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Chapter 571
Just do as Albert said.” Elnora replied calmly.
Elnora responded to Sharon’s issue in a steady, even tone.
Seeing how composed Elnora was, Sharon nodded and went off to handle it.
Elnora kept her eyes on the documents in front of her, but no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn’t focus on the words. Frustrated, she rubbed her temples and closed the file.
She got up and walked out of the study, just as she heard the sound of Albert’s car pulling in outside.
D
Elnora stepped out onto the balcony and watched as Albert’s car drove into the garage, disappearing from her view.
As Albert drove out of Southview Residence, he noticed someone standing on the second-floor balcony. He raised an eyebrow, then pulled out his phone and called Elnora.
Elnora was a little surprised when she saw Albert’s name pop up on her screen, but she picked up the call.
She put the phone to her ear, and Albert’s voice came through.
“Ms. Finley, what are you looking at out on the balcony?” Albert asked.
Elnora was a bit surprised that Albert had actually noticed her standing on the balcony.
“Just looking at the scenery,” she replied softly.
Her tone was flat, betraying no emotion.
Albert let out a low chuckle.
“Guess I’m lucky to be the view you’re admiring, Ms. Finley,” Albert said.
Elnora was speechless for a moment.
Albert then started talking in his usual calm voice about the business he had to take care of in Vuplariland this time.
Elnora listened quietly, not saying a word.
When the conversation was winding down, Elnora finally spoke up.
“Safe travels,” she said softly.
Albert let out a soft laugh.
“My wife’s waiting for me at home, so you know I’ll make it back safe and sound,” he teased.
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Elnora fell silent, not responding further.
The call ended.
Elnora returned to her study and settled into her chair, ready to resume her work.
This time, she was able to clear her mind and focus, methodically working through the documents laid out before her.
When Elnora walked out of the study, Sharon came running up to her.
“Ms. Finley, Mrs. Campbell just arrived,” Sharon said.
Elnora nodded and immediately walked downstairs.
Reese was already sitting on the living room sofa.
When she saw Elnora come downstairs, Reese gave her a soft smile and waved her over to sit with her.
Elnora walked over and took a seat next to Reese, sitting upright and composed.
Seeing this, Reese spoke up in a calm, almost neutral tone.
“Elnora, how are things between you and Albert these days?” Reese asked.
Elnora replied honestly, “Pretty good. We haven’t had any arguments.”
She always knew how to handle things and kept her distance when needed, so she and Albert never got into any disagreements.
Reese took Elnora’s hand, gave it a gentle pat, and spoke in a calm, caring tone. “It’s good you two aren’t having any issues.
“I heard you were sick, so I thought I’d drop by and see how you’re doing. How are you feeling now? Are you still feeling unwell anywhere?”
Elnora replied gently, “I’m feeling much better now, just a little cough left, but it’s nothing to worry about.”
Reese nodded.
“Just make sure you take care of your health, okay?” Reese reminded her gently.
“Even though you and Albert haven’t been planning for a baby this past year, once your health is stable again, you two should have a child of your own someday,” Reese said softly.
Elnora nodded gently in response.
Reese reached out and gently patted the back of Elnora’s hand.
“Any issues over at Supernova Entertainment?” Reese asked.
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Elnora shook her head. “Nothing that’s hard to deal with right now.”
Reese smiled, clearly satisfied with Elnora’s reply.
“If you ever have trouble with anything or anyone, you can always come to me,” Reese said.
Elnora nodded. “Okay, Reese.”
Reese looked upstairs, paused for a moment, then spoke again.
“Elnora, you know all I want is to have a grandchild in the next three years, right?” Reese said.
Elnora gave a quiet “mm” in response.
Back when Elnora was getting treatment in Port City, Reese would bring it up every now and then.
Elnora was well aware of what Reese wanted.
Reese’s request wasn’t anything Elnora found hard to agree to.
When Elnora nodded, Reese finally relaxed.
She added, “Just focus on taking care of yourself this year. Next year, you and Albert can get ready to try for a baby.
“And over the next year, I hope you and Albert can grow closer and really work on your relationship.”
Elnora nodded.
“I understand,” she replied softly.
Reese gave a quiet “mm” and looked away from the stairs.
“I heard you and Albert are still sleeping in separate rooms?” Reese asked.
Sharon had only just started working at Southview Residence not long ago.
She wasn’t close to Reese, so there was no way she was the one who spread the word.
And knowing Albert, he definitely wouldn’t be the type to bring something like that up to Reese on his own.
So there was only one person it could be.
It was Heather.
Heather had been working here for a while, so she must have had some contact with Reese.
Maybe she was still upset about being let go, so she told Reese about it.
After all, Elnora was the one who made Albert move out of the master bedroom.
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So it was only natural that Reese would visit today and bring up the topic.
Elnora owned up right away.
“Sorry, Mom, I was the one who…” Elnora said softly.
But Reese didn’t let her finish. She raised her hand to cut her off.
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“You don’t need to apologize,” Reese said. “That kid Albert has never had to deal with any real setbacks in his life. So what you did was absolutely right.”
Albert’s got a strong personality, so having a wife like Elnora who isn’t intimidated by him and can give him a hard time is actually just what he needs.
Elnora hadn’t expected Reese to say that. Her lips curled into a faint smile, a bit surprised by the response.
At the same time, her heart warmed with gratitude.
“Thank you, Elnora,” Elnora said softly.
Reese gave Elnora’s hand a gentle pat and spoke in a calm, reassuring tone. “Elnora, I personally chose you to be my daughter-in-law, so I respect everything you do.”
“I won’t be easily influenced by outsiders.
“Albert’s not all bad. Once you really get to know him, you’ll see he’s just someone who cares a lot about people and feelings.
“Stella tried to push him into marrying her by threatening to break up, but it totally backfired on her. Now, she’s not backing down anytime soon.”
Elnora listened quietly, not expecting there to be so much going on beneath the surface.
No wonder Stella would still bring up breaking up with Albert, even with the Taylor family in such chaos.
Reese said, “Albert’s helped Stella so much over the years. Honestly, if she had any real capability, with all the support he’s given her, she would’ve escaped the Taylor family’s mess a long time ago.
“But she stubbornly refuses to leave.
“I just can’t figure out what kind of hold the Taylor family has on her. She insists on staying, and time after time, she goes running to Albert because of their problems.
“If she were just scheming for herself, I could understand. But she’s always working for the whole Taylor family, and in the end, she ends up with nothing for herself.
“The last time she told Albert she wanted to break up, he was probably just tired of everything, so he simply agreed.”
As Reese spoke, her gaze sharpened, a keen edge showing in her eyes.
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Elnora didn’t comment on Reese’s words; she just listened quietly.
All of this belonged to Albert’s past.
It wasn’t her place to say anything.
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Reese gripped Elnora’s hand a little tighter. Something must have crossed her mind, making her angry all over again.
