Stella tilted her head, purposely avoiding listening to Justin’s phone conversation. She could feel his annoyance from the way his gaze flicked toward her through the rearview mirror.
“Hurry up and tell me already,” he snapped, his patience thinning.
The voice on the other end of the phone laughed lightly, almost mockingly. “What’s wrong with you, bro? You sound so pissed.”
Justin massaged his glabella, trying to suppress his irritation. “I don’t have time for your nonsense. If it’s not important, I’ll hang up.”
“Hey, don’t! I need your help,” the voice said, urgency creeping into his tone.
After a brief exchange, Justin hung up, turning his attention back to Stella with a look of apology.
“There’s something urgent I need to take care of,” he explained. “I need to send an important document to my relative. It won’t take long—about half an hour. Would it be an inconvenience if I go there first and then send you back afterward?”
Stella glanced at him and shook her head. “It’s okay. You can go and take care of your things. I can get a cab.”
“No, it’s already late. It’s not safe for a woman to take a cab alone,” Justin said, his frown deepening. He seemed to reconsider. “Forget it. I’ll send you back first.”
She quickly waved her hand, not wanting to inconvenience him further. “It’s alright. You should settle the matter first.”
Justin let out a relieved sigh, his tense expression softening. “I’ll be quick.”
The car turned around, and the chauffeur picked up speed. Soon, they arrived at a quiet, upscale villa neighborhood. While it wasn’t as grand as the place they had left, it still exuded elegance.
The car stopped in front of a small white villa. A man in casual gray attire was standing at the door, approaching as soon as he heard the sound of the car.
When Stella saw him, her heart skipped a beat.
Wasn’t he the man from that night?
As the car window rolled down, the man looked over, and his eyes widened in recognition. He ignored Justin, who was getting out of the car, and walked toward the window with a surprised smile. Leaning casually against the car, he regarded Stella with clear interest.
“Why are you here?” he asked, his tone light but curious.
Stella was taken aback. “You’re Mr. Hall’s relative?”
The man turned to Justin, a mischievous grin forming on his face. “Didn’t I tell you I went on a blind date a few days ago? The woman I met was her. Why is she in your car today?”
He glanced between Justin and Stella, eyes dancing with amusement. After a beat, he laughed aloud. “Could it be that you don’t fancy me because you fell for him? Do you think he can deal with your ex?”
His teasing tone only made the atmosphere colder. Justin’s expression turned serious as he looked from the man to Stella.
“Since when do you two know each other?”
Stella felt her heart sink at the tension building in the air, but before she could answer, Justin drove the car off, his mood noticeably heavy.
After a few moments of silence, Justin spoke again, his voice deeper now. “Are you looking for a man to marry just to get away from Weston?”
The question struck Stella like a blow, and she didn’t know how to respond. But Justin’s sudden shift in tone—his surprise—did not go unnoticed.
For a moment, Justin felt a surge of relief. He had originally assumed Stella wasn’t the type to be swayed by Weston’s status. He had been disappointed when he’d thought she might be, but knowing she didn’t plan to be with Weston had eased his mind. Now, however, he couldn’t help but feel frustrated.
When he realized she would rather go on a blind date with a stranger than seek his help, a wave of annoyance swept over him. His hands tightened around the steering wheel.
“Am I really that lousy in your eyes?” he asked, his voice tinged with an emotion he couldn’t fully hide.
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