Chapter 262

Stella instinctively shook her head.

"I'm swamped with work and taking care of the kids. Celeste needs me too..."

"Don't say no yet!" Joy tugged her arm excitedly.

"These bachelors are all elites. Maybe they can help Celeste?"

Stella frowned.

"That would be using them."

"It's called resource integration!" Joy whispered conspiratorially, pulling out her phone.

"Look at Dr. Melford. Specializes in liver diseases. I did my research."

The man in the photo appeared mid-thirties, wearing a simple white tee and jeans. His warm smile radiated quiet confidence without any flashy luxury items.

What made Stella's breath catch—

Those smiling eyes resembled someone from her memories.

"Looks like Adrian, doesn't he?" Joy leaned in.

"Mr. Alistair is his twin, and this doctor has similar features too."

Stella's fingers trembled slightly. The gentle gaze did mirror Mr. Alistair's.

"He's from Houston?"

"Grew up in an orphanage. No family." Joy suddenly turned serious.

"Stella, I owe you so much."

"Don't be ridiculous."

"If Mr. Alistair hadn't invested, my family's company would've gone bankrupt." Joy's eyes reddened.

"And Celeste..."

At Harry's mention, both women fell silent.

"Just trust me this once?" Joy grasped her hand.

"Consider it another option for Celeste."

Stella sighed. She couldn't fully rely on Mr. Xavier's treatment...

"One episode only."

"Deal!" Joy cheered.

"I'll pick you up Saturday!"

A knock interrupted them. An intern entered with coffee.

"Ms. Valentine, about the company..."

Stella noticed his badge.

"From the design department?"

"I'm the only one left." He smiled wryly.

"Everyone else quit. I'm here to learn from you."

Joy nibbled a cookie teasingly.

"Another admirer! Victor fell for your designs too."

Casually, Stella asked,

"Did he get caught in the rain last night?"

Joy's eyes sparkled.

"You were together?"

"Not what you think..."

"Wouldn't it be perfect to be sisters-in-law?"

Stella massaged her temples.

"Adrian drove me home."

"That bastard?!" Joy exploded.

"Stella, wake up! Mr. Alistair treats you right, not that scumbag! Twins or not, they're completely different!"

Twilight deepened as city lights flickered to life.

I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the glittering skyline. My exhausted reflection stared back from the glass, dark circles shadowing my eyes.

My phone vibrated on the desk.

"Ms. Lin, the documents you requested have been sent to your email," my assistant's voice came through the receiver.

I massaged my temples. "Thank you."

After hanging up, I opened the email. Rows of alarming red warnings marked the spreadsheets and charts.

The company's cash flow was collapsing faster than anticipated.

My fingers tapped the desk absently as I stared at the screen. Neon lights outside cast shifting shadows across my face.

The office door swung open without warning.

"Working late again?"

That familiar voice made my head snap up. Lucian stood in the doorway, his suit jacket draped over one arm, tie slightly loosened.

"What are you doing here?" I instinctively closed my laptop.

He stepped closer, the faint scent of ambergris lingering around him. "Heard you've been busy lately."

I forced a smile. "Just some company matters."

His dark eyes studied my face. "Need help?"

"No." I shook my head. "I can handle it."

After a pause, he suddenly reached out, brushing his fingertips beneath my eye. "You've lost weight."

The warmth of his touch sent a tremor through me.

"I'm taking you home." He grabbed my purse before I could protest.

We stood side by side in the elevator. Our reflections looked perfectly matched in the mirrored walls, yet an invisible barrier remained between us.

"I know about Lin Corporation's situation," he said abruptly.

My body tensed.

"I could—"

"No." I cut him off. "This is my problem."

The elevator doors slid open at the lobby.

Lucian seized my wrist. "Must you always be this stubborn?"

I wrenched free. "Mr. Lu, mind your manners."

His expression darkened in the dim light.

"Fine." He took a step back. "I'll wait for you to come to me."

I turned and walked into the night, my heels clicking against the cold pavement like knives stabbing with each step.

An engine roared behind me. A black sedan sped past, its taillights disappearing into the distance.

I stopped, fists clenched, watching it go.

My phone buzzed again.

An unknown number flashed on the screen:

"Ms. Lin, we need to talk about your father."