Chapter 83

Stella's POV

When we rolled up, the Morgan family's private estate was lit up like a damn Christmas tree, the circular driveway packed with luxury cars-a full-on flex fest.

I pushed Adam's wheelchair toward the entrance, and eyes hit us from every angle like spotlights. This was his first public outing since the GT Group CEO reveal, and the curiosity was thick enough to choke on.

I snuck a glance down at him. *With that face and this title,who wouldn't stare? But how many of these looks are for me?*A smug little buzz hummed in my chest, mixed with a twitch of nerves.

"I need to go wish Mrs. Morgan a happy birthday and drop off our gift," I whispered close to Adam's ear, clutchingthe fancy wrapped box in my hand.

"Go for it," he said casually, already deep in chat with some tech company CEO. I started to slip away, but his hand snapped around my wrist,firm enough to make my pulse jump. "Where you headed?" "To give Mrs. Morgan the gift," I said again, lifting the box a bit. "T'll be right back." His fingers lingered, brushing my wrist longer than they needed to before letting go. I caught a bunch of stares zeroing in on that tiny move-suit-and-tie bigshots swapping looks,like they were recalculating what I meant to Adam.

*Bet they figured I'm just arm candy, not someone he'd grab like that, huh?* I smirked inside. *Let them guess* I strutted through the crowd, chin up, spine straighter.

Upon the second floor, I found Mrs. Morgan in a reception room, chatting with a tight-knit crew of friends. Her face lit up when she spotted me. "Stella!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms wide like I was family.

"Mrs. Morgan, happy birthday!" I flashed a warm smile as I walked over. "I've been swamped lately, sorry I haven't visited.This is fromn Adam and me," I said, handing her the box.′′Wheard you're into tea, so it's an English tea set. Hope you like it.11

She took it with a grin that could've lit the room. "You're so thoughtful! This is perfect-definitely your pick. That work-obsessed Adam couldn't dream up something this classy!" J smiled politely, but her words jabbed me right in the gut. *Yeah,he doesn't give a damn about stuff like this-I'm the one sweating the details.* Imagining him brushing off personal touches like this stung, and a sour thought crept in. *Does he do the same with Grace? Just toss her some random crap and call it a day?*

Mrs. Morgan's gaze softened as she studied me. "You know,Stella. I've always adored your grace. No wonder all the big names rave about you."

"You're too kind, Mrs. Morgan," I said, dodging the compliment. It made me squirm. *Grace? Right now, I'm a jealous mess-where's the grace in that?*

After a few more minutes of small talk, I excused myself and headed back to the main reception area. Passing through the hallway, I caught snatches of chatter from a clique of trendy young women, and my feet slowed on their own.

"Isn't that the dress you wanted but couldn't snag?" one asked another.

"Don't remind me," came a bitter snap.′′I′Ss maddening-someone like Stella, no pedigree, gets to wear it, andI don't."

"Heard Adam bought it for her... surprised he hasn't dumped her yet,though." "Too bad Lucy and Brian didn't make the guest list-talk about a fireworks show!" I fiddled with my bracelet, pretending to adjuast it while soaking in every word. *No pedigree? I've got Adam in my corner-who needs a fancy family name?* But "dumped her"hit like a punch. *They think I can't hold onto him? Because of Grace,maybe?*

"Susan,your folks are tight with Adam, right? What's the deal with him and Stella?" another piped up.

"Stella..." Susan paused, then puffed up. "Just wait. She won't be basking in the spotlight much longer."

I sped up, not wanting to hear more. Susan's thinly veiled jab didn't rattle me as much as it might've months back.

In the hallway, I nearly ran smack into James, who looked like he'd been lurking for me. "You're wearing the hairpin I gave you," he said, his voice shaky, unsure. "It looks good."

"Mr. Morgan's got great taste," I tossed back vaguely, my head still spinning.

James shifted, awkward as hell. "You here alone? I didn't bring a date tonight-maybe we could-""She's not alone." Adam's voice cut through, calm but loaded with authority,echoing from the end of the hall. He rolled his wheelchair up. face unreadable as stone.

James went rigid. "Adam."

"Come here," Adam said, stretching a hand toward me,eyes locked on James like a hawk.

I didn't even think-just walked over and slid my hand into his. His fingers clamped around mine, warm and steady,thumb grazing the inside of my wrist. *He's staking his claim,isn't he?* I stole a peek at him, my heart doing a goofy little flip-half smug, half giddy. *Sorry, James, no shot-he's jealous as hell right now.*

"Gift delivered?" Adam asked, his thumb still rubbing my skin,teasing me in that subtle way of his.

I nodded, feeling James's stare prickling my back like needles.

"The hairpin," he said, voice light but pointed. "James gave it to you?"

"Yeah," I admitted."The one from that night we got back from Rouge-it was on my nightstand. You asked about it." His face stayed blank, but his grip tightened just a hair. *He's bothered by this? Over James, or because I kept something from another guy?*′′Wait forme over there," he said, nodding toward a quiet seating area down the hall. I hesitated, flicking my eyes between him and James. Neither was backing off-tension crackled like static. *What's this vibe?They gonna throw punches or what?*

"It's fine," I murmured to Adam, easing my hand free. "I need to fix my makeup anyway."

As I walked off, their voices kicked up. "She's my date, James.You leave your brain at home today?" Adam's tone had that dangerous edge I knew too well.

"No, Adam, I didn't realize-my bad," James stumbled over his words.

I rounded the corner, their voices fading,but a nagging hunch stuck with me-this showdown had been simmering for a while. *James into me? And Adam this possessive-he scared I'Il get snatched up?* My cheeks burned, a weird mix of sour and sweet swirling inside.

From near the powder room, I watched James hustle back to the reception room, looking rattled, like he'd seen a ghost. He found his mom there. "What's up with you? You look spooked," Mrs. Morgan said,eyeing him with worry. "Mom,is the 、re really that big a gap between me and Adam?" James muttered, voice low but clear enough for me to catch.

Mrs. Morgan's laugh was soft but blunt. "Between you and Adam? I'd say it's about ten Lukes wide."

James flinched, stung by the comparison to his overachiever brother.

"What's this about? Don't tell me you've got a thing for that girl?" Mrs. Morgan asked, her eyes sharpening like she'd figured him out.

"What girl? What're you on about?" James shot back too fast,too flimsy.

"Stella, obviously!" Mrs. Morgan said.

"That's nuts! I barely know her-if I liked her, I'd have liked her ages ago!" James protested, but his face gave him away.

Mrs. Morgan shook her head, pity in her eyes. "Like her or not,drop it. Stella's Adam's."

"Adam's?" James scoffed. "They're not even married!"

"They are, actually," Mrs. Morgan corrected, cool as ice James's head jerked up, defiance melting into shock. "What? No way!" I turned from the doorway, done listening. My stomach knotted up tight. *Mrs. Morgan knows we're married? Did Adam tell her? Or... does Grace know too?* My head was a mess,jealousy and panic crashing over me like waves. *If he's spilling that to people, where the hell does Grace fit in his heart?*