novelxo Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Stella’s steps faltered when she heard Brian saying. “That’s none of your business.”
“How is it none of my business? This is a huge deal for you. Brian, you’re already 30 years old. You know my condition. I’m not getting any younger.
“My only wish is to see you gain an heir. When the time comes, your position in the company will be stable. And once I’m gone, the child will be able to accompany you.”
Brian didn’t say a word in response to her nagging. Instead, he walked away and entered his room.
Sharon felt frustrated in the face of his silent dismissal
Nonetheless, her face immediately twisted into a scowl the second she caught sight of Stella. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Not that long.” Stella replied.
Sharon sniffed haughtily before saying, ‘Brian has always been aloof, Since he won’t take any initiative, you should be more proactive. You’re already married. There’s no reason why a married couple should be so restrained toward one another.”
“Be pliant and cater to his wishes, show him that he’s the man of the house. Men always like women like that.”
Sharon loved ordering her to seduce Brian. That was because she assumed that as long as the two shared a bed more often, coupled with the drugs, they would eventually bear her a grandchild.
So, Stella hastily explained, “Brian’s always flying here and there due to his work. I don’t exactly have many chances to win him over.”
“Isn’t he here now?” Sharon shot her a look before muttering, “I’ve been telling him to cut down on
meeting with his business associates recently. You two had better get it on
Then, Sharon flounced off to continue brewing her herbal medicine.
Meanwhile, Stella turned a shade greener upon remembering those medicines that were practically
shoved down her throat.
Nonetheless, she quickly shook off her disgust as she wasn’t interested in giving Brian children any longer.
So what if Sharon keeps brewing those concoctions? It wasn’t as if Stella was going to drink any of it now.
When she entered the bedroom, she heard water splashing against the ground from the bathroom, Brian
was taking a shower.
Stella was bored out of mind. So, she flopped on the bed and decided to browse the TV channels.
She didn’t expect to see Yoel being interviewed.
He was wearing a dark–colored suit as he sat on the couch elegantly. His voice was smooth and strangely.
sexy.
Stella couldn’t help but think, “A big shot like him is always on TV. He’s eloquent and sophisticated. So, he wouldn’t be some scammer, right?”
Stella felt the urge to collaborate with him.
She dearly wanted to succeed in life.
She wanted to shout at the rooftops that she, Stella Yates, was capable of living all on her own. She wasn’t just a girl who was under Brian’s protection, leeching off him.
She was so immersed in her thoughts that she didn’t see Brian, who was wearing a white bathrobe, approaching her and switching off the TV.
Stella instinctively looked over and was graced with his Adonis–like figure, especially the deep V
accentuating his firm muscles…
She felt her breath catch as she rushed to look away. I was watching that. Why did you turn it off?”
Brian was looking down his nose at her. The expression on his face was far from pleasant. “Were watching the TV or were you using this chance to stare at Yoel?”
“I just happened to catch his interview.” Stella couldn’t look at him when he was in such a state of undress. It was just too much for her. So, she turned to look at the scenery outside the window.
From Brian’s perspective, her reactions merely painted her as a guilty woman.
you
He sat next to her as he gripped her chin with his slender fingers and forcefully turned her head so she would face him. “Have you fallen for him?”
“What’s it to you?”
“Don’t you forget that you got your ass handed to you yesterday all because of him.”
“Carrie was the one raising hell. How’s that got to do with him?”
Brian’s grip on her chin tightened as he growled dangerously, “You’re being so protective. Why? Are you planning to cheat on me?”
Stella scrunched her brows due to the pain and mocked, “Oh, please. You can have your mistress while me getting to know someone new is akin to cheating on you? Brian, talk about double standards.”
They were only acquaintances?
Brian’s thunderous expression abated slightly upon hearing her retort. “I’m just warning you to watch yourself. You’re unworthy of him.”
“How am I unworthy?”
