Chapter 74

Stella's POV

I woke up with my entire body aching, sunlight streaming through a gap in the curtains. Blinking slowly, I gradually returned to reality, still reeling from Adam's "punishment"from last night.

Trying to stretch, I realized I was trapped in a warm embrace,with Adam's steady breath tickling the nape of my neck.

Suddenly, a thought hit me.

"Oh my God! I'm late!" I panicked, struggling to get up. "The style meeting-"

"You have the morning off," Adam's languid voice came from above me, hisarm showing no sign of letting go.

"Off?" I stopped struggling and glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand. 10:30. I would indeed be late if I had work today.

Adam slowly loosened his grip and sat up, his hair unusually disheveled, though his green eyes remained as sharp as ever. "I've always had mild insomnia. Usually I only need about three or four hours of sleep," he explained, noticing my confused expression."1didn't get up early today because I was holding you."

My cheeks flushed as I quickly grabbed my phone to check my messages. Sure enough, there was a notification from the director: morning meeting with the leads to discuss image design.styling and wardrobe departments have the morning off.

"It really is a day off," I murmured, then suddenly looked up at Adam. "Wait, did you arrange this?"

Adam nodded without hesitation. "Ihad Taylor notify the production team."

*So you planned to exhaust me until five in the morning from the start?* I thought to myself, though I had to admit that half of this free morning had already been wasted. It was 10:30now, with only a few hours left before the afternoon shift.

I reflected on our conflict and reconciliation last night. Despite how exhausting Adam's "punishment" had been, the feeling of being completely possessed by him somehow brought us closer.

Adam had already gotten up and was efficiently changing into his custom-tailored suit. Within minutes, he had transformed back into the cold "Mr. Lancaster" persona. Only his slightly messy hair and the faint shadows under his eyes proved he was human after all.

That's when I realized an awkward problem. "Adam, L... I don't have anything to wear." I looked at the torn dress on the floor and bit my lip in frustration.

Adam's gaze lingered on me, clearly enjoying my embarrassment as I clutched the sheets around me. He turned and walked to the living room. Moments later, he returned with an elegant shopping bag, fromn which he pulled out a red cashmere dress and what appeared to be expensive lingerie.

"You... you didn't have Taylor buy these, did you?" I asked in horror, imagining the awkwardness of Adam's assistant shopping for my underwear.

Adam raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a hint of displeasure. "Stella, what are you thinking? Would I let another man buy underwear for my wife?"

"Then who...?"

"My personal assistant. Female." Adam placed the clothes beside me on the bed. "Now, get up. I'll help you dress."

"I-I can do it myself," I instinctively clutched the sheets tighter.

"It's nothing I haven't seen before. Why so shy?" Adam's tone was teasing, but his eyes were dead serious. Eventually, I gave in to Adam's insistence and accepted his "help." When his fingers grazed my skin, the intimacy made my heart race. This kindof care felt too intimate, reminding me of behavior only lovers or spouses would share. *But aren't we spouses?* The thought made my heart skip a beat.

After getting dressed. I suddenly remembered last night and couldn't help feeling indignant. "You hurt me last night."

"Hmm?" Adam turned to look at me, his expression impassive.

"You hurt me last night! And you haven't even apologized!"I emphasized. though I knew the passion had been mutual.

A flash of remorse crossed Adam's eyes before quickly disappearing. He clearly didn't want to apologize, believing I had brought it on myself.

"You have a college degree and got your master's early. I always thought you were smarter," he adjusted his tie, his tone cool. "Make choices, face consequences."

\---

Around noon, Adam, dissatisfied with the hotel's food, ordered takeout from a restaurant. As I was clearing the coffee table to prepare for lunch, I noticed another delivery bag.

"Sparkling water!" I exclaimed in surprise, pulling out the green glass bottle. "Did you get this for me?"Adam didn't look up, focusing on his laptop.′′Itcame with the restaurant order." I raised an eyebrow, knowing full well that this Italian sparkling water had nothing to do with the high-end restaurant's supply chain. And coincidentally, it happened to be my favorite drink, which I had casually mentioned during a dinner with Adam once.

"Are you apologizing with sparkling water?" I asked with a smirk, unable to hide my smug expression.

