No Longer Yours, Ex-Boyfriend

There were rumors in the Akso circle that Stephan loved me to the core.

He could spend one million dollars to buy an insignificant brooch for me and he could also turn down an urgent multinational meeting just to watch the sunrise with me.

I once thought that our love could withstand any difficulties, but...

In that attic that I was never allowed to step into, all the memories of him and childhood sweetheart were stored.

There were love letters from childhood, tickets for romantic movies and even opened but unused condoms.

He said that he liked me, but he loved her deeply, so I should be generous.

Later, his childhood sweetheart returned to Lemure and I felt relieved. I chose to have an abortion and leave to help them be together.

However, the usually calm and selfsustaining Stephan lost control...

——

My 22nd birthday party was held at the Marshall Family.

Stephan personally took care of it and invited wealthy and powerful figures and celebrities in the Akso circle to hold a lively birthday party for me in the Marshall Family villa.

Stephan fastened the laces on the back of my evening gown and tied a beautiful bow. “I picked it for you myself. The pure white color suits you very well. It looks great.”

I looked at myself in the mirror. I was wearing a diamondstudded crown on my tiedup hair and starstudded earrings on my earlobes. I looked very eyecatching.

He placed a kiss on the back of my neck and coaxed me gently, “I told you that every year on your birthday, I will never let you have a worse birthday than when you were with the Martin Family.”

I turned around and hugged him, feeling my chest burning hot. “Thank you, Stephan.”

When I was 18 years old, something happened to the Martin Family and I was the only one left.

Just when I thought I was at my wit’s end, I was taken back to the Marshall Family by Stephan.

He supported me, doted on me and announced to everyone in the Akso circle that I, Vanessa, would not be bullied.

Falling into the quagmire and then being hailed as the moon by the stars diluted a lot of my sadness about family changes. Since then, I had fallen deeply in love with Stephan.

Stephan touched my head. “Come downstairs to the birthday party, my little princess.”

I smiled, took his hand and walked down the spiral staircase together.

Several young masters from other groups called Stephan over. He put his arm around my shoulder and whispered, “I’ll go first and come back soon. Wait for me obediently.”

I smiled and nodded. “Okay.”

Stephan went over to greet them. A few celebrities not far away came over with champagne to greet me. “Happy birthday, Miss Martin.”

I accepted the gift and thanked him politely.

They looked at me enviously.

“Miss Martin is so lucky. Mr. Marshall inherited the family business at a young age and became the CEO of the Marshall Group. He is also so devoted to you. We are so envious of him.”

“Yes, Stephan has held a birthday party for you at the Marshall Family for two consecutive years and there are no other beautiful women around him. Miss Martin will soon be Mrs. Marshall!”

My cheeks blushed. “There’s still something that hasn’t been settled yet…”

“Almost there!” They smiled and pointed at the brooch on my chest. “Is this the fulldiamond brooch that Mr. Marshall flew over to buy for 4 million dollars at the last Linkon auction?”

“Oh my god! 4 million dollars? It is said that this is the work of the famous French designer BN. She only produces one work a year!”

“Miss Martin, Mr. Marshall is so nice to you! He took the photo without blinking an eye! Last time, my man hesitated when he bid for a bag worth 27,000 dollars, which pissed me off!”

I looked down and saw the diamond brooch on my chest. It was in the shape of a white rose, with a yellow diamond hanging in the center of the petals, sparkling like a pistil. It was very beautiful.

This was some time ago, when Linkon had just announced the collections to be auctioned and he attended the auction without telling me.

When he came back, he pinned the brooch on my chest as if it were a treasure. “It looks good. As long as Vanessa likes it, no matter how much I pay, it’s worth it.”

He would give me everything he thought was best.

Thinking of this, I smiled happily. “I also think Stephan treats me very well…”

They praised him enviously and someone asked, “Hey? Why hasn’t Mr. Marshall come back yet? Didn’t I just see him chatting with a girl? Where is he now?”

I looked around the living room on the first floor, but didn’t see Stephan.

Another person answered, “It seems he went to the garden. I saw him answer a phone call just now and then went out.”

I put down the goblet and said politely, “Have some snacks first. I’ll go find him.”

