They arrived at an upscale restaurant. Hey turned to Ste and asked, “What would you like to order!”

Ste replied softly, “I’m sorry, I don’t have much of an appetite. Please go ahead and eat, r’il just keep youpany

Henry understood her situation. His eyes softened with concern. “It’s alright,” he said gently. “Take your time. Once you’re feeling better, fit treat you to anything you want.”

Ste had been through so much that she wasn’t easily moved anymore.

Henry ordered a few dishes and ate across from her, asionally ncing up at her with a gentle smile.

Ste didn’t check her phone or look at him. She simply sat there, lost in thought.

Once Henry finished hisst bite, he set his fork down and looked at her. “Is there anywhere you’d like to go? Maybe a movie or an amusement park?”

Before he could say more, Ste interrupted, “Mr. Bass, may I speak with you for ba /bmoment!”

“Of course,” Henry replied, his tone calm.

Ste hesitated for a moment before saying, “I’ll marry you, but there are conditions.”

Henry nodded. “I know. Your father has already bdiscussed /bit with me. He has agreed to give your family 20% of thepany’s shares, which seems

reasonable to me.”

He continued, “fou’re about to be my wife. How they treat you will reflect how they treat me. I won’t tolerate any disrespect toward you in your family.”

Ste interrupted him again. “No, I mean conditions about us.”

Henry paused, slightly taken aback, but then he smiled softly. “Alright, I’m listening”

Ste said, “I don’t mind getting marriedb, /bbut I’d like to keep it private. We can sign the papers and have ba /bquiet dinner with our families. People will find out eventually, especially given my situation.”

Henry smiled warmly. “I understand, Ste I’m really touched that you’re considering me. Honestly, I never cared about the public bside /bof things since chose you.”

Ste pausedb, /bsurprised by his answer. She had meant to say she didn’t want to be the bsubject /bof gossip, but seeing t didn’t correct him.

that he misunderstood, the

Instead, she said, “Also, bsince /byou’re investing in theirpany, I want you to bask /bfor an extra five percent of the shares for me|

Henry paused thoughtfullyb, /bbas /bif something had just clicked. “Ste, people always say you’re smart, and they’re right. You’re thinking babout /bour future, aren’t you? Alright, I’ll talk to your family about it.”

“And then my condition… Ste didn’t bspell /bit out, but she trusted he’d understand.

“I know,” Henry said with a reassuring smile. “I’ll take bcare /bof you for a while and help you recoverb. /bIf you want to study during this time, you can bdo /bit here at home. I’ll arrange for tutors toe and teach byou/bb./bb” /b

“Thank you,” Ste bsaid/b.

said gently. “You’re wee. Anything elseb?/bb” /b

Henry smiled and said

Ste shook her bhead/b, signaling that there was nothing more to bsay/bb. /b

b1/3 /b

Chapter b31 /b

These bare /bball /bsimple requests. I can easily take care of them, Henry added,

bSte /bbreminded /bhim, “I’ve been out long enough. I should get going now.”

Henry stood up and offered, “Let me drive you home.”

Ste shook her head. “No need. I can go back on my own.”

“Alright.” Henry replied. “I start making the arrangements and bring you home as soon as I can.”

Ste looked bat /bhim as if she wanted to say something more, but in the end, she remained silent and walked away.

The moment Ste stepped inside the house, she bheard /bEleanor’s voice. Concerned that something might be wrong with Eleanorb, /bSte hurried toward

her

“You heartless wretches!” Eleanor said. “Thepany is failing, and you’re selling Ste to Henty? Do you even realize how old he is? He’s lost two wives already, and now you bwant /bSte to be a stepmother? What bare /byou bthinking/bb? /bI won’t allow it!”

“Mom, pleaseb, /bjust listen to me,” Fiona pleaded. “Ste has already agreed to this, in fact, it was her idea. She wants to do something for this family. We couldn’t possibly turn her down, could we?”

“What? Ste proposed this herself?” Eleanor’s voice rose with disbelief. “Don’t try to fool me. Just because I’m old doesn’t mean I’m sene. Do you think

fall for that? Absolutely notb!/b”

“Mom, we’re not lying to you, Fiona insisted, flustered, “And if you bdon’t /bbelieve us…b” /bShe suddenly noticed Ste standing there and pulled her over. “Tell your bgrandmother /byourself Wasn’t it your idea to marry him?”

Fiona and Andrew were shooting warning nces at Ste, silently signaling her not to talk nonsense.

Eleanor was visibly unwell, sustained only by sheer willpower

Extending a trembling hand, Eleanor said, “Ste,e here and tell me the truth, if they’ve forced you into this, you must tell me. Even if it costs me my life, I won’t let them make you marry.”

Ste had nned to tell Eleanor the truth herself when she returned. She knew the truth couldn’t stay hidden for long

But before Ste had a chance, they’d already spilled the beans. She was angry at them for that.

Right now, though, herp priority was reassuring Eleanor. “You guys go out for a bit, Ste said firmly, bturning /bto the others. “I need to talk to Grandma

aloneb./bb” /b

Max was hesitant to leave, but Andrew and Fions pushed him out of bthe /broom.

As the door closed. K Max shot Ste a warning re, silentlymanding her to screw things up

—–

The door clicked shut, and Eleanor grasped Ste’s hand. “Steb, /btell me. Did they force you into this? I don’t believe ba /bword they said!”

Ste crouched down in front of Eleanor, whose eyes widened in surprise. “Grandma,” she said softly, “I know how much you bcare /babout meb, /band you’re afraid the family will mistreat me again now bthat /bI’m back. But this time, it’s different.”

“Grandma, you know my situation. Even though the doctors confirmed nothing happened during that incident, no one would believe it

“bSince /bbI /bgot back, I never thought

ht I’d get married or fall in love again. bBut /bHenry treats me so well. He’s a bit older, and his situation isn’t perfect. I know you probably think I’m settling by marrying him.

b10:09 /bWed, 30 Jul GO

“But Grandma, won’t your biggest concern be my marriage? I may still be young and could wait a few more years, but this opportunity has, I want to give it a try.”

“Get up bquickly/b,” Eleanor whispered, extending a trembling hand.

Seeing her grandmother’s frailty, Ste rose to her feet.

Eleanor pulled her into a tight embrace. “My dear, is this all for me, isn’t it? If you don’t love him, then please, don’t marry him.

“I know

w your situation, but I still believe the right person wille along someday. Please, won’t you reconsider?”

Ste smiled gently and replied, “I’ve already thought this through. Look at this dress, Doesn’t it look better than my own dresses? And these hair extensions. Don’t they suit me perfectly?”

Eleanor had noticed how much more bradiant /bSte seemed since entering the room. “You’re truly beautiful,” she said tenderly

Ste exined, “Henry bought all these for me. He treated me to dinner btoday/b. And when Troy tried to harass me, Henry stepped in and protected ma

“Troy has gone too far. I’m going to confront his grandmother right now!” Eleanor bhad /bonce been a woman of significant standing in theirmunity. Troy’s grandmother was nothing inparison. But as she attempted to brise/bb, /bher strength failed her.

Ste quickly steadied Eleanor “Grandma, please lie down. Henry has already bhandled /bit. Even if his kindness is temporary, make sure he always treats me well. Trust me.”

“But…” Eleanor’s voice wavered. She just couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

“Don’t worry, Grandma. I know exactly what I want,” Ste said.

Eleanor reached out, gently caressing Ste’s cheek, tears streaming down her face. “You had such a bright future ahead of you, my dear, and now, because of everything that happened, it has been so unfair to you.”