The banquet was reserved in a famous restaurant that sold the local specialties. When Stella arrived
downstairs, she saw Alexander who was waiting for her at the entrance.
She looked over and Alexander also saw her. Waving at her, he said, “Stella, over here.”
Stella walked over. “I’m sorry, but there was traffic on the way. I’m a bit late.”
Alexander rubbed his head shyly as if he still felt a bit embarrassed for what happened last night. “It’s
alright. Mr. Conrad hasn’t arrived yet. It’s cold outside. Let’s get in.”
Alexander took Stella to a private box, in which there were a few managers from his company, who
were all senior executives. Alexander introduced Stella to them one after another.
After the introduction, Alexander’s direct manager said with a smile, “I’ve heard Alex mention you a lot
of times, Ms. Radomil. You are really gorgeous.” As he spoke, he patted Alexander on the shoulders
and whispered in his ear, “How lucky you are!”
Alexander smiled shyly.
Other executives might have heard Stella’s name as well, so they started echoing and praising
Alexander, putting on a lot of good words for him.
In such a circumstance, Stella couldn’t retort for the sake of their dignities. Moreover, she had made it
clear to Alexander last night. Hence, she echoed, “Yeah. Mr. Hans is a nice man.”
As soon as she finished her words, the private box suddenly quieted down.
Alexander’s direct manager rushed over to the door of the box. “Good evening, Mr. Conrad.”
Stella was speechless.
Other executives also followed over and greeted Clarence.
Clarence responded to them indifferently. Finally, he gazed at Stella.
One of the executives said, “Mr. Conrad, this is Stella, living in Anqiao Street. She’s also Alex’s
neighbor.”
Clarence hummed. Then he bypassed her and walked into the box.
The executive coughed and followed him. “Mr. Conrad, please sit here.”
At the round table, Clarence was sitting in the host’s seat. Next to his both sides were sitting the most
senior executives, and others sat sequentially.
Stella was sitting next to Alexander.
During the dinner, Alexander noticed that Stella almost didn’t eat anything, so he kept picking up food
for her. “Stella, try this. This is the most famous local specialty here. It’s quite tasty.”
Stella raised her head and smiled at him. “Thank you.”
“You are welcome.” As he spoke, Alexander picked up another dish for her. “This is good, too. Try it.”
Wondering if it was an illusion, Stella could feel a cold gaze on her. She didn’t feel quite cozy.
However, when she raised her head, she could only see Clarence talking business with a man next to
him and looking quite normal.
Stella rubbed her nose. She mocked herself for her illusion that Clarence was gazing at her. She must
have overthought.
Right then, Alexander’s direct manager said, “Alex, you can’t only take care of Stella. We’re all
watching you.”
Although he sounded like blaming Alexander, he was kidding.
Alexander picked up his glass and stood up. “I’m terribly sorry. Please allow me to punish myself with a
glass of wine.”
For some reason, they started making toasts.
Stella was sitting there, feeling too bored to keep sober.
Right then, someone suddenly suggested, “Stella, come on. Let’s have a toast.”
Stella returned to her senses, only to find a man opposite her was talking to her. She was about to
speak, Alexander chimed in, “Excuse me, Mr. Brown. Stella can’t drink. How about I’ll drink it for her?”
Probably everyone had drunk a lot, the man was a bit drunk. He said, “Gee, what’s so fun to drink with
a man. Stella, I’m not making trouble for you. Just one drink. I’ll bottom up. Just suit yourself.”
When the man raised his glass, Stella said gently, “I’m sorry, but I’m pregnant. I can’t drink.”
Upon hearing it, all the men at the dining table exchanged glances with each other. Only Clarence was
sitting there expressionlessly.
Someone couldn’t help but mumble, “Is she pregnant? Alex is so fast...”
Stella added, “How about I drink the tea instead?”
None of them could insist. The box quieted down for a moment.
Right then, a man’s cold voice sounded out. “Mr. Hans, I heard that both your parents are teachers.”
Upon hearing it, Stella almost sprayed the tea from her mouth.
Alexander didn’t know why suddenly the business tycoon cued him. Immediately, he nodded. “Yes, Mr.
Conrad. But my parents are in my hometown. They’ve been teachers for almost all their lives.”
Clarence said in a light tone, “It’s good to be a teacher. I’m sure their students must be the selfless and
generous pillars of the state who make a lot of contributions, just like you, Mr. Hans.”
Alexander was way too nervous, so he didn’t sense anything wrong in his words. He misunderstood
that Clarence was praising him. He said shyly, “I’m so flattered, Mr. Conrad. Thank you.”
Clarence curled up his lips into a mocking smile. His fingers swiped the goblet in front of him. “Please
don’t be so modest. You deserve those words. Ms. Radomil, what do you think?”
Stella couldn’t find her tongue.
She knew the wretched man would set her up.
She said calmly, “Mr. Hans is young and outstanding. Of course, he’s much better than someone
dignified, domineering, and bullying.”
After she finished her words, the whole box quieted down again.
Compared with the previous silence, now it was suffocating silence.
Although she referred to someone, she shouldn’t have said those words on such an occasion.
When everyone was holding his breath and thought that Clarence would blow up, Clarence just
sneered. “Ms. Radomil, you are good-looking, but you don’t know the art of speaking.”
Stella said, “Thank you for your compliment, Mr. Conrad.”
Others were all silent.
They couldn’t believe that she had ignored the latter half of Mr. Conrad’s comment on her. They
wondered who mentally strong this woman was to resist the harm.
Seeing that the atmosphere was becoming more and more awkward, one of the executives resisted the
pressure, found another subject, and broke the ice.
After they had drunk for a few rounds, Stella noticed that they still hadn’t had the intention to leave.
Hence, she went to use the bathroom.
Seeing that, Alexander followed her out.
“Stella, it’s getting quite late. Shall I drive you home?”
Stella looked back. “Are you sure it works if you just leave earlier?”
Alexander scratched his head. “I can come back after driving you home. I don’t think they would end
the dinner so soon.”
Stella smiled. “It’s alright. I can go home myself. Please go back to the dinner.”
It was impolite for Alexander to leave in such a circumstance. He nodded in agreement. “Sent me a
message when you got home.”
“All right.”
“Stella,” Alexander called her again, “Just now during the dinner, you were so bold. Weren’t you afraid
that he would lose his temper?”
Stella said carelessly, “If he lost his temper, he would blame me. I don’t think he would beat me up in
presence of so many people. Please don’t worry about the cooperation. He always looks upon the
interests very much. Those trifles wouldn’t impact his decision.”
Alexander was taken aback. “How do you know?”
Stella said, “He’s a businessman, just like others. He came all the way from City N in person, so this
project should be quite important for him.”
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