Chapter 150

"Mr. Alistair?"

Adrian Roland snapped back to attention. "I'm here."

Stella Valentine's voice carried a hint of amusement. "Why did you go quiet? Are you busy with work?"

"It's nothing," Adrian replied softly, his tone warm. "Stella, could you return to the hospital room soon? I worry when I can't see you."

She gave a gentle affirmation. "I'll head back now."

"Good girl."

The moment the call ended, Joy Fairsprene mimicked his tone with exaggerated sweetness. "'Good girl~' Ugh, that's so saccharine it's giving me cavities..."

Stella's ears turned pink. "He's just concerned about me."

Joy widened her eyes dramatically. "Wow, that's even more intense than Julian! He never keeps tabs on me like that."

Stella explained, "Mr. Alistair has always struggled with security. It's different from Julian."

Joy nodded thoughtfully. "True. Losing both parents young, living with autism spectrum disorder... You're probably the only light in his life."

At the mention of his past, Stella's heart clenched.

She'd never imagined the man who always protected her with such tenderness had endured such loneliness.

"By the way," Joy suddenly asked, "what's his real name? We can't keep calling him 'Mr. Alistair' forever."

Stella shook her head. "He dislikes discussing it. Didn't Julian tell you?"

"Ugh!" Joy smacked her thigh in frustration. "I should've asked before dumping him! Going back now would be so embarrassing!"

Stella chuckled. "It's fine. He's just Mr. Alistair. That's enough."

"Guess so." Joy's expression turned serious. "Stella, promise me you'll be happy this time."

"I will."

Joy sighed. "You and Adrian were so sweet back then. Who would've thought..."

Stella lowered her lashes. "Some things just aren't meant to be."

"But fate seems determined to make you a Roland!" Joy suddenly perked up with gossip. "You must've been shocked seeing Mr. Alistair for the first time! Facing someone who looks exactly like Adrian every day..."

"No," Stella said firmly. "Mr. Alistair is Mr. Alistair."

Joy tilted her head. "Surely they share some similarities?"

"Not that I've noticed." Stella changed the subject. "What about you and Julian—"

"Over!" Joy tossed her hair breezily. "He's busy with family drama now. No time for me."

"Victor Valence?"

Joy blinked. "How'd you know? Did he complain to you?"

Stella nodded. "Eleanor visited the company."

"Ha!" Joy crowed with glee. "He's worse off than me! His mom set him up on a blind date that chased him abroad, and he brushed her off. Now Eleanor's forcing him to apologize in person. He completely lost it."

Understanding dawned on Stella.

No wonder Victor had been so desperate to recruit her as a fake girlfriend.

"Honestly," Joy said seriously, "if not for Mr. Alistair, you and Victor would make a good match."

Stella shook her head. "I have Mr. Alistair."

"Which makes Victor's situation even sadder~" Joy laughed. "Can't even find a pretend marriage partner!"

They returned to the hospital room laughing.

The driver was anxiously on the phone. "Sir, Miss Valentine is back... She appears well... Understood..."

Spotting Stella, he hurried over. "Miss Valentine, I had to retrieve the gifts Mr. Alistair prepared and couldn't accompany you—"

"Not your fault," Stella said gently. "I wanted to take a walk with Joy."

The driver hesitated. "He was very worried."

"I know."

Stella pulled out her phone: [Don't blame the driver. I wanted to stroll with Joy.]

Mr. Alistair replied instantly: [I'm not. Prepared gifts for your mother. Sorry I can't visit in person.]

[It's fine.]

[Wait a little longer. We'll go abroad soon. If your mother wishes, she can join us.]

[Okay.]

[Explain to her for me. When the time comes, I'll confess everything to her personally.]

Putting away her phone, she pushed open the hospital room door.

"Mommy!" Ethan Valentine flew into her arms like a sparrow. "Daddy sent so many presents for Grandma!"

Grace Laurent stared at the lavish gifts filling the room. "Stella... this person you mentioned... He's real?"

"Of course." Stella smiled.

"Is he... young?" Grace asked uncertainly.

Stella suppressed a laugh. "Thirty. That still counts as young, right?"