She said, “At a party, Mrs. Taylor had a couple of drinks and started running her mouth. She told another close friend in our circle that Stella has Albert completely wrapped around her finger now.
“All Stella has to do is shed a few tears and talk about her problems, and Albert will hand her everything she wants on a silver platter.
“Stella’s breakup was actually a calculated move to win him over. That idea came straight from the Taylor family.”
Elnora pursed her lips.
Reese was still visibly agitated as she recalled these events.
“Stella’s a fool, plain and simple,” Reese said. “Albert’s not going to let her have him wrapped around her finger forever.”
Elnora nodded calmly and said, “Mr. Campbell is a man of principle. He always knows where to draw the line.”
Honestly, anyone who could break away from the Campbell family and turn Supernova Entertainment into a powerhouse isn’t some clueless idiot.
In this cutthroat entertainment world, Albert has seen way more schemes than anything Stella could ever come up with.
Reese really nailed it with that comment.
Albert truly cared about loyalty and his relationships.
Stella was just someone he dated for a while, but even after the breakup, he made sure she kept her dignity.
In the end, maybe there was still a bit of feeling left between them.
After all, every man probably dreams of being a hero at heart.
And a fragile girl like Stella is exactly the type who lets men play the hero.
Seeing Reese was still upset, Elnora spoke softly to comfort her.
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“Mom, it’s all in the past now,” Elnora said gently.
Reese nodded. “That’s right, it’s all behind us now.”
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“Albert would never shirk his responsibilities to his family. Elnora, you need to trust him,” Reese said.
Elnora nodded gently.
“I understand, Mom,” she replied.
Reese let out a soft sigh.
She knew Elnora had agreed so quickly just to reassure her.
Reese said, “Elnora, love and career are really alike. You can’t go your whole life without fighting for what you
want.
“You and Albert will have kids someday, and whatever you manage to hold onto will end up belonging to them. How much you can actually keep depends on your own abilities.
“Honestly, marriage and career, there’s really no difference at all.”
Elnora just stayed quiet after hearing that.
Seeing this, Reese didn’t say anything more.
Some things just can’t be forced.
She’d already set things up for Albert. If he still couldn’t hold onto it in the end, then maybe he and Elnora just weren’t meant to be.
“Get some rest, Mom. I’ll head back now,” Reese said.
Elnora tried to persuade her to stay.
“Mom, why don’t you stay for dinner before you go?” Elnora suggested.
Reese waved her hand. “I’ve got a few clients to meet tonight. Once you’re feeling better, I’ll bring you along to a charity auction.
Elnora nodded and rose from the couch alongside Reese.
“Let me walk you out,” Elnora offered.
After Reese left, Elnora headed back inside.
Sharon was busy in the kitchen, preparing dinner.
Elnora sat on the couch and browsed through a magazine.
Reese’s words kept echoing in her mind. “Honestly, marriage and career, there’s really no difference at all. You
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can’t go your whole life without fighting for what you want.”
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Elnora pressed her fingers to her brow, a vague sense of frustration bubbling up inside her for reasons she couldn’t quite pinpoint.
After dinner, Elnora went straight upstairs.
She’d been sleeping soundly these days, but tonight, no matter how she tossed and turned, sleep just wouldn’t
come.
Elnora let out a soft sigh and pulled out her phone.
Right then, a message from Albert lit up her screen. [I’ve arrived safely in Vuplariland.]
Elnora glanced at the message and set her phone aside.
But a few seconds later, she reached for her phone again and sent Albert a reply. [Did your flight get delayed?]
Albert paused for a moment when he saw her message.
He hadn’t expected Elnora to care about his flight.
A faint smile tugged at his lips, and his eyes lit up with joy. [Yeah, it was a bit late.]
Albert said: [It’s already dark back home, isn’t it? You usually turn in around this time, don’t you?]
He added: [Were you staying up just to hear from me and make sure I’m safe?]
Elnora stared at the message, her finger paused above the screen.
She lingered in silence for a while.
In the end, she just sent a single reply.
Elnora said: [Yes.]
Albert stared at that single “Yes” on his screen, zoning out for a moment.
When Elnora saw he hadn’t texted back, she put her phone down.
But just as she set it down, her phone started ringing.
Elnora picked it up and saw it was Albert calling.
She stared at the caller ID flashing on the screen, lost in thought for a moment.
After a long pause, she finally swiped to answer and put the phone to her ear.
Albert didn’t say anything, and Elnora remained silent as well.
The two of them just stayed quiet on the line.
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In the end, it was Albert who finally broke the silence, his voice low.
“Ms. Finley, it’s not every day you show concern for me. I’m honestly flattered, so I had to call and check. Was it really you texting me, or did someone else get hold of your phone?” he teased.
Elnora listened, her grip on the phone tightening just a bit. She spoke softly, “So, Albert, who did you think was texting you, if not me?”
Albert chuckled.
“No one, really. I just didn’t expect you to show this much concern for me, Ms. Finley,” he teased.
Elnora was speechless.
“Getting ready to sleep?” Albert asked.
Albert sounded genuinely pleased.
Before they got married, Albert would call Elnora from time to time.
Their longest conversation lasted about an hour.
Back then, he was always the one trying to find something to talk about.
Most of their conversations were about work.
“Yeah, I’m in bed now, but I’m having trouble sleeping,” Elnora said.
“Is it because I’m not home?” Albert asked.
Elnora pressed her lips together. “That’s not really the reason,’ she thought.
She changed the subject instead of answering his question.
“Did you get to the hotel yet?” she asked.
“Not yet. I just got off the plane and messaged you as soon as I landed. Ms. Finley, am I being a good boy?” Albert teased.
Elnora could hear the way Albert was fishing for a compliment, sounding like he wanted a pat on the head.
“Keep being good,” she replied.
Albert said, “Got it.”
Elnora asked, “Did you have a car waiting for you?”
As soon as the words left her mouth, she instantly felt silly for even asking.
‘Like Albert would ever travel without a private car picking him up. What was I thinking?’ she chided herself.
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Albert replied, “Yeah, I do. I’ve got a buddy waiting for me at the airport.”
Elnora responded, “Alright.”
Albert was pulling his suitcase toward the airport exit when he noticed Elnora’s tone had cooled off. He quickly added, “Don’t worry, they’re all solid guys, just here for business.
“Ms. Finley, you’re welcome to do a spot check on me anytime.”
Elnora was quiet for a few seconds, then replied softly, “I trust you to handle yourself, Albert.”
Albert spoke in a low, teasing voice, “So, do you really trust me, or are you just saying that?”
Elnora said, “I really do.”
Albert chuckled, “Well, I’m your most loyal partner. Of course you trust me, Ms. Finley.”
Elnora was speechless.
Albert said, “Thanks for trusting me, Ms. Finley. I’ll make sure you don’t just say you believe in me. I’ll work hard so you really do, deep down.”