"Don't overthink it." Adam continued staring at his laptop screen, his tone flat.

"If it's an apology, sparkling water isn't enough," I deliberately provoked him. "You should also buy me fried chicken and fries.11

"I said it's not!" Adam finally looked up, frowning at me.

I opened the sparkling water and took a sip, the bubbles dancing on my tongue making me inexplicably happy. I realized that with Adam Lancaster, his actions always spoke louder than his words. At 1:30 PM, the 'Splendor' crew returned to work. As soon as I arrived at the makeup room, I heard cheers. "What's going on?" I asked curiously. Lisa excitedly pointed to the break area. "Someone sent fried chicken. one box for each person! Morning off, fried chicken when we start work in the afternoon-it's perfect! I wonder which crew member's family is so thoughtful!"

I froze, staring at the golden fried chicken in paper boxes,a smile involuntarily spreading across my face. I remembered what I had said this morning-"Ifit's an apology, sparkling water isn't enough, you should also buy me fried chicken and fries."

*Adam,you stubborn, soft-hearted man,* I thought silently.

Today I was responsible for styling the supporting male actor as a vagrant-a down-on-his-luck artist who needed to appear disheveled yet retain an artistic quality. I focused on my work but felt many people watching me with curious glances.

*Adam Lancaster's appearance on set probably had a bigger impact than I imagined,* I thought. From the moment Adam publicly acknowledged me as his wife, my status had completely transformed.

"Ms. Winston, what's your relationship with Mr. Lancaster?"the supporting actor suddenly asked during a makeup break.

My hand paused momentarily, but I didn't answer, just continued focusing on my work.

The actor seemed to interpret my silence as some kind of hint, his gaze turning suggestive. "Ms. Winston. I've admired you since I first saw you. Would you consider going out with me?My mother is on the Fashion Week committee, I could give you the best industry resources."

I put down my makeup brush and looked directly into his eyes."Sir. I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that, and I hope this is the last time you say something like that."

My voice wasn't loud, but my tone was resolute, my gaze uncompromising. After quickly finishing the remaining styling work, I promptly left.

Shortly after, I saw Lucy walk up to the supporting actor,deliberately examining his styling with an exaggerated expression.

"Hey, isn't this styling a bit... too detrimental to your appearance?" Lucy feigned surprise. "You have so many fans who love your looks. I wonder if Stella deliberately made you look like this?"

Lucy's voice wasn't quiet, and the crew members around could hear her clearly. The actor's expression immediately darkened. Stella's POV

"Didn't the director mention yesterday that your posture wasn't elegant enough?" Lucy continued adding fuel to the fire. "It was Stella who told the director you were hunched over with no energy, looking nothing like a proper drama actor."

The actor's eyes grew increasingly menacing.Having just been rejected by me, then hearing he'd been criticized behind his back, plus thefact that his styling was indeed a far cry from his usual polished image, I knew he might begin to develop resentment toward me.

\---

In the early evening, Lisa and I went to a nearby specialty store to purchase styling supplies. On our way back, we found a group of girls surrounding the production area, appearing to be fans waiting for certain actors.

"Wasn't the filming location supposed to be kept secret? How did fans find out?" Lisa asked in confusion.

Before I could answer, a shrill voice pierced the air, "You bitch who deliberately gave my idol an ugly styling!"

Almost simultaneously, an egg flew toward me. I reacted quickly, raising my bag to block it while shielding Lisa with my body.

"You whore!" The crazed fan continued hurling insults,her eyes blazing with fury. "You gave him a styling too ugly to be seen in public, and you badmouthed him to the director!Women like you who want to ruin his career deserve to die!"

I saw her pull a small knife from her pocket, my pupils contracting instantly.

"Stella, watch out!" Lisa screamed.

Drawing on years of self-defense training, I dodged with lightning speed while kicking at the fan's wrist. The knife went flying, and I quickly followed up with a clean shoulder throw,pinning the deranged fan to the ground.

′′Callsecurity! Call the police!" I calmly directed the stunned crowd around us.