Brian swiveled his head to look at her. His deep–set features were covered with a layer of frost as he snarked, “Your family is bankrupt. You have nothing to your name. Who are you even worthy of?”
That was a considerable blow to her pride.
Yet, she had no choice but to admit that he was right.
She was unworthy of both Brian and Yoel. Nevertheless, Stella had never wanted any of them. She just wanted to live her life on her own terms and chase her dreams.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Brian piped up in the face of her silence.
Stella pursed her lips and answered, “There’s nothing left to say. All of you are my betters. I’m nothing but an ant. I’m unworthy of any of you.”
She rose to her feet and decided to take a stroll in the courtyard.
Alas, she saw Sharon approaching her with a bowl of herbal concoction just as she opened the door.” Stella, it’s ready. Drink it while it’s still warm.”
Frankly, Stella was one bowl away from throwing up.
Sadly, she couldn’t back out of drinking it because Sharon’s beady eyes were staring right at her. So, she brought the black and thick concoction into the room.
“Stella, I’ll watch you drink it,” said Sharon, who was standing by the door.
Stella paused momentarily as she lamented her fate. She was just about to chug it down her throat when the frowning Brian took the bowl away from her and dumped it into the trash can.
Sharon was stunned as she looked at Brian. ‘Brian, what are you doing? I spent hours slaving over the stove to brew that!”
Brian shrugged on a shirt and said dispassionately, “She’s been drinking it for months and it’s not working. Clearly, there’s something wrong with it.”
“She should stop having it entirely. We don’t want her body to fail us before she gets pregnant.”
Sharon couldn’t help but find his assertion logical. Stella had been drinking it for three months to no avail.
She hummed before reluctantly saying, “I suppose you’re right. I’ll speak to the doctor about this
tomorrow.”
“You should retire for the night.” Brian then instructed the servants to tend to Sharon.
Sharon left with a gaggle of servants, putting a decisive stop to the herbal medicine buffoonery.
Stella sat on the bed as her mind wandered, “Sharon’s like a dog with a bone when it comes to grandchildren. God, I’m never coming to this room after this.”
As the silence dragged on, Brian had already dressed Himself. He had a deep liking for suits. So, he would wear them daily.
This time, he had paired his suit with a trench coat. Since he was tall, the coat only highlighted his long
legs.
“You’re leaving?” Stella Inquired. He was dressed to the nines. Was he meeting up with Jessica?
“Are you coming?” Brian asked casually.
“Where to?” She wasn’t going to bother if Jessica was going to be there,
“Joseph invited me for a drink. I’m just going over to meet him.”
Stella blinked at him. It seemed that he wasn’t going on a date. Thus, she jerked to her feet and said, “I’m coming along.”
The Foley residence was a place she dreaded the most. There was no way she was going to stay a second longer in this dreary place. She feared that if she did, Sharon might start getting on her case yet again.
Brian took her hand and pulled her along.
Stella couldn’t help but find his behavior bizarre. Once they stepped foot in the elevator, she turned to look at him with a curious glint in her eyes. Why was he holding her hand?
Brian could feel her eyes on him as he said, “Why are you looking at me?”
“It’s nothing.” Stella looked away. He probably did it out of reflex.
Brian immediately got a call the second they got into the car. The entire conversation was spoken in a foreign language.
Stella sat right next to him and listened to his calm voice. She would occasionally spare him a glance from time to time.
He was outstanding. He was utterly unlike those rich scions in their circle. If anything, he was constantly busy with his work and was never one to fall for his vices.
It was just that he didn’t love her.
The two finally arrived at Blue Moon after 30 minutes.
Brian’s friends were all waiting for him in a private room. Still, they were surprised to see him bringing Stella along.
“Who is she? Is she your new girlfriend, Brian? She’s quite the looker,” commented one of the men in the room. It was obvious he wasn’t in the loop.
It was no wonder he reacted that way because Brian and Stella had gotten married secretly. So, barely anyone had ever seen her.