Chapter 122

Stella Valentine never expected to hear such words from Victor Valence.

Her fingers tightened around the design sketches, knuckles turning pale.

"Mr. Valence, have you been under too much stress lately?"

Victor leaned against the desk, long fingers tapping the surface. "I'm perfectly lucid. Stella, consider being with me."

"This is absurd."

"How so?" His eyebrow arched. "In terms of family background or career achievements, what makes me unworthy of you?"

She drew a deep breath. "Love isn't a transaction."

"But marriage can be." He stepped closer. "Given your current situation, you need strong backing."

Retreating half a step, her back met the cold wall.

A phone ring shattered the tension.

Victor glanced at the screen impatiently, his expression darkening when he saw the caller ID.

"What?!" His voice sharpened abruptly.

Stella seized the moment to create distance.

"Emergency meeting now!" He hung up, giving her a complicated look. "The company's stocks just crashed."

He strode toward the door but paused abruptly.

"This isn't over, Stella."

The conference room door slammed shut.

She exhaled in relief as her phone vibrated.

【Stay away from him】

Her fingers trembled. 【Did you do this?】

【Just the beginning】

Footsteps sounded behind her.

Stella whirled around, colliding with a familiar chest.

"Mr. Alistair!"

The man's slender fingers traced her lips. "Did he touch you?"

"No." She shook her head. "Why are you here?"

"To check on my little star." His voice lowered. "And warn certain overambitious individuals."

Enclosed in his arms, she felt the rise and fall of his chest.

"How's your recovery?" he suddenly asked.

Her ears burned. "The doctor said... I'm cleared."

A low chuckle warmed her ear. "Then tonight—"

"Wait!" She frantically stopped his wandering hands. "We're at the office!"

"So?" He deliberately leaned closer. "Makes it more exciting."

"Mr. Alistair!"

"Fine, I'll stop teasing you." Releasing her, his expression turned serious. "Promise me one thing, Stella."

"What?"

"Don't believe anything Victor says."

She froze. "Why?"

"Because..." His voice turned dangerous. "I'm jealous."

A searing kiss claimed her mouth.

Forced to arch backward, she surrendered to his possessive embrace.

Only when footsteps approached did he reluctantly release her.

"Tonight." He nipped her earlobe. "Remember to lock the door."

Legs weak, Stella watched him leave with effortless grace.

Her phone buzzed again.

【Remember what I said】

Touching her swollen lips, her heart raced like thunder.

......

"Stella, your mouth..."

The next morning, a colleague gave her a knowing look.

She instinctively covered her lips. "Just... a heat rash."

"Oh~" The colleague smirked. "Must be quite the fever."

Blushing, Stella escaped to her office.

Victor entered as she organized her designs.

"Sleep well last night?" His tone carried implication.

She didn't look up. "Perfectly, thank you."

"Really?" His冷笑. "Seems someone got there first."

Her head snapped up. "Mind your words, Mr. Valence."

"Stella," he leaned over her desk, "you actually think he cares for you?"

"That's none of your concern."

Straightening, he sneered. "You'll learn the truth soon enough."

The door slammed shut behind him, leaving icy silence.

Stella's grip tightened around her pen.

Her phone screen lit up.

【Don't listen to his lies】

She bit her lip. 【What are you hiding from me?】

No reply came.

Until dusk, when a new message appeared:

【Tonight, I'll tell you everything】