Chapter 173

The meeting ended as city lights began illuminating the night outside.

Stella Valentine stepped out of the company building, tilting her face toward the starry sky as she exhaled deeply.

Victor Lefèvre's restructuring had been more ruthless than she anticipated. Veteran employees who'd worked for her father for decades had been systematically purged under various pretexts. Only his handpicked "elites" remained.

Yet these so-called talents couldn't even handle basic operations. The company survived solely on the Valentine and Roland family fortunes. Any ordinary business would have collapsed by now.

Her phone vibrated with a message from Mr. Alistair: ["Done with work? Waiting at River of Your Heart."]

The familiar café name sent a tremor through her.

That hidden corner shop held too many memories. During exam seasons, Adrian Roland would tutor her there. The rich aroma of coffee blending with his clear explanations remained her most treasured fragment of youth.

In the distance, she spotted Mr. Alistair's tall silhouette under a streetlamp. Golden light elongated his shadow as he stared at the ground, lost in thought.

"Waiting long?" she asked softly.

He looked up, fingertips grazing her cheek. "Tired?"

"Manageable."

"Want a toffee hazelnut latte? I'll get it."

Stella abruptly gripped his arm. "Don't!"

"What's wrong?"

After scanning their surroundings, she hurriedly pulled him away. Only when they turned the corner did she stop, breathless. "The owner knows Adrian and me. You'd be recognized."

Mr. Alistair chuckled, drawing her into his embrace. "Breathe." His chest felt warm and solid against her, carrying faint traces of tobacco and cologne—an unexpectedly pleasant combination.

"Being mistaken for him wouldn't matter," he murmured, stroking her back. "Adrian likely won't return here."

Stella stiffened. Of course. Their story had ended long ago. These shared memory lanes probably meant nothing to him now.

"You handled today perfectly." His fingers tousled her hair. "Victor fears losses most. This debt crisis will make him voluntarily relinquish legal control."

"About Ethan today—"

"The little social butterfly thrived." Amusement danced in his eyes. "His teacher said he made a dozen friends already."

Stella suppressed a laugh. "He must've bragged about his superhero dad again."

"Which means I should quit smoking." He feigned seriousness. "Can't set a bad example."

A sudden worry gripped her. "Wasn't it risky picking him up from school? With Adrian and Lily Savigny's recent media coverage—"

"Stella." His index finger touched her lips. "Victor Valence was right. I can't lurk in shadows forever. As your man, I should stand beside you openly."

Her eyes grew moist. "But your identity—"

"Hiding terrifies me less than failing to protect you." His lips brushed hers. "You're becoming the old Stella again—eyes sparkling with starlight."

Her cheeks warmed. "Twenty-year-old me was naive. If I could redo it, I'd prioritize caring for Grace and earning enough for Ethan's treatments."

"But without Luna's cord blood, his surgery—"

"Then I'd imitate Lily." Mischief flickered in her gaze. "Drug Adrian, get pregnant, and disappear."

Mr. Alistair's low laugh vibrated against her. "Not a bad plan."

"If it were you," she lifted her face, "would you have come for me six years ago? Taken me away when I was most helpless?"

He gazed at the stars, voice barely audible. "If time could rewind... I'd hold you tight. No matter what, never let go."

"Would you have met me before Adrian did?"

"I'd replace him as your lifelong guardian."

Stella pressed her ear to his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. "I wish you'd appeared sooner."

"My second greatest regret," his arms tightened, "is not doing so."

"And the first?" she mumbled. "Not seeing Edward Roland before he passed?"

"Yes and no." His chin rested atop her head. "When we're abroad after this ends, I'll tell you."

In the darkness, he held her closer, his expression unreadable.

His life's deepest regret remained trusting Lily Savigny all those years ago.