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Chapter 45 Where Does That Confidence Come From
Stella overheard the last sentence, and it immediately struck her as odd. Mason was never one to meddle in others’ business. He had only teased her a few times but never mentioned anything about Cecilia’s return. Stella, though she refrained from pressing further, couldn’t shake the growing resentment she felt toward Mason. Determined, she made her way to Nathaniel.
“Nathaniel, Easter Day is approaching. Mdm. Elena has invited us to join her for dinner tonight,” Stella said.
Mdm. Elena, Nathaniel’s mother, was undoubtedly once again pushing for their marriage and urging them to start a family soon.
Without looking up, Nathaniel responded, “Got it.”
Stella, unbothered by his lack of engagement, took a seat on the office sofa.
“I don’t have much to do today, so I’ll wait for you here.”
Nathaniel glanced at her with narrowed eyes. “You seem to have a lot of free time?”
Stella was caught off guard. Before she could respond, Nathaniel, with his usual cold tone, stated, “I’m not used to having outsiders around when I’m working.”
Stella, feeling the sting of his words, was left speechless.
She stood up, her voice tight, “I’ll wait for you outside then.”
Nathaniel didn’t reply, and Stella reluctantly left his office. No matter whether it was during their past relationship or now, Nathaniel’s icy demeanor always pushed people away. It was as though only someone like Cecilia could unconditionally accept such a man.
Stepping outside to clear her head, Stella found Zachary’s office eerily empty. She approached the secretary and asked, “Has Zach not been around lately?”
The secretary replied truthfully, “Old Mr. Sinclair has been busy arranging Mr. Sinclair’s wedding lately, so he hasn’t been able to come.”
Wedding?
Stella’s heart sank, a knot forming in her stomach. In the past, Zachary had turned down numerous marriage proposals, including George’s, for her sake. Learning about his arranged marriage felt like a betrayal, and an uneasy feeling crept into her heart.
“Do you know who the other party is?” Stella asked, trying to suppress the rising anxiety.
The secretary thought for a moment before responding, “When the Sinclair family was selecting a daughter-in-law, it was like they held an open audition. Still, a woman from an average family would never attract the patriarch’s attention.”
An open audition? Does that mean it hasn’t happened yet?
Stella’s heart felt slightly lighter as the turmoil within her began to subside. She decided to visit the private lounge but couldn’t resist dialing Zachary’s number. She had known him for many years, and he had never once been angry with her. There had to be a reason for his aloofness over the past four years. She needed to clarify things.
Meanwhile, within a discreet business vehicle near Ninth Ville, Zachary gazed out the window. “Does she live here?” he asked, his voice calm.
The bodyguard accompanying him responded respectfully, “Yes.”
Zachary was about to ask something further when his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and saw Stella’s name flashing. Over the years, Zachary had refrained from acting against Stella, all because of Nathaniel’s deep affection for her. If it weren’t for Nathaniel, Stella would have long ceased to exist in his life.
Why is she calling me now?
Curious if she had learned about Cecilia’s return, Zachary picked up the call. “What’s up?”
Stella, somewhat in disbelief, noted that in the past, Zachary had hung up on her calls every time. This time, he actually answered.
“Zach, I heard your grandpa is planning your wedding?”
Zachary raised an eyebrow. “You seem quite interested in my personal affairs?”
“We’re friends, so naturally, I care about you. I’m afraid you might encounter the wrong people. Zach, if there’s a woman you’re interested in, you can tell me. That way, I can help you keep an eye on things.”
Zachary couldn’t help but scoff. “Keep an eye? Where does that confidence come from? Don’t forget, in my grandfather’s eyes, you’re just an actress. Not only will he be dissatisfied with the woman you’ve chosen, but I doubt she’ll fit into my circles either. You should know that better than…
