Chapter 286
Stellan was at a loss for what to wear as she prepared for the International Jewelry Exhibition. The thought of accompanying Alaric—and knowing that Todd would be there—made her feel even more uneasy. She stood in front of her walk-in closet, sifting through outfits for what seemed like hours, unsure of how to strike the balance between style and modesty.
Finally, Alaric stepped in, a confident smile on his face. “This one.” He picked out a long-sleeved, conservative outfit for her, but Stellan was speechless.
“In the middle of summer, are you trying to roast me?” she asked, her tone incredulous. The outfit Alaric had chosen covered everything and seemed entirely out of place for the season.
Alaric wasn’t deterred. “This fabric is breathable, really,” he said, running his fingers over the fabric as if it would convince her. “It’s a good choice for hot weather, trust me.”
Stellan rolled her eyes in exasperation. “Just go out. I’ll pick something myself. Don’t worry, I won’t wear anything revealing.”
Her main concern wasn’t other people—she wasn’t worried about the usual eyes—but Todd. The mere thought of his gaze made her feel disgusted. She had to be both cool and covered to avoid his leering.
After much deliberation, Stellan settled on a chic jumpsuit that would keep her cool while still being covered. Alaric glanced over her choice and couldn’t help but compliment her.
“You have such natural charm that you’d look beautiful in anything, even a potato sack,” he said with a playful smile.
Stellan wasn’t in the mood for flattery. “Save your flattery. I don’t want to hear it,” she replied, rolling her eyes.
“Okay, okay. Yes, ma’am.” Alaric gave in with a grin and offered her his arm.
Stellan gracefully took it, and together they walked out of their hotel room, ready for the exhibition.
The exhibition hall for the International Jewelry Exhibition was located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It was filled with seasoned jewelry enthusiasts from all around the world—mostly wealthy, influential people who appreciated the finer things in life. It was a prestigious event, and everyone in attendance was keenly aware of the high stakes.
Since it was an international exhibition, participants had come from every corner of the globe. Among them was Todd, who was personally received by the organizers, while Ambrose followed behind him, practically invisible.
“Alright, you go on with your affairs. I’ll wander around on my own,” Todd said, dismissing the organizer who had been guiding him.
Todd made his way to the best seat in the room, sprawling comfortably on the sofa. He grumbled to himself, “If it weren’t to annoy Alaric, I wouldn’t have bothered coming to such a boring event.”
A jewelry exhibition? When had Todd ever cared about something like that?
Ambrose, ever the pragmatist, gave Todd a look. “Isn’t it nice to check out the beauties?”
Todd’s eyes roamed the room, already searching for any women who caught his attention. “Where are the beauties? Just some philistine women,” he said dismissively, clearly not impressed by the crowd.
Turning to Ambrose, he flashed a lecherous smile. “Ambrose, I finally get it. I understand why you can’t get over Stellan. She’s absolutely gorgeous.”
Ambrose stiffened at the mention of her name, his jaw tightening. Todd’s voice dropped into a mockingly playful tone. “Ever since I saw her last time, no other woman has caught my eye.”
Ambrose remained silent, his discomfort obvious. He had been worried about exactly this—Todd’s blatant lust for Stellan. And now, standing in the same room as her, Todd’s intentions were all too clear.
Todd’s words grew bolder, his smile widening. “Do you think a woman like her is different in bed? How does it feel to sleep with her? Must be amazing, right?”
Ambrose’s expression darkened, his fists clenching at his sides. Only someone as shameless as Todd would speak so crudely, especially in public.
Todd let out a loud, mocking laugh as he noticed Ambrose’s discomfort. “Don’t tell me you dated her for years and never slept with her?”
Ambrose’s face remained a mask of controlled fury. “She was still in school back then. And it was mostly a long-distance relationship. When she came back, Brennan was strict and rarely let her out at night.”
Todd scoffed at this explanation, his contempt evident. “Useless! You loved her for years and never slept with her. Alaric really got lucky, huh? Marrying a virgin.”
Ambrose said nothing in response. He had no words for Todd’s crassness. But just as the conversation grew more uncomfortable, there was a sudden shift in the room. A commotion near the entrance caught their attention. Todd’s gaze immediately locked onto Stellan, who had just walked in, arm in arm with Alaric. They were surrounded by people, and Stellan’s beauty radiated above the crowd. She seemed almost ethereal, her presence commanding attention effortlessly.
Todd’s eyes gleamed with unchecked desire as he watched them approach. For someone like him, who could have almost any woman he wanted, seeing someone as unattainable as Stellan only fueled his lust. His desire for her became uncontrollable.
“The more I look, the more enchanting she is,” Todd muttered, his voice tinged with dark excitement. “Just to sleep with her… I must bring Alaric down.”
He looked at Ambrose with a playful, almost mocking smile. “Don’t worry, Ambrose. After I sleep with her, I’ll give her back to you. I understand.”
Ambrose’s face remained cold, but the anger simmered beneath the surface. He wasn’t about to let Todd have his way. He followed behind Alaric and Stellan, his resolve growing stronger with every step.
As they reached the group, Todd greeted them with his usual arrogant smile.
“The exhibition has been going on for a while now, Mr. Knight and Mrs. Knight. You’re fashionably late,” Todd said, his tone dripping with mock politeness.
Stellan, her instincts sharp, took a step back upon seeing him, keeping a safe distance between them.
Alaric wasn’t in the mood to engage with Todd. “The exhibition lasts all day. What’s the point of coming early? Can Mr. Vale even appreciate it?” He gave Todd a pointed glance, knowing his true interests lay elsewhere.
Todd grinned, his expression unreadable. “This stuff is too classy for me, but I’m about to become a director of a jewelry company, so I have to learn. And I must say, the more I see, the more I like it.”
Alaric snorted dismissively, clearly uninterested in indulging Todd. He wrapped his arm around Stellan’s shoulder, his attention shifting entirely to her. “Let’s go, honey. I’ll show you around.”
“Okay,” Stellan responded softly, her focus on Alaric. She could tell there was more to this exhibition than met the eye. Alaric had brought her here for a reason beyond just the jewelry.
As they strolled around, Alaric kept his arm around her, and Todd continued to observe from a distance. Stellan, while dressed conservatively, still managed to turn heads. Todd’s gaze never strayed far from her.
They approached a stunning jewelry display, and Stellan’s attention was immediately captured by a necklace.
“Check out this necklace. It’s so pretty,” she said, admiring the elegant piece.
“Buy it if you like,” Alaric said, not missing a beat.
“I do like it, but not for myself. I think this limited edition would be perfect for Rowena. I want to give it to her,” Stellan explained thoughtfully.
Alaric smiled. “Sure, do as you like. What else do you like? We can buy everything, or we can buy it now and save it for Elisa when she grows up.”
Stellan shook her head, a gentle smile on her lips. “She’s just a few years old. She doesn’t need jewelry.”
The two continued to browse the exhibition, their conversation easy and natural. Todd, meanwhile, didn’t dare to approach them. He lingered in the background, his eyes never straying far from Stellan.
As the event neared its end, the organizers invited Alaric and Stellan to the VIP room, and Todd followed them inside, plotting his next move.