Chapter 234

Victor kept his motorcycle at a restrained speed.

With two children riding behind him, he deliberately slowed down to maintain a smooth ride.

The bike came to a gentle stop in front of Houston Grand Hotel.

Ethan, seated at the front, gripped the handlebars with tiny hands, his eyes sparkling. "This is so cool!"

Luna bounced excitedly on the back seat, squealing in her baby voice, "Cool bike!"

Stella couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm.

Mr. Alistair owned an identical model.

The realization that her children loved this bike just as much warmed her heart.

Even the shattered pieces of her heart, broken by Adrian's cruelty earlier, felt momentarily soothed by this warmth.

Victor removed his helmet and shook out his hair. "I've never ridden this slow in my life. Felt like crawling."

"Thank you for bringing us back."

"Don't thank me." He flashed a roguish grin. "I just wanted to piss off Adrian. Giving you a ride was a bonus."

Stella lowered her lashes. "I see."

"Hey, you actually believed that?" Victor looked exasperated. "You think I'd go all the way out there just to annoy him? That place was in the middle of nowhere."

She pressed her lips together.

The villa had indeed been remote.

So remote it lacked surveillance cameras, forcing Mr. Alistair to go to great lengths to gather evidence against Lily.

Victor's tone turned serious. "Seeing that place today... I can't believe you lived there for four years. I don't know whether to admire your strength or call you foolish."

Stella hesitated before speaking softly. "Victor, could I trouble you for a moment?"

"What is it?"

"Yes." She nodded. "Let me take the children upstairs first. Would you wait for me?"

He raised an eyebrow. "A private chat?"

"Not like that." Her gaze lingered on the black motorcycle. "I just... want to know more about this bike."

Victor studied her thoughtfully before nodding. "Alright. I know a thing or two about bikes. My afternoon's free anyway."

"Thank you."

After entrusting the children to Grace, Stella nearly sprinted to the elevator.

When it didn't arrive, she pivoted and dashed down the emergency staircase, taking the steps two at a time.

By the time she reached the hotel entrance, beads of sweat dotted her forehead.

Victor leaned against his bike, surprised. "No need to rush. I said I'd wait."

Stella reached out, her fingers tracing the bike's contours.

"Didn't peg you for a fan of heavy bikes." Victor pulled out his phone. "Let me introduce you. This is MV Agusta's latest Brutale 1000RR limited edition..."

He launched into a technical monologue about carbon fiber construction, 208 horsepower, and semi-dry sump design.

"Got all that?" He looked at her expectantly after his spiel.

"What?" She blinked.

His eyes widened. "You didn't hear a word I just said?"

"Sorry. Those specs mean nothing to me."

"Figures." He shrugged. "Women usually just care about looks. But does this really match your taste?"

Her fingers glided along the frame until they reached the handlebars. "Victor, could you ride this one-handed?"

"Depends on the speed."

"Very fast. Fast enough that the wind would sting your eyes."

"Impossible." He shook his head. "This beast is hard enough to control with both hands. One-handed? That's suicidal. I'm not ready to die young."

Stella met his gaze. "So you can't do it?"

"Hey!" His ears turned pink. "I'm saying it requires insane arm and core strength. No normal person could manage it!"

"I see."

"But I could take you for a real speed demon ride." His eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "Let you feel true adrenaline."

Stella recoiled, her face paling. "No! Absolutely not!"

"Stella." Victor narrowed his eyes. "You're acting strange today. What does this bike remind you of?"

She took a deep breath. "Victor, could you teach me to ride?"

"Sure." He crossed his arms. "But first tell me why this bike has you so distracted."

......

The villa felt oppressively empty.

Adrian rarely came here—only on the night Luna was conceived, and when Martha died.

After Stella left, he couldn't bring himself to return.

Not that he didn't want to. He didn't dare.

Every inch of this place still carried her essence.

"Back so soon?"

The voice from the darkness made him jump.

Mr. Xavier sat in his wheelchair, shrouded in shadows by the curtained window. Despite the bright sunlight outside, the heavy drapes blocked every ray.

"Uncle Xavier? What are you doing here?"

"That's my question." The older man tapped his cane. "With work piling up at the office, you said you were visiting your parents' graves."

"I..." Adrian faltered. "Just wanted to check on the place."

"Adrian, I heard everything at the door."

"......"

"Remember what I told you?" The cane struck the floor sharply. "Women are never to be trusted! Stella claimed to love you, then threw herself into another man's arms. In mere months, she discarded over a decade of feelings. After three years, her heart still belongs to that man. You mean nothing to her!"

"Uncle Xavier!" Adrian growled. "I know!"

"I'm trying to save you from repeating mistakes!" Xavier sighed. "What's so special about her? Without her, you were exceptional. Why does her presence always derail you?"