Forgotten Love: Mr. President, Mrs. Fordham Has Rejected You!-Chapter 187: The Whitman Family Pays a Visit
She paused, her gaze falling on Aiden Fordham’s striking brows and eyes.
"Aiden, do you like children?"
Aiden lit up entirely, surprise and delight overflowing from his eyes. Grabbing her hand, his voice trembled with excitement.
"Are you willing to... have children with me?"
Seeing him like this softened her heart, and she nodded.
Aiden’s chest heaved as he became so excited that he was about to pull her into his embrace.
"Knock, knock."
The sudden knock made Stella’s heart skip a beat.
She, like a startled rabbit, nervously pushed Aiden out the door.
"Hurry up and go, jump quickly."
Aiden’s expression instantly darkened.
This woman, was she not afraid he’d jump and fall to his death?
He hooked her back with his long arm, gave her slightly parted lips a hard kiss, then released her and deftly flipped down.
Stella watched, her heart in her throat, leaning forward.
"Stella."
Outside, Mr. Sterling’s voice had already sounded.
"Coming."
Seeing that Aiden landed steadily and even waved at her, she finally let out a sigh of relief and hurried to open the door.
Charles Sterling walked in with a bowl of soup.
"Why is your face so red? Do you have a fever?"
He reached out, feeling her forehead with the back of his hand. Fortunately, it wasn’t hot.
Stella pulled his hand down, her eyes avoiding his gaze.
"I was just under the covers, sleeping."
He laughed.
"Still the same as when you were little, hasn’t the heating been turned on?"
She changed the subject, "Dad, what’s this?"
Charles handed her the bowl.
"It’s a blood-nourishing soup specially prepared for you by a nutritionist, suitable for drinking during pregnancy. Drink it and then rest."
"Thanks, Dad."
Stella took it, slowly sipping the soup; it was warm and slightly sweet, not hard to drink.
Watching her obedient demeanor, Charles asked again.
"Are you planning to forgive that boy?"
Her hand paused in mid-air as she drank the soup, and after a few seconds of silence, she said softly.
"I plan to tell him about the child. I hope... to continue with him."
Mr. Sterling also fell silent.
After several seconds, he sighed.
"Then follow your heart. I’ll talk to your mom."
He patted his daughter on the shoulder.
"After all, as long as you feel happy, that’s all that matters."
Stella’s eyes reddened, "Thank you, Dad."
Charles smiled, a tone of resignation in his voice.
"As the saying goes, a prodigal who returns is more precious than gold. Just finish your soup and get some rest early."
With that, he walked out.
She nodded, finished the soup, and walked to the balcony.
The night was deep, and Aiden’s silhouette was nowhere to be seen below.
Her phone screen lit up with a message from him.
[You owe me and must repay it later.]
She looked at the line, unable to suppress a smile, but didn’t reply.
The night sky was cloudless, and the stars were bright.
The next day, Stella arrived at The Fordham Group and went straight to the lab.
The reagent needed to be developed quickly; she’d tried many times before, but the results were never ideal.
She donned a lab coat and instructed Keegan Lindsey.
"Can you go bring up Dr. Lynch? I need to discuss the reagent with him."
She deliberately added.
"This is business."
Keegan nodded immediately and quickly called Aiden.
On the other end, Aiden was silent for a few seconds before saying just two words.
"Alright."
Soon, Keegan brought Roman Lynch to the lab.
Without beating around the bush, Stella explained the bottleneck they were facing with the reagent. Then she said, "I need a blood sample from a patient for comparison."
Roman cooperatively responded, "Sure, I’ll have someone prepare it."
Stella handed him a component that required precise mixing.
"I can’t handle this right now, so I need you to assist me."
He looked surprised but nodded.
"It would be my honor."
Thus, the two of them concentrated on their task by the workstation.
The lab was spacious, currently unoccupied outside of them, quiet and peaceful.
The only sounds were the faint clinks of glassware and the hushed conversations between Stella and Roman.
Roman frequently stole glances at her focused demeanor; God N was different from what he imagined.