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Chapter 573
Chapter 573
Elnora stayed silent for a while, not answering Albert.
She could hear someone calling Albert’s name in the background.
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Elnora seized the moment and then said, “Your friend’s here to pick you up, right? I’ll hang up now.”
Albert replied, “Alright, I’ll call you when I get to the hotel, if you’re still up.”
Elnora replied, “Okay.”
Elnora hung up and set her phone down by the bed.
At the Vuplariland International Airport, Kamron spotted Albert and came over with a big smile on his face.
“You’re finally here. I’ve been waiting for you for half an hour,” Kamron Nguyen said.
Albert gave an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I’m late.”
Kamron slung an arm around Albert’s shoulders. “We’re friends, man. No need to apologize to me.
“Come on, the wine at the bar has already been decanted and is ready for you.”
Albert could only smile wryly and said, “Not tonight. My wife just called to make sure I’m not getting into trouble. She wants me at the hotel in half an hour and to video her as soon as I get there.”
A flash of surprise crossed Kamron’s eyes as he quickly asked, “Wait, weren’t you and your wife just a marriage of convenience?”
He’d always figured Albert and his wife just did their own thing.
Most couples in their circle who married for convenience just do their own thing anyway.
Albert smiled and said, “It’s not exactly a marriage of convenience. She’s got full control over our finances
now.”
Kamron looked genuinely stunned. “Your mom really let her take charge?”
Albert nodded. “Yeah, she’s training her to take over everything. Sometimes I feel like I’m just adopted or something.”
Kamron’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Honestly, you almost never hear about a wife taking over the family finances in our circle.
“No wonder you’re so whipped by your wife,” Kamron joked.
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Albert just gave a wry smile. “Can’t help it. You know what they say-happy wife, happy life.”
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Kamron chuckled and asked, “I saw the media still talking about you and Stella. What’s your wife’s take on all that?”
Albert shrugged and said, “Man, I got totally chewed out. She and my mom almost tag-teamed me for a double whammy.”
Kamron shot him a sympathetic look.
He never imagined the wild guy from back in the day would end up totally under her thumb.
Guess times really have changed.
Albert gave Kamron a helpless look and said with a sigh, “I’m just here to sign the contract and then I’m heading back. No time to party with you this trip.”
Kamron looked a bit let down, but deep down, he really did hope Albert would have a good family life.
Kamron said, “Honestly, partying every day just isn’t that fun after a while.
“The real shame is, I still haven’t found anyone who can actually keep me in check. Having someone who cares enough to boss you around. That’s its own kind of happiness.”
Albert nodded with a smile. “True that.”
Kamron raised an eyebrow.
‘No wonder I always felt something was off,’ he thought.
That was when it hit him that Albert had been smiling the whole time he was talking.
It was obvious he was genuinely enjoying all the attention.
Having someone who cared and watched over him like that, Kamron knew he’d never get to experience it himself.
“Let me give you a ride back to the hotel,” Kamron offered.
Kamron handed Albert’s bags over to his driver.
Albert nodded. “Thanks for helping me out.”
Kamron replied, “No worries, we’re brothers. No need to be so polite.”
Albert responded with a quiet “Yeah.”
He added, “Back in the day, I could’ve gone for a drink with you, but now it’s just not happening. The one at home is way too sharp. If she finds out I said I was heading to the hotel but actually ended up at a bar, she’d raise hell.
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“Her making a fuss is one thing, but what really gets me is when she gets all teary-eyed.”
Kamron nodded as he listened.
At first, Kamron thought Albert was just chatting like usual.
But as the conversation went on, Kamron started to feel like Albert was kind of bragging.
Kamron fell silent after that.
But he couldn’t help but feel a bit confused.
He remembered hearing lately that Albert’s wife was totally the boss lady type.
‘How could she be the kind who’d get all teary at home?’ Kamron wondered.
‘Is she a power woman outside, but turns soft and gentle at home?’ he thought.
‘If that’s really the case,’ Kamron mused, ‘then Albert really hit the jackpot.’
Man, Albert really lucked out with her.
Kamron found himself genuinely curious about Albert’s wife.
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After dropping Albert off at the hotel, Kamron immediately had his driver dig up some info on Albert’s wife.
The driver sent the details over to Kamron in no time.
When Kamron opened the file, his eyes immediately landed on Elnora’s face.
Her face was absolutely stunning.
Among all the female clients Kamron had ever worked with, he’d rarely seen a face this beautiful.
Kamron wasn’t there for Albert’s wedding. He didn’t make the trip back.
He’d been based in Vuplariland all these years, so he hardly knew Elnora at all.
He quickly saved the photo to his phone.
For reasons he couldn’t quite explain, he felt a sudden rush of excitement.
Meanwhile, Albert had no idea that all his showing off in the car had accidentally sparked a new competitor for his wife without even realizing it.
As soon as Albert got back to the hotel, he shot Elnora a quick text. [Hey, you still up?]
After hitting send, he just stared at the chat window, waiting.
For some reason, he couldn’t help feeling a little anxious, though he wasn’t sure why.
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He started by unbuttoning his shirt, revealing his abs, which were pretty well-defined from all the workouts.
But then he thought, ‘Man, this is way too obvious, and quickly buttoned it back up.
He buttoned it all the way to the top, but that looked way too uptight, so he casually undid a couple of buttons and messed up his hair a bit for a more relaxed vibe.
Once he was happy with his look, Albert opened the video chat and dialed Elnora.
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Chapter 574
Chapter 574
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Elnora had been waiting for Albert to video call her, but he still hadn’t. She hesitated, wondering if she should
call him first, when suddenly his video call popped up on her phone.
She swiped to answer.
Albert’s handsome face appeared on the screen.
Elnora leaned back against the headboard, watching Albert on her phone.
Albert couldn’t help but smile, his lips curving up in a way he just couldn’t hide.
“See? Now do you believe I’m really at the hotel?” he said with a playful grin.
Elnora replied, “I always believed you.”
She never said she didn’t trust him.
It was Albert who thought she doubted him, which was why he called her, just to prove his point.
Albert chuckled, “Ms. Finley, I never thought you’d be so good at hiding your true feelings.”
Elnora just smiled, not denying it.
Albert took the initiative to talk with Elnora about some work-related matters.
He kept the conversation going until he noticed Elnora looking a bit tired and sleepy, then finally suggested they end the call.
“It’s getting late. You should get some rest. You’ve got work tomorrow,” he said. “I should get some sleep too.”
Elnora nodded, her voice barely above a whisper as she replied, “Alright.”
She was already feeling sleepy, and her voice carried a hint of languor as she spoke.
Albert felt his heart skip a beat, was just about to say something, but Elnora quickly and decisively ended the call.
Albert could only stare at the screen, speechless.
‘She really never wastes time,’ he thought.
After hanging up, Elnora lay back down on her bed. Maybe it was the cold medicine finally kicking in, but she was out like a light in no time.
