CHAPTER 70: CHAPTER 70: LET’S GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR OUR GOD N

Stella Grant walked alongside Andy Lockwood...

Behind her, five or six employees in matching uniforms followed, likely technical experts from The Lockwood Group.

Today, Stella wore a perfectly tailored white professional suit, the neat V-neck design elegantly revealing her delicate collarbone.

Her long hair was simply tied at the back of her head, giving her a sleek and efficient look.

Her ears were adorned with small pearl earrings, the gentle luster enhancing her fair skin.

Her makeup was exquisite yet understated, her beauty carrying an aggressive allure, yet accompanied by the steady aura unique to professional women.

Her steps were steady in her slightly heeled shoes, indicating her foot injury had nearly healed.

The moment Aiden Fordham saw her, he instinctively moved forward to greet her.

"Stella!"

His voice carried an urgency he could not suppress.

Andy Lockwood paused, glanced at Aiden Fordham, then leaned toward Stella and whispered, "I’ll wait for you inside."

With that, he led the others inside.

Leaving just the two of them in the corridor.

Stella raised her eyes to look at Aiden Fordham, her beautiful eyes showing indifference, like they were covered in a thin layer of ice, exhibiting no joy or anger.

Only the clear, distant sense of alienation, making one’s heart tighten.

Aiden Fordham’s throat tightened slightly.

"Stella Grant, I’m sorry." He began, his voice somewhat dry, "That night... I missed our appointment and you got hurt. How is your injury?"

Stella’s gaze was calm and unruffled.

"Thank you for your concern, President Fordham."

Her voice was cold, carrying a deliberate politeness, "It’s healed."

This term "President Fordham," pierced Aiden Fordham’s heart like a needle.

He looked at her indifferent profile, feeling a mix of emotions and discomfort.

"Could you... go somewhere with me after the conference ends?" he probed.

Stella’s lips suddenly curved into a faint smile, as if mocking.

"President Fordham."

She looked at him, "Besides the registry office, there doesn’t seem to be anywhere we need to go together, right?"

This statement was like an icy dagger, stabbing directly into Aiden Fordham’s heart.

His heart trembled violently, and his face turned a shade paler.

"I know you’re still angry," he hurried to explain, his tone urgent, "I just want... to talk with you."

"Talk about what?" Stella retorted, her tone so calm it was almost cruel, "Talk about how busy you, President Fordham, are, or how Stella Grant doesn’t know her place?"

She paused and continued, "Sorry, I’m very busy and have no time to reminisce with President Fordham."

"Participating companies, please exit through the main entrance."

"Excuse me."

Every word seemed to delineate a boundary with him.

After speaking, she turned to leave, her actions decisive and without hesitation.

Aiden Fordham’s heart clenched suddenly, without thinking, he stepped forward.

Stella immediately extended a finger, pressing it against his firm chest.

"Aiden Fordham, don’t come close to me." Her tone carried an obvious disdain.

Unexpectedly, Aiden Fordham directly grasped her little finger, pulling her into his arms.

Stella’s body stiffened instantly, startled.

The warm, masculine scent enveloped her, carrying his unique fresh aroma.

She struggled slightly, unable to break free, and her anger flared up instantly.

"Aiden Fordham!"

Her voice rose sharply, suppressing fury, "Let go of me! Don’t force me to hit you! Consider the occasion, if this escalates, it’ll be embarrassing for everyone!"

He curved his lips, his voice muffled, with a tone of playful defiance.

"Then go ahead and hit me." He held her even tighter.

Stella trembled with anger, raising her right hand to slap his face.

But her wrist was accurately caught by him mid-air.

He was very strong, and she could not move at all.

"I told you," his voice sounded in her ear, with an undeniable assertiveness, "I just want to have a calm conversation with you, nothing else!"

Stella’s chest was tight with frustration, "Aiden Fordham, where did you get the idea that I can’t live without you?"

Aiden Fordham nonchalantly replied, "I don’t like owing people; if I do, I feel uncomfortable. We didn’t have dinner that day, so it must be compensated tonight."

So that’s it!

"Don’t worry about it, I don’t mind! Let me go!" Her attitude was very firm.

"Unless you agree to meet me tonight."

He tilted his head slightly, pulling out a handsome, somewhat roguish smile, his eyes locking onto hers with naked threat.

That rogueish manner almost made her gnash her teeth in anger.

Stella’s chest heaved with anger.

"Aiden Fordham!" She hissed, "Let go!"

"No." He continued to threaten, "Unless you agree to meet me."

"How did I not know before," Stella gritted her teeth, "that the President of the Fordham Group is actually a rogue!"

He chuckled low, his warm breath brushing her earlobe, making her shiver.

He inhaled the faint scent from her hair and body, a scent familiar to him.

"You know it."

His voice was magnetic, with a seductive tone, "You’ve always known very clearly."

"I could be... even more of a rogue."

"Aiden Fordham, my injury is almost healed, we owe each other nothing, so let’s not contact each other again."

His persistent, magnetic voice sounded again, "In Meritopia, you can’t escape from my grasp, don’t think about evading me. If you don’t dare accept the invitation, it proves... you still love me!"

Stella: "..."

What kind of twisted logic is this?

Aiden Fordham murmured softly in her ear, "I don’t like you being in contact with Andy Lockwood. It’s best if you move back to your own apartment or come to mine."

Stella stomped heavily on his foot, "Aiden Fordham, don’t meddle, let go of me."

Aiden let out a muffled groan of pain, finally releasing his hand, but his face showed no anger, only a serious gaze at her,

"Stella Grant, what are you afraid of?"

"Aiden Fordham, does having dinner mean we can cut ties?" She asked seriously.

"You could understand it that way, at least on my part, things will be settled." He answered earnestly.

"Fine," she paused for a moment, "Give me the address, I’ll be there."

Stella didn’t want to entangle with him here, glaring at him fiercely, she spat out two words, "Crazy man!"

And turned to leave.

Aiden Fordham deeply watched her departing back, pulled out his phone, and made a call.

When Aiden Fordham returned to the venue, the conference had already begun.

Andy Lockwood, in a well-tailored suit, elegantly approached the stage.

He delivered an enthusiastic welcoming speech, envisioning the future of the medical industry.

His flawless remarks elicited continuous applause.

After concluding the speech, Andy did not seem inclined to step down, instead smiling mysteriously.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I know what you are most looking forward to today."

He raised his voice.

"Next is the most anticipated segment of this summit! Please increase your applause threefold! Let’s welcome the world-renowned—God N!"

Boom!

The entire hall erupted in excitement!

Time seemed to freeze, with everyone present scarcely daring to breathe.

Aiden Fordham stood on the steps, halting his steps, wary of disturbing God N’s entrance.

Everyone instinctively stood up, craning their necks, their eyes fixated on the stage entrance.

The sound of heartbeats nearly drowned the background music.

However, under the spotlight, the figure appearing was not the authoritative elder everyone imagined.

But a little girl...