Chapter 81
Stella's POV
"I'm sorry, I'm not at liberty to disclose my identity, but no,I'm not his assistant." The woman's tone was polite but reserved.speaking with a familiarity that made my stomach twist.
A ridiculous thought hit me: what if Adlam hadn't even saved my number in his contacts? What if my calls just appeared as unknown numbers on his screen? The thought that I might be just another nameless entry in his phone made my chest hurt.
"I'm sorry, I must have dialed the wrong number," I said quickly, hanging up before she could respond.
I stared at my phone, my mind racing. Who was this woman with Adam? Why was she answering his phone? My eyes stung.and I felt a sharp pain in my chest.
"And now, please welcome to the stage the youngest ever recipient of the YEAR Visual Gold Award-Miss Stella Winston! The announcement snapped me back to reality. I quickly composed myself,forcing a smile as I made my way to the stage. The bright lights momentarily blinded me as applause filled the hall. I delivered my prepared speech in what I hoped was fluent.elegant English, thanking my mentors and expressing gratitude to the committee. Just as I finished and was about to leave, the host placed a hand on my arm, stopping me.
"Miss Winston is the youngest winner of several prestigious awards in visual styling," the host announced. "Everyone is curious about your personal life, Miss Winston. On behalf of all our viewers and attendees, I'd like to ask: what type of gentleman catches your eye? I know many eligible young men would love to make your acquaintance."
I froze for a moment, microphone still in hand. My mind flashed to Adam-to the woman who had answered his phone-and I felt a surge of defiance.
"Thank you for your interest and everyone's concern," I replied smoothly, "but I should mention that I'm already married."
A ripple of surprised murmurs passed through the audience.
As I came down the stairs from the stage, award in hand,I overheard snippets of conversation from nearby attendees. "Stella's only twenty five and already married? That's unexpected." "Fashion gossip has been wild these past few days. Did you hear that Grace's exhibition in Toronto had a surprise visitor?Adam from GT Group was there."
"Really? Adam never attends public events unless they're business-related. Why would he go to Grace's exhibition? I didn't know they were close-that's shocking!"
"If you ask me, they make a handsome couple."
The mention of "Grace" and "Grace Davis" made my heart skip a beat. My focus completely shattered, I missed the last step on the stairs and stumbled, nearly falling before a strong hand caught my arm.
"Do you always walk without looking where you're going?"A familiar male voice, tinged with annoyance, came from beside me.
I looked up in surprise. "James? Thanks... What are you doing here?"
"Iconducted the background music for today's ceremony, so naturally, they invited me." James released my arm and shoved his hands into his pockets. "I know you can't stand me, but I didn't come here deliberately to share a roof with you." I blinked in confusion. "I don't dislike you. Aren't you the one who's always had a problem with me?" "When have I ever had a problem with you?!" James lookedgenuinely offended.
I counted off on my fingers: "Kindergarten, you pulled my hair.Elementary school, you took my erasers. Middle school,you
called me a bookworm because I got the highest grade. High school,you'd walk away whenever you saw me."
James looked uncomfortable, his eyes darting around. After a long pause, he finally managed to say,′′Ifyou don't have a problem with me, then... then why aren't you wearing the hairpins I gave you? Don't you like them? If you don't, just throw them away!"
"I left those hairpins at home. It was coincidental timing,not dislike," I explained, trying to be patient.
"Oh." James responded simply.
\---
The names I'd overheard continued to echo in my mind,making it impossible to focus on anything else.
"James, can I ask you something?" I didn't wait for his permission before continuing,′′DOo you know Grace Davis?" "Grace Davis? How do you know about her?" James pulled me to one side to avoid blocking other guests. "She's a jewelry designer who lives abroad. There shouldn't be much news about her in America." "Does she... know Adam?" I could feel my heart rate accelerating.
"How do you know about that too? The Davis family and Adam's mother's family have been close for generations. Grace and Adam have known each other since childhood." James explained, then added with feigned casualness, "Are you heading back to America together?"
I shook my head. "I've already booked my flight." The truth was that I couldn't bear the thought of making small talk with James on the journey home-I needed to be alone with my thoughts.
"Stella, are you still with Adam?" James finally asked the question that seemed to be hovering in his eyes since he first saw me.
I didn't answer directly. Instead, I forced a smile. "Thanks for telling me all this. I'll be at your mother's birthday party the day after tomorrow. See you back in New York." On the flight from Paris to New York, I couldn't help but feel the irony of my situation. One minute I was announcing to the world that I was married, and the next, I was hearing gossip about my husband with another woman. I tried desperately not to think about Adam and Grace, but my mind wouldn't cooperate. I'd always known that Adam,with his status and looks, would attract women-I'd prepared myself for that reality from the beginning. But somehow, the concrete knowledge that he had attended Grace's exhibition,sparking rumors, felt like a physical blow.
*It's just gossip*. I told myself.*It doesn't mean anything*.
But the memory of a woman answering Adam's phone lingered.feeding my doubts.
\---
When I returned to Lancaster Manor, my mind was still dominated by thoughts of Adam and Grace. Without any evidence, I even suspected that Grace might have been the one who answered Adam's phone before the award ceremony.
Sitting on the sofa, my thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of my phone. Adam's name flashed on the screen.
"Hello," I answered, my voice sounding flat even to mny own ears.
There was a brief pause on the other end. "What's wrong?"Adam asked, immediately picking up on my mood. mind wouldn't cooperate. I'd always known that Adam,with his status and looks, would attract women-I'd prepared myself for that reality from the beginning. But somehow, the concrete knowledge that he had attended Grace's exhibition,sparking rumors, felt like a physical blow.
*It's just gossip*. I told myself.*It doesn't mean anything*.
But the memory of a woman answering Adam's phone lingered.feeding my doubts.
\---
When I returned to Lancaster Manor, my mind was still dominated by thoughts of Adam and Grace. Without any evidence, I even suspected that Grace might have been the one who answered Adam's phone before the award ceremony.
Sitting on the sofa, my thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of my phone. Adam's name flashed on the screen.
"Hello," I answered, my voice sounding flat even to mny own ears.
There was a brief pause on the other end. "What's wrong?"Adam asked, immediately picking up on my mood.mind wouldn't cooperate. I'd always known that Adam,with his status and looks, would attract women-I'd prepared myself for that reality from the beginning. But somehow, the concrete knowledge that he had attended Grace's exhibition,sparking rumors, felt like a physical blow.
*It's just gossip*. I told myself.*It doesn't mean anything*.
But the memory of a woman answering Adam's phone lingered.feeding my doubts.
\---
When I returned to Lancaster Manor, my mind was still dominated by thoughts of Adam and Grace. Without any evidence, I even suspected that Grace might have been the one who answered Adam's phone before the award ceremony.
Sitting on the sofa, my thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of my phone. Adam's name flashed on the screen.
"Hello," I answered, my voice sounding flat even to mny own ears.
There was a brief pause on the other end. "What's wrong?"Adam asked, immediately picking up on my mood. "What do you mean, 'what's wrong'?" I hugged a cushion to my chest, aware that my face was probably betraying my emotions. "Are you upset about something?" Adam's voice softened.
Those four simple words, though nothing special in themselves,somehow broke through the dam holding back my emotions.All the hurt and confusion I'd been suppressing rushed forward, making my throat tighten.
"No," I managed, trying to sound normal. "Did you need something?"
"I'll be arriving at Kennedy Airport at three this afternoon.Come pick me up, and we'll go to Mrs. Morgan's birthday party together."
"Okay," I agreed quickly, anxious to end the call before he detected more of my emotional state. "If that's all, I should go-I have work to do."