Chapter 18

Stella looked energetic. She seemed to have gained a touch of loveliness.

“This is a testament to your hard work. It’s the company’s good fortune to have you join them,” Aurora calmly said.

Stella shook her head. “My capability is the best. Without ample experience, there was no way I could have had such a strong start.” This was Apex Chemical Industry, a reputable industrial chemical company; they were talking about Freesan, an established company on the verge of bankruptcy. They bounced back and became the top brand in the country in just seven or eight years. They were even starting to re-expand into the overseas market, given their products received favorable reviews across the globe.

The fact that such a major company noticed a fresh graduate like Stella, Aurora undoubtedly played a part in it.

“There’s no need to undervalue yourself. I remember you’ve always been talented in this field. I’ve always liked the perfume sachets you made,” Aurora said. Aurora remembered Stella was very talented in perfume blending. When they were deskmates, Stella always gifted Aurora the perfume sachets she made, which were very fragrant.

Stella felt emotional by Aurora’s words. She looked up with teary eyes and said, “You… you still remember my sachets?”

Aurora lightly nodded. “Of course.”

Tears flooded Stella’s eyes. She took a deep breath and said, “Thank you! Thank you so much, Aurora. I never expected you to remember such a minor thing.” This had always been Stella’s impression of Aurora—a lady with few words but decisive in her actions. When Linna used to bully Stella back then, Aurora was always the first to stop her, which kept Linna and Whitney from acting too recklessly. Of course, Stella understood that Whitney always picked on her because her aunt, Wendy, married into the Klein family. Aurora herself didn’t have the greatest time in the Klein family. Yet, despite this, she always helped Stella without any reason. Stella remembered all the kindness Aurora had shown her.

“Don’t worry, I promise I’ll work hard and not waste this amazing opportunity you helped me get!” Stella said.

Aurora smiled. “Just be yourself. There’s no need to hesitate so much. You must learn to protect yourself before you can help anyone. Compromising for the sake of harmony doesn’t necessarily yield the best results. Only by growing stronger can you gain the ability to change something.”

Stella went silent, then nodded. “I understand now. I’ll stay strong from now on.”

After hesitating for a moment, Stella asked nervously, “But Aurora, will you be in trouble for helping me? Whitney and the others might…”

Aurora’s expression remained calm and cold. “Don’t worry. They won’t do anything to me.”

Stella looked down and pondered before muttering, “I’m worried that they might bring trouble to you. My dad visited Aunt Wendy before, and…”

Aurora furrowed her brows, waiting for Stella to continue.

Seeing Aurora’s concerned gaze, Stella told the truth after carefully considering it. “My brother accidentally ran into Alexander’s car, and the police took him away. My dad wanted to ask for forgiveness from Alexander and asked Aunt Wendy to help, at least to try to get my brother out of detention. But we never expected Aunt Wendy to get so badly scalded by Mr. Klein. We felt very sorry for her and wanted to visit her to apologize, but they didn’t allow us.”

“Alexander Krin?” A wave of hatred flooded Aurora’s heart when she mentioned the name.

Stella slightly shuddered before nodding. “Be careful around Alexander, Aurora. He’s a…”

“Did he bring my trouble to you?” Aurora asked.

Stella went silent for a moment before replying, “I’ll be careful too.”

Aurora understood things from Stella’s reaction, so she didn’t push further.

“Just focus on your new job. Stay away from the Klein family if possible. You’re no match for them, so don’t get yourself involved,” Aurora advised.

“I know, Aurora,” Stella replied.

Stella took a deep breath before taking a few steps forward and shoving a gift box into Aurora’s hands. “This is a little gift from me. Please accept it. I promise I’ll do my…” Stella quickly mumbled something.

Aurora almost dropped the present as she didn’t hold it properly. The item inside also started to fall out. When she took a look, she saw that it was an elegant, high-end women’s wristwatch, which didn’t look cheap. It also came with a delicate perfume sachet.

Wendy had no time to rest and headed back to Klein Manor. She quickly hand-washed the curtains she took down that morning. She was busy until evening, which was when she started preparing dinner for the family. It was already dark outside when she finished cooking. Wendy had the maids set the table while she took off her apron and massaged her sore shoulders. She planned to take her phone from upstairs and rest. But as she headed upstairs, she heard a maid greeting, “Welcome back, Mr. Kirim!”

Wendy stopped and looked downstairs, only to see… Wendy took a deep breath to… the stain. Relatively healthy. Not only was he mature and emotionally stable, but he was also at work and taking great care of his image. Wendy never denied his attractive looks, but… while extending her hands to reach for his suit jacket. She softly asked, “You’re back? Are you tired…”

Before Wendy could finish, Ryan slapped her right on her cheek. The slap left Wendy stunned. She stumbled against the railing. She felt a sharp pain in her face as she looked at… she struggled to stand. Team leader Ryan glared at Wendy with a cold, disdainful expression. “Look at what your precious daughter did! What a good-for-nothing piece of trash! She doesn’t understand her own position. Just you wait!”

Those words set a shiver down Wendy’s spine. Before she could… from the entrance. She sped to call Elaine home! “[I] want to see for myself what gave her the courage to injure Whitney to this state! Whitney twisted her ankle; if she gets disfigured, I want that damn Elaine to go to jail! Not only is she not grateful to us, but she’s even…”

Wendy looked down and saw Rose enter the house with a face full of anger. She was glaring at her with a cold, sharp stare. Wendy came to her senses and asked, while covering her cheek, “Rosalie, what did you say? Did Whitney get injured? What happened? How does Aurora have anything to do with it?”