“Okay.”

When I arrived at the back garden, I saw a tall figure standing in front of the rose bushes, with his back to me, answering the phone.

In order not to disturb him at work, I lifted my skirt, tiptoed to a place a few meters away from him and waited quietly.

The evening breeze blew on my bare shoulders, bringing a slight chill. I touched my shoulders, which were covered with goose bumps and heard a vague sentence in the wind.

“What did you say? Bianca returned home?”

I paused, my eyes falling on Stephan who was a few meters away.

Having been with him for two years, I was able to notice the change in his mood almost instantly. His excitement was mixed with restraint and a hint of anticipation, which was completely different from his usual self.

Bianca.

I knew her.

She was Stephan’s childhood sweetheart.

In the few years before I appeared, she was the one who stayed by Stephan’s side.

They spent their youthful school years, the best time for boys and girls and they had each other.

However, the most ridiculous thing happened in the rich family. The elders of Marshall Group did not allow poor female students to climb up the rich family. Even though Bianca had excellent design talent, the two were still separated in the end. She was also forced to voluntarily go abroad.

Later, Stephan inherited the position of the head of the Marshall Group and took all the power into his own hands in a swift and resolute manner.

But he didn’t go to look for Bianca again.

Then I showed up and Stephan gave me all his love, as if to make up for his past self and I never asked him anything about Bianca.

The evening breeze was cool, I lowered my eyes, unable to sort out my thoughts for a moment.

At this time, Stephan finally hung up the phone, turned around and saw me. He hurried over, took off his suit jacket and put it on me. “Vanessa, why did you come out? It’s cold outside.”

I calmed down and smiled. “They were all waiting for you. They urged me to come out to find you. I saw you were busy with work, so I didn’t disturb you.”

“Well, I do have some work to do.” He looked away. “I can’t accompany you tonight, just stay at home and behave yourself.”

“Yeah, okay.”

As night fell, the birthday party ended quickly, leaving the living room in a mess.

The housekeeper, Audrey, said respectfully, “Mr. Marshall is busy with work. Miss Martin, you should also go and have a rest. I will clean up here.”

“No, you should rest first. I will collect these things tomorrow. I need to rest now and you will disturb me.”

“Okay, Miss Martin.”

After Audrey left, the clock pointed to twelve o’clock. I looked at the empty living room and suddenly felt a sense of depression rising slowly from the bottom of my heart.

In fact, it was my birthday now.

When I was 20 years old, which was also my birthday, my parents who loved me suddenly passed away and the Martin Family fell.

When I was crying my heart out, Stephan took me home. I didn’t celebrate my birthday that year.

Later, Stephan said that I should celebrate my birthday one day in advance to dilute the sadness with happiness, so that my parents would be relieved. On my real birthday, he would put aside all other things to spend it with me.

He did it when he was twentyone and today, just over a year later, he seemed to have forgotten it.

His mind was filled with the news that Bianca had returned. He didn’t even feel the pain when his fingertips were pierced by the thorns of a rose when he was making a phone call in the garden just now.

I stared at the living room in a daze until my phone vibrated and broke my thoughts.

“Hello, Vanessa, I’m Emmett.”

It took me a moment to react, then I remembered that this was my senior from college.

“Emmett, what’s wrong?”

“I have to tell you that I’m in Draport now. By the way, do you know Albert?”

“Yes. He has established a unique jewelry brand in the world and is at the forefront of fashion. He is a very powerful person.”

“Yes, I’m planning to create a new global brand with him, but we don’t have enough manpower here.” Emmett’s voice was a little hesitant. “I showed him your work without telling you in advance and he was very satisfied. I sent word that I hope you will join me.”

I was stunned. “Creating a new global brand with Albert?”

“It’s like this. I heard someone say before that you followed Stephan to work in Marshall Group. Will it bother you? Actually, I’m just asking. It’s okay if you don’t want to. I just think it’s good to be with Albert. It’s a particularly good opportunity to be together…”

Emmett’s voice was hesitant and regretful.

Indeed, Albert was a wellknown figure in the jewelry design industry and many people would beg for his services, but I never expected that he would be interested in my work.

