Chapter 268

Chapter 268:

When Stella entered the lounge, RK was resting on the sofa. He appeared to have fallen asleep from exhaustion, with a thin layer of sweat on his forehead. It seemed like he had been in pain before she arrived. Not wanting to disturb him, she poured a cup of hot water and set it aside, ready for him to take his medicine when he woke up.

She fetched a quilt and tucked him in, watching him for a moment. He seemed unlikely to wake soon, perhaps too tired. Deciding against waiting, she set the medicine and glass of water on the table. Just as she was about to leave, RK stirred and woke up.

“Oh, you didn’t bring the medicine, so I...” She hesitated, realizing there was no point in hiding her concern for him. “Hurry up and take your medicine. I’ll take my leave.”

“Wait a minute, I’ve had my men get lunch. Stay and eat with me,” RK cleared his throat, extending an invitation to her.

“Oh,” Stella replied, a bit uncertain but obediently sitting down.

Soon, the assistant returned with lunch. Upon entering the president’s lounge, the assistant was confused to find a woman sitting there with RK. He had never seen anyone else in the lounge with the president before, especially not a woman. Who was this unfamiliar woman?

Stella caught the assistant’s confused expression but said nothing. She silently followed RK to the table.

After delivering the lunch, the assistant left the office, still puzzled by what he had seen. As he left, he ran into Alex, RK’s trusted aide, returning from his meal.

“Hey, Alex, who’s that girl in the president’s lounge? I’ve never seen her before.”

“That’s none of your business. Don’t pry where you shouldn’t. She’s someone you can’t afford to offend,” Alex replied sternly.

“Stop being nosy.”

“Come on, Alex, you can’t leave me hanging. Just give me a clue!” The assistant persisted.

Lₐtєst chαptєrs in g퓪l푛ovєℓ푠.퓒oм “Fine,” Alex relented. “I’ll give you a hint. You know the president is married, right? Have you ever seen what his wife looks like?”

The assistant’s mouth dropped open in shock. “You mean...?” He trailed off, embarrassed by his assumptions, and walked away quietly.

Meanwhile, Alex returned to his work.

Sitting at the same table as RK for lunch, Stella felt incredibly awkward. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t relax. It was far more comfortable eating at home, without the heavy atmosphere that now hung over the table. She wondered if she should have just gone home to eat.

“Maybe I should head home for lunch?” Stella ventured cautiously after a moment of thought.

“I’ve already informed the staff at home that lunch wouldn’t be necessary today. Are you sure you still want to go?” RK replied, his tone leaving little room for argument.

Stella sighed inwardly, knowing that she had no choice but to stay. She sat down quietly and waited for RK to set the dishes.

As they ate, Stella sneaked glances at RK from the corner of her eye. He was calm, taking each bite slowly, savoring the food without a hint of emotion.

Back then, Stella had always wondered what could possibly move RK. It clearly wasn’t her, nor anyone ordinary. He seemed unshakeable.

“Why aren’t you eating? Do you think you’ll be full just staring at me?” RK asked, his eyes never leaving his plate, but his awareness sharp.

“No, I’ll eat,” Stella replied sheepishly, quickly lowering her head and focusing on her meal.

Throughout the entire lunch, she kept her head down, never daring to look at him again. She had no idea that RK had been observing her quietly. Her small figure, with strands of hair sticking out, made her look like an innocent girl, full of youthful energy.

He couldn’t help but compare her to Sophia. While Sophia was always dressed to the nines with heavy makeup, never leaving the house without it, Stella was different.

She barely wore makeup, getting ready with a simple face wash before heading out. Sophia’s constant attempts to look perfect felt exhausting to RK, while Stella’s natural appearance was refreshing.

Since Stella married into the Kingston family, she had never bought new clothes. Her wardrobe consisted of simple, faded shirts and jeans.

She had never attended any formal events or dinners with RK, almost as if she knew her place wasn’t truly as Mrs. Kingston.

She carried herself cautiously, like she was always walking on thin ice. RK noticed her constant worries but didn’t want to burden her more.

The lunch went by in near silence, broken only by the ticking of the clock. Stella felt like time had slowed to a crawl, and no matter how much she ate, she couldn’t seem to finish the meal fast enough.

Finally, RK finished. Stella quickly placed her spoon down as well, eager to leave.

“I’ll head home now,” she said after cleaning up, grateful the awkward meal was over.

Without waiting for RK to say anything, she turned and left the lounge. But just as she reached the door, RK called out to her.

“Tell Mrs. Cassidy to order some new clothes for you. Let her know your preferred style.”

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