Chapter 332

The number of guests had more than doubled beyond expectations.

Stella Valentine navigated through the crowd, finally spotting Joy Fairsprene and Julian Valois in a corner of the banquet hall.

"No! Absolutely not!" Joy stomped her foot angrily. "Stella just escaped that marriage, and now you want her to jump back into the fire?"

Julian opened his mouth to speak but fell silent when he noticed Stella approaching from the corner of his eye.

"Miss Valentine." He gave a slight nod.

Stella returned the gesture. "Thank you for stepping in earlier, Mr. Valois."

"Why thank him?" Joy grabbed Stella's wrist. "He actually wants you to get back together with Adrian!"

Julian rubbed his temples. "I merely suggested giving each other a chance to reconnect."

"That won't be necessary." Stella's smile was distant. "As Mr. Alistair's friend and the only one who knows everything, why would you suddenly make such a suggestion? Was it his idea?"

"No." Julian shook his head. "He never mentioned it."

"So it was your own suggestion?"

"...I just want good people to find happiness."

Stella let out a soft laugh. "My future is mine to decide."

After a moment of silence, Julian finally nodded. "I understand."

"Right now, I only want to care for my children, complete Celeste's surgery, and run my company well." Stella gazed out the window. "The memories Mr. Alistair left me will warm the rest of my days."

Julian's expression turned complicated. "Keeping secrets is truly agonizing."

"About Mr. Alistair's secret?"

"...Yes."

"I'll listen whenever you're ready to share. If you choose not to, I won't press you."

Julian smiled bitterly. "Let me think about it a little longer."

"What kind of riddle are you two talking about?" Joy tugged impatiently at Stella. "Come on, let's talk privately."

Joy briskly pulled her upstairs.

"Which one is your bedroom?"

"This one."

Joy pushed the door open, then gasped at the sight inside. "Oh my god! Stella, since when did you become so... open?!"

Stella followed her gaze—

A navy blue tie draped casually over the headboard. Several men's dress shirts lay scattered at the foot of the bed.

"These aren't..." Stella walked over and began folding the clothes neatly.

Joy's eyes widened. "You brought Dr. Melford back to the Roland estate overnight? That's wild!"

"Don't be ridiculous." Stella frowned. "Dr. Melford and I have a purely professional relationship."

"Then whose are these?"

"...Adrian's."

"What?!" Joy grabbed her shoulders. "Have you lost your mind? You let Adrian into your bedroom?!"

Stella swayed dizzily from the shaking. "Wait... let go first..."

Joy immediately released her. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Stella rubbed her temples. "Just a little lightheaded."

"Then did you hear what I said?"

"Yes."

"You have to be careful around him!"

"This is his bedroom. How exactly should I be careful?"

Joy's voice rose an octave. "You... you're sharing a bed with him?!"

Footsteps sounded in the hallway, and Stella motioned for silence.

Joy lowered her voice urgently. "What's really going on? You're not using Adrian as a substitute for Mr. Alistair, are you?"

"I'm not..."

"Then why move into the Roland estate? And share a room with him?"

It took Stella nearly an hour to explain everything.

When she finished, Joy looked stunned. "So... Adrian knows things only Mr. Alistair would know?"

"The crabapple blossoms at Mount Rainier. The stars at the summit. Those were private memories between Mr. Alistair and me."

"Could Mr. Alistair have told him before...?"

Stella shook her head. "Impossible. We went straight from Mount Rainier to the airport that day. There was no time to tell anyone."

"This is too bizarre..." Joy ran a hand through her hair. "Twin telepathy?"

"Even the psychologist couldn't explain it."

"So you're living with him, being so close... for Grandpa Edward?"

Stella nodded. "Grandpa Edward doesn't have much time left. I want to give him peace."

"I see." Joy suddenly frowned. "Wait, how did you know Adrian and I were in the backyard—"

"The whole party is talking about it!" Joy rolled her eyes. "They're saying CEO Roland is terrified of his wife—that you bit his neck bloody and he didn't dare make a sound..."