However, if I wanted to start a brand with Albert, I would have to go abroad, leave ShenStephan and go to Draport for a few years.

I was silent for a long time. “Give me some time, I’ll think about it.”

“Okay, I look forward to hearing from you.”

I returned to the room and didn’t know when I fell into a deep sleep. When the sunlight filled the whole room and the back of my hand was wrapped by a warm palm, I opened my eyes.

Stephan sat on the bed, still wearing the suit he wore yesterday.

“Vanessa, were you exhausted yesterday? You went straight to sleep without even changing into your dress.”

He ruffled my messy hair and said distressedly, “If I had known, I wouldn’t have arranged so many procedures.”

I was a little surprised that he would come back at this time. I pursed my lips and said, “Don’t you have work to do?”

“It’s true that I’m busy at work, but Vanessa also needs my company.”

My nose felt sore and I threw myself into his arms.

Stephan hugged me and said, “I was wrong. I should have stayed with you last night. Vanessa won’t be angry, right?”

I shook my head and buried myself deeper in his arms.

He was my salvation, how could I be angry with him?

Leaning against his chest, listening to his steady, strong heartbeat, a hint of unique perfume permeated my nose, the top note being an elegant white rose and the base note leaving a faint moonlight.

It was not my taste, nor was it Stephan’s taste.

My heart skipped a beat and my hand subconsciously reached out for the collar of Stephan’s shirt. As soon as I unbuttoned a button, my wrist was grabbed.

“I’ve been a little tired from work lately, maybe next time.”

He stood up and buttoned his clothes again. “By the way, last time I said I wanted to learn how to make shrimp and scallop porridge from Audrey. Have you eaten yet? Wait for me for a while and I’ll let you taste my cooking skills.”

Stephan turned and left the room. I was stunned for a moment and looked at the bouquet of white roses on the bedside.

Every day he would cut a few white roses from the garden and put them by his bed, saying they looked beautiful.

I lowered my eyes and threw all the white roses and the vase into the trash can.

After resting for a few days, I returned to the company.

My university major was jewelry design. After graduation, Stephan brought me into the Marshall Group and separated the jewelry product line of the Marshall Group into a branch company with the brand name “Radiant Creations”.

And I, at a young age, became the person in charge of Radiant Creations.

I told my assistant Jessica. “The summer new product launch is about to begin. Gather the planning and design drafts from each department. I want to review them one by one.”

“Okay.”

I flipped through the design draft and the more I flipped through the plan, the more my brows furrowed.

I was away during this period and didn’t monitor their work, so the content became more and more confusing.

I took a bunch of design drafts and went to the design department with Jessica and saw a middleaged woman cracking melon seeds and chatting with people around her.

Her name was Zera. She was a veteran in the company and the one with the highest salary based on seniority in the design department, but she was also the one with the worst working ability.

I put down the design draft and said, “Zera, tell me about the concept of these designs.”

“Oh, it’s just a design, why do you have to talk about the concept?” Zera came over impatiently. “I worked day and night with everyone to draw these designs, aren’t they all pretty?”

“Pretty?” I took a deep breath and took out a few manuscripts. “This one is a copy of the new autumn product of Timeless Studio last year. And this one, wasn’t it the design I rejected last year? What does it mean to submit it again? ——”

“Wait, Miss Martin.” Zera’s voice rose. “What do you mean by plagiarism? Isn’t it normal for designers to have the same ideas occasionally? You’re going too far by saying it’s plagiarism! And the reason I submitted the design again is because I think this design is very good, but you rejected it because you don’t have the vision to appreciate it.”

Zera’s attitude was so arrogant that I became more and more depressed. Everyone else kept silent and didn’t dare to speak.

Zera sneered, “Miss Martin, you are young and don’t know as much as we do about some things. Didn’t you rely on Stephan to gain a foothold in the Marshall Group? Without him, you wouldn’t even be able to step into the threshold of the Marshall Group. You have no ability and you got everything you have now just by climbing into bed. It’s people like you that I can’t stand the most.”

Before I could respond, Jessica angrily retorted, “Watch your words. What do you mean by incompetent? Last summer, all the bestselling products were designed by Vanessa alone, but the products you designed didn’t even sell well. It’s very ugly.”

