Chapter 56

Stella Valentine led the woman into a chain coffee shop near the hotel.

The woman hesitated at the entrance, fingers twisting the faded hem of her shirt. "Miss, this place is too expensive..."

"It's fine." Stella pulled out a chair. "Just keep me company for a while."

The woman sat down cautiously, her face paling further as she scanned the menu.

"What did you want to talk about?" Stella handed her a tissue.

Tears suddenly spilled from the woman's eyes. "Miss, I know I shouldn't trouble you, but I have nowhere else to turn..."

"Take your time."

"I..." The woman trembled as she pulled a crumpled medical report from her pocket. "Stage four liver cancer."

Stella's pupils contracted slightly.

"My son has congenital heart disease." The woman choked back a sob. "I've worked myself to the bone all these years, but a cleaner's salary can't even cover his medication..."

"So you want to..."

"I want to entrust my child to you." The woman finally broke down. "I know it's too much to ask, but there's no one else!"

Stella's fingertips turned cold.

How cruelly ironic fate could be.

She had once found solace in that little boy's singing voice. Now she faced this impossible request.

"What about the father?"

The woman gave a bitter smile. "He remarried long ago. Now he's a general manager at New Frontier Group."

Stella's coffee cup trembled in her hand.

"Chen?"

The woman looked up in surprise. "How did you know?"

Stella closed her eyes briefly.

What a damned coincidence.

"I'm sorry, but I can't help you." Her voice was soft.

The light in the woman's eyes extinguished instantly. "I was being naive..."

"Because I have lung cancer too." Stella said calmly. "Stage four."

Silence stretched between them, thick with shared despair.

"I can help you contact an orphanage." Stella finally offered.

The woman nodded through her tears. "Thank you..."

Outside the coffee shop, the little boy immediately rushed into his mother's arms.

"Mom, we need to get to the next job."

The woman bid a hurried farewell, clutching her child's hand as they disappeared into the night.

Stella stood motionless, watching until their figures vanished.

Back in the hotel suite, Mr. Alistair's deep voice emerged from the darkness. "You're back."

"Yes."

"How's your mother?"

"Stable." Stella removed her coat. "Mr. Alistair... thank you for the medical expenses."

The clink of glass came from the liquor cabinet. "No need for thanks."

Approaching, she saw him selecting a bottle of wine.

"Mr. Alistair." She spoke suddenly. "What can I do for you?"

His movements stilled. "Why ask that now?"

"You've given me so much." Her voice tightened. "Seven million. My mother's treatment..."

He chuckled. "Traditionally, such debts are repaid with one's body."

The room fell silent.

"Have you decided about yesterday's matter?" He asked abruptly.

Stella took a deep breath. "Mr. Alistair... what if she comes back to you?"

The wineglass tilted slightly in his hand.

"She won't."

"But if she does?"

"There are no 'what ifs.'" His voice turned icy. "This is the last respect I can show her."

He finally selected a dessert wine, pouring it into two crystal glasses.

"Care for a drink?"

Stella accepted the glass. "What shall we toast to?"

Mr. Alistair gazed at the stars beyond the window. "To this night."

Their glasses met with a crystalline chime.

Like fate's ineffable sigh when paths intertwine.