Female Novel
Chapter 92
Chapter 92
The air was frozen for a few seconds. Even Vermont, who had a silver tongue in resolving awkward social settings, was at a lossfor words.
Marshall's new girlfriend is Keegan’s wife? Vermont thought. This is too dramatic even for TV shows!
“My wife is. “Keegan gave Stella a cold glare, and his eyes were fixated on her hand that was clinging to Marshall's arm. Keeganforced a smile and continued, “Maybe we should ask Ms. Thompson when is she available to play the role of my wife.”
Stella quietly let go of Marshall’s arm and took a step back to put some distance between them. Marshall gave her a puzzledlook.
Before Stella could explain herself, Keegan’s arm reached around her waist and forcefully pulled her into his embrace.
His motions were merciless. Harshly stifling her waist, he lowered to the side of her ear and asked through his gritted teeth,“Should | address you as Mrs. Kane or Ms. Thompson?”
Stella was uncertain if it was just a misconception, but she felt like Keegan was being possessive toward her. It was as thoughhe wanted to proclaim his dominance.
“Keegan, what are you talking about?” Marshall furrowed his eyebrows.Keegan kept his hand on Stella’s waist with sneering eyes. “Stella, introduce your husband to your boyfriend properly.”novelbin
“What boyfriend?” Stella pushed Keegan away, as she was not able to withstand the pain he caused on her waist. “What iswrong with you, Keegan Kane?”
“| should be the one asking you that!” Keegan replied with fury in his eyes. “Stella Jewell, for three years, your name was next tomine on our marriage certificate. How come | never knew that your last name was Thompson?”
Stella choked on her reply. This was a tough one to explain.
There is no way for me to confess that | gave Marshall a fake name out of caution. Who would have thought that we would haveany further interactions? Marshall is standing right beside me. It would be too hurtful to tell him the truth.”
As Stella was indecisive on how she should word her thoughts, Marshall piped up.
“| think this might be a misunderstanding. Ms. Jewell asked me to handle a dispute on behalf of her friend, whose surname wasThompson. | assumed that they were related and shared the same surname.” Stella was guilt-ridden. She was the one who lied,but her victim was the one patching up the lie for her. Vermont saw his chance to smooth things over and immediately said, “So,it was all a misunderstanding! Come on, let me introduce the two of you. Stella, this is Marshall Moore, mine and Keegan'schildhood friend. He couldn’t make it when you and Keegan got married because he was overseas. So, he sent the painting toyour marriage room as a wedding gift.
Water Lilies by Claude Monet, Stella pondered.
| thought the painting was a gift from Vermont, although it seemed out of character for a stingy person like him to give such anexpensive painting as a wedding gift Marshall gifting it makes much more sense
Marshall, this is Stella, Keegan's wife, Vermont continued. She is your sister-in-law now
Marshall kept his gaze on Stella and gulped down his words in silence.
Keegan tugged on Stella’s wrist, pulling her back to his side again.
Stella frowned and struggled to get out of his embrace. “One billion dollars,” Keegan threatened nonchalantly.Stella stopped protesting upon hearing his words.
Keegan boldly kept his arm around Stella’s waist. The warmth of his hand seeped through the fabric of her clothes and tingled onher skin like ants. Stella felt uneasy.
She tried to ignore his grip on her as much as she could and shot Marshall an apologetic look. “Mr Moore, thank you for yourhelp today.”
Marshall shook his head and replied, “It’s no big deal.” He hesitantly took two band—aids from his pocket and handed them toStella. “I just asked the waiter for these,” Marshall said, pointing to Stella’s wrist.” Remember to treat your wound, or it will getinfected.”
Stella was astonished.
She hurt her wrist when she was climbing through the window. Since it was just minor bleeding, Stella just rinsed her wound andleft it untreated.
The wound had since stopped hurting, but when Keegan heedlessly grabbed her wrist, the wound started to hurt again. That waswhy Stella struggled to get out of his grip.
“Keegan didn’t even notice my wound, Stella thought. I’ve barely known Marshall for a few days, but he was the one whonoticed.’ Stella’s mind was clouded with emotions.
Before she could thank Marshall, Keegan took the band—aids from Marshall. “Don’t bother,” Keegan stated flatly. “I can take careof her myself.”
Once again, the slightly alleviated atmosphere became tense again.
Vermont was frustrated with the unsettling tension between them.
“Marshall!” Aurora’s voice broke the tension.
Aurora ran over to Marshall excitedly and held his arm. “I knew you were lying about having a girlfriend!”
Vermont felt relieved. He never thought he would be so glad to see Aurora. He smiled and quickly replied. “A lone wolf like him?It would be hard for him to get a girlfriend. You should introduce some of your friends to him. Maybe then he could get one.”
“Marshall wouldn't be interested in them,” Aurora pouted.
As she spoke, Aurora’s eyes met Stella’s mocking gaze. Aurora’s hand trembled, and she looked away sheepishly. “Hi there,Keegan, Stella, and Vermont,” Aurora greeted pretentiously.
Stella sneered but remained silent.
I'm not letting her off this easily. But, given the situation we are in, now is not the time to look into our
private matters”
“Marshall, please dance with me! There's a guy that keeps pestering me, and he is so annoying! Can you please ward him off forme?” Aurora said coquettishly
Where is Auroras usual arrogance? Stella wondered. She acts so differently when she flirts with
Marshall
As Stella was eyeing Aurora, she had a realization. Normally, Aurora wouldn't bother to attend dinner
parties like this. The only reason she came today is probably because Marshall is here.”
Aurora likes Marshall, Stella concluded.
This would explain her behavior! Stella thought to herself. ‘No wonder she toned down her aggressiveness toward me. Shewasn’t worried that | would complain about her to Keegan, she just didn’t want Marshall to see her true colors so that Marshallwouldn't dislike her.”
Marshall wanted to refuse Aurora’s invitation to dance. However, with Aurora’s persistent coaxing on top of Vermont’smatchmaking efforts, Marshall was unable to put up any more resistance. In the end, he was unwillingly pulled into the crowd bythe two of them.
Once Marshall had left, Stella let out a sigh of relief.
‘Keegan is smart, Stella thought. He might not catch on to what Marshall said about the dispute now, but once he does, he willask me about it for sure.”
I'm not that good at playing mind games like Keegan. There’s a chance that he might get the truth out of me, and | would bedone for.
If Keegan knew that | wanted to sue Bella’s fans, he would kill me before | could make a move.”
“Why don’t you follow them?”
Keegan’s sarcastic voice came from behind her.
Then, Stella snapped back to reality.
Keegan took a glance at the white dress that Stella was wearing, and his expression darkened. “Where have
you been?” He questioned her, and his voice was filled with disgust. “What is this thing you're wearing? Where are your otherclothes?
His tone insinuated that the questions had other meanings, like “Where have you been fooling around?” and “You're wearing thisrag?”