Back in his hotel room overseas, Albert was wide awake, staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep
He kept turning it over in his mind. What kind of husband and wife are Elnora and I supposed to be, anyway?
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He figured once this business trip was over, he’d really need to sit down and have a proper talk with Ms. Finley.
The next day, Elnora was up early. Even though she’d gone to bed late last night, she looked just as collected as ever. Her expression showed no sign of tiredness.
Sharon had already made breakfast.
When Elnora came downstairs, Sharon served breakfast in the dining room.
While Elnora was eating, Sharon went upstairs to tidy up Elnora’s room, and only came back downstairs after she finished.
Elnora sat at the dining table, eating breakfast and checking the work group chat on her phone.
Right then, Elara messaged her. [Do you want me to bring you breakfast today?]
Elnora replied: [No thanks, Sharon already made breakfast for me at home.]
[No thanks, Sharon already made breakfast for me at home.]
Elara: [Alright.]
At the office, Elnora walked into her office and started working.
Elara noticed Elnora was in a pretty good mood today, so she came over and asked, “Did something good happen?”
Elnora arched her elegant brows, a hint of amusement in her eyes. “What gave you that idea?”
Elara grinned, “I can just tell you’re in a good mood.”
Elnora was briefly taken aback, then let out a soft laugh.
“Your skills at reading people are really leveling up,” she teased.
Elara grinned, “That’s just standard practice.”
Elnora gave a small smile and said softly, “Nothing really happened, but for some reason, I’m just in a good
mood.”
Elara smiled. “That’s good. Even if nothing special happens, you should still keep your spirits up.”
Elnora nodded.
After setting down the files, Elara left Elnora’s office.
The afternoon meeting kicked off.
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The focus was on the company’s artists. Their schedules, progress reports, and how resources would be distributed.
Most of the artists from the company turned up.
Even some of the industry veterans, those seasoned stars who’d already made their mark, showed up in
person.
When Elara and Elnora walked into the conference room, Elara immediately noticed Stella’s seat was empty.
She frowned slightly and whispered softly to Elnora, “Stella’s not here.”
Elnora nodded calmly. “Don’t pay too much attention to her.”
Elara nodded and didn’t ask further about Stella’s whereabouts.
Just as the meeting was about to start, Stella’s assistant, Adrianna Madden, rushed in.
She walked up to Elara and apologized quietly.
“Sorry, Elara. Stella had to head to Vuplariland for a commercial shoot, so she had to rush over there,” Adrianna explained.
Elara’s brows furrowed.
Thanks to Elnora’s involvement, Elara had been watching Stella closely these days.
She never saw any mention of a commercial shoot in Vuplariland on Stella’s schedule.
“When did she get a gig in Vuplariland? Why didn’t the company know about it?” Elara asked.
Adrianna smiled, glancing over at Elnora as she spoke.
“They’re still negotiating, but the client wanted Stella to head over immediately,” she said.
“Don’t worry, Elara. The contract will go through the company as usual. Apparently, Albert was the one who got Stella this job,” she added.
Elara’s expression instantly turned cold.
This morning, she’d chatted with Albert’s assistant and found out Albert had gone to Vuplariland.
She never expected Stella to head there as well.
‘Did they travel together?’ Elara wondered.
Elara shot Elnora a look.
Elnora gave Stella’s assistant a cold once-over.
“Are you certain Albert landed her this gig?” she asked.
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Adrianna nodded. “Of course, Ms. Finley. I wouldn’t joke about something like this.”
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“Stella made a mistake before, so lately she’s been working hard to make up for the losses and bring in more revenue for the company, Adrianna explained.
Elnora gave a slight nod. “Alright.”
“Since she’s eager to help the company earn more, she’ll need to put in extra effort for a while. The company will make sure she gets the resources she needs,” Elnora said.
Adrianna smiled. “Ms. Finley, you’re the best.”
Elnora didn’t respond to Adrianna.
Elara was clearly irritated. She shot Adrianna a cold look and said, “Go back to Stella’s seat, the meeting’s starting soon.”
Adrianna nodded, her mood clearly upbeat as she took her time walking past everyone, almost parading around the room before finally taking her seat.
Everyone in the entertainment industry was sharp as a tack.
Adrianna was only acting so high and mighty because she was riding on Stella’s connection with Albert.
Her words to Elnora might have sounded respectful, but she was really just subtly bragging.
Even when Albert went on business trips, he always brought Stella along, setting things up to make her path
smoother.
Elara watched Adrianna parade around with that smug attitude, her expression souring. She stepped up to Elnora and muttered quietly, “You’re giving her way too much credit.”
“Ms. Finley, you shouldn’t be so accommodating. It just makes them think you’re easy to push around,” Elara said in a low voice.
Elnora kept her gaze fixed ahead, scanning all the artists in the room, and said in a calm, almost indifferent tone, “I’m just a nobody here. It’s not my place to make a move.”
Stella hasn’t even found her footing in the industry yet, and her assistant is already acting like she owns the place.
‘Isn’t that basically handing Stella over for others to tear apart?’ Elnora thought.
In this messy entertainment world, the moment Stella steps on someone else’s toes, she’ll be in deep trouble before she even knows what hit her, especially since she has no way to protect herself.
Elnora didn’t even need to get involved. There were always people ready to handle Stella for her.
As the boss, Elnora could just sit back and let others do the work, quietly reaping the rewards from behind th
scenes.
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Chapter 575
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Elara watched as Adrianna took Stella’s seat with a smug grin. She leaned in and whispered to Elnora, “Well, what goes around comes around.”
Once everyone had arrived, Elnora took her seat at the head of the table.
The purpose of today’s meeting was to discuss resource allocation for the artists and the tight schedule ahead.
After Elara handed out the materials, she sat down to Elnora’s left.
The artists all looked pleased with the company’s plans and schedules after getting their materials.
Adrianna was the only one who didn’t look happy after reading the analysis and planning report.
Her expression darkened as she gripped the report tightly, cutting Elnora off mid-sentence.
Adrianna said, “Ms. Finley, before you became CEO, the company had already decided to launch Stella with a big movie as her first step into the film world. So why isn’t it mentioned anywhere in this report?”
Elnora regarded Adrianna with a detached, almost indifferent look.
Elnora explained, “Stella doesn’t have a professional background, and so far she’s only appeared in a handful of minor commercials.
“If we suddenly pair her with seasoned film stars, it’s bound to cause backlash. So the company has decided not to move forward with the previous debut plan.”
As soon as Elnora finished speaking, the other artists all shot Adrianna a look.
Nobody said a word, but Adrianna could sense the gloating in their eyes.
After all, she’d been loudly telling everyone at Supernova Entertainment that Stella was about to make her big debut in the film industry this year.
Adrianna gritted her teeth and jumped in right away. “So, Ms. Finley, was this your own decision, or did all the shareholders at Supernova actually talk it over and agree on it?”
