Chapter 41

[ 562 words ]

When the car came to a halt, Stella realized that Ronald had brought her to a banquet. She recognized the place. It was hosted by the prestigious Patel family of Portis City.

Over the past few years, the Patel family’s patriarch, Beckett Patel’s birthday celebration had become an event the Larkin family never missed. If she remembered correctly, this year marked the grand old age of eighty for the patriarch. The opulence of this year’s event seemed to eclipse those of previous years. Luxury cars filled the parking lot, and the lights shone as bright as day.

Idris opened the car door with reverence, “Mr. Quinn, Mr. Patel is awaiting your arrival.”

Ronald nodded, glancing at Stella aside, “Hungry?”

As Stella heard this, she took a glimpse at her phone, noting the time, “A bit, yeah.”

She was always punctual when it came to meals. It was definitely dinner time.

Ronald suggested, “If you’re hungry, there’s food at the banquet. I’ll only need about half an hour with Mr. Patel.”

Stella was momentarily speechless, thinking they were here to celebrate instead of discussing business.

Observing the guests making their way inside, men in suits and women in various gowns, Stella looked down at her casual blazer and white sneakers, “Should I be going in like this?”

Ronald asked, “Any problem?”

Stella hesitated, “No…problem?”

Idris reassured, “No problem at all.”

Stella was rendered speechless.

Ronald glanced at Finley, who was engrossed in a game on his phone in the passenger seat, “Keep her company, will you?”

Finley, in the heat of the game, looked back at Stella, “Really hungry?”

Stella said, “Yeah. The Patel family’s chef makes amazing food.”

Finley remained silent, wondering with all the gourmet experiences Stella had in Ferrowland, she still fancied the cuisine from the Patel family’s chef.

Ronald gave Finley a look, and Finley quickly pocketed his phone, “Alright, alright. Your sister is my sister. I won’t let her go hungry. Go handle your business.”

Ronald truly pampered this sister, the kind of protective care that had always surrounded Stella, even worrying over her meals since she was little. Now, as grown as she was, the concern remained. Ronald’s expression cooled, “Who’s your sister?”

Finley’s lips twitched, “Right, won’t let your sister go hungry.”

Arguing with Ronald was like digging one’s own grave.

With Ronald gone, Finley turned to Stella, “Star, let’s get you something to eat.”

Even as Ronald walked away, Finley’s casual brotherly gesture seemed to chill the air around him.

Feeling the tension, Finley didn’t dare to jest further.

And so, Stella, in her casual attire, found herself at the banquet with Finley, heading straight for the pastry section.

“Grab something here. I’ve got a game to finish.”

Thinking the pastry section was abundant enough to satisfy any hunger, Finley found a seat nearby.

Stella was really starving. As she bit into a piece of cake, Susanna’s voice rang out, “Star?”

Stella looked up to find Susanna’s gaze upon her.

Susanna checked around her, “Who’s with you? Why are you dressing like that?”

She dressed in a shimmering black V-neck gown, made Stella’s casual outfit seem even more out of place.

“Did Yorick bring you here?” Susanna speculated, assuming Stella’s presence was part of his strategy to counter the backlash from her calling off the wedding with him.

With the cake chewing in her mouth, Stella could barely clarify with a simple “no”, and a mocking voice interrupted, “Oh, look who’s here. After canceling the wedding with Yorick Quarry, she still shows up at events like this.”

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