Chapter 97

Chapter 97

The next day, Stephanie went to Julianna’s office and apologized to her, “I’m really sorry for this time.”

Julianna clicked her tongue. “Why are we still on this? I’ve already told Graham we should find a reason to cancel the engagement when we get close to

the date,”

“Actually, Graham is a nice man. You should give him a chance,” Stephanie replied.

Taking a sip of coffee, Julianna said, “Our horoscopes are incompatible. We won’t do well together.” At this time, her phone vibrated. “Speak of the devil,”

Julianna rolled her eyes before answering the phone. “Hey, s c u m b a g. No. You’ve misheard me.”

Stephanie was rendered speechless.

Meanwhile, Julianna widened her eyes. “You’re picking me up for a family dinner? All right.”

She peered at Stephanie after hanging up. “The Saunders and Whitlock families are having dinner tonight, so Graham will pick me up. We will be a fake couple for the next two months.”

Stephanie didn’t know how to respond.

She was still marveling about Julianna and Graham’s relationship after her return to the office when she received Vincent’s call.

The police chief called and said he investigated the matter according to Stephanie’s wishes and found a black Buick on the expressway.

This car didn’t appear on the previous road. After passing a section of the road without surveillance, it appeared in the same frame as a big truck.

After that, he checked the surveillance video of the car and found that the car had gone to the forest behind Chattenham Reservoir, picked up a person, and left Jacaster before finally boarding a yacht at Gerton’s dock.

The surveillance video showed three people boarding the yacht in full disguise.

Two people supported a man who seemed to be injured.

Due to Vincent’s special status, the police chief sent the video to Vincent before the latter forwarded it to Stephanie.

In the end, Vincent and Stephanie concluded that the wounded man was most probably Douglas.

However, it had been over twelve hours since they left with the yacht, so they must have gone to another country through the international waters.

The couple found the turn of events bizarre as they couldn’t understand why the other party saved Douglas.

ople were professional and had a solid anti-reconnaissance ability, so such well-planned evasion would not leave any traces. Hence, Douglas couts would not be detected.

Vincent listened to the silence on the other and of the phone, aware that Stephanie was worried about Douglas revealing the truth about his recovered

“Don’t worry, Stephie,” he comforted.

Stephanie frowned. “Those people second-guessing your identity will immediately associate you with Storm if he says your legs are recovered. Once your identity is exposed, your family will inevitably be implicated. Of course, that doesn’t scare me since I’ll get through the thick and thin with you, I just

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May

Chapter 97

fear that others will threaten you with your family.”

Vincent pursed his lips and breathed heavily when he heard her promising to be with him no matter what. “Stephie…”

Noticing his trembling voice, Stephanie asked, “Are you unwell?”

“No.” Vincent steadied his breathing. “Thank you.”

Stephanie realized that Vincent felt moved again. “Oh, is the unyielding Mr. Fletcher touched by my words?”

Vincent was amused. “I’ll pick you up.”

“Why’s that?” Stephanie froze.

“To check if the yesterday’s swelling has subsided.”

Stephanie blushed. “S-Stop talking”

“Stephie, I miss you,” the man continued.

“Continue missing me then. I’m going back to doing my rough sketches.” Stephanie hung up. She peered into the mirror, noticing that her face was crimson-red.

At noon, Julianna came to have lunch with her. Stephanie was about to pack up when Vincent called, saying pleasantly, “I’ll wait for you at the design

studio entrance.”

She pursed her lips. “It’s broad daylight. What are you.”

After hanging up the phone, she looked at Julianna. “Vincent is going to eat with me.”

Julianna raised her brow. “Tsk. Here to eat with you or to eat you? It’s exciting to have sex during the daytime!”

“Don’t talk nonsense. We need to discuss something!” Stephanie retorted.

She left quickly, feeling guilty while Julianna whistled p e r v e s e l y behind her.

Stephanie spotted Vincent’s car when she walked out. Zane stood by the car’s rear door, waiting

He opened the door as Stephanie approached. “Mrs. Fletcher, please get into the car,”

After expressing her gratitude, Stephanie plopped on the chair, complaining. “I told you that we can’t do this too frequently…”

Vincent laughed. “Go on.”

Stepha bit her lower lips. “I’m telling the truth!”

theld her slender waist and gently caressed it.

“A man will gradually lose his sexual abilities if this happens often, Stephanie added.