‘Seriously? Is Adrianna out of her mind?’ Elara thought, barely able to keep a straight face.
Elara fired right back at her, not holding back at all.
“She’s barely a newcomer. No way her debut needs the whole board at Supernova to weigh in.” Elara snapped.
Adrianna’s expression darkened, and she looked up at Elnora sitting at the head of the table.
Elnora didn’t say a word. She just locked eyes with Adrianna, her gaze so cold and intense it felt suffocating.
Truth be told, Adrianna was intimidated by Elnora.
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But with Stella absent today, she had to stand up for Stella’s interests.
This was too important. No way she’d back down now, even if Elnora scared her.
After all, Stella had Albert backing her up.
No way Elnora could ever outrank Albert, Adrianna thought.
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Adrianna straightened her back, looked Elnora in the eye, and said in a low, steady voice, “Ms. Finley, this was a resource Mr. Campbell promised to Stella.
“Now that it’s been cut, of course I have to ask who made the call to pull the plug on Stella’s debut plan. Was it really for the company’s best interests, or was there another reason behind it?”
Everyone in the room was caught off guard, their faces showing surprise. No one expected Adrianna to stand up to Elnora so boldly.
The room went dead silent.
Elnora looked up at Adrianna, her voice cool and steady. “I’m the one who cut it.
“As the CEO, I have the authority to pull the plug on any project that doesn’t fit our standards or where the investment isn’t justified by the expected returns.”
Adrianna had expected Elnora to dodge the question, but to her surprise, Elnora didn’t shy away from it at all.
She froze for a moment, then quickly shot back, “But Mr. Campbell promised her that resource.”
Elnora’s tone was calm and detached. “Let me see the written promise then.”
Adrianna’s face froze, and she quickly replied, “Mr. Campbell made the promise personally. There’s no written agreement, and besides…”
Elnora stayed silent, listening intently to Adrianna as she spoke.
Adrianna gritted her teeth, forcing herself to sit up straighter.
“Ms. Finley, are you cutting Stella’s resources just because of her history with Mr. Campbell? Is this really about the company, or are you taking personal revenge?” Adrianna demanded.
As soon as Adrianna said that, the whole room went dead silent.
Just a moment ago, some of the artists were absentmindedly flipping through their career planning documents.
But now, they stopped in their tracks, completely forgetting about the papers in their hands.
Every single person in the room was staring at Adrianna.
‘Damn, someone actually has the guts to go there?’ everyone thought, shocked.
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…
As soon as the words left her mouth, Adrianna instantly regretted it.
She took a deep breath, her face stiff with tension.
But since she’d already said it, there was no backing down now. She had to tough it out.
She swallowed hard, holding Elnora’s gaze without flinching for even a second.
Elnora let out a quiet, slightly sarcastic chuckle at Adrianna’s words.
Everyone in the room turned to look at her.
The artists had all met Elnora over the past few weeks.
She always kept a frosty demeanor. No one had ever seen her smile.
So when they heard that rare, low chuckle, a chill ran down everyone’s spine.
Everyone felt a shiver of fear in their hearts.
Elnora fixed her gaze on Adrianna and asked in a cool, detached tone, “What’s your name?”
Adrianna pressed her lips together, feeling a wave of anxiety.
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But she managed to say, “My name is Adrianna Madden. Ms. Finley, please don’t sidestep the issue. I ask you to reconsider Stella’s career plan.”
Elnora nodded slightly, her voice calm and unhurried. “You’re just an assistant. You don’t get to make the calls here.
“Negotiations need bargaining chips. So, Adrianna, what do you have to offer that would make me reconsider Stella’s career plan?”
Stella was just a rookie in the entertainment world.
So far, she only had a handful of small-time ads to her name.
And even those gigs were handed to her by Albert pulling strings.
She hadn’t managed to score a single job on her own yet.
Adrianna couldn’t find anything to refute Elnora, so she resorted to dropping Albert’s name.
“Ms. Finley, you’re just targeting Stella on purpose because Mr. Campbell isn’t around,” Adrianna shot back.
Elnora didn’t say a word. She just gave Elara a meaningful look.
Elara had been fed up with Adrianna for ages, and Elnora’s glance was all the permission she needed. She turned to Adrianna with a cold, hard stare.
Elara snapped, “Adrianna, Stella’s just a newcomer. She doesn’t even qualify as a proper rookie. What makes
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you think she has the right to bargain with the company?
“Everyone here has more talent and a higher standing than Stella.
“This meeting was scheduled a week ago, and Mr. Campbell was in the loop.
“So, is Stella’s only real asset in this company just her history with Mr. Campbell?”
Elara’s words left Adrianna visibly pale, unable to respond.
“You…” She tried to say something, but the words stuck in her throat. Elara had rattled her so badly she was left stammering.
“I’ll make sure Stella and Mr. Campbell hear about what happened today. Ms. Finley is just taking personal revenge against Stella! Who’s going to respect her after this?” Adrianna shouted.
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20:18 Fri, Apr 24
Chapter 577
Chapter 577
Stella was feeling just as lost as everyone else.
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She rubbed her temples and said softly, “Let’s talk about this when I get back. For now, just stay away from the office. You don’t want to become the office joke.”
Adrianna listened to Stella, feeling guilty and speaking in a timid voice, “I know I messed up,
Stella didn’t say anything and just hung up.
She walked out of the airport.
Stella.”
Kamron was standing not far away. When he saw Stella walk out of the terminal, he stepped forward and took her suitcase off her hands.
“Did something happen to our superstar Stella? Why do you look so down?” Kamron joked.
Stella let out a soft sigh. “Ran into some trouble at work. My assistant messed things up.”
Stella had known Kamron for a while.
After breaking up with Albert, she went to Vuplariland, planning to study abroad, but the Taylor family summoned her home.
Kamron and Albert were like brothers in the same circle.
So of course Stella got to know Kamron as well.
This time, she came to Vuplariland thanks to Kamron’s spur-of-the-moment invite.
Last night, Kamron hit her up in the middle of the night, telling her Albert was in Vuplariland and wondering why she wasn’t with him.
Stella replied that she didn’t have any work scheduled in Vuplariland, so she couldn’t just drop everything and
come over.
Kamron immediately promised to set her up with a gig-shooting an ad for a local winery.
Stella’s real reason for coming to Vuplariland was to see Albert.
But even more than that, she wanted Elnora to misunderstand and think Albert had brought her along for the business trip.
That was why Stella told Adrianna she was in Vuplariland with a Mr. Campbell.
She never clarified who exactly this Mr. Campbell was.
Adrianna naturally thought she meant Albert.
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But Adrianna was so arrogant that she blew things up at the meeting before Stella could even lay the groundwork.
Now things had spiraled so badly that Stella was left with no way out.
Whether she signed the bet agreement or not, either way, she’d be in hot water.
Stella couldn’t help but feel troubled.
Adrianna was, after all, her most devoted ally.
