Chapter 291

Joy Fairsprene slumped on the couch, massaging her lower back with a pained expression. "Stella, I have to confess—Julian hasn't shown up at the office for three days."

Stella Valentine nearly dropped her coffee cup.

"That deer blood tonic is lethal! Ten times stronger than any drug!" Joy winced as she rubbed her sore back. "It's been a week, and I still feel like my spine's broken. I'm throwing that stuff away the moment I get home."

Stella exhaled in quiet relief.

"Wait." Joy suddenly sat upright, eyes narrowing. "How do you know about the tonic? Don't tell me that scoundrel Adrian—" She shot to her feet. "I'll break his legs! Ow—"

A sharp pain made her gasp. Stella quickly steadied her. "It wasn't him."

"Then who? Dr. Charles?"

"No one. I just asked casually."

Joy eyed her skeptically. "Whatever you do, stay away from that stuff. One glass turns you into a wild beast. Two glasses, and you're a raging dragon. Three—"

"What happens after three?"

Joy considered seriously. "If you're alone, you'd end up in the ER."

"What if someone resists the effects?"

"Are you joking?" Joy scoffed. "Even someone as disciplined as me couldn't handle it. No human alive could resist!"

Stella nodded thoughtfully.

Now she understood why Adrian had left abruptly last night.

He was afraid of losing control and hurting her.

Her chest tightened at the memory. She'd mistaken Adrian for Mr. Alistair—and his performance had been flawless.

Even she, who knew Mr. Alistair best, couldn't tell the difference.

Was it because she missed him too much? Or were the brothers truly that similar?

She bit her lip in frustration.

She'd vowed never to forget Mr. Alistair, yet she kept confusing others for him.

But... if the tonic was that potent, who had Adrian gone to after leaving last night?

Lily Savigny? Or someone else?

With his status, he could have any woman he wanted.

Buzz—

Her phone vibrated.

["Wet clothes cause colds. New outfit arriving soon."]

"Who's that?" Joy peered over. "Nobody texts like that except Mr. Alistair... Wait! This sounds exactly like him! Is it—"

Stella checked the number. "Adrian."

"Why's he copying Mr. Alistair's style?"

"Because—"

A knock interrupted them.

An assistant peeked in. "Ms. Valentine, a Miss Chen dropped this off."

A navy-blue box tied with white satin ribbon.

Inside lay a midnight-blue silk dress dotted with white floral patterns, like jasmine blooming against the night sky.

"Gorgeous!" Joy gasped. "Stella, this was made for you! Your friend has impeccable taste!"

"Yeah..."

"Wish it came yesterday. You'd have stunned everyone at the show!"

Another buzz.

["About the diamond bracelet order—check your email."]

She opened her laptop.

A single phrase filled the screen: Bait-and-Switch.

Stella's eyes lit up.

"What's that mean?" Joy frowned.

"Give me ten minutes."

Grabbing her sketchpad, Stella's charcoal flew across the paper. Lines took shape, shadows played—until an exquisite bracelet design emerged.

Joy gaped.

After photographing and sending it to the client, approval came instantly: Proceed with this.

"Done!" Stella exhaled.

"You're amazing!" Joy suddenly brightened. "Oh! I have great news!"

"What?"

"I found a liver donor for Dr. Charles' patient!"