Chapter 81

Chapter 81

Meanwhile, Alexander was eventually stopped by the bodyguards.

He struggled with all his strength, but the sharp pain in his abdomen left him completely drained. He could only let the bodyguards carry him back to the hospital room.

Joseph was standing in the room at that moment.

His face was dark with anger, and the atmosphere around him turned extremely tense.

When he saw Alexander being brought in, his eyes were filled with fury and disappointment.

Brian remained off to the side, torn by the urge to speak yet too afraid to utter a word, simply observing the scene before him in silence.


Alexander was helped onto the bed by the bodyguards, but he still struggled to get up.

"Let go of me. I need to find Stella. I saw her. She's here, she hasn't left."

Those words completely ignited Joseph's anger.

Before anyone could react, Joseph raised his hand and slapped Alexander across the face.

The crisp sound of the slap echoed in the quiet hospital room, making everyone's heart skip a beat.

Alexander was also stunned by the slap.

He covered his face, staring at Joseph in disbelief.

Since childhood, Joseph had doted on him the most and had never laid a hand on him.

This was the first time.

Joseph's hand was still suspended in mid-air, his chest heaving violently.

He pointed at Alexander and scolded him harshly.

"Snap out of it!"

The slap completely silenced Alexander.

For a moment, only Joseph's heavy breathing could be heard in the room.

Joseph looked at Alexander, his tone full of disappointment.

"The Brown family's century-old legacy didn't come easily—it is the result of generations of hard work. You're the heir to the Brown family, carrying the responsibilities of the entire family on your shoulders. But what have you done? For a woman, you chased after her like a madman in public. You completely disregarded your own health and the Brown family's dignity. Alexander, how can you face the other members of the Brown family?"

Joseph's words cut deep.

Alexander dropped his head and gradually took his hand away from his face, exposing a distinct red mark left on his cheek.


The mark burned with pain, but it was nothing compared to even a fraction of the pain in his heart.

Seeing this, Brian quickly stepped forward to mediate.

"Dad, please calm down. Alexander just woke up, his body hasn't recovered yet, and he was provoked, that's why he acted this way. Please calm down, don't make yourself sick with anger."

"Not be angry? How can I not be angry?"

Joseph glared at Brian, then looked at Alexander again.

"Alexander, from today on, you'll stay here and focus on recovering. Stop thinking about that woman. I've already arranged everything for you,a blind date with the daughter of the Perez Group, Valerie Perez. She's well-educated, gentle and virtuous, and her family background matches the Brown family perfectly. She's beautiful, and more importantly, she can help you manage the Brown family's affairs and become your strongest support in the future. Once you're discharged, you'll go meet her."

Joseph listed all of Valerie's good qualities, as if he had already decided on this granddaughter-in-law.

But Alexander kept his head down the entire time, saying nothing.

He didn't voice any opposition or approval; he simply hung his head, hiding his expression from everyone else.


Seeing him like this, Joseph's anger flared up again.

Brian didn't want the rift between grandfather and grandson to last indefinitely, so he immediately intervened to help reconcile them.


"Alexander, the person your grandfather is introducing you to, must be the best. Don't let down his good intentions. Besides, although Stella isn't a bad person, she simply can't compare to our Brown family. Just let go of the past."

Alexander listened to these words as if he hadn't heard them at all, showing no reaction.

But even so, Brian patiently continued persuading him.

"You and her, it is impossible. You should give up on this idea as soon as possible. You're the heir to the Brown family with heavy responsibilities on your shoulders. Don't drive yourself crazy over a woman."

At this point, he let out a long sigh.

Joseph snorted coldly, wanted to say something, but closed his mouth instead.

He knew Alexander was physically weak right now and could not handle more stress.

Nevertheless, Joseph made sure to add one final comment before exiting the room together with Brian and the security team.


"Rest well and stop being so stubborn."

The room became quiet again, leaving only Alexander alone.

After everyone left, Alexander slowly raised his head.

The handprint on his face was still clearly visible. When his gaze fell on the window, his eyes were empty.

Right then, memories of every single moment he'd spent with Stella played through his head like a film reel.


He remembered the first time he saw Stella, wearing a simple white shirt with her hair in a ponytail, working seriously in the office.

Whenever he fell ill, Stella looked after him without complaint, and even though her cooking wasn't anything special, it still brought warmth to his heart.


He also thought of the time they went on a business trip together and watched the sunset by the sea.

Stella's smile was even more gentle than the sunset.

He also recalled the time Elodie's plot had left him in grave danger, and Stella had rushed to rescue him without a second thought.


And there were so many other moments...

All those countless moments and memories were carved deep into Alexander's heart, impossible to ever forget.


It was only at this moment that Alexander clearly realized that Stella had already become part of his life, carved into his very bones, becoming an indispensable part of his existence.

He couldn't live without her!

Just thinking about how he might never see Stella again.

Imagining her all by herself, pregnant, and dwelling in a strange city. Maybe encountering all sorts of hardships, or perhaps being victimized by others.


Just thinking about these things made Alexander's heart feel like it was being squeezed tightly by an invisible hand, the pain making it impossible to breathe.

His eyes slowly reddened.

A single tear slipped slowly from the corner of his eye, fell onto the hospital bed, and soaked into a tiny damp patch.


This man, who had always been strong and rarely shed tears, was now red-eyed and crying over a woman.

And Alexander's desire to find Stella reached its peak at that moment.

He wanted to see Stella more than ever before.

With trembling hands, he picked up his phone and found a number in his contacts.

It was a number he had never casually dialed before.

But now it was his only hope.

Joseph would certainly not give his consent for him to keep being involved with Stella.


Therefore, everyone connected to the Brown Group couldn't possibly be on his side.

If Alexander wanted to find any trace of Stella, he could only look outside the Brown family.

A flash of hesitation crossed his eyes, then turned to determination.

Once he hit the call button, Alexander pressed the phone to his ear, waiting for the ringtone to connect, his gaze filled with hope and tension.


The call was answered.