She still needed a reliable right-hand like Adrianna, so she couldn’t just cut her loose.
Noticing Stella’s gloomy expression, Kamron casually opened the back door for her, showing his usual easygoing concern.
Stella ducked into the car, and Kamron slid in after her, flashing a playful grin. “I thought it was something major.”
“I thought it was something major.”
“Doesn’t Albert always bail you out at work? Why are you stressing?”
Stella bit her lip, her voice barely above a whisper as she muttered, “I can’t always rely on Albert for everything. And the person targeting me this time…”
She stopped mid-sentence, unsure if she should go on.
Kamron’s eyes sparkled with interest.
He asked quietly, “Is it Albert’s wife?”
Stella nodded, a hint of sadness flickering across her face.
She said, “Honestly, I get why she’s giving me a hard time. Albert and I were together for three years, and even after we broke up, we’re still friends.
“Any woman would feel uneasy seeing me always by Albert’s side. I don’t blame her.”
Seeing how understanding Stella was, Kamron said quietly, “But you can’t just keep letting her push you around, right? Is Albert really just going to sit back and let her treat you like that?”
Stella pursed her lips lightly, a hint of helplessness in her eyes.
She said, “I know Albert’s in a tough spot.
“Reese picked Ms. Finley to be Albert’s wife herself. He’s always been close to his mom, and he doesn’t want to go against her. So I understand.”
Kamron spoke with a faint smile, “Stella, you’re just a fresh face at Starlight Entertainment-not even fully launched yet.
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“Ms. Finley used to run the massive Finley Group. She’s not the type to be petty, right?
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“Besides, her marriage to Albert is just an arranged one. There’s no real feelings between them, so why would she bother to target you?”
Stella’s face instantly soured when she saw Kamron taking Elnora’s side.
She shot him a sideways glance and said, clearly annoyed, “Kamron, honestly, all women are petty at heart.
“Even if Elnora is the Finley family’s heiress and was raised under strict discipline, it doesn’t change the fact that she’s a woman. All women get jealous, no matter what.
“She’s jealous of her husband’s ex, and wishes she could make sure the woman never shows up around him again.”
Stella’s words made Kamron laugh and reply in a laid-back tone.
“Ms. Finley is pretty bossy, huh?” he said.
Stella frowned and looked up at Kamron.
She felt like there was a touch of praise for Elnora in his tone.
But when she glanced at him, Kamron’s expression was perfectly neutral. There was nothing to suggest he was interested in Elnora at all.
‘Maybe I’m just overthinking it,’ Stella thought.
Kamron had been living in Vuplariland for years, and he’d never even met Elnora.
‘No way he’d be interested in Elnora,’ Stella told herself.
Stella rubbed her temples, sat in her seat, and gazed out the window.
She asked softly, “Albert’s coming to tonight’s dinner, right?”
Kamron nodded.
“Yeah,” he replied.
“The gig I told you about is with a winery. And as luck would have it, Albert’s here for a winery deal too,” Kamron explained.
Stella nodded, finally able to relax a little.
She was hoping to use this trip to get closer to Albert again.
Here, there was no Elnora, no Reese-just the two of them.
She believed that if she played her cards right, Albert would start to warm up to her again.
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Seeing how lost in thought Stella was, Kamron asked offhandedly, “You still haven’t told me what kind of trouble you’re dealing with at work.
“So, what’s going on? What happened at work? Come on, tell me, maybe I can help out.”
Stella fell silent for a moment, then looked up at Kamron, a hint of expectation in her eyes.
She said, “Kamron, honestly, the trouble I’m facing probably wouldn’t even register as a real issue for someone like you.
“Ms. Finley wants me to sign a performance contract with the company before she’ll actually support me with any resources.”
Kamron nodded and replied to Stella. “Honestly, that’s really not a big deal.”
Stella’s eyes flickered with hope and anticipation.
“Kamron, do you think you could help me?” she asked softly.
Stella didn’t want to look weak in front of Elnora, and she definitely didn’t want to lean on Albert for everything. That would just make her look like she was less than Elnora in Albert’s eyes.
If Kamron could back her up right now, at least she’d be able to save some face, whether it was in front of Elnora or Albert.
After all, Kamron was an investor she’d personally brought on board.
With him backing her up, she could be more assertive when facing Elnora.
That way, her situation would finally shift. She wouldn’t have to keep getting cornered by Elnora with no way to fight back.
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Chapter 578
Kamron didn’t answer Stella right away. He just sat there, deep in thought.
Stella quickly spoke up.
She said, “Kamron, don’t worry. If you invest in me, I’ll work my ass off. I promise your money won’t go to waste. But right now, I really need someone to have my back.”
Elnora was just too powerful, and with Reese backing her up, Stella was fighting this battle all by herself.
Kamron was, after all, Albert’s best friend.
Having him on her side would make it much easier for her to handle things.
“I’m not really familiar with your business,” Kamron said.
Stella jumped in right away.
She said, “You could put your money into the films I star in and earn a profit. Or you could partner with my company and make sure your investment goes directly to me.”
Kamron asked casually, “So, if I partner up with your company, what’s the process?”
Stella nodded.
“Yeah, that’s exactly it,” she replied.
Kamron nodded and asked, “Do I have to get involved with Albert’s wife?”
Stella bit her lip and quickly replied, “You could also invest behind the scenes, without having to meet Ms. Finley at all.
“Are you worried that since Ms. Finley is Albert’s wife, it might create tension between them, and as his best friend, you’d have a hard time handling it?”
Kamron nodded and replied calmly, “It’s true, I do have that concern.”
Stella bit her lip, dropping her gaze in silence.
Seeing Stella like that, Kamron spoke again, his voice calm. “Honestly, I barely ever interact with Ms. Finley, so if I end up offending her, it’s not really a big deal.
“Stella, you’re my friend. If you’re in trouble, of course I’ll help you. How could I just sit back and do nothing?”
Stella’s face lit up with gratitude.
“Kamron, I knew I could always count on you. You’re the best,” she said.
Kamron gave a faint smile and said, “Honestly, I just want you and Albert to be happy.
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I’ve seen Albert lately, and he’s really not the same as before. His family stuck him with a wife he doesn’t even like, so he’s not himself these days.
“As his best friend, I really hate seeing him so unhappy.”
Stella’s tone was full of resignation.
She said, “I guess there’s nothing I can do now. It’s all on me. If I hadn’t asked Albert for a breakup back then, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
Her words trailed off as she started to sob quietly.
Kamron reached out and gently patted Stella on the shoulder, trying to comfort her.
He said, “You and Albert have real history together, so what’s there to be afraid of? If you can just edge her out, isn’t that all it takes? Then you and Albert could be together again.”
Stella fell silent.
‘Can I really edge Elnora out?’ Stella wondered.
After clashing with Elnora these days, Stella had to admit that Elnora was tough as nails, unshakable at her core. Stella honestly wasn’t sure if she had what it took to edge her out.
