Chapter 327

"Mr. Roland, long time no see!"

A grating voice interrupted them.

Stella Valentine looked up to see a man with an exaggerated pompadour approaching. He swayed slightly as he walked, clutching a garishly colored cocktail.

His face reminded her of a squashed horse—pale skin stretched over sharp cheekbones, dark circles under bloodshot eyes. The ill-fitting suit hung on his gaunt frame like a walking skeleton.

"And who is this lovely lady?" The man squinted at her, his murky pupils suddenly dilating.

Adrian Roland subtly shifted to shield her completely. "Mr. Zhang, your presence honors my father's birthday celebration."

Zhang Mingxuan bared yellowed teeth. "Heard your engagement was called off. Found a new plaything? Need introductions to some directors? We're casting for a big production..."

A wave of putrid breath accompanied his words.

Stella's stomach churned. She instinctively covered her nose.

"Mr. Zhang, you—" Adrian frowned, stepping back.

The man sniffed his sleeve hastily. "Ah, got carried away last night. Spilled lube all over myself."

"Lube?" Stella glanced at Adrian in confusion.

A flush crept up his neck. "I'll explain later."

Zhang leered. "How innocent. But a strong man like Mr. Roland wouldn't need—"

She felt Adrian's arm muscles tense instantly.

The banquet lasted until midnight.

After the last guests departed, Stella could barely stand. Her heels had rubbed raw blisters. Leaning against the wall, she inhaled sharply.

"Don't move."

Suddenly she was airborne. Adrian carried her through astonished stares toward the garden.

Moonlight illuminated a gently swaying swing.

Kneeling, he carefully removed her shoes. The alcohol swab stung her broken skin, but his warm fingertips sent tremors through her heart.

"You always..." His voice dropped. "Wore heels that didn't fit."

Memories flooded back—the boy who'd carried her through campus, always with star candies in his pocket, always keeping size 35 flats in his locker.

"Those were good days." She gazed at the stars.

When her father was alive. Before her mother fell ill. When he was still the boy who'd pluck stars from the sky for her.

"Little star." He looked up, moonlight reflecting in his eyes. "Can we—"

CRASH.

A flowerpot shattered nearby.

Adrian instantly shielded her. "Who's there?"

"Oops, my apologies..." Wang Youcai staggered from the shadows with a slimy smile. "Needed some air... didn't mean to interrupt..."

Stella's nails dug into her palms.

"Perhaps you don't know, Mr. Roland." Wang's voice turned venomous. "Your wife is quite... spirited. Last time she had some wild man beat me up. The way they clung together on that motorcycle..."