That evening, the atmosphere in the production meeting room was tense."I'm very sorry, Ms. Winston," the actor apologized superficially,his eyes showing no sincerity.11Ihad no idea my fans would do something like this. They're just overly concerned about me.I apologize on their behalf!" I shook my head and took out my phone. pulling up a screenshot from Instagram. "Your character is a down-and-out vagrant. Did you still want to maintain your idol image? Tell me how I deliberately made you look bad?"

The screenshot clearly showed the actor's social media complaint: "Met a pretentious stylist today who deliberately ruined my image! Don't worry fans. I'll make her pay." The accompanying images showed his selfie in costume and my back as I worked.

The actor's face turned pale. "This... wasn't this deleted?"

"The internet never forgets," I replied coldly.

The director and producer exchanged uncomfortable glances.On one hand, the actor had powerful family connections; on the other hand, I was Adam Lancaster's wife-an identity that made anyone think twice.

"This doesn't need to be blown out of proportion," Lucy suddenly interjected. "Stella, you weren't hurt. Fan behavior shouldn't be tied to the celebrity. Don't be too harsh."

"Ms. Lucy," Lisa couldn't help but interject, "you weren't the one nearly attacked, so don't talk like it's no big deal!" "Assistant." Lucy glanced at Lisa dismissively, "you have no place to speak here." I looked around at everyone and decided not to pursue the matter further. 'This pointless argument would only waste time.and I didn't want to delay the entire production schedule because of one crazed fan.

"Fine, I'll let it go this time," I finally said.

The actor sighed in relief but immediately made another demand: "Then post a statement on social media saying this was all a misunderstanding. Your bag got dirty-I'll buy you a new one!"

My gaze cooled. "Sir, not pursuing this doesn't mean I'll cooperate with you. I don't think this was a misunderstanding.As for the bag? I don't need it."

The actor was infuriated and stood up, pointing at me. "Stop acting high and mighty! I'll give you a luxury car! Don't be so ungrateful!"

The meeting room erupted in commotion. I slowly pulled back my sleeve, revealing the watch on my wrist.

"Do you know how much this watch costs?" I asked calmly.

The actor was taken aback. "What do you mean?" "This is a limited edition watch, retail price $900,000." I gently rotated my wrist, allowing everyone to see the understated yet Juxuríous timepiece. "Calculate how many luxury cars that could buy."

The actor's expression shifted from anger to shock, then from shock to embarrassment. He opened and closed his mouth.unable to find an appropriate response.

"I'm sorry, I'm not trying to show off." I stood up. my tone returning to calm. "I just want to make it clear that I don't need your compensation. nor do I need your so-called resources.' I only hope to work in an environment of mutual respect. If that's not possible, then I believe we have nothing more to discuss."

With that. I picked up my bag and gracefully left the meeting room, leaving behind a room full ofstunned faces.

As I reached the door. I heard a loud scoff from behind me.

"Stella, what are you so proud of?" The male lead's arrogant voice made me pause. "Why don't you get your richhusband to deal with me if you're so offended?"

His words hung in the air, causing the entire room to fall silent.I didn't turn around, refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing my reaction. Instead, I straightened my shoulders and walked out with my head held high, though my heart pounded with anger. Back in my hotel mom. I had just kicked off my heels when 1frese, noticing a laptop on the coffee table that wasn't mine.The scent of expensive cologne hung in the nir.

"Adam?"

He emerged from the bedroom. dressed in a casual black sucater and dark kans a far crv from his usual formal attire.Despite mv exhaustion, my heart skipped a beat.

Adam, what are vou doing in my room? I thought vou'd gone back to New York?" I asked. feeling a surge of gratitude that T d upgraded from the standard room to a luxury suite.

"Staying temporarily." he replied in his usual cconomical way.his green eyes surveying me. He looked completely at home.as if it were his room I was intruding upon, not the other way around.

"I need to remain for two more days." he elaborated when I continued staring at him. "Your room is quieter."

I understood his reasoning but wasn't quite ready to accept it.But there are so many high-end hotels in Manhattan Vou could stay at!" His response was silence - that particular silence that made it clear the discussion was over. I sighed internally, knowing 1couldn't really refuse him. He was my legal husband. after all. "Have you eaten dinner?" I asked, deciding to accept the situation.

He glanced at the room service menu on the desk with disdain."The hotel's food is mediocre."

"I know a place nearby," I offered. "We could go out?"