章節 5: Chapter 5: Stella's Family
At nine o'clock on Monday morning, Stella Orion was sitting on a bench in front of the south gate of EP University, waiting for Leo Starr.
The temperature during the change of seasons was always unpredictable. A few days ago, it was so cold and windy that people shivered, but today, the weather was clear, and the temperature had risen to 15°C. The late autumn sun was warm but not dazzling, making it very comfortable to sit in. The occasional breeze rustled the fallen leaves, gently brushing against her feet, making her feel lazy and unwilling to move.
EP University, with its hundred-year history, was timeless and classical. Stella, in her white dress, sat quietly amidst the red walls and green tiles, her black hair fluttering in the wind, looking breathtakingly beautiful.
This was the scene Leo Starr saw when he arrived.
The driver had just parked the car, and Assistant Lin was about to go over to invite Stella when he saw his boss already stepping out of the car and walking towards her.
Stella was leaning back on the bench, eyes closed, basking in the sunlight. Her curled eyelashes, kissed by the sun, fluttered slightly like butterfly wings. The black cord around her neck made her skin look even more fair and delicate. Her chin was small and exquisite, her collarbones straight and slender.
Leo frowned as he glanced around at the passersby, feeling inexplicably annoyed.
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, lifting the hem of Stella's dress from her knees. He quickly stepped forward, placing his hand firmly over the rising fabric. Before he could pull back, her hand pressed down on his, causing it to rest snugly against her thigh.
The touch of her smooth, soft skin made Leo's pupils contract, and he swallowed hard.
Stella was startled and swatted his hand away. After being blinded by the sunlight for too long, she initially saw a blur but then recognized a handsome face very close to her.
Leo was half-bent, one hand in his pocket, the other hanging by his side, looking at her. "Did I scare you? Sorry, I thought you were asleep."
Stella sighed in relief. "It's you."
Leo raised an eyebrow, surprised by her response. "It's me, so it's okay?"
Stella nodded, her ears turning a bit red. "You're my fiancé after all…"
"Yes." Leo smiled and extended a hand to her. "Why are your hands so cold?"
Stella hesitated for a moment before placing her fingers in his, which were immediately enveloped in warmth.
"So warm."
Leo said, "Put your other hand in your pocket."
Stella nodded obediently. "Okay."
Assistant Lin, standing by the car, watched as his boss walked over hand in hand with the girl, feeling waves of emotion. But when they approached, he quickly put on a flawless professional smile. "Good morning, Miss Stella."
Leo introduced, "This is my special assistant, Andrew Lin."
Stella nodded. "Hello, Mr. Lin."
Andrew smiled. "Just call me Andrew."
Stella, not quite comfortable with that, guessed his age and compromised. "Brother Andrew."
"…"
Andrew broke out in a cold sweat under his boss's icy gaze and waved his hand desperately. "Please, just call me Andrew, ma'am!"
The word "Brother" was reserved for the boss! Not me! Have mercy!
Stella realized her mistake and, sneaking a glance at Leo, quickly agreed. "Okay, okay."
The procedure for obtaining the marriage certificate was not complicated. They filled out forms, took an oath, and were then led by the staff to take the required photo for the marriage certificate.
Perhaps it was their striking looks, or maybe the photographer was just bored, but he was overly enthusiastic, treating it like a high-end magazine cover shoot. "Bride, lean back a bit, get closer to the groom… closer, closer, don't be shy!"
Stella's palms were sweaty. She already felt she was close enough to Leo, close enough to hear his breathing. She had never been this close to a man before.
Just as she was at a loss, Leo Starr gently wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him.
The staff member exclaimed, "Yes, just like that!"
"Don't be afraid," Leo comforted her, patting her stiff back. "You are the most beautiful bride."
Twenty minutes later, the two walked out of the civil affairs bureau.
Stella looked at the red booklet in her hand, then at her newly wedded husband beside her, feeling suddenly lost.
"And now?"
"And now?" Leo couldn't help but laugh. "It's noon, let's go have lunch."
As the car pulled up, Stella saw the sign for the restaurant "Nine Creek" and looked puzzled. "Isn't it really hard to get a reservation here?"
"Nine Creek is my restaurant, no reservations needed," Leo said. "It's yours now too."
As he spoke, Henry quickly came out to greet them. "Good afternoon, Mr. Starr, Ms. Orion."
Leo, holding Stella's hand, introduced her anew. "This is my wife."
Stella's heart skipped a beat, and she bit her lip.
Henry, understanding the situation perfectly, naturally changed his address. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Starr."
As rumored, Nine Creek was fully booked today. Henry led them through a VIP passage, avoiding the bustling hall. Stella noticed they were heading to the same private room as before.
"The top floor private room is reserved, not open to the public. You can bring friends here anytime," Leo said.
Stella, not used to this kind of treatment, nodded lightly. "Okay."
Leo glanced at her, squeezing her hand as if to encourage her. "Take your time."
Stella's phone vibrated, and seeing the caller ID, her expression turned cold. She let go of Leo's hand and stepped aside to answer. "Hello?"
"You didn't pick up the notarized document?" Alex Foster's sharp voice came through. "Are you having second thoughts?!"
Stella's stomach twisted in pain, and she didn't respond immediately.
