Chapter 99

Stella'POV

"Mr. Lancaster!" Anna exclaimed, her voice suddenly honey-sweet. "How fortunate to see you! You, of all people.understand the relationship between our family and Stella. I'm her mother, after all! Please, explain to Mr. Frank that we've never mistreated Stella!"

Adam regarded her with cool detachment. "The only person your family never mistreated is the one standing beside you.Mrs. Winston, you might find more sympathy from Brian.That would be more... realistic."

Anna's face turned ashen at the mention of Brian, and Lucy looked like she might burst into tears of frustration.Without another word, they hurried past Adam and into their waiting car.

Frank approached Adam cautiously. "Mr. Lancaster, what brings you here?"

"I'm here for Stella," Adam replied simply.

"But Stella and I have dinner plans tonight," Frank reminded him, looking increasingly uncomfortable.

Adam nodded once. "She's treating you. I'm paying. What would you like to eat, Mr.Frank?

Frank's expression was almost comical in its dismay. Oh God, I'm definitely going to have indigestion tonight!

Later that evening, Joseph brought us a late-night snack in the living room-a plate of artisanal cheeses, fresh fruit, and warm bread. As I reached for a grape, a mischievous thought crossed my mind.

"Adam," I began innocently, "Frank said you were jealous. Are you?"

Adam's hand paused mid-reach for a piece of cheese. "You're overthinking things."

"If you're not jealous," I pressed, watching his reaction carefully,

"then why do you keep criticizing my employee?"

"I'm merely encouraging you to manage your subordinates properly," he replied smoothly, though I noticed his jaw tighten slightly.

"But why focus on Frank specifically?" I tilted my head,enjoying this rare opportunity to see Adam on the defensive.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Joseph pressing his lips together, clearly struggling to maintain his professional composure.

"Stella," Adam's voice carried a warning note, "don't talk while eating." I set down my fork with exaggerated care. "I'm full now."

Adam's eyes met mine, and for a moment. I thought I detected a flicker of uncertainty-a rare sight in the always-composed Mr. Lancaster. Before he could respond. Joseph cleared his throat discreetly.

"Sir, I've received a message from the guest house. It seems young Master Eric has... driven away another tutor today."

Adam barely reacted to this news, simply nodding as if it was expected. "Find another one."

"Yes, sir. I've already begun the search for a suitable replacement," Joseph replied, his expression perfectly calm despite the unusual situation.

I raised an eyebrow at Adam. "That's it? Your cousin terrorizes yet another educator, and all you say is 'find another one'?"

Adam turned to me, his expression unreadable. "Eric has gone through five tutors in the past year. It's nothing new."

"Perhaps if you took a different approach-" I began,but my words were cut short as Adam suddenly rose from his seat and,before I could react, scooped me up into his arms.

"What are you doing?"I gasped, instinctively wrapping my arms around his neck to stabilize myself. "Put me down!" Adam ignored my protests, carrying me toward the grand staircase as if I weighed nothing. The household staff we passed along the way studiously averted their eyes,pretending not to notice their employer carrying his sputtering wife through the mansion.

"Put me down! Everyone is watching!" I hissed, mortified by the spectacle we were creating.

"I thought Mrs. Lancaster didn't mind being seen," Adam remarked dryly, climbing the stairs with ease despite his burden.

"That was all Frank's doing! Not me!" I protested,burying my face against his shoulder to hide my burning cheeks.

Joseph, the traitor, merely smiled faintly before turning away.

Once we reached our bedroom, Adam unceremoniously tossed me onto the plush bed. I bounced slightly on the mattress, my hair fanning out around me. Before I could recover my composure, Adam was already loosening his tie, his movements deliberate and unhurried as he began unfastening his cuff links.

"I was wrong! I shouldn't have said anything! Don't-don't do anything rash," I stammered, suddenly recognizing the dangerous glint in his eyes.

"I'm not being rash," he replied calmly, setting his cuff links on the dresser with meticulous precision. I scrambled to sit up, trying to regain some semblance of dignity. "Adam, Frank only said he doesn't want you at our next dinner because he's afraid you'll intimidate him into quitting! I was just teasing you! I didn't mean to imply anything!"

"If he quits, I'll find you a more talented designer," Adam said simply, approaching the bed with predatory grace.

I backed away until I hit the headboard. "Adam, I have the university anniversary ceremony tomorrow! You can't-you shouldn't-"

"That's not a problem," he interrupted, his voice dropping to that low timbre that always sent shivers down my spine. "The ceremony doesn't require evening wear."

His implication was clear, and I felt heat rush to my face-and other parts of my body I didn't want to acknowledge. Adam's eyes darkened as he watched my reaction, a satisfied smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"You're impossible," I whispered, but there was no real conviction in my voice.

His only response was to reach for me, and despite my protests,I found myself leaning into his touch.

The harsh sunlight streaming through the curtains woke me far too early the next morning. I groaned, feeling the familiar ache of too little sleep in my limbs. It was only when I attempted to roll over that I realized Adam's arm was still draped possessively around my waist.

"Adam, you're such a pain," I muttered, reluctantly opening my eyes.

"Such a terrible morning mood," he remarked, already awake and looking frustratingly refreshed. How did he always manage to look so put-together, even first thing in the morning?

"Try sleeping at three and waking at seven," I grumbled,dragging myself out of bed and toward the bathroom.

As I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror, I froze. My neck was adorned with several unmistakable red marks, far too high to be concealed by any of the outfits I had planned for today's ceremony.

"You freak who doesn't need sleep!" I called out, rushing to the closet to find something-anything-with a high enough neckline.

"Sleep?" came Adam's amused voice from the bedroom. "The noun or the verb?"

I poked my head out of the closet to glare at himn. "The world should see what the CEO of GT Group is really like!"

Adam merely smiled, a rare full smile that momentarily distracted me from my irritation. "They'd be envious," he said simply, and despite myself, I felt a traitorous warmth bloom in my chest.

When I arrived at the university campus for the anniversary celebration, the entire place was packed with people. Alumni in expensive suits and dresses wandered around, showing off their promotions and catching up with old professors.

As I headed toward the auditorium, I spotted a familiar face that made my stomach drop. Brian was talking with some alumni near the entrance.

What the hell is he doing here? He didn't even go to this school.

Before I could figure out his angle, I noticed another unwelcome sight-Lucy,wearing university colors with a host badge pinned to her lapel, chatting with an event organizer.

Lucy as a host? You've got to be kidding me. She just started here.

The alarm bells in my head were deafening. Brian and Lucy both showing up couldn't be a coincidence. They were planning something.

Damn it. I should have known today wouldn't be simple.

I took my assigned seat near the stage, watching as the auditorium filled with distinguished graduates and faculty members. Everyone looked so proud and accomplished-I'd normally feel the same, if it weren't for the knot in my stomach warning me something was about to go wrong.

The university president welcomed everyone, then handed the microphone to the hosts-including Lucy, with her fake sweet voice that made me want to roll my eyes.

"Welcome,esteemed alumni, honored faculty, and distinguished guests," she chirped, her gaze landing on me with a barely concealed smirk.

Whatever you're planning, Lucy. I won't go down easily.

The ceremony proceeded smoothly enough. When they called my name, I walked to the podium with my head high.delivering my speech the way I'd practiced.

I'd just finished when a voice cut through the polite applause.

"I have a question for this particular alumna!" Brian stood up.his voice carrying through the auditorium. Everyone turned to look at him.

Shit. Here we go.