Chapter 485

The call ended abruptly, leaving Penny Anderson and Vincent Astor frozen in place.

"Stella said no, and that's final!" Stella Valentine snapped her phone shut, eyes glistening with unshed tears. "If you're here to speak for Adrian Roland again, you can leave right now!"

Penny raised her hands in surrender. "I'm sorry, Stella! I won't mention it again!"

She scurried back to her desk like a startled rabbit, sighing at her computer screen. Dealing with this stubborn couple was harder than negotiating a multinational merger.

Vincent stared at his overheated phone, watching raindrops thicken against the window. The CEO had truly messed up this time. When Mrs. Roland dug her heels in, not even a team of wild horses could change her mind.

The dial tone mocked his attempt to call back.

"Benjamin," Vincent massaged his temples. "Initiate Plan B. I'm out of my depth."

Rain drummed against the car window when Stella's phone lit up again. "I told you I'm not—"

"Stella!" Benjamin Langley's panicked voice cut through. "Celeste fell down the stairs!"

Files slipped from Stella's grasp, scattering across the floor.

"She won't stop crying for you," Benjamin's voice trembled. "The doctor says it's not serious, but she's terrified—"

"I'm coming!"

Stella grabbed her coat with shaking hands. Celeste's heart surgery was only six months ago. Any accident could trigger complications.

Penny jumped as the office door slammed open. "Stella?"

"Celeste's hurt!" Stella's voice cracked. "Get Vincent to drive!"

Each descending elevator floor felt like torture. Stella kept redialing, but Benjamin's line stayed busy.

The car barely stopped before Stella plunged into the downpour.

"Stella! Your umbrella!" Penny chased after her, catching only icy raindrops.

The Roland residence blazed with light. Soaked to the bone, Stella burst through the door, water darkening the foyer rug.

"Where's Celeste?"

Giggles floated from the children's room before she finished speaking.

On the living room couch, Adrian Roland had become a human jungle gym for three children. Celeste perched on his shoulders, waving a toy sword—not a trace of injury in sight.

Stella's clenched fists slowly uncurled.

She wiped rainwater from her face, eyes sharp as daggers. "Adrian. You taught our child to lie?"