Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Unraveling Threads

"Look into which hospital Catherine Campbell was born at, and her exact date of birth."

"Stella, are you thinking she might be..."

"Keep it quiet for now."

"Alright, I'll dig into it. Oh, and by the way, Aidan Campbell was ranked the wealthiest man the year before last, but he got knocked down to second place-dethroned by Alexander Sterling!"

Kevin sounded excited over the phone. "Stella, if this turns out the way we suspect, you might end up being the heiress sister! I mean, if not his daughter, being his sister is still an incredible twist!"

"Just go and verify it," she replied with a soft sigh, cutting off his enthusiasm.

Ending the call, she aimlessly climbed the steps of the academic building.

After her class, she headed straight back to the dormitory.

Stella Dawson majored in sculpture. At City University, the arts department was relatively small, and very few students were enrolled in this specialization.

Their sculpture class had only one cohort, so all the students were familiar with each other.

Last semester, Stella had skipped classes for two whole months.

Given the small number of students, her absence was noticeable to everyone.

Thus, her sudden return to the dormitory somewhat stunned the other girls.

"No way, Stella, you're actually back?"

"Stella, perfect timing-take a look at my design sketch for today. What do you think?"

The girls gathered around her happily, chatting away.

.

Alexander Sterling had been staring at his phone for a considerable time, his annoyance palpable.

His brother had sent him a message, and it had been left unanswered. Now it only fueled his suspicion.

"Stella Dawson." he muttered, his brow furrowing. "Didn't she only complete primary school?"

Jack Holden looked stunned. He cautiously clarified, "At the very least, compulsory education covers middle school."

"Then how is she a student at City University?"

"She's been seen with male models and even conversing with Lucas Campbell?"

It was as if he were talking to himself, yet he kept locking eyes with Jack, seeking confirmation.

Jack finally dared to voice his frustration: "Sir, she's your wife, not mine."

Seriously, how would I know the details of her personal life?

He didn't know Stella well and had no insight into her current activities.

Even if she were unfaithful, it wasn't his place to comment.

Alexander's face turned cold. He stared Jack down, who immediately recoiled.

"Sorry, sir. I misspoke-I meant your ex-wife," Jack quickly corrected, keeping his head lowered.

Alexander's eyes narrowed. "Did you finalize and deliver the divorce certificate to her?"

"No, sir."

"Then she is not my ex-wife!" His voice was sharp and biting. "We are still legally married. What gives her the right to act so freely behind my back?"

"She led me to believe she had only a basic education. Claimed she could barely read."

"She might as well have told me she was a street performer."

Jack looked horrified as he risked a glance at the furious Alexander.

The boss was truly enraged this time-he'd even likened Miss Dawson to a street performer. He was completely unraveling.

Just as Alexander was about to unleash more anger, his phone rang-it was Mr. Sterling.

He really didn't feel like answering, but ignoring his grandfather was not an option.

"Yes, Grandpa? Is something the matter?" Alexander took a deep breath, striving for a calm tone. "I'm preparing for a meeting shortly."

Mr. Sterling snorted. "Always the 'meeting' excuse, isn't it?"

"Why don't you just say you're off giving birth?"

Alexander awkwardly rubbed his jaw, his anger cooling slightly as he attempted diplomacy. "What is it, Grandpa?"

"I can't reach Stella. What is that girl up to?"

"She's likely preoccupied with her studies lately."

"Busy? Her number is out of service!"

"What?" Alexander blinked, clearly taken aback.

"Be honest with me-did you two have a disagreement? Did you do something to upset her?"

That was a perilous question. Mr. Sterling was certain to reprimand him if he answered incorrectly.

"No, I did not," Alexander Sterling replied firmly without hesitation.

He paused briefly, then added, "Her previous phone was malfunctioning, so I arranged a new one for her and neglected to inform you."

"I will send you the new number shortly."

As he ended the call, he turned his icy gaze back to Jack. "Why was I not informed that she changed her number?"

Jack was momentarily stunned, then quickly dialed Stella Dawson's current number.

The automated "number not in service" tone sounded, and he gasped. "Mr. Sterling, her number really has been changed!"

Alexander maintained his frosty glare.

"I-I genuinely wasn't aware she had changed it," Jack stammered in his defense.

"Find her new number immediately. Don't tell me you didn't connect with her on social media either?"

"...No."

"So you have no means of contacting her whatsoever?"

Jack nodded, visibly guilty.

"And what, precisely, is your function here?"

How was I supposed to know the boss would suddenly take such an interest in Miss Dawson's contact details?

Jack muttered under his breath and, unable to restrain himself, said aloud, "She's not my wife..."

If Stella were his wife, he certainly wouldn't be this oblivious.

His boss was completely losing his composure-first assuming Stella had minimal education, now expecting him to know her every move?

As his internal grievances mounted, a dangerous aura suddenly permeated the room. Jack snapped back to attention.

Alexander glared at him as if contemplating murder. "Consider your bonus for the next six months forfeit."

"I was wrong! Mr. Sterling, please! I'll find her number immediately!"

Jack could only watch helplessly as his boss turned and walked away.

Still, even with the heavy penalty, he had to admit-speaking his mind had felt liberating.

...

Evan Sterling was slouched at his desk, bored, propping his head up with one hand when his phone buzzed.

It was finally a message from Alexander: "Keep a close watch on Stella. I will not tolerate any indiscretions. I refuse to be humiliated."

"If she so much as looks at another man, ensure she is... restrained."

"If you are incapable of this, do not bother returning to the Sterling family."

The class was tedious enough to induce sleep, but reading his brother's severe texts, Evan's eyes widened in disbelief.

He reread the messages several times.

What is wrong with my brother? Nearing thirty and having a pre-midlife crisis?

"Bro, how did you ever manage to get married?" Evan replied, barely suppressing a laugh.

A man with his brother's abysmal social skills ought to have remained perpetually single.

When he received no response, Evan sent another message, smirking: "Oh, that's right. It was an arranged marriage."

Otherwise, there was no conceivable way his brother would have wed.

Alexander saw the irritating message and nearly stormed into City University to throttle Evan on the spot.

But he took a deep breath, steadied himself, and casually inquired, "How do you know she's at City University? I was under the impression she only had a primary school education."

The moment he sent it, he regretted it.

Sure enough, Evan replied with a slow, sarcastic sticker that read: "Bro, are you suffering from cognitive decline?"

He'd been waiting for the perfect moment to use that sticker, and now was it.

Then followed a stream of unsolicited advice: "Listen to me, bro. When it comes to matters of the heart... perhaps delegate that to someone more capable, alright?"

Alexander didn't bother reading it fully. He blocked Evan immediately, seething.

Evan saw the failed delivery notification, frowning as he rubbed his chin.

Seriously? He blocked me over that?

He'd never seen Alexander this unsettled before.

Stella must truly be a force to be reckoned with.