Alex, assuming her silence meant assent, raised his voice several octaves, almost shouting. "We agreed on this! You consented! Let me tell you, Stella, if you dare…"
"I had something to do this morning," Stella interrupted, stopping in a corner and pressing her stomach. "I'll get it this afternoon."
"Really? You're not lying?" Alex asked suspiciously.
Stella hung up without answering. Her stomach was still cramping, and she pressed it a few times with her fist, then tried to straighten up. Feeling slightly better, she walked out.
Henry and Andrew Lin had already gone ahead, and Leo was standing not far away, waiting for her. He noticed her awkward posture and pale face, frowning slightly. "Stomach upset?"
"Old problem, some hot water will help."
Before entering the private room, Leo called Henry over. "Change the planned menu. Remove the spicy dishes and replace them with mild and digestible ones."
Henry nodded. "Understood."
Leo added, "Also, prepare a bowl of millet porridge with some yam."
"Understood."
So there were originally a lot of spicy dishes? Stella pressed her uncooperative stomach, feeling regretful.
Leo patted her head. "I'll make it up to you next time."
Stella blushed a bit. "Thank you… Honey."
Leo paused and then smiled. "Good girl."
After lunch, it was already one in the afternoon. Stella remembered that the notary office and Starr Group were in different directions, so she took the initiative to say goodbye. "No need to take me back, I'm not returning to school."
Leo was silent for a moment, then nodded.
As the car started moving, Andrew noticed his boss seemed a bit unhappy. Remembering the earlier mysterious angry phone call, he guessed the boss's wife hadn't mentioned it, triggering Leo's control issues.
Being an excellent assistant, he naturally sought to ease his boss's worries. "Mr. Starr, do you need me to investigate?"
Leo didn't respond.
"Mr. Starr?"
"No need," Leo rubbed his forehead. "Let her decide whether to tell me or not… don't force her."
When Stella arrived at the notary office, she wasn't surprised to see the Foster family's car at the entrance. Alex must have doubted her words and waited here to ensure she showed up.
Alex and Liz Johnson got out of the car and approached her. Stella ignored them and walked straight into the office.
Alex was frustrated by Stella's attitude, while Liz remained calm. She knew better than anyone about Stella's determination to sever ties with the Foster family, and it didn't stop her from sowing discord between father and daughter for her own benefit.
Stella presented her documents, signed, and received the light piece of paper.
[Notarized Document: Stella Orion voluntarily renounces her status as a member of the Foster family, forfeiting all inheritance rights to Foster family assets, including but not limited to real estate, physical assets, cash, company shares, and funds. Simultaneously, Stella has no obligations towards the Foster family or its members.]
She let out a long breath, feeling a weight lifted off her shoulders.
When she walked out, Alex's face lit up at the sight of the document, but his joy quickly faded when he met Stella's indifferent gaze.
Stella was too calm.
This wasn't how a child breaking ties with their biological father should react, nor how an adult stripped of their rightful inheritance should behave. She could cry, rage, or resent—anything but this indifference.
Alex suddenly felt uneasy.
Unable to understand or unwilling to face the reason behind his daughter's demeanor, he habitually dismissed it as a tantrum.
He chuckled awkwardly. "Stella, remember, in my heart, you will always be the eldest daughter of the Foster family."
"Of course," Liz chimed in insincerely. "Stella, don't forget, even though people only recognize Emily as the eldest daughter of the Foster family, she still has to call you sister!"
Stella smiled. "Really? I hear Emily is having a coming-of-age ceremony. Maybe as her sister, I should attend to bless her?"
Liz stiffened, falling silent.
Stella's mother had passed away less than six months before Liz moved in with five-year-old Emily. Emily was indeed Alex's biological daughter, which also made her the most damning evidence of Alex's infidelity during his first marriage.
This scandal had caused quite a stir in their hometown of Riverside. After winning custody, the Orion family severed ties with the Fosters.
Later, the Fosters moved to EP Royal to escape their past, never mentioning it. As Alex's business improved, Liz and Emily flourished socially as the "original wife" and "eldest daughter" of the Foster family.
That is, until they learned Stella had been accepted into EP University, one of the top two universities in the country.
Maybe they felt it reflected well on them, or perhaps guilt from seeing Stella's resemblance to her mother spurred Alex to try to bring her back into the family.
Feeling threatened, Liz and Emily worked hard to turn Alex against Stella, convincing him that acknowledging her would only benefit the Orions. This led to the notarization, ensuring Stella wouldn't disrupt their facade.
Stella said calmly, "I have no interest in being the 'eldest daughter of the Foster family.' So, tell Emily to stop sending those petty threats. I've ignored them so far, but if she does it again, I'll take legal action."
"Also, now that the notarization is done, there's no need to pretend anymore. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other."
Alex, still reeling from the mention of threatening letters, exploded. "What are you saying?! Nothing to do with each other? Do you think your uncle, that poor teacher, can protect you forever? You, a worthless girl, what can you do without relying on this family?!"
"The Fosters are not my family. I haven't relied on you before, and I won't in the future."
Stella turned to leave, Alex's furious shout echoing behind her. "You think you have a family?!"
She paused as her phone buzzed.
[Leo: The house is all set. Move in this afternoon?]
[Stella: Sure.]
Stella sniffled, softly saying to herself, "Maybe I do have one after all."
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