Zera choked and snorted, “You lackey!”

I looked at Zera coldly. “Then don’t do it.”

This Zera had been causing troubles since I took over the branch two years ago. Before, I never bothered with her because she was a company veteran, but now her attitude was arrogant. One bad apple spoilt the whole barrel. If we continued to keep her, there would be big problems with the new product launch of “Fiery Summer”.

Zera’s voice became sharp. “Why? I was transferred here from the headquarters. Even if they want to fire me, it should be the headquarters that fires me!”

“Then the headquarters will also fire you.”

A deep, magnetic voice sounded at the door of the office. Stephan stepped in and the air pressure in the office dropped instantly.

“Mr. Marshall…” Everyone stood up quickly, even Zera was stunned for a moment.

He said unhappily, “You can leave now. The group’s dismissal notice will be sent to your email later.”

Zera was carried out by the security guards. Stephan glanced at everyone in the office and said, “I happened to be free today, so I came to inspect the branch. I hope everyone will work actively and complete the tasks assigned by Miss Martin with a serious attitude.”

“Okay, Mr. Marshall.”

Under everyone’s timid gaze, I followed Stephan back to the independent office.

Pulling down the curtain, I turned around and asked him, “Why are you free to come here today?”

“I missed you. I was busy at the company these days and didn’t go home. As soon as I got home, I heard that you came to work, so I followed you.”

The unique, refreshing bamboo scent on his body came closer to me and he held me in his arms, making me feel at ease for a moment and all the previous depression was swept away.

I leaned into his arms. “You don’t have to stand up for me, I can handle it myself.”

“There is a more convenient and faster solution, isn’t there?” He laughed twice in his chest. “You can rely on me, Vanessa.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

After a while of tenderness, Stephan hurried back to the company.

I lowered my head and looked at a photo sent from an unfamiliar number.

The girl was in the foreground, with only her pretty neck and shoulders showing. Behind her was a messy bed and a man was lying on it with his eyes closed, looking tired and satisfied.

There were several ambiguous red marks on the girl’s shoulders.

My hand holding the phone was shaking slightly, but even though the photo wasn’t very clear, I recognized the man instantly.

It was Stephan.

My hands were shaking and I made several mistakes before I replied: [Who are you?]

The message from there was replied within seconds.

[Don’t you know?] I know you know.]

The sun was shining brightly, pouring in through the window and making the office warm, but I felt like I was falling into an icy cave.

It wasn’t until Jessica knocked on the door and came in that I came to my senses and turned off my phone.

“What’s wrong?”

Jessica was worried. “Vanessa, it’s already May and there are only 20 days left before our new product launch. You still need to review these plans and design drafts.”

I rubbed my eyebrows in annoyance.

The press conference was scheduled for May 20th. There were too many things to do during this period and there was no time to design new products.

And now...

I took out my previous drafts from the drawer. Each one was about sweet love, which was very consistent with the theme of this new product launch conference, but no matter how I looked at them, I felt unsatisfied.

I unlocked my phone and the photo I had been looking at for a long time came into my sight again, stimulating my nerves.

I stood up and said, “Okay, you go ahead and do your thing. I need to go out for a while.”

I asked the driver to drive to the downstairs of the Marshall Group building. The front desk staff knew me and didn’t stop me, so I took the private elevator directly to the top floor.

But I was stopped at the office door.

Scott, Stephan’s assistant, hurriedly explained, “Miss Martin, Mr. Marshall is discussing important cooperation. Please go to the VIP room and wait. I will invite you after it is over.”

Some groundbreaking conjectures instantly exploded in my mind.

I pushed Scott away. “I also have something very important to discuss with Stephan!”

“Miss Martin!”

Scott wanted to stop me, but a voice came from inside the office. “Let her in.”

I hurriedly pushed the door open and the spacious office was filled with a faint rose scent.

Stephan stood up from the chair in front of the sandalwood table. “Vanessa, this is my old classmate, Bianca.”

Following his gaze, I looked at the woman on the leather sofa. She was wearing a red dress and she was indeed as beautiful as the rumors said.

