Chapter 43 043

Chapter 43 043
Stella moved into the house the following day with her minimal amount of bags after deciding on the house she wanted to rent. She was told to relax and rest by Sherry and Channing, who refused to let her clean the house. 

Stella reclined on the couch. It seemed to her that she was still pretty pleased, so she ordered them afternoon tea. With a godmother and uncle as wonderful as them, the child would receive excellent care. She rested her palm lightly on the child's belly and bent her head, thinking of the infant.

She didn't know if the youngster had grown up or if she had just become heavier. Her stomach grew a little bit. Sherry could only get a two-hour leave because she had to work that afternoon. She purchased numerous foods for Stella. 

"Stella, you need to look after yourself because I can't look after you anymore. Avoid starvation."

"I will take care of my sister," said Channing as he emerged from the kitchen. 

Stella chuckled, saying, "Be not that way. I am not a young person. Please don't worry too much about me.”

"You're not a child but there is a baby in your belly," Sherry stated. She drew nearer to her stomach and said, "Baby, obey." I will beat your little ass when you are born if you don't torture your mother." 

Stella remarked shortly after Sherry left, "You go back first, too. The rest I can tidy up on my own.”

"No," replied Channing. "I'll stay here with you for a few days, and I will leave after you are familiar with the surroundings."

Grinning broadly, Stella asked, "Do you really want to treat me like a child? I'm your sibling.”

Channing responded by saying, "I will only stay here for a few days so that people know that there is a man at your home and will not look at you like a girl living alone and bully you."

Stella, who was grinning, hesitated a moment before responding kindly, saying, "Then I'll buy a single bed for you. You can then move here to live later."

"No need, I can sleep on the sofa. I'll go back and get some clothes," Channing declared as he left the house to dispose of the trash. “Are you craving anything to eat? I'll assist you in purchasing and returning it." 

“No it’s fine.” Stella said as Channing closed the door and left.

\~~~~~~

following a month.

"Phoebe, sorry to trouble you that every time I ask you to accompany me here." 

"Rebecca, that's okay," Phoebe said, holding Rebecca's arm and laughing softly. “It would be beneficial for me to go for a stroll with you to take a break as I will be living alone at home as well. 

Rebecca groaned, "Horace's marriage to the Conrad family has caused him to be unhappy with the family. We shouldn't have approved of the marriage since we knew this earlier. Now look at this awful predicament. Horace is unhappy, and the Conrad family doesn't like us either. There is dissatisfaction on both sides."

"Rebecca, you got it wrong. Clarence is not dissatisfied with any of you. He simply..." 

When Phoebe was speaking, Rebecca abruptly lowered his voice and said, "Phoebe, there is something I wanted to ask you a long time ago. There are whispers circulating that Clarence is Mr. Dempsey's illegitimate child rather than Mrs. Conrad's biological child. Do you know if it's true that you spent all of your childhood years at their house?”

When Clarence was brought back to the Conrad family when he was seven years old, they stated that he had been recovering overseas from a sick birth and that Mr. Dempsey had employed certain strategies. As a result, nobody brought up the subject again. Additionally, there were just two months between when Justin was rendered incapable of inheriting the business following an accident and when Clarence was returned to the Conrad family. Should the earlier claims have been mere hearsay, the tumultuous scene she witnessed at the Conrad family's home would further heighten her suspicions.

With an apologetic smile, Phoebe said, "I had never heard of this story before. Rebecca, try not to overthink things. Clarence's disagreement with Horace and Annie's marriage also makes sense. You are also aware of Annie's well-known haughtiness. What if she grows more conceited after marrying Horace? Then there will be a conflict between two families and two businesses." 

"Annie is merely his cousin, and Clarence usually detests getting himself into difficulties. He is undoubtedly unwilling to go assist her on these matters." 

"My father believes it's a good opportunity to have an intermarriage with the Conrad family," Rebecca remarked, nodding in agreement to what she had stated. “Clarence's previous behavior infuriated my father, therefore I suppose the intermarriage will not go through." 

Phoebe gave a nod, "It seems like a lot of girls like Horace since he is so amazing. He can undoubtedly locate a better match than Ann." 

Phoebe was about to finish her sentence when she noticed a familiar figure at the door. "What's wrong?" 

With her eyes shut, Phoebe said, "I think I saw a... friend." 

"Friend?" Rebecca looked in the same direction as Phoebe, but all she saw was an unknown face. She inquired, "Did your friend also come here for an antenatal examination?"

"What? Are they not all here for prenatal checkups? What is the duration of your friend's pregnancy? Would you like me to send her to my physician?" 

Phoebe gave a headshake. "No need, I think I saw the wrong person," she said, taking Rebecca by the arm as she left. “Let's go, Rebecca." 

She was not in error. Stella has to be the one just now. She was positive that the woman was Stella even though she had only seen her photo because she could not get her look out of her mind. When they got to the car's parking spot, Phoebe stopped walking and said, "Rebecca, I suddenly remember that I have something to do, so l won't go back with you now." 

"All right, where are you heading? I'll allow the driver to transport you."

"No need, the place I want to go is just around here." Phoebe returned to the hospital after they parted. As she made her way to the obstetrics section, she noticed Stella leaving the doctor's office. 

Stella was also carrying the same book that Rebecca was using to record the results of the prenatal checkup. With a slight furrow on her thin eyebrows, Phoebe glanced at Stella's back.

... 

Soon after she was discharged from the hospital, Stella got a call from Stanford. A client had come into the SG Jewelry Magazine office and requested customization for a certain kind of jewelry. She was the one he had designated to design the jewelry. 

Stella declared, "I'll be right there." 

Every series that SG Jewelry Magazine thereafter introduced was well-received and well-liked, starting with the first model in the 'Puppy Love' series. 

Stella was approached by numerous magazine publishers around this time, some of which included well-known jewelry manufacturers, but she turned them all down. When she had little and needed the most recognition, Stanford was the one who saw her potential and took the chance to sign her. She would therefore not depart from SG Jewelry Magazine at this moment. 

When he took Stella to the VIP lounge at the SG Jewelry Magazine office, Stanford gave her a brief explanation, saying, "Although we haven't received any jewelry customization before, the purpose that SG Jewelry Magazine intended to do its independent brand is to develop the company in multiple aspects. Don't worry, though; you will be working with affluent customers to personalize the jewelry.”

To put it succinctly, the benefits of doing so included her receiving a substantial financial return as well as SG Jewelry Magazine and herself becoming well-known and respected in the community of affluent clients. 

Stella said with a nod, "I'll do it right." 

Stanford stretched out and knocked on the meeting room door when they got there. Then he said and pushed open the door, "Mr. Conrad, our designer has arrived," 

Stella's smile unconsciously tensed when the person inside turned around. Why... was that him?