Chapter 335

"Master Adrian, Madam Stella, the guests are waiting for the cake-cutting ceremony!" Benjamin Langley's voice came from outside the door.

Luna Roland tiptoed and tapped lightly on the door with her small hand. "Mommy, Daddy, the cake smells so good!"

Celeste Roland chimed in with her sweet, childish voice. "And it has strawberries on top!"

The atmosphere inside the room froze instantly.

Joy Fairsprene was still reeling from shock, while Adrian Roland and Stella Valentine's carefully constructed facade of marital bliss shattered completely.

Adrian took a deep breath and extended his arm. "It's Grandfather Edward's birthday banquet. After this, I'll take you to see Uncle Xavier."

Stella's head snapped up.

"Mr. Alistair probably doesn't live there anymore," he said quietly. "You can ask him anything you want."

After a moment of silence, Stella finally looped her arm through his.

Outside, Luna tilted her head and asked Benjamin, "Grandpa Benjamin, are Mommy and Daddy asleep?"

"They're coming out now!" Benjamin suddenly announced.

The door opened, revealing the striking couple. The man stood tall like a pine tree, while the woman exuded gentle grace. The children stared in awe.

"Where's Ethan?" Adrian asked.

Benjamin chuckled. "Downstairs with the old master. He's introducing our little heir to all the guests."

Stella frowned. "He's only eight..."

"Master Adrian was analyzing financial statements at that age!" Benjamin said dismissively.

Stella opened her mouth to protest but suddenly blushed, remembering something. She had met Adrian when he was just fifteen or sixteen.

Celeste tugged at Luna's sleeve and whispered, "Sister, Mommy and Daddy are so pretty."

Luna pinched her sister's cheek. "You'll grow up to be just as pretty."

"Really?" Celeste's eyes sparkled. "But I don't look like them..."

"I didn't either when I was little," Luna said wisely, sounding like a miniature adult.

Adrian crouched down. "Want Daddy to carry you?"

Celeste blinked. "Can't you carry both me and Sister?"

"Sorry, sweetheart," Adrian said gently. "Daddy needs one hand to hold Mommy."

Celeste immediately turned to Stella. "Then I want Mommy to carry me!"

Stella hesitated, concerned about Adrian's injured hand, but he had already scooped Luna up effortlessly with one arm. The little girl gasped and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Mommy can't carry both of us," Celeste said sensibly.

Reluctantly, Stella released Adrian's arm and picked up her younger daughter.

"Daddy, hold Mommy's hand!" Luna wriggled in Adrian's arms.

Adrian glanced at Stella, noticing she was already struggling with Celeste's weight.

"Daddy can put his arm around Mommy's waist!" Celeste declared suddenly. "I saw lots of uncles and aunties doing that abroad!"

Stella nearly choked. "When did you see that?"

"From the window!" Celeste said innocently. "And some uncles and aunties were even—"

Stella clapped a hand over her daughter's mouth and hurried downstairs with her.

Adrian suppressed a laugh and followed. Benjamin called after them, "Madam Stella, slow down! What if you're—"

Stella quickened her pace.

When the family of five appeared at the top of the staircase, the banquet hall erupted in murmurs.

"Is...is that Mr. Roland's children?"

"That boy looks at least seven or eight!"

Adrian ignored the whispers and waved. "Ethan!"

The overwhelmed little boy immediately broke free from the crowd of guests and ran to them. Adrian wrapped an arm around his son and announced clearly, "This is my son Ethan, and my daughters Luna and Celeste. I hope you'll all look out for them in the future."