Her skin was as white as cream, her eyebrows were delicate, her nose was small, her lips were bright red and her eyes were moist. Just one look at her could make people’s hearts flutter.

Feeling my gaze, Bianca stood up from the leather sofa and smiled at me. “Hello, Miss Martin, I am Bianca, a jewelry designer like you. I just came back from abroad and today I came to see Mr. Marshall I want to talk to him about cooperation.”

Her voice was gentle and soft and she was holding the latest issue of a jewelry magazine on her fingertips. The atmosphere between the two of them was indeed like that of a discussion on cooperation.

If my phone hadn’t received that photo, although the face was not shown in the photo, the exposed neck had a mole exactly the same as the one on Bianca’s neck.

I lowered my eyes, but still didn’t take out my phone to confront him. I just changed my excuse. “I’m undecided about the new product release of ‘Fiery Summer’ and I want to discuss it with you.”

“Take your time, there’s no rush.” ​​Stephan pulled me to sit on the sofa without any hesitation, poured me a cup of tea and handed it to me. “You came here in a hurry and your forehead is sweating…”

He gently wiped the tip of my forehead, seemingly not caring at all about Bianca’s presence.

For a moment of confusion, I began to wonder if I had misunderstood something.

Bianca was actually interested. “Is ‘Fiery Summer’ a separate jewelry product line from the Marshall Group? Is there anything I can do to help you, Miss Martin?”

“No.”

“No.”

Stephan and I spoke at the same time.

I was stunned and looked up at him.

He looked calm and said, “Miss Newton just returned to Lemure and is not very familiar with the domestic market. If she enters rashly, she will not be able to adapt. I will take care of Vanessa’s situation.”

Bianca’s eyes flashed with a hint of jealousy and then she put on a decent smile in an instant. “If it’s all right, I’ll go out first. Mr. Marshall and Miss Martin, you guys continue. Next time I’m free, I’ll find Mr. Marshall to reminisce about the past.”

The words “reminiscing about the past” sounded particularly meaningful. When I wanted to continue exploring, Bianca had already turned around, pushed the glass door and went out.

“What are you thinking about?”

Stephan sat down next to me, his arms naturally wrapped around my waist and he kissed me on the lips. “It seems that Vanessa is absentminded. Did you misunderstand something?”

“No…”

He scratched the tip of my nose and said sincerely, “I know there were some rumors about me and Bianca a few years ago, but don’t get me wrong, the past is over and now I love you.”

I responded obediently, “I’ve been busy lately, I’m just a little tired. I will take a rest in your cubicle.”

His office was equipped with a rest area decorated in simple black, white and grey, which was convenient for him to stay overnight in the company occasionally.

Stephan paused. “Okay.”

Lying on the soft big bed, the fatigue of many days was finally relieved. I closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

He tucked the quilt in for me and kissed me on the forehead. “Good afternoon, Vanessa.”

Stephan stepped out of the restroom, looked at Vanessa who had fallen asleep and gently closed the door.

The moment the door closed, soft arms wrapped around his waist and the light scent of roses filled his nostrils.

Stephan’s body stiffened and the warm breath behind him sprayed his earlobe on tiptoe. “Stephan, I miss you so much.”

On the other side of the wall, Vanessa was sleeping soundly.

Behind him was Bianca, who plucked his heartstrings.

His Adam’s apple rolled, Stephan turned around and pulled Bianca out of the office.

There was only the president’s office on the top floor of Marshall Group. No one else could enter without permission. Scott just left tactfully, so there were only three of them on the top floor now.

Pulling Bianca into the gym at the end of the corridor, Stephan restrained himself in a low voice. “Stop making trouble.”

Bianca chuckled and pressed her chest against him again.”Am I not being obedient? I didn’t say anything when she was here just now.”

Bianca’s shirt collar was very low and Stephan could see that alluring spring scenery as long as he lowered his eyes slightly.

“Stephan, I didn’t force you to make a choice, don’t feel too much pressure.” Bianca took a step back and looked at Stephan with watery eyes. “I’m just afraid that you hate me. I can’t stay with you…”

This sentence made Stephan’s heart feel like an electric shock and he once again thought of the situation when he and Bianca were forced to separate.

