Chapter 403

Chapter 403:

“Mrs. Ramirez, you’re misunderstanding me entirely,” Wendy replied, her smile remaining serene. “I suggested that Stephen accompany you because of his background in psychology. I thought it might help ease some of your tension, nothing more.”

“Psychology, you say?” Leonie’s gaze shifted to Stephen, skepticism evident in her narrowed eyes. “He won the Best Actor award, which must have taken immense dedication. How could he possibly have time to study psychology? What could he have accomplished in such a short period?”

Her reasoning was sharp. Not everyone had boundless energy—unless they were a genius.

“Ah, but Stephen is a genius,” Wendy countered, her smile widening with almost maternal pride. “His talents extend far beyond what you’ve seen. Spend more time with him, and you’ll realize he’s nothing short of remarkable.”

This assertion sparked a flicker of intrigue in Leonie’s expression. She straightened her posture, folding her hands in her lap as she studied Stephen with newfound curiosity.

“Are you truly offering to let him accompany me?” she asked, her voice carrying a note of doubt as she directed her question toward Wendy. The ease with which Wendy presented Stephen left little room for trust, hinting at an underlying agenda that wasn’t immediately obvious.

“Mrs. Ramirez, I want to befriend you, which is why I’m trusting Stephen to assist you,” Wendy began, her tone dripping with what seemed to be sincere earnestness. “There’s no need to overthink this—it’s really that simple.”

Yet, most of the women in the room wouldn’t believe her. Lesly was the only one who might take Wendy’s words at face value.

“In that case, Stephen can accompany me tonight,” Leonie said with a small nod, her gaze drifting toward him. Her eyes, once indifferent, now sparkled with budding curiosity. Upon closer inspection, Stephen’s youthful features and undeniable charm stood in stark contrast to her husband’s dull and aging demeanor.

Her initial reluctance dissolved in an instant, replaced by an air of acceptance. There was something about Stephen’s enigmatic presence that seemed to draw her in effortlessly.

Wendy took a sip of her coffee, her gaze lingering on Stephen as if silently commanding him.

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Although Stephen’s lips briefly twitched into a frown, he quickly masked his hesitation, settling into an expression of composed resolve. Resistance wasn’t an option, and he knew it.

Without a word, Stephen lowered himself into the seat beside Leonie, deftly pouring her coffee while slipping into a gentle rhythm of light conversation.

Janice’s sharp eyes didn’t miss a thing. A faint glimmer of intrigue flashed across her face as she silently pondered Wendy’s intentions. Was this a calculated move, offering Stephen as bait to curry favor with Leonie? The idea seemed odd, especially considering how far Leonie had fallen.

Her daughter’s disgrace and the colossal financial losses suffered by the Ramirez family had shattered her influence. What power could she possibly still wield?

“Janice, what’s your opinion of Kenneth?” Lesly’s cheerful voice cut through her thoughts.

“What? Oh, he’s an admirable man—responsible, capable, and surely someone any woman would be fortunate to date.”

Janice was merely being polite, but Lesly’s eyes lit up.

“You’re single now, right? Have you thought about Kenneth? I truly believe you two would make a fantastic couple!” she exclaimed.

Janice nearly choked on her coffee, hurriedly grabbing a napkin to recover her composure. Fixing Lesly with an exasperated look, she asked, “Mrs. Delgado, must we revisit this topic again?”

A faint blush crept onto Lesly’s cheeks. “I can’t help it. You’re such a remarkable woman. I’d be thrilled to have you as my daughter-in-law. Back when you were with Aiden, Kenneth didn’t stand a chance. But now, doesn’t this feel like fate?”

Janice took a deliberate sip of coffee, allowing its warmth to calm her nerves. She then popped a small snack into her mouth. “As I’ve said before, I believe these things are best left to fate. If it’s meant to be, it will happen on its own.”

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