Chapter 110

Stella Valentine's eyes widened. "Impossible!"

She absently twisted the ring on her finger. "I've noticed for a while. Julian Valois has these subtle pauses when he speaks—Mr. Alistair never does. And Mr. Alistair wears sandalwood cologne, while Julian always smells of mint."

Joy Fairsprene tugged at her hair. "Then who could it be?"

"It doesn't matter anymore." Stella leaned back as sunlight dappled her lashes through the car window. "He has his reasons."

"You're just going to stay with someone whose identity you don't even know?"

Watching the blurring landscape outside, Stella murmured, "Not knowing is better. No expectations mean no disappointments. I used up all my courage on Adrian Roland. I can't survive another heartbreak."

Joy blinked in confusion. "Stella, I don't understand."

A soft chuckle escaped Stella's lips. "Good."

Joy suddenly slapped the steering wheel. "Oh! Chanel's new floral sundress would look perfect on you!"

Stella's fingers twitched.

Floral prints.

Adrian's favorite style for her.

"We're here!" Joy practically dragged her into the boutique, pointing at a lavender sundress on the mannequin. "That one!"

The dress resembled a cloud plucked from a lavender field.

After six years in trousers, the fabric felt foreign yet familiar against Stella's skin.

"Stella?" Joy knocked on the fitting room door.

Her cheeks burned. "Get me an L."

The door opened. Joy gasped. "Oh my—" Her gaze locked onto Stella's chest. "That's...too..."

The M-size dress strained across her bust, the lace trim accentuating every curve.

A commotion erupted from the next fitting room.

"Must you be so difficult?" A woman's petulant voice carried through. "You promised to tell me the truth if I went shopping with you."

A man's voice, thick with irritation: "Lily Savigny, enough."

"What, did you have patience when stargazing with Stella Valentine?" The woman's tone turned shrill. "Only I know the truth about your parents' accident!"

Stella froze.

BANG!

Joy kicked the partition hard. Lily's shriek pierced the air.

"Keep it down in public!" Joy swiftly wedged a sofa against the neighboring door and yelled, "Everyone! The New Frontier Group CEO's cheating in a fitting room!"

She dialed her phone. "City Hotline? There's breaking news at Chanel—"

Lily pounded on the door. "Joy Fairsprene, have you lost your mind?"

Perched on the sofa like a smug cat, Joy crossed her legs. "Reporters will be here soon. Take your time."