At that time, he had no ability and could only let go.

And now, he had become the person in charge of the group and Vanessa was by his side.

His heart began to waver.

Looking at Bianca’s slightly red eyes, Stephan hugged her in his arms and comforted her. “How could I hate you? It’s just that things are complicated now and I need to deal with it for a while. During this time, you should be obedient and don’t make a fuss, or it will be bad for you.”

“Well, I’ll listen to you.”

Bianca leaned in his arms, but her slender fingertips moved dishonestly to Stephan’s firm belly. “I miss you so much, Stephan, don’t you miss me?”

Of course Stephan knew what she was talking about.

Bianca was different now. Back then, she was a young girl who was tenacious and unyielding and he really liked her for that energy.

But now Bianca had returned, she brought with her the flavor of a mature woman, bright and warm, as if the childhood sweetheart of the past had turned into a cinnabar mole, tickling his heart.

He couldn’t refuse Bianca like this.

So on the night of Vanessa’s birthday party, he left in a hurry and when he met Bianca again, he had sex with her passionately.

Although he felt remorseful and regretful for his impulsiveness afterwards, every time he saw Bianca, it would once again arouse the deepest desires in his heart.

So these days, he lied to Vanessa that he was working, but in fact he was with Bianca every day and he got used to it.

Even today, he went to see Vanessa with a little guilt. He wanted to spend more time with his real girlfriend, but was attracted by Bianca’s invitation.

When he hurried back to the top floor office, he saw Bianca wearing a halterneck red dress, with big waves covering her bare, smooth back. “Stephan, do you want to do something exciting in the office?”

Stephan sat in the chair, watching the once pure childhood sweetheart slowly kneel down in front of him, reaching for his trouser belt, with a charming look in his eyes.

At that moment, he really felt that Vanessa was a little dull.

It was not until the front desk called and interrupted his thoughts, saying that Vanessa had taken the elevator up by herself, that he suddenly came to his senses and asked Bianca to tidy up her messy clothes.

Although Bianca was jealous, she knew that this was not the time to anger Stephan, so she could only agree obediently and play along.

Now Vanessa fell asleep and there were only two of them left on the entire rooftop. The empty yet charming atmosphere made people feel distracted.

Bianca reached out and pulled open the placket of Stephan’s trousers. “Stephan, this place is far from the office and she can’t hear it. Don't you really want to try it here?”

Stephan’s Adam's apple rolled and in just a moment, desire broke through his brain. He picked up Bianca horizontally and walked toward the French window.

The view from the top floor was nice and the sunshine was also good.

After an unknown amount of time, Stephan’s clothes were soaked and disheveled and he heard an unreal inquiry from the other side of the corridor.

“Scott, where is Stephan? I haven’t seen him since I woke up.”

“Mr. Marshall has a multinational meeting this afternoon, so he’s going to attend it first and he asked me not to disturb you.”

“Oh, okay. I have something else to do at the company, so I’ll go back first. Remember to let him know when he comes back.”

“Okay, Miss Martin, I’ll take you there.”

After the sound of the elevator door closing, the top floor returned to silence.

Bianca moved in Stephan’s arms. “Stephan~”

“It’s almost time. I have a meeting. You can go back first.” Stephan stood up, buttoned up his suit and handed over a card. “This card has no limit. You just returned to Lemure and need money for many things. No need to save.”

“Okay, thank you, Stephan~”

Before leaving the gym, Stephan stopped and reminded her again, “Bianca, you are very sensible, so I hope you don’t make a fuss in front of Vanessa about these things at the moment.”

“Don’t worry, Stephan. I will listen to you obediently.”

Bianca’s gentle smile was instantly broken after Stephan left. She threw the card fiercely to the ground. “Heh, Vanessa, I will make you pay the price!”

Jessica and I stayed up all night to finalize all the design drafts. The next step was for the organizing department to finalize the entire press conference process schedule.

I finally had a chance to catch my breath. I planned to go home and get some good sleep to adjust my state.

Another text message was received on the phone: [Want to meet and chat?]

It was sent by Bianca.

