Chapter 180

[Sir, you've been caught.]

[?]

[My mom saw you climbing through my window last night.]

[Mhm.]

[You knew?!]

[She almost called the police, thinking you were a burglar.]

[And then?]

[I said, "Good evening, Mrs. Laurent. I'm here to see Stella." She let me upstairs and told me to be careful.]

Stella Valentine facepalmed.

What kind of first meeting was this?

[My mom's too nice. Anyone else would've chased you out with a broom.]

[They wouldn't.]

[You sound like you know her well?]

[I told you—I know everything about you.]

[Even the order of paintings in our living room?]

[Is that difficult?]

[...Mr. Alistair, you're such a show-off.]

[Annoying?]

Stella gritted her teeth as she typed: [Show-off, as in Versailles!]

Her phone suddenly rang.

Mr. Alistair's voice carried confusion: "I just checked. My connection is definitely 5G."

Stella burst out laughing. "Sir, I've discovered your weakness."

"What?"

"You're completely clueless about internet slang." She counted on her fingers. "'Versailles' means you're flexing. '2G network' means you're outdated."

Silence stretched for a few seconds.

"...I don't pay attention to these trends."

"Now I'll have the upper hand in arguments."

"We won't argue." His voice deepened. "Besides... you already know my real weakness."

"Slow internet?"

"You."

......

Adrian Roland ended the call just as Charlie rushed in.

"Mr. Roland, Mr. Xavier sent messengers again."

"Report."

"Same old rhetoric—saying the entire business empire could be yours if you agree." Charlie lowered his voice. "He claims... you shouldn't sacrifice your future for a woman."

Adrian's fist clenched violently.

"What else?"

"That... he knows you plan to leave, but won't let you throw everything away."

The office temperature seemed to plummet.

"Double the security detail on Stella."

Charlie hesitated. "But if Mr. Xavier really makes a move—"

"I'll protect her myself." Adrian grabbed his jacket. "Once we settle the Shi family matters, we're leaving."

"Sir!" Charlie blurted. "Perhaps you should first—"

"No." Adrian's voice was steel. "I won't fail her again."

——

Shi's Jewelry boardroom.

Stella sat buried under stacks of files.

Victor Lefèvre's mess was worse than she'd imagined.

Millions in overdue gemstone orders. Impossible contracts. A wave of resignations crippling operations.

The most urgent? Unfinished designs with looming deadlines.

Penalty clauses hung over her like a guillotine.

She worked through the night reorganizing projects. Dawn light crept in as she finally looked up.

A cold breeze slipped through the window.

She moved to close it—then froze.

A black motorcycle idled below. Its rider hunched over the seat suddenly straightened, as if sensing her gaze.

In the morning glow, his lips formed her name: "Stella."

Mr. Alistair.

Stella didn't bother with a coat as she flew downstairs.

Today, he looked younger. A black tee outlined his shoulders. Fitted jeans emphasized long legs. For a heartbeat, she saw seventeen-year-old Adrian.

"Why not come up?"

"Didn't want to alarm your mother." He opened his arms. "Also... wanted you to see me on the bike."

She melted into his embrace, inhaling faint motor oil.

"You stayed here all night?"

"Someone once gave up motorcycle racing for you." His whisper brushed her ear. "I wanted to prove I ride better."