Chapter 41
Stella's POV
At ten o'clock in the evening, the doors of the operating room finally swung open.
Luke emerged, clad in green surgical scrubs. He removed his mask with one hand, revealing his refined features and gold-rimmed glasses.
"Mr. Morgan..." I hurried to him, my voice laden with worry.
"The surgery was a success," Luke announced before I could ask, aware of my anxiety.
I exhaled deeply, feeling an immense weight lift from my shoulders.
"Mr. Morgan, thank you so much." My gratitude was evident.
Luke recalled Adam's serious demeanor when he sought help the previous night. Despite his apparent displeasure, Adam had still come to Luke, which was unusual.
"You should thank Adam, your husband," Luke said thoughtfully."You... know about Adam and me...?" I was taken aback."Even James doesn't know, how did you...?""My brother is clueless." Luke said, mocking James.
The entire Morgan family attended Johns Hopkins Universíty for medical school. James, who spent his time with music and never visited the campus, was the odd one out.
In truth, Luke and Adam were close friends, with James tagging along because of Luke.
"Once your grandmother's condition stabilizes, you can visit her,
" Luke said, handing me a business card. "I have another surgery soon. If you have any questions, call me."
I thanked him again.
For the next two days, I stayed at the hospital until my grandmother's vitals returned to normal.
As the 72-hour mark approached, Brian stormed into the hospital just as I returned from a high-end medicinal cuisine restaurant with porridge for my grandmother.
"Stella, why didn't you answer my calls?" Brian's anger quickly turned to mockery. "You claim to care about the old lady,but in the end, you abandoned her for your own sake!"
I looked at him, irritation evident. "My grandmother is out of danger, so there's no need for your concern, dear nephew. As for the calls-"After a brief pause, I remembered, "OOh, sorry, I blocked you."
"You blocked me?" Brian was incredulous, as if deeply offended.
吕
I retorted, "Why keep a cheating scumbag unblocked?"
Luke happened to be at the hospital for a follow-up on my grandmother and nearly burst out laughing at my words.
"Mr. Lancaster, what a coincidence!" Luke greeted Brian politely.
Brian immediately understood that I had sought Luke's help.
With a cold glance at me, Brian turned and left.
"Sorry you had to witness that," I said, unreservedly comparing Brian to trash.
Luke chuckled, "No need to be so formal."
Satisfied with my grandmother's recovery, Luke left after his examination.
\---
Adam's POV"Who would have thought your wife could be so witty? The rumors about her were clearly unfounded!" Luke mused.glancing at me."Hey! I'm complimenting your wife, what's with the reaction?"Luke looked at me quizzically. "Could it be possessiveness?"
Possessiveness implies affection. Could a man as detached as I truly have feelings for Stella?
Luke shifted the topic.
"Speaking of which, it's odd that John shows no concern for his own mother's well-being, while Stella, an adopted daughter,is the one running around. And that newly returned Lucy-she could have asked Brian to get the doctor, but she stayed out of sight, giving Brian the chance to manipulate Stella."
I frowned at this. "Manipulate?"
"Yes, only Mr. Weber and I could perform that surgery domestically," Luke said, puzzled. "Didn't you know? Didn't you call me to help Stella?"
Because Stella and I had made a deal. I had nearly trampled on her dignity to strike that bargain.
"You can leave now," I said coldly, suddenly dismissing Luke.
Luke,"?"I summoned Taylor to investigate what had transpired between Stella and Brian at the hospital. Indeed, Brian had threatened Stella, and she had retorted sharply before coming to me.Rubbing my temples, I recalled the lookin Stella's eyes when T forced her to dance by the floor-to-ceiling window-disbelief,a blend of sorrow and forced resilience, helpless yet isolated.bearing it all alone.
I felt a wave of irritation.
Lighting a cigarette, I mused that even if I had wronged her, I shouldn't feel guilty. Survival of the fittest is the law of this world. But why was I so unsettled?
Returning to the Lancaster manor, Joseph greeted me cheerfully.Not seeing Stella, he asked, "Mrs. Lancaster didn't come back with you?"
I frowned. "She's not home?"
Joseph replied, "Madam hasn't been back for several days,saying a relative is ll. I assumed you were with her."
I clicked my tongue inwardly. She was indeed devotedI to her grandmother. Were the Winstons all dead, leaving her to care for the old lady alone?
Joseph cautiously inquired, "Did you have a quarrel with Madam?"
"No," I scoffed.
Joseph remained silent.I was a light sleeper. but that night I barely slept at all. Every time I closed my eyes. Stella's helpless and aggrieved expression haunted me. So pitiful.
I sat up in frustration. Damn it!
\---
The next day.
After Taylor briefed me on the day's schedule, he noted. "Sir.you didn't sleep well last night. Shall I make you a coffee?"
I didn't respond.
"Get me the personnel and activity schedule for Project C." I ordered.
Taylor immediately arranged it.
By the time I reached the office, the schedule was already on my desk. I quickly scanned it and asked, "Stella hasn't been working lately?"
"According to protocol, Madam's work with our company is a mutual selection, so her assignments aren't managed by PR.But this can be changed! I'll consult the planning department!"I nodded in satisfaction, pausing as my fingers tapped the document. "Assign this project to her."I wanted her to be the styling director for the group's promotional ambassador event. Despite her limited experience.I had an inexplicable trust in her.
"I'll arrange it right away."
\---
Stella's POV
When I received a call from GT's planning department at the hospital, I didn't immediately agree. I called back, explaining that I had personal matters to attend to and couldn't take on work at the moment.
I knew the project was a rare opportunity, and as a collaborator, I had an obligation to support GT Group's initiatives. If I leave, who would take care of my grandmother?
"Stella, seize the opportunity. There are doctors and nurses here,don't worry about me," grandmother urged. "The Winston family already owes you a lot."
"Grandmother, but I owe you too." She had taken care of me when I was young. Without her, I might not have survived.
In the end,grandmother persuaded me, and I started working that afternoon.The promotional ambassador for GT Group was a nearly fifty-year-old international film star. Following his preferences,I selected a pinstripe bespoke suit.
Styling a male star was easier than a female star, but it required meticulous attention to detail.
As I was choosing the final accessories for the actor. Adam arrived.
"Sir, what brings you here?" The planning manager was startled, quickly approaching him.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him in the wheelchair enter.His presence was commanding, impossible to ignore. Even in a wheelchair, he was so handsome. Why was he here?
The room fell silent.
I immediately refocused on my work, finishing the actor's styling. I was the only one who remained composed and continued working.
"Just looking around," Adam replied. The planning manager dared not speak further.
"That lady looks unfamiliar," Taylor pointed at me deliberately.
I rolled my eyes inwardly. Unfamiliar, my foot!She's our seasonal guest stylist, a talented young professional,"the planning manager explained respectfully. "Shall I have hercome over to meet you?"
Adam said nothing, and Taylor couldn't discern his intentions.
The planning manager stood there, anxious.
Even with my back to him, I couldfeel his intense gaze.
Just as I turned, Adam wheeled around and left.
Taylor hurried after him.
I slowly straightened up, glancing in the direction Adam had left.
Why was he here? Inspecting his territory? But I distinctly felt his gaze like a thorn in my back. I thought he would call me over to make things difficult,yet he left without a word?