I thought for a moment and sent her an address, which was a coffee shop downstairs from the company.

We booked a private room. The waiter lit candles and aromatherapy, played some light music, poured two cups of coffee and dessert and then tactfully left.

I took a sip of coffee and said, “Miss Newton, if you have anything to say, just tell me. I have other plans later.”

“Oh, you are really patient. You didn’t come to see me during this period of time.”

“I’ve been busy with company matters lately and can’t spare the time. I was planning to have a chat with you, Miss Newton, when I have some free time.”

Bianca’s inquiring gaze swept over me. “Stephan and I have known each other for seven years and we were forced to separate for five years in between.”

“I know.”

“You know?” Bianca raised her eyebrows slightly. “Now that I’m back, shouldn’t you take the initiative to withdraw?”

My fingertips holding the coffee spoon paused. I raised my eyes and looked at Bianca steadily. “Stephan didn’t say he wanted to break up with me.”

For a moment, Bianca laughed out loud as if she had heard some huge joke.

“Vanessa, should I say you are naive or stupid? Didn’t I show you those photos? Why don’t you give up?” She said with sarcasm, “Your family suffered a misfortune and Stephan couldn’t bear to abandon you, so I can be the bad guy and tell you the truth. Or to put it another way, everything you have right now depends on Stephan. Do you think you are really worthy of him? Do you think he will really marry you?”

The harsh words stabbed into my heart like a knife and the suffocating pain spread.

I forced myself to stand up, not planning to continue the conversation.

“Vanessa.” Bianca stopped me. “Has Stephan touched you during the time I have been back home?”

My body trembled and a fact that I didn’t want to believe came into my mind.

Indeed, Stephan had been saying that he was busy with work recently and he rarely saw me, let alone touched me. Even if I took the initiative, he would find an excuse to leave...

It seemed that he really had no interest in me anymore.

A mocking voice came from behind. “When you looked in the mirror these days, didn’t you think you looked a little like me? Have you ever suspected that you were a standin? I don’t say too many hurtful words, but I also think that you are very dull.”

She emphasized the word “dull”, as if she was speaking specifically to me.

It was becoming difficult to breathe. I forced myself to hold on to the last bit of rationality and turned around and said, “Bianca, there’s no need to provoke me with these words. I know Stephan. If he doesn’t love me anymore, he will let go decisively and won’t bother me too much, but he treats me very well now.”

“You said he loves you?” Bianca obviously didn’t believe me, her eyes fell on my chest. “He gave you this brooch, right? He bought it for 4 million dollars.”

I glanced down at the brooch, confused as to why she had suddenly changed the subject.

“What’s wrong?”

“The designer of this brooch is me, BN.”

“What?”

“This brooch was designed by me in Zavine. It was sold at an auction in Lemure. When Stephan found out, he flew to Linkon overnight to attend the auction.” Bianca leaned back in her chair, looking at me with her arms crossed. Her eyes showed pity. “He raised the starting price of 40,000 dollars to 4 million dollars . Maybe he thought he could see me this way, but unfortunately, I didn’t come back from the auction. I guess he just gave it to you.”

In an instant, I felt like I was struck by lightning.

I bent down and took off the brooch. The intricate rose pattern and the tiny diamonds dotted it were so dazzling that I thought it was sparkling before, but now I just thought it was extremely blinding.

Roses, Bianca liked roses.

That was why there was a whole field of roses in the Marshall Family garden, that was why he gave me a rose brooch and that was why he habitually picked fresh roses and placed them at my bedside.

“I didn’t lie to you about this.” She chuckled. “If you don’t believe me, you can go check it out. It’s okay. I’ll give you enough time to think about it. Then I’ll leave first.”

The door of the private room closed and the tip of the brooch pierced into my palm, but I didn’t feel any pain at all.

When I returned to the Marshall Family, the familiar aroma of seafood porridge wafted out.

When I entered the living room, I didn’t see Audrey, but Stephan, wearing an apron, brought out two bowls of porridge from the kitchen.

Seeing me in a daze, he untied his apron and came over to hug me. “Where have you been? I missed you, Vanessa.”

