chapter1712

The next day, when Abby brought some documents to Stella, she noticed Stella was wearing a silk scarf around her neck and the most vibrant shade of red lipstick.

Abby had stayed out the previous night for a personal matter and hadn't come to the office with Stella that morning. As Stella's best friend for years, she knew her style inside and out. Stella had always disliked overly bright lipstick colors.

Seeing Stella so out of character, Abby was a bit taken aback.

She stared at Stella's scarf for a few moments. "Star, I thought you hated wearing scarves. Why the sudden change today?" she murmured to herself. "Is there something special about this one? Or... did Joshua give it to you? That can't be right. He should know you don't like scarves, shouldn't he?"

Stella felt a bit uncomfortable under Abby's scrutiny and averted her gaze. She quickly changed the subject. "Abby, could you get me a cup of coffee?"

"Sure, I'll go right now," Abby replied.

As she was about to leave, Abby caught a glimpse of a red mark on Stella's neck, and her expression changed slightly. She turned back around. "Star, are you hurt?"

"...Abby, I'm not hurt."

Stella's sudden decision to wear a scarf was already strange, and seeing her being so evasive, Abby didn't believe her for a second. She walked over to Stella, her face serious and her eyes filled with concern.

"Star, work is important, but so is your health. You can't just ignore your body because you're busy. Even a small injury needs to be taken care of."

Stella was speechless for a few seconds before finally saying, "Abby, I think... you should get a boyfriend."

It still didn't click for Abby. "I have no interest in wasting my time and energy on those jerks... Wait, what does this have to do with a boyfriend?"

Stella looked at her helplessly, an unreadable expression on her face.

They stared at each other for a few seconds before Abby finally understood. Her face flushed, and she cleared her throat awkwardly. "Right... I'll go get that coffee." So it wasn't an injury, it was...

Then again, were they that intense yesterday? No, wait a minute. Does this mean they aren't fighting about the whole marriage thing anymore?

Abby's inner gossip columnist immediately came alive. She paused and couldn't resist asking, "Star, did you manage to smooth things over with Joshua again?"

A soft expression crossed Stella's face. "Yes. Joshua said he's willing to wait for me."

Judging by Stella's mood, it was clear Joshua had compromised again. Between the matters of the Williams family and her previous marriage, Stella wasn't likely consider getting married anytime soon. And given the recent

circumstances,

It wasn't a suitable

time for them to get married

anyway. Taking things slower was better for both of them. It wouldn't

make sense to get married right after starting their relationship. After all, marriage wasn't a game; there were many things to consider.

Although Stella said she didn't want to get married, that was just her stance for now. Once their relationship stabilized, knowing Joshua's methods, Stella wouldn't stand a chance against him.

However... a complicated feeling arose in Abby's heart.

With Joshua's intelligence, if he truly

wanted to get married, he could

have easily used some trick, even a

sham marriage, to make Stella his wife But he frad respected her

wishes and had tried to

manipulate her.

Three months later.

After a thorough investigation, Coleman found that there was nothing wrong with Eloise's identity. He also located several other servants who had worked for the Williams family back then.

At the same time, another truth, one he was unwilling to believe, began to surface. The more Coleman dug, the more shocked he became. He couldn't believe it was all real. He didn't even know if Jonathan was aware.

One day, Coleman found Israel in a bar, drinking his life away. Since his fall from

power, Israel had become a complete mess.