Keegan faithfully stood outside like a guardian.
From time to time, he brought them hot tea or some exquisite pastries, bustling around.
When Stella finished a stage and prepared to go to the restroom, she was stunned.
The once-empty outside workspace was now packed with over thirty people.
There were clerks typing away, cleaners meticulously wiping tables, a man trimming plants, and another incessantly photocopying; everyone was busily engaged, creating a lively atmosphere.
Keegan hurried to explain.
"Ma’am, the heating broke in one of the downstairs offices, so they temporarily relocated up here."
Stella nodded, said nothing more.
By noon, Aiden appeared at the lab’s entrance.
He wore a dark gray suit today, his figure tall and imposing, exuding an aura of authority.
He walked directly in, ignoring others, pulled Stella into his arms, then looked at Roman and said.
"Dr. Lynch, I was impulsive before, and I’m truly sorry. If you’re willing, how about joining us for lunch?"
Roman considered for a moment, then nodded.
"I graciously accept."
The group proceeded to The Lyrewood Restaurant’s private room.
Keegan deftly ordered a table full of dishes and decanted the wine.
Aiden Fordham immediately raised his glass.
"Dr. Lynch, I hope you won’t hold onto the unpleasantness from last time. I’ll drink three glasses as self-punishment."
Roman Lynch quickly raised his glass.
"President Fordham, you’re too kind. It’s how we became acquainted, after all."
Keegan Lindsey hurried over to pour wine. As he leaned in, he inadvertently caught sight of a tiny black mole behind Roman Lynch’s left ear, causing his heart to skip a beat.
At the dining table, Aiden Fordham naturally placed some food into Stella Grant’s bowl.
"Eat more, this orange spare ribs, your favorite."
Stella Grant nodded, picked up a piece and took a bite. The taste was good, but it still seemed lacking compared to the chef at the old house.
Aiden Fordham turned the topic back to Roman Lynch.
"It’s really rare to see someone as young as Dr. Lynch become a renowned cardiologist. I heard Dr. Lynch has a special case in The Imperial Capital. I know many people there; if you need any help, just let me know."
Roman Lynch’s heart jolted momentarily, then he smiled.
"Thanks in advance, President Fordham. It’s an elderly gentleman waiting for heart surgery, but due to his unique constitution, he’s waiting for Miss Grant’s reagent. Thanks to Miss Grant for her generous assistance."
He nodded at Stella Grant and continued,
"However, the patient is already 70 years old. His son and daughter-in-law passed away early, and he originally had a granddaughter, but she was lost as a child. The old man’s life hasn’t been easy."
"Bang!"
The spare ribs on Stella Grant’s chopsticks suddenly dropped, hitting the bone plate with a crisp sound that startled everyone at the table.
She hurriedly said, "Sorry."
Aiden Fordham chuckled, took a napkin, and gently wiped the drop of soy sauce from her hand.
He said softly, "Eat slowly, have some soup first to warm your stomach."
He casually served her half a bowl of the newly arrived soup.
By the end of the meal, unknowingly, two bottles of red wine had already emptied.
Roman Lynch was evidently a little drunk, speaking with a thick tongue.
"President Fordham, thanks for the hospitality. Next time... let’s drink again."
Keegan Lindsey quickly stepped forward to assist him, "Dr. Lynch, I’ll take you home."
Aiden Fordham seemed slightly intoxicated as well, swaying a bit as he walked.
Stella Grant supported him as they walked out, barely managing to get him into the car.
As soon as the car door closed,
his entire weight pressed against her, unceremoniously holding her for a passionate kiss.
There was a faint smell of wine in his breath, but the kiss was hot and domineering.
Stella Grant barely managed to push him away, but no sooner had she sat steady, he pulled her back into his arms again.
He tightly encircled her, his chin resting on her hair, his voice deep with a touch of hoarseness.
"Don’t move, let me hold you for a while."
His large hand covered her small hand, holding her tightly, then leaned back against the soft chair to relax.
Stella Grant looked at his face, so close, with long lashes casting shadows below his eyes.