I came back to my senses and forced a smile. “I go and relax and find some design inspiration.”

“Vanessa, you don’t have to work so hard, I’ll back you up.” He ruffled my hair and smiled dotingly. “Today I made crab roe and shrimp porridge. I peeled the crab roe and shrimp myself. You should try it.”

“Okay.”

Stephan naturally took my hand and a trace of pain came from the palm of my hand. I made a ‘hiss’ sound and pulled my hand back.

“What’s wrong, Vanessa?”

He opened my palm, his expression instantly worried. “How are you hurt? Does it hurt?”

“I accidentally scratched it…”

“Why didn’t you tell me? I accidentally hurt you.”

Stephan anxiously took out the medicine box and pulled me to sit on the sofa. He squatted in front of me and carefully disinfected it with iodine.

The blood in the wound had already coagulated, but when it was pulled just now, some blood came out again, stinging the nerves.

Looking at his anxious and worried look, which looked like a treasure, I was slightly distracted.

I had just hired a private detective and the information he gave me proves that what Bianca said was true.

Everyone envied Stephan for flying directly to Linkon to buy expensive jewelry for me, but only I knew that he was willing to do anything to pursue his childhood sweetheart. That brooch was just a small toy to coax me.

He wrapped my hand with gauze, stroked my wrist and asked softly, “Does it still hurt?”

I shook my head.

“I’ll arrange for the family doctor to come and see you later.”

“No need to arrange for a family doctor, it’s just a minor injury.”

“Okay.” Stephan stood up. “Then let’s eat the porridge first? You can try my cooking.”

“Okay.”

Stephan’s gaze paused on my chest. “Vanessa, did you forget to wear your brooch today?”

I paused and said, “I put it away. The summer new product launch is coming soon. It’s not good to wear jewelry from other brands. I’m wearing jewelry from ‘Fiery Summer’ now.”

“That makes sense.” Stephan smiled and said casually, “I thought you didn’t like the gift I gave you.”

My heart suddenly felt a prick of pain.

I changed the subject. “Let’s eat then.”

For several days in a row, Stephan stayed at the Marshall Family’s house and even for many matters that did not need to be handled at the company, he asked Scott to take the documents back to the Marshall Family.

He no longer smelled of roses.

I was a little unsure of what he was thinking.

But Bianca couldn’t sit still anymore and text messages came flooding in.

[Vanessa, what does it matter if you think you have kept him? His heart is not with you at all!]

[I don’t want to make things too ugly, you’d better be tactful and leave!]

[Do you remember the first few days when I returned to Lemure? He is with me every day, Stephan is still the same as he was five years ago, several times a night~]

[Oh, by the way, last time you slept in his office, do you think he was really attending a multinational conference? I have to say, it’s really exciting to be in front of the French window of the rooftop gym.]

At the end, she posted a picture of a gym that was a mess.

But I recognized the scattered tie on the ground at a glance. It was the one I personally selected for Stephan. I said that the dark blue color suit him very well, but there were unexplained stains on the tie in the photo.

On the stainless steel railing of the fitness equipment opposite, two intertwined bodies were vaguely reflected.

There was a buzzing sound in my head and blood rushed back.

“Vanessa, what are you looking at? Why are you so engrossed?” Stephan’s voice broke through his thoughts and he walked over with the documents.

I panicked and dropped my phone, the screen shattered and went black.

“Did I scare you by my sudden noise?” Stephan helped me pick up the phone and looked at it from front to back. “This phone is broken. It’s okay. I’ll ask Scott to buy you a new one.”

His doting expression was exactly the same as before, without any abnormality. If it weren’t for Bianca’s evidence, how much would I have believed him...

Taking the phone back from him, I looked away. “Okay, thank you.”

“Why are you so polite to me?”

Stephan chuckled and moved closer with his hormonal chest, rubbing his big hands around my waist and lowered his head to kiss my exposed neck.

There was a very bewitching whisper in my ear. “Vanessa, I miss you…”

I admitted that Stephan was very good at it. As long as he wanted, he could easily tease the other person’s body.

If it were in the past, I would have indulged in this joy, but now, his kiss and his closeness only made me feel resistant and disgusted.