Chapter 86
Stella Valentine licked her dry lips and exhaled heavily.
"Julian Valois."
Her pupils constricted sharply. "Julian Valois of Valois Realty?"
Joy Fairsprene gave a slight nod. "Yes."
Valois Realty...
It was him...
Memories flooded back. On her eighteenth birthday, her father had thrown a lavish coming-of-age party at Houston Grand Hotel, inviting numerous business elites—including Julian Valois.
Back then, she'd been deeply in love with Adrian Roland. Her only impression of Julian came from Adrian's own words: "The only person in Houston who can rival me is Julian Valois."
"Victor Valois of Unique Jewelry is his younger brother," Joy continued. "That idiot abandoned the family business to pursue jewelry design, causing a huge rift. Julian cut off his funds. Despite his sharp tongue, Victor's decent at heart, so I secretly helped him out."
Stella's eyes widened in realization. "That's how you got me the referral to Unique Jewelry..."
"Exactly," Joy smirked mischievously. "Even though I never became his sister-in-law, he owes me this favor. But you got the job on your own merit—I just opened the door."
Stella's fingers trembled as she searched "Julian Valois."
The results showed dual degrees in architecture and business. After taking over Valois Realty, he'd rapidly expanded the empire. The string of zeros in his net worth made her dizzy.
"Stella?" Joy waved a hand before her eyes. "Don't overthink it. We haven't spoken in six years—we're strangers now. If he really is Mr. Alistair... I promise he's trustworthy."
Stella's brow furrowed.
This possibility caught her completely off guard.
Could Mr. Alistair be Julian Valois? Why would a man who'd once loved Joy choose her?
"I think he didn't want to burden you," Joy analyzed. "Given our history, he probably worried you'd feel uncomfortable."
"Do you still love him?"
"Absolutely not!" Joy sprang up indignantly. "Back then he dared to parade other women to provoke me. If it happened today, I'd curse him out. Men only slow down my career."
Stella fell silent.
If it really was Julian...
Those deliberate provocations might have stemmed from the bitterness of abandonment. And Joy's decisive departure had left this man broken ever since.
The entire afternoon, Stella's mind swirled chaotically.
When Joy left at dusk after a family call, only Stella and her sleeping baby remained in the hospital room.
Her phone vibrated.
[Has Joy left?]
This normally innocent question now felt like probing.
[She went home for dinner.]
[Her parents were always strict. I'll come keep you company tonight.]
[Mr. Alistair... you know Joy well?]
[Why do you ask?]
[Just curious.]
[Houston's a small place. It's normal to know about the Fairsprenes. Don't overthink it.]
She wasn't overthinking.
Her heart had already sunk.
From Joy's fragmented remarks, she pieced together the story: A headstrong Joy entered a sham marriage to adopt an abused child. Julian mistook it for betrayal. Their relationship ended over misunderstanding.
A love that could have been beautiful.
She should reveal the truth.
As night fell, the expected message arrived.
[Stella, turn off the lights.]
She drew the curtains tight and groped her way to the door.
Familiar arms enveloped her.
"Do you miss me, Stella?" Mr. Alistair's voice held laughter.
"......"
"Why so quiet?"
"...I missed you."
"I missed you too." His embrace tightened. "Now I look forward to nightfall most—because it means I get to see you."
Stella remained silent.
Sensing something amiss, he cupped her face. "What's wrong?"
"Mr. Alistair... do Joy and I... resemble each other?"
She held her breath, awaiting judgment.
He chuckled softly. "You share kindness, but your personalities differ completely. Joy's straightforward, you're gentle; Joy has a round face, yours is oval." A pause. "Did Joy say something?"
"No, just curious about similarities between close friends."
"Joy truly values loyalty," he said gently. "I asked her to accompany you, and despite being a late sleeper, she came first thing in the morning."
"She deserves to be cherished..."
"Fate can't be forced." A soft sigh. "Sometimes even lovers miss each other—simply because the timing's wrong."
Stella pulled away slightly, murmuring, "There's something you must know. Joy's marriage back then was to adopt a child suffering school bullying. It was purely platonic—nothing happened between them..."
He drew her back into his arms, fingers threading through her hair. "You think I'm Julian Valois?"
Stella froze.
"Then... are you?"