Seeing Stella’s nervousness, Kamron spoke up, his voice steady and reassuring.
He said, “Stella, you gotta have faith in yourself. You’ve been by Albert’s side longer than anyone else.
“And when you two were together, he was totally loyal to you. There wasn’t a single other woman in his life.”
Stella listened as Kamron talked about Albert, and she had to admit, he made a lot of sense.
After she and Albert broke up, he never really got attached to any other woman.
Even the women who stayed around him never lasted more than a week.
Albert had always been devoted to her.
With Kamron urging her on, Stella gradually started to feel more sure of herself.
Kamron specifically arranged for Stella to live right next door to Albert.
Before heading into her hotel room, Stella checked with Kamron one more time.
She asked, “Kamron, Albert’s going to be at the dinner party tonight, right?”
Kamron nodded.
“Don’t you trust me?” he asked.
Stella quickly shook her head and replied.
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Even if she signed the profit-sharing agreement, she was sure Kamron would keep backing her, just so she’d win no matter what.
With Kamron on her side, losing just wasn’t an option.
Stella already had a plan for how she was going to deal with Elnora.
Once she got back to the country, she’d sign a betting agreement with Elnora.
And she was going to put Elnora’s position at Starlight Entertainment on the line as the wager.
She’d make sure Elnora got humiliated at Starlight Entertainment, and that Reese lost faith in her.
Once Reese started questioning what Elnora could really do, that would be Stella’s best shot.
Stella already had it all figured out.
That evening, Kamron showed up right on time to pick Stella up, just like he promised.
Stella took her time getting dolled up, her makeup on point. She slid into Kamron’s car, and together they drove off to the winery.
As soon as she walked in, she saw Kamron standing next to Albert, chatting with him.
Albert was also accompanied by a Frency man.
This man was the owner of the winery, a Frency investor who had come to Vuplariland to invest in the wine industry.
This winery was just the least important one he owned.
But either way, Kamron had managed to get her connected with the right people.
If she could impress him enough to become the face of his luxury Frency wine label, her fashion resources would be endless.
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Stella suppressed the smile tugging at her lips, her eyes gentle, composed and poised as she headed toward Albert.
Even as Stella arrived, Albert’s expression remained unchanged.
He held a wine glass in his hand and gently clinked it with the Frency man beside him.
Stella came to a stop beside Albert.
Noticing that Albert had no intention of introducing Stella to James Brewer, Kamron stepped in with a friendly smile. “Mr. Brewer, this is Miss Stella, the person I mentioned to you earlier.”
“You told me you were launching a boutique wine label and looking for a spokesperson. Well, she’s the best candidate I could possibly recommend.”
Stella smiled warmly and reached out her hand to James. “Hello, Mr. Brewer. I’m Stella. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
James had already been briefed about Stella by Kamron.
Knowing she was Albert’s ex-girlfriend and that their relationship was still somewhat unresolved, he took her hand and kissed it in a gentlemanly manner.
“Hello, Miss Taylor. It’s a pleasure to meet such an elegant and beautiful lady,” James said.
Stella wore a graceful smile, her eyes falling on Albert as she said gently, “Albert, are you here for business too?”
Albert didn’t answer her. Instead, he cast a glance at Kamron.
Clearly, it was Kamron who brought Stella to James.
Considering the Taylor family’s influence and Stella’s position in the family, the Taylors would never have allowed Stella to cross paths with someone like James.
Kamron shrugged with a smile. “Mr. Brewer asked me to find a model for his ad campaign, and Stella was the first person who came to mind.
“I’ve been swamped lately, so I forgot to mention it to you. Sorry about that, Albert.”
Stella was one of the talents signed to Albert’s company.
By setting up opportunities for Stella, Kamron was really just bringing in business for Albert’s company, so there was really nothing to feel guilty about.
Albert just couldn’t quite see what Kamron was playing at.
After all, he’d known Kamron for years.
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He knew all too well that Kamron wasn’t the type to do something out of the goodness of his heart.
‘If someone’s being extra nice for no reason, they’re probably up to something,’ Albert thought to himself.
“It’s nothing. With resources like yours, the more you introduce to my artists, the more it supports my business. Really, I should be thanking you,” Albert said.
Kamron grinned and gave Albert a playful punch on the chest. “We’re brothers, no need for thanks.”
He picked up his glass and clinked it with Albert’s.
“Let the wine do the talking,” Kamron said.
Albert nodded, raised his glass, and took a sip of red wine.
James couldn’t understand their language, but seeing their smiles, he felt the vibe was friendly and relaxed. He joined in the toast, raising his glass with theirs.
At the same time, he snapped his fingers for a waiter and had a glass of wine brought over for Stella.
Stella took the wine from James, her lips curling into a subtle smile. She toasted James first, then clinked glasses with Kamron.
Just as Stella was about to toast with Albert, he quietly said to James, “I see a friend over there. I’ll
go say
hello.”
James nodded, replying, “I’ll come with you.”
Albert gave a slight nod.
James and Albert walked right past Stella without so much as a glance back.
Stella was still holding her wine glass, the words dying on her lips before she could even speak.
She bit down hard on her lip, trying to hold back the prickling in her nose and the urge to cry.
Kamron lowered his gaze at Stella, not offering any words of comfort. Instead, he watched Albert walk away, a curious look in his eyes.
Albert had never treated Stella this coldly before.
He could still remember when Stella first landed in R, Albert had even called him up, asking him to look out for her so she wouldn’t get pushed around in a strange country.
No one would’ve thought Albert would be so distant with her now.
Kamron recalled how Albert had bragged about Elnora the other day, that hint of smugness flickering in his
eyes.
He couldn’t help but smirk.
‘Guess I’m not the only one who gets weak in the knees for a beautiful woman, Kamron thought to himself.
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Maybe Albert hadn’t been forced into marrying Elnora by Reese at all.
If that was the case, then things could get tricky.
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Kamron lowered his gaze, finished his wine in one gulp, and said quietly to Stella, “Stella, after all these years with Albert, you’re not thinking of letting go, are you?”
Stella nodded. “Absolutely not.”
She had no intention of letting go.
When she told Albert she wanted to break up, it was just something she blurted out in a fit of anger.
She never should’ve trusted the Taylor family’s schemes.
But she was really confused back then.
She and Albert had been dating for three years, but he never took her to meet Reese.
Sometimes, even when Reese spotted her at parties and Stella went over to greet her, Reese would completely pretend she was a total stranger.
Stella just couldn’t wait any longer.
She wanted to marry Albert.
So she used breaking up as a bargaining chip.
To her surprise, Albert seized the moment and agreed without a second thought.
The Taylor family was caught off guard by how quickly Albert accepted, and ended up reluctantly sending her abroad.
She spent half a year in Vuplariland.
Albert never once reached out to her.
Stella only learned from the tabloids that during that time, Albert was playing around, flirting with women, and living a reckless life.
