Chapter 376

"Let bygones be bygones." Stella Valentine sighed softly, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the rim of her coffee cup.

Adrian Roland's gaze lingered on her slightly trembling lashes. "You're braver than I imagined. The company wasn't your fault."

"But I couldn't even protect my father's business." She gave a bitter smile. "Mr. Xavier was right. I'm not cut out for the corporate world."

Suddenly, her eyes widened. "Wait! Mr. Xavier said he wanted an heir, not a romantic... So you were his choice from the beginning?"

Adrian nodded. "He needed an heir with no attachments."

"His legs..."

"Crushed in an accident orchestrated by the woman he loved most." Adrian's voice turned somber. "That's why he never trusts anyone."

"Then why does he trust you?"

After a pause, Adrian replied, "Perhaps because... with both parents gone, I pose no threat to him."

A phone ringtone shattered the moment.

Stella glanced at the unfamiliar number, lips quirking. "Another call for you?"

"My phone..." Adrian cleared his throat. "Got water damage."

"Water damage?" She arched an eyebrow.

"Answer it first." He averted his gaze.

Penny Anderson's frantic voice burst through the speaker: "Mrs. Roland! The boss has gone AWOL again!"

"Why did you change numbers?"

"I think he blocked me!" Penny whined. "All because of that overtime pay dispute..."

Stella stifled a laugh. "He has been a bit..."

"A bit?!" Penny lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Do you know how many floral sundresses he secretly bought? All in your size! And my handwriting—just because it resembles your calligraphic script..."

Stella's head snapped toward Adrian.

He mouthed in confusion: What's wrong?

Shaking her head, she continued listening as Penny spilled more secrets: "Last year, someone hung star lights in his office and got fired on the spot! Yet he'd stare at the stars all night..."

"Often?"

"Only improved after you returned." Penny suddenly hushed. "That Wendy Evans is thriving now, livestreaming daily using the boss's clout..."

Stella's fingers stilled. "Good for her."

"Good?!" Penny fumed. "She spread rumors about the boss cheating, playing the victim to gain followers..."

"Penny." Stella interrupted. "Let's have dinner this weekend."

"Really? Atlantis Seafood!"

"Deal."

"Can we... make it cash instead?" Penny's tone turned instantly sycophantic.

Stella chuckled. "No."

"Why not?!"

"Because..." She shot a glance at Adrian, who was pretending to review documents. "Someone needs to apologize in person."

Three seconds of silence preceded Penny's uproarious laughter: "Got it! Please come back soon, Mrs. Roland. Sure, the boss is icy, stingy, and workaholic... but he misses you terribly."

Hanging up, Stella met Adrian's questioning look.

"Penny mentioned..." She deliberately drew out the words. "Someone purchased three thousand floral sundresses?"

Adrian's ears turned scarlet.