She initially intended to tell him about the child.
But seeing him like this now, she figured even if she said it, he wouldn’t remember.
So, she swallowed back the words that were at the tip of her tongue.
The lazy afternoon sunlight streamed into Aiden Fordham’s office.
Keegan Lindsey walked in and instantly noticed Aiden Fordham behind the desk, fingertips flying over the keyboard, looking focused, without a hint of intoxication.
Had he been played by his boss?
Keegan Lindsey hurried over, lowering his voice to report.
"President Fordham, that Dr. Lynch indeed has issues."
"When I sent him home at midday, I purposely tested him. He doesn’t know martial arts, he was injured, the wound was sizable, but when getting stitches, he didn’t use anesthesia, enduring the pain. I suspect he’s allergic to anesthesia as well."
Aiden Fordham halted his movements, his dark eyes chilling.
Keegan Lindsey continued, "It’s now almost certain that he deliberately misled the Whitman Family to recognize the wrong daughter, and approached the madam with an ulterior motive."
Aiden Fordham lifted his chin, signaling acknowledgment.
"Find out about the people behind him, and all his connections, especially check his relationship with the Whitman Family."
"Understood."
Keegan Lindsey nodded, then turned and left.
As evening approached and lights began to illuminate,
Aiden Fordham, in a good mood, tidied up his things, preparing to bring Stella Grant back to The Sovereign Estate.
The plans for having children must be pushed forward.
But as he got downstairs, he saw the Sterling Family’s car speeding away, catching a glimpse of the little girl he longed for in the window.
His face turned green on the spot.
Did the Sterling Family act like bandits in a past life, snatching people daily?
What he didn’t know was that the Sterling Family’s atmosphere was lively at the moment.
Two distinguished guests had joined at the dinner table.
Mrs. Whitman had arrived with her son Hugh Whitman for a personal visit.
Mrs. Whitman, having unexpectedly learned her son, who’s been clueless for thirty years, fancied the Eldest Miss Sterling, was overjoyed and promptly had a lavish gift prepared and swiftly came over.
Mrs. Sterling, Aisha Grant looked at Hugh Whitman and thought, my word.
Broad shoulders, slim waist, handsome features; his well-tailored high-fashion suit made him exude an aura of wealth and sophistication.
His looks, his family background; it was like he’d walked right out of a novel, the chosen one.
She couldn’t help but glance at Mr. Sterling beside her, regretting marrying too early.
Mrs. Sterling’s face was all smiles.
"Mrs. Whitman, why did you suddenly come to Meritopia? You should’ve let us know in advance, so I could prepare a welcome feast for you."
Mrs. Whitman, Selene Sloan, well-maintained, smiled warmly and grandly.
"Mrs. Sterling, you’re too kind. It’s my abruptness."
"Our Hugh doesn’t stay home often, so I specifically brought him to pay a visit."
As she spoke, her gaze fell on Vivi Sterling.
"This must be Eldest Miss Sterling? Truly breathtaking; like mother, like daughter indeed."
Mrs. Sterling beamed.
"My eldest daughter, indeed a bit of a free spirit, spoiled by us."
Just as she finished speaking, Stella Grant walked in from outside.
She hesitated seeing the room full of people, then obediently walked to the table and sat down.
Upon recognizing Mrs. Whitman across from her, her eyes lit up instantly.
"Mrs. Whitman."
Selene Sloan was equally surprised, wasn’t this the girl she met in the club yesterday?
"Are you... the Second Miss of the Sterling Family?"
Mrs. Sterling smiled and explained, "Stella is my adopted daughter, raised by my side, carrying my surname Grant."
Selene Sloan realized.
"So that’s how it is. Mrs. Sterling, you truly are blessed, you have three daughters, each outstanding in their own right."
She smiled politely, but the atmosphere at the table turned somewhat strange.
Everyone’s gaze seemed to involuntarily shift between Mrs. Whitman and Stella Grant.
Their eyes, their demeanor, even that cool aura; it was as if they were carved from the same mold.
Too alike.
