Chapter 131

Stella Valentine's fingers trembled slightly.

Her gaze locked onto the necktie, countless memories flashing through her mind.

"Stella?" Mr. Alistair's voice pulled her back to reality.

She took a sudden step back, her voice tight. "This tie..."

"What's wrong?" He sounded genuinely puzzled.

Under the moonlight, the blue-gray patterned tie stood out starkly. Stella remembered it vividly—six years ago, she had tied it around Adrian Roland's neck with her own hands.

"Who are you?" she demanded sharply.

Mr. Alistair fell silent for a moment before chuckling softly. "So you recognized it."

Her heart nearly stopped.

"My assistant bought it," he said calmly. "He thought it suited me."

"Which assistant?"

"Charlie, the driver who often picks you up."

Stella stared intently at his silhouette. The moonlight outlined his sharp profile, but his expression remained unreadable.

"This tie..." she said hoarsely, "was a limited edition six years ago."

He seemed momentarily taken aback. "Really? I don’t pay much attention to these things."

Suddenly, Stella found it absurd. How could she suspect Mr. Alistair was Adrian? That man was probably with Lily Savigny right now—why would he be her gentle, caring Mr. Alistair?

"I'm sorry," she rubbed her temples. "I'm being oversensitive."

He stepped closer, gently taking her hand. "Because it resembles Adrian's?"

She nodded.

"Stella," his thumb brushed over her knuckles, "I'm not him."

His words were like a sedative. Stella exhaled deeply, watching as he untied the tie and tossed it aside.

"I won't wear it again," he said.

She forced a smile. "Actually... I gave it to him as a birthday gift."

His movements stilled.

"Forget it. It's all in the past." She shook her head. "Everything will be over in thirty days."

Mr. Alistair pulled her into his arms, pressing a kiss to her hair. "Sleep now."

"You're resigning?" Quentin Roland nearly dropped his coffee cup.

Stella neatly stacked her design drafts on the desk. "Personal reasons."

"Victor is returning next week!" Quentin wrung his hands anxiously. "Is it about the salary? We can negotiate!"

"It's not the company." She smiled. "The designs are all completed."

After a long pause, Quentin lowered his voice. "Did Unique Jewelry poach you?"

She laughed. "It really is a family matter."

Seeing her resolve, he sighed. "Then... should we keep the position open for you?"

"No need." She shook her head. "If fate allows, we'll meet again."

After packing her desk, she checked the time. It was time to pick up the kids.

Edward Roland's call came right on cue. "Stella, I’ll have the driver—"

"No, Grandpa." She cut him off. "I'll take a taxi."

Hanging up, she gazed out the window absently. Ever since discovering that tie, an inexplicable unease had settled in her chest.

At the Roland estate, Edward was already waiting.

"Mommy, who's that?" Ethan looked up curiously.

"Your father's grandfather," she answered softly.

Luna babbled in her arms as Benjamin Langley approached with red-rimmed eyes. "Miss Stella..."

"Benjamin." She handed the baby to him. "Luna missed you."

The old man cradled the child, tears streaming down his face. "It's all my fault..."

"It wasn’t your doing," she reassured gently.

Edward walked over slowly, his eyes lingering on Ethan's face. "So alike... just like him..."

Instinctively, Stella pulled her son closer.

"Stella," Edward sighed, "Adrian, he—"

"Grandpa," she interrupted, "let’s just focus on the children today, okay?"

He hesitated but finally nodded. The setting sun stretched their shadows long across the ground. None of them noticed the silent figure watching from the second-floor window.