Women came and went around him like a revolving door.
That was when Stella, desperate and anxious, rushed back home.
But her decision to come back didn’t sit well with the Taylor family at all.
The Taylors had planned to make her the one Albert would always long for but could never have.
But she just couldn’t stand waiting any longer.
She was terrified that Albert would fall for someone else.
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Chapter 580
Stella stared at the wine in her glass, a hint of worry flickering in her eyes. She looked up at Kamron and spoke in a low, serious voice.
“If I drink this, nothing bad will happen, right?” she asked.
Kamron smirked, glancing over at Albert before lowering his voice.
“No,” he replied. “You’ll stay clear-headed, but your body won’t really listen to you.”
Stella didn’t drink the wine right away; her gaze remained wary.
Kamron watched her hesitate and said quietly, “Stella, fortune favors the bold.
“Things between you and Albert aren’t so good right now, are they? Don’t you wish things could go back to how they were?”
Stella took a deep breath, her resolve faltering.
Of course Stella wished she and Albert could go back to the way things used to be.
She wanted it so badly, she even dreamed about it.
But ever since Elnora started hanging around Albert, he hardly even looked at her anymore.
Stella gripped her glass tightly and asked, “What if Albert doesn’t take me back to the hotel?”
‘I mean, I’m not even in my own Vuplarilandight now,’ Stella thought. ‘If something goes wrong here, I’m really screwed.’
Thinking about how tough the locals could be, Stella felt a chill run down her spine.
To put her at ease, Kamron gave her shoulder a reassuring pat and smiled.
C
“I never thought you’d be doubting yourself so much these days,” he said. “If you’re worried about getting back to the hotel, my people will be keeping an eye on you from behind the scenes and make sure you get back safely.”
With Kamron’s reassurance, Stella drained her glass in one swift motion.
Kamron watched her, a faint smile playing at his lips.
Stella caught Kamron’s smile and felt a strange sense of unease, like something wasn’t quite right.
But she just couldn’t put her finger on it.
Kamron withdrew his hand from her shoulder and said quietly, “I’ll make an excuse and leave early.
“After all, the only people you know here are me and Albert. I’m worried Albert might not want to take you
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back and just leave you in my care.”
Stella took a deep breath.
She finally realized what was bothering her.
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‘Wait, doesn’t Kamron have feelings for me?’ she thought. ‘So why is he going out of his way to help me?’
“Kamron, you…” Stella began, but she couldn’t finish the sentence.
Stella couldn’t figure out how to say it.
Kamron shot her a sidelong glance, a faint smile on his lips, and said in a low voice, “I’ve always been the kind of guy who likes to help others find happiness.”
With that, he walked over to Albert and James.
“Albert, Mr. Brewer, something came up at work and I gotta take care of it right away,” Kamron said. “Guess I’ll have to join you for drinks next time.”
James nodded, telling Kamron to stay safe on his way.
Albert raised his glass to Kamron and said quietly, “Take care.”
“Let’s hang out next time you’re back home,” Albert said.
Kamron smiled and asked, “You’re heading back tonight?”
Albert nodded. “Yeah.”
The contract was already signed, and he’d already been here for two days.
Back when he left, Elnora was still sick, and he still had no idea how she was holding up now.
So of course, he wanted to get back home as soon as possible.
Kamron nodded with a grin.
“Guess I’ll just have to catch up with you next time I’m in Port City,” he said. “I missed your wedding last time, so when I’m back, make sure your wife joins us and you show me some real hospitality.”
Albert nodded, agreeing without hesitation.
“No problem,” he said.
Kamron raised his glass, tapped it against Albert’s, and knocked back his wine in one smooth motion.
“It’s a promise,” he said.
Albert grinned, “You got it.”
20:19 Fri, Apr 24 8
Chapter 580
Kamron left with a smile, but not before turning back to say goodbye to Stella.
“Stella, I’ll head out first,” he called.
Stella nodded, watching him go.
Kamron walked out of the winery.
His bodyguards had been watching him from the shadows the whole time.
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Once they were outside, one of the bodyguards asked quietly, “Sir, should we keep an eye on Miss Taylor?”
If Albert really left Stella behind at the winery, she’d be in serious trouble.
The folks here in Vuplariland aren’t exactly friendly types.
Stella’s definitely going to have a hard time.
Kamron replied in a calm voice, “I’ve already cleared the path for her. If she still can’t pull it off, then she’s got no value to me.”
“She drank the wine on her own, so whatever happens next is her problem. We’re not involved.”
His bodyguard fell silent.
Kamron ducked into the car, casting a final glance toward the winery, a sly smile tugging at his lips.
Stella spent the whole night hovering around Albert, never really getting close but never drifting too far either.
Albert was schmoozing with James, networking with the big shots from Vuplariland and working the crowd.
Because of the wine she’d drunk, Stella kept her gaze glued to Albert, afraid to look away for even a moment.
Maybe Kamron hadn’t given her a strong enough dose, because for a long time, she didn’t feel anything at all.
But then her heart began to race, her cheeks flushed hot, and Stella realized the effects were finally hitting her.
She glanced toward where Albert had just been, panic flickering in her eyes.
But he was nowhere to be seen.
She took a deep breath and frantically searched the area, her gaze darting around.
Not only was Albert gone, but even Mr. Brewer was nowhere to be seen.
Stella’s expression froze.
As the effects of the drug started to kick in, she started losing control of her body, her movements growing clumsy and awkward.
20:19 Fri, Apr 24
Chapter 580
But her mind stayed perfectly clear.
She knew exactly what she was doing, but her arms and legs felt weak and shaky.
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Stella was heading for the exit, but just as she got to the door, she accidentally bumped into a waiter.
The glasses the waiter was carrying went crashing to the floor, making a loud noise.
Everyone in the banquet hall immediately turned to stare at her.
People were giving her looks of judgment and annoyance.
Stella took a deep breath, realizing that if she didn’t get out of there fast, she was about to totally embarrass herself in front of everyone.
Stella did her best to steady herself, forcing a calm expression as she headed for the exit.
A waiter could see she wasn’t feeling well and came over, asking, “Miss, is there anything I can do to help you?”
Stella shook her head, her breathing quickening as anxiety crept in.
Her body was already feeling the effects.
‘I can’t stay here any longer,’ Stella thought.
The effects were slowly gnawing away at her mind, making it harder and harder to think straight.
Just when she was about to break down, she spotted Albert at the entrance, talking to James.
Stella felt like she’d just spotted her savior.
She really thought this was the end for her tonight.
“Albert,” Stella called out, her voice unusually seductive.
Albert heard her and turned to see Stella looking unwell.
Her face was flushed, and she was unsteady on her feet.
Albert stood there, his brow furrowed.
When Stella saw that Albert wasn’t coming over, her heart sank.
James caught sight of her and made his way over.
“Whoa, Miss Taylor, how did you end up like this?” he asked.