Vincent’s hand froze as if he was pondering soniething

Stephanie blinked, figuring that he had come to his senses. She was secretly delighted, only to hear Vincent say, “I need to check if your words hold true.”

Stephanie was speechless.

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Chapter 97

She realized she had fallen into a trap when she saw Vincent’s smile

Vincent put her on his lap, whispering in her ear, “Dale, I’ll prove it to you. I’ll stay strong even if we do it often.”

Stephanie remained silent, turning to look at the rising partition before he turned her toward him. “Don’t worry. As long as you keep your voice down. Zane won’t hear you.”

Stephanie was speechless again. By the time the car stopped, her lip color was gone.

She glanced shamefully at the man, whose lips were covered in a seductive hue, while he smiled at her.

Initially, Stephanie thought Vincent would take further action. But she soon realized that she was at the Fletcher residence after alighting the car.

She turned toward Zane, who wheeled Vincent toward her. “We’re at the Fletcher residence?”

Vincent smiled. “Do you think we should return to the condominium?”

Stephanie’s face flushed red as she walked behind Vincent and wheeled him. “Don’t spew nonsense. If not, I’ll sleep in a separate bed tonight.”

“You can’t fall asleep without me,” he replied.

“That’s not true. I’ll sleep well!” Stephanie snorted.

They entered the mansion while bantering.

Ellen was sighing on the living room’s couch. Her eyes lit up when she saw them. “You’re here, Stephie.”

Stephanie abandoned Vincent and strode quickly over to Ellen.

Ellen held her hand. “I feel horrible during the past two days. After all, Douglas is my grandson. He has done a lot of unforgivable things, but I didn’t expect him to die. Lorelai died horribly, too.”

Stephanie could understand Ellen’s feelings as the latter watched Douglas grow.

However, she couldn’t empathize with her, though. There was hatred between her, Douglas, and Florence in her previous life.

She couldn’t say anything to comfort Ellen, merely accompanying her silently.

Kevin witnessed the scene when he stepped out of the study, glaring at Ellen. “Douglas nearly harmed Stephie, and you want her to comfort you?”

Ellen was stunned. “What?”

Kevin inhaled before recounting the story about Douglas kidnapping Julianna to threaten Stephanie and wanting to do inappropriate things to her.

Ellen knew Douglas had kidnapped Julianna, unaware he had ulterior motives. She immediately apologized to Stephanie.

anle shook her head. “It’s okay. You didn’t know.”

With that, Ellen’s initial sorrow over Douglas” “passing” lessened drastically.

Kevini sat on the couch. “Mrs. Jimenez’s birthday party will be held on Thursday night. You guys should go on the Fletcher family’s behalf to celebrate with her

Vincent nodded. “Okay. I heard Mrs. Jimenez is obsessed with paintings. Tomorrow night, there is a charity auction, and some famous paintings will be auctioned. I will bid a birthday present for her?

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Chapter 97

“What birthday present?” Christina heard this as she walked in. “Hi, Uncle Vincent, Stephaniel

She ran over and sat next to Stephanie. “Long time no see, Stephanie.”

“That’s not true.” Stephanie laughed.

“A day feels like an eternity when we’re apart!” Christina linked arms with Stephanie intimately. “Whose birthday is coming up?”

“Mrs. Jimenez,” Stephanie sald.

Christina’s eyes lit up. “I want to go!”

Vincent stated, “Focus on your study. Don’t be a busybody.”

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Christina sneered. “I don’t care. I’m joining the party!” She wrapped her arms around Stephanie’s tightly. “Stephanie, can you bring me along? I’ll finish my homework”

Stephanie didn’t have the heart to reject the adorable Christina, nodding, “We’ll head to the auction tomorrow night and the birthday party the day after tomorrow. We’ll pick you up at your house.”

“Okay!” Christina smiled, “You’re the best, unlike the fierce and stern Uncle Vincent

Vincent was speechless.

Stephanie thought she would accompany Ellen through the afternoon, but Vincent brought her back to the condominium after the meal.

Vincent chuckled abruptly when her back sank into the mattress. “This is perfect.”

“Why?” Stephanie blinked, unable to understand his words.

Vincent kissed her lips. “You can moan loudly if you want to.”

Infuriated, Stephanie wanted to hit him, but the man raised her arms over her head and kissed her passionately.

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