Chapter 17

Chapter 17:.

Despite their reluctance, they could not disobey their leader. With crestfallen heads, they all responded in unison, “Yes, Miss Elena...”.

Elena looked around the table before picking up her spoon and resuming her meal. “Everyone, finish your meal and don’t think about things that aren’t work related.”

Outside the MOON Hotel, Emily said her friend wanted her to join them for drinks and asked Stella if she wanted to join her.

But Stella declined. She didn’t like these kinds of occasions. On the other hand, her baby was still home alone, waiting for her.

Emily didn’t oblige her and left.

Since Stella had come with Emily, she now had a ride home. Also, she had just recently returned, so she didn’t have her car, which meant she could only go home alone. Stella decided to walk to the road to catch a cab.

As she stepped out onto the road to hail a cab, a voice called to her from behind. “Stella, if you want, RK and I can drop you off at our house. We’re going that way.” It was Sophia’s voice....

Of course, she didn’t want to agree at all. She was acting only for the man next to her. She just wanted to show him how loving a sister she was. Stella knew that all too well.

He looked at Sophia, who was holding RK’s hand, and replied coldly, “Thank you, but you needn’t bother. I’ll go myself.”

“Why would she want to be the third wheel?” Stella thought. “They’re going together; she doesn’t need to go extra awkward.”

Predictably, after hearing her answer, Sofia’s lips curved into a smile as she said, “Then it’s okay. But you should be careful on the way. When you get home, just...”

“Get in the car,” RK interrupted before he could finish speaking. After he spoke, the driver opened the door for him and he got into the car.

Sophia’s face was glowing with irritation, but as angry as she was, she couldn’t express it openly. She had to let Stella stay.

Stella stood outside the car, again surrounded by three bodyguards, just as before. They forced her into the car. RK and Sophia sat in the back, while Stella sat in the front.

The atmosphere in the car was charged with silence. Aside from the strong scent of perfume that filled the air and indicated Sophia’s presence, no other voices could be heard and no one spoke.

Don’t miss out gαℓησν풆ls.cøm After a long moment of silence, Sophia finally broke the ice. “RK, it’s been a long time since you’ve come home with me.

Dad says he misses you, so why don’t you come home with me? That way you can reminisce about our old times too...”

RK merely responded with a noncommittal “Hmmm.”

Stella stared out the window, feeling his presence as if he were invisible. The man’s voice was always cold and calm. No matter what she said, he would never change. He was the same as he was six years ago.

Stella didn’t even need to look at him to know he had a calm expression on his face. Six years ago, when they were together, they didn’t talk much, but he still had a way of making those around him feel depressed.

It was as if everything revolved around him. But he also added a kind of charm, making people want to get close to him.

Sophia didn’t know if his answer was sincere or just polite. But whatever it was, she dared not press him too hard and kept silent.

The car returned to its previous state of silence.

Stella looked in the rearview mirror. She felt something was different...

They didn’t seem to get along as well as they had years ago. Back then, RK seemed to care deeply about Sophia, but now it was as if he had become someone else.

“Do all men become like that after they grow old and mature?” maybe it was just his imagination? He loved her so much then that he was quick to divorce her.

Of course, that was only in his mind-how could he not care about Sophia? After what seemed like an eternity, Sophia broke the silence again, as if she had found a topic.

“By the way, I haven’t seen Alia in a long time, how is she, should I come home with you to see her?”

“Alia...”

“Isn’t Alia the daughter of RK and Sophia?”

“Don’t you live together?”

But Stella didn’t know why, from Sophia’s tone, she had a feeling that Sophia was not Alia’s biological mother.

Stella had not yet found out who Alia’s mother was, but RK and Sophia had been together for a long time and were even getting married. Wasn’t Alia Sophia’s biological daughter?

Stella perked up and tried to continue the conversation. But RK quickly changed the subject. “It’s getting late. Take a cab home.”

Stella was surprised and confused. “He changed the subject so quickly.”

He wanted Sophia to take a cab after she mentioned Alia. So why did he insist on putting her in the car in the first place?

The car pulled over to the side of the road. Stella, fuming inside, was about to grab her purse and get out when the back door opened.

“So, RK...I’ll go first. Don’t forget to call when you get home,” Sophia said.

Stella looked at Sophia and saw her looking pitiful, as if she was being kicked out of the car. Stella watched her, totally confused.

“He didn’t ask me to take a cab; he asked his fiancée. And now we’re alone in the car – will I get scolded again?”

Stella was also trying to find an excuse to leave when she heard the man’s deep voice behind her, “You, sit here.”

Then his eyes darted to the seat next to him, indicating Stella to sit next to him.

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