at Aiden, eyes cold and sharp.

Stella acted as if she hadn’t heard, continuing to focus on the plant sample the professor had given her.

She picked up a piece of paper, scribbling and marking it, totally absorbed.

Sitting beside Andy, Cindy Chandler couldn’t stand it anymore; she picked up a full glass of red wine, stood up, and smiled brightly at Aiden Fordham.

"President Fordham, I saw yesterday’s news."

"I heard you and Best Actress Kensington are about to make it official, it’s publicly announced?"

"Congratulations!"

"I’m a huge fan of Best Actress Kensington. I love watching her dramas, her acting is superb, and she’s so real. Especially her tea artistry—so rich, so refined."

Her words sounded like congratulations, but underneath she had thoroughly roasted Corinne Kensington; saying her "tea artistry is exquisite" was essentially slapping her in the face.

Aiden Fordham’s expression got even uglier.

Cindy didn’t care about him at all, downing her wine in one go.

"I’ll finish mine, President Fordham, you do as you please."

Another young man, Andy’s junior Carlos Fenton, naturally didn’t want to be left behind, so he joined in, holding up his glass.

"President Fordham, it’s our second time meeting. I’m Clayton Lockwood."

"A toast to you. Our Lockwood Group has just developed an eye drop; after my senior tried it, her vision really improved. If you don’t mind, I’ll get you a bottle too."

"You’re an honored guest today, don’t hold back, eat more."

The unspoken meaning: if my senior hadn’t been nearly blind for years, she wouldn’t ever have married you.

Aiden Fordham suppressed his anger, clinked glasses with him, and downed the wine without hesitation.

"Thank you."

His voice was icy.

For the whole lunch, Stella didn’t look at Aiden Fordham even once.

Nor did she say a single word to him.

All her attention was on the professor and the plant sample, occasionally responding to Andy Lockwood.

Aiden Fordham sat there like an outsider, completely ignored.

It made him angrier than any fight would have—layered with an inexplicable sense of panic.

He kept drinking, glass after glass, gloomily.

Finally, Stella got up, probably to use the restroom; she didn’t like staying inside the private room, so it was a good excuse to go for a walk.

Aiden Fordham immediately set down his glass and got up to follow her.

His steps were unsteady, dazed from the alcohol, but his mind was still mostly clear.

The hallway lighting was dim.

Aiden quickly caught up with Stella, grabbing her by the wrist.

Her wrist was slender and a little cool to the touch.

Stella struggled to break free, but couldn’t.

She frowned and looked back at him.

"Aiden Fordham, what do you want?"

Aiden stared at her, alcohol and anger mixing in the air between them.

"Stay away from Andy Lockwood from now on. He’s not a good person."

Stella acted like she’d just heard a joke, letting out a short, mocking laugh.

"Whether he’s good or bad, what does that have to do with you?"

"Who I hang out with—since when does President Fordham get to decide?"

"Don’t forget what you promised me." Aiden Fordham tightened his grip, nearly crushing her wrist.

Stella’s face paled a little as she remembered what she’d said to him that night.

{President Fordham, don’t worry. I won’t end up with anyone. I’ll die alone, live alone—will that satisfy you?}

It had sounded so resolute then—now, looking back, it was just bitter irony.

She looked at Aiden, suddenly laughing, but her laugh was cold and distant.

"I said I wouldn’t marry him."

"But that doesn’t mean I can’t date him, or..."

She deliberately paused, leaned over to whisper in Aiden Fordham’s ear, voice low enough only he could hear.

"...do something else, something a little fun. What, President Fordham—are you going to police that too?"

Aiden Fordham’s body stiffened, uncontrollable rage crashing to his brain.

He was nearly losing it. "Stella Grant, don’t you dare!"

Stella fussed with her hair, gazing into his drunken, icy eyes. "President Fordham, you’ve had too much to drink. Go freshen up."

Just then, his phone inconveniently started ringing in his pocket.

The sharp ringtone was piercing in the quiet hallway.

Aiden Fordham pulled out his phone—the screen flashing {Corinne Kensington}.

He took a deep breath, tried to stifle the chaos of his emotions, and answered.

On the other end, Corinne’s voice was shaky and tinged with crying, scared and frantic.

"Aiden, hurry...I’m being bullied..."

Aiden Fordham’s brows furrowed tightly.

"Where are you? I’m coming now!"

Stella turned away coldly and entered the ladies’ room. Aiden Fordham, tamping down his anger, returned to the private room to say goodbye to the professor.

By the time she got back inside, Aiden Fordham had taken off to be the hero for his damsel.

But with him gone, she actually felt a lot lighter.

After dinner, Andy Lockwood took the professor back to The Lockwood Group, planning to discuss the new opportunities and highlights of the upcoming Global Medical Summit together.

At six-thirty that evening, Stella left the Lockwood Group building—she was now Andy’s technical consultant.

She didn’t have much else on her plate these days anyway. Might as well help him out.

Once the summit wrapped up, she and Aiden Fordham’s divorce should be settled by then.

She’d head to F-Country and go back to Bluebird Technologies.

As for Meritopia—maybe she’d never return.

She got home, took a long shower, cooked a bowl of plain noodle soup for herself, then sat at the dining table browsing files as she ate.

The city’s bright lights and noise outside seemed to have nothing to do with her anymore.

Suddenly, another trending topic popped up on her phone.

{Aiden Fordham’s Wrath for the Beauty}

She glanced briefly, looked like something about Corinne Kensington and Sasha Marshall, two mega-stars fighting over the female lead in the drama "Pear Blossom Tomb."

Corinne’s performance was weaker than Sasha’s, so the two got into a spat.

So she started gathering her people.

All to show off her status as President Fordham’s girlfriend, using her clout to pressure the production company.

Shameless!

Corinne Kensington almost had it in the bag, but the author wouldn’t budge, insisting the lead role be chosen by online poll.

Corinne, full of fire, issued a statement, planning a fan conference tomorrow and mobilizing millions of fans to vote for her!

Stella Grant couldn’t be bothered to waste time on this mess.

She kept slurping her noodles. Suddenly, a file showed up on her phone.

She zoomed in, studying the image closely, and her chopsticks slipped from her hand...

She forwarded the photo to Vivi Sterling, quickly changed her clothes, and dashed out the door.

She’d found the villain who’d drugged her child—the one who hurt her kid.

She wouldn’t leave a single one go unpunished...