Standing behind the door and peeking at the two men, Stella could feel the awkwardness and
uneasiness between them.
However, the scene of her brother and father sitting together was still heart-warming. So she took a
picture of it.
Clarence stood behind her, leaning against the door frame, “You still like doing this, don't you?”
She glared at him and gestured to shush him, as she wanted to take more pictures.
Archer's voice sounded, “May I ask what kind of kink is this, that you have to stand here in the middle
of the night, at the door of someone who's going to sleep?”
Clarence squinted at him, which made him run back to his room while waving his hand, suggesting that
they could stand here as long as they want.
Stella snapped a few more shots and then took Clarence into Archer's room. She said after closing the
door, “Could you counsel my brother? I think what you try on me worked quite well.”
Archer said lazily on the couch, “I made those up. It won't trick someone so smart like your brother.”
Stella felt like she had somehow been mocked.
Clarence held her hands, “She didn’t eat much recently. What's wrong?”
Archer said, “It’s quite normal. Pregnant women always feel nauseous and the progestin hormones
affects your appetite. It will be better in a while.”
Stella said, “I feel better this time than the last pregnancy. Not as much sick. Everything is fine except
my appetite.”
“Some pregnant women are like you, who feel better when having the second baby, whereas some
others are the opposite.” Archer changed his position to sit more comfortably, and continued, “This is
normal for you at present. I’ve told you there are side effects after taking the herbal soup, but so far it
looks fine.”
Stella nodded.
Clarence was dissatisfied, however, “What if she doesn't eat anything?”
Stella turned back to him, “I have eaten something, not nothing. Only sometimes I did have a poor
appetite.”
“If so, why did you slim down so much?”
“It’s probably because… I had too many green plums recently.” Stella muttered sheepishly, “Do you
remember, during my pregnancy last time, I lost weight in the first months, but in the last months, I got
heavier.”
Clarence replied, “I don't think so.”
“You can ask Sherry.”
Archer sat opposite and put his head on his hand. He already grew numb towards their lovey-dovey
routine quarrels, “Could you go back to your own room to talk about it? I gotta sleep.”
Stella finally realized she had disturbed him. She then said goodbye to him with a blushed face and
took Clarence away.
When she arrived at the door, she peeked outside and went into the living after they finished their
meals.
Channing had already left.
William was on the phone dealing with his business.
After the call, Stella and Clarence walked to him.
Stella asked, “Dad, are you busy?”
William replied, “I hurried back and there are things left undone. But it’s fine.”
Stella hesitated before asking again, “Chan…”
“He drove away. Don’t worry. I would appoint someone to follow him. He won’t be in trouble.”
Stella nodded, “He's introverted, sometimes aloof to people, but he is considerate and sensitive. He
can feel your care, but he needs some time to accept it.”
Jeffrey Radomil had cast a great shadow on him.
“I know. I won’t force him.”
William's phone rang again. He said goodbye to them.
Stella was surprised, “Aren't you staying?”
“No, there are a lot of things about Channing needing me to handle. In addition, if I were here, your
friends may feel uneasy. After all of these, I will go back to London.”
“All right.”
“Did Channing tell you he had a chance to study in Oxford. The university specially invited him.” said
William before he left.
Stella was confused, “No, when?”
“A few days ago.” William replied, “I’ve been to his school. His teacher told me he declined it. It will be
due next Friday. Ask him to think about it."
“I got it.”
Clarence looked at Stella, “You can go upstairs first. I would send…dad out.”
Stella was taken aback that it was the first time he called her father “dad”.
She felt he was not comfortable about this, and understood they had something to talk about. So she
directly went upstairs.
When she entered the room, she saw the text message Chan sent her 10 minutes ago. He said, “I've
left. I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”
Stella sighed. Chan couldn’t risk his own life and future even though Chassell Barret was unforgivable.
However, it was not easy for someone to keep his cool in that situation.
Justin did have profound insight into human nature and was so good at manipulation.
He knew Joanna Perez would suicide in order to incite his hatred.
He knew Clarence would give him the Conrad Group after knowing the truth.
He knew Chassell Barret would definitely take revenge on Winnie and Chan upon release.
All these were in his plan.
He had been scheming these for years.
If he hadn't had a car accident, he could've made history in the business circles.
He wouldn’t be inferior to Clarence.
Fate, what a tricky thing.
When Clarence came back, Stella was still in a meditative state.
“You haven't showered?”
“I'm gonna. What have you said?”
“Nothing. Just sent him out.”
Stella doubted it.
Clarence leaned towards her, “What, you want him to leave quickly so that we can go back to the room
as soon as possible?”
Stella didn't know what to say to that.
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