There were rumors in the Akso circle that Stephan loved me to the core.

He could spend one million dollars to buy an insignificant brooch for me and he could also turn down an urgent multinational meeting just to watch the sunrise with me.

I once thought that our love could withstand any difficulties, but...

In that attic that I was never allowed to step into, all the memories of him and childhood sweetheart were stored.

There were love letters from childhood, tickets for romantic movies and even opened but unused condoms.

He said that he liked me, but he loved her deeply, so I should be generous.

Later, his childhood sweetheart returned to Lemure and I felt relieved. I chose to have an abortion and leave to help them be together.

However, the usually calm and self-sustaining Stephan lost control...

——

My 22nd birthday party was held at the Marshall Family.

Stephan personally took care of it and invited wealthy and powerful figures and celebrities in the Akso circle to hold a lively birthday party for me in the Marshall Family villa.

Stephan fastened the laces on the back of my evening gown and tied a beautiful bow. “I picked it for you myself. The pure white color suits you very well. It looks great.”

I looked at myself in the mirror. I was wearing a diamond-studded crown on my tied-up hair and star-studded earrings on my earlobes. I looked very eye-catching.

He placed a kiss on the back of my neck and coaxed me gently, “I told you that every year on your birthday, I will never let you have a worse birthday than when you were with the Martin Family.”

I turned around and hugged him, feeling my chest burning hot. “Thank you, Stephan.”

When I was 18 years old, something happened to the Martin Family and I was the only one left.

Just when I thought I was at my wit’s end, I was taken back to the Marshall Family by Stephan.

He supported me, doted on me and announced to everyone in the Akso circle that I, Vanessa, would not be bullied.

Falling into the quagmire and then being hailed as the moon by the stars diluted a lot of my sadness about family changes. Since then, I had fallen deeply in love with Stephan.

Stephan touched my head. “Come downstairs to the birthday party, my little princess.”

I smiled, took his hand and walked down the spiral staircase together.

Several young masters from other groups called Stephan over. He put his arm around my shoulder and whispered, “I’ll go first and come back soon. Wait for me obediently.”

I smiled and nodded. “Okay.”

Stephan went over to greet them. A few celebrities not far away came over with champagne to greet me. “Happy birthday, Miss Martin.”

I accepted the gift and thanked him politely.

They looked at me enviously.

“Miss Martin is so lucky. Mr. Marshall inherited the family business at a young age and became the CEO of the Marshall Group. He is also so devoted to you. We are so envious of him.”

“Yes, Stephan has held a birthday party for you at the Marshall Family for two consecutive years and there are no other beautiful women around him. Miss Martin will soon be Mrs. Marshall!”

My cheeks blushed. “There’s still something that hasn’t been settled yet…”

“Almost there!” They smiled and pointed at the brooch on my chest. “Is this the full-diamond brooch that Mr. Marshall flew over to buy for 4 million dollars at the last Linkon auction?”

“Oh my god! 4 million dollars? It is said that this is the work of the famous French designer BN. She only produces one work a year!”

“Miss Martin, Mr. Marshall is so nice to you! He took the photo without blinking an eye! Last time, my man hesitated when he bid for a bag worth 27,000 dollars, which pissed me off!”

I looked down and saw the diamond brooch on my chest. It was in the shape of a white rose, with a yellow diamond hanging in the center of the petals, sparkling like a pistil. It was very beautiful.

This was some time ago, when Linkon had just announced the collections to be auctioned and he attended the auction without telling me.

When he came back, he pinned the brooch on my chest as if it were a treasure. “It looks good. As long as Vanessa likes it, no matter how much I pay, it’s worth it.”

He would give me everything he thought was best.

Thinking of this, I smiled happily. “I also think Stephan treats me very well…”

They praised him enviously and someone asked, “Hey? Why hasn’t Mr. Marshall come back yet? Didn’t I just see him chatting with a girl? Where is he now?”

I looked around the living room on the first floor, but didn’t see Stephan.

Another person answered, “It seems he went to the garden. I saw him answer a phone call just now and then went out.”

I put down the goblet and said politely, “Have some snacks first. I’ll go find him.”

“Okay.”

When I arrived at the back garden, I saw a tall figure standing in front of the rose bushes, with his back to me, answering the phone.

In order not to disturb him at work, I lifted my skirt, tiptoed to a place a few meters away from him and waited quietly.

The evening breeze blew on my bare shoulders, bringing a slight chill. I touched my shoulders, which were covered with goose bumps and heard a vague sentence in the wind.

“What did you say? Bianca returned home?”

I paused, my eyes falling on Stephan who was a few meters away.

Having been with him for two years, I was able to notice the change in his mood almost instantly. His excitement was mixed with restraint and a hint of anticipation, which was completely different from his usual self.

Bianca.

I knew her.

She was Stephan’s childhood sweetheart.

In the few years before I appeared, she was the one who stayed by Stephan’s side.

They spent their youthful school years, the best time for boys and girls and they had each other.

However, the most ridiculous thing happened in the rich family. The elders of Marshall Group did not allow poor female students to climb up the rich family. Even though Bianca had excellent design talent, the two were still separated in the end. She was also forced to voluntarily go abroad.

Later, Stephan inherited the position of the head of the Marshall Group and took all the power into his own hands in a swift and resolute manner.

But he didn’t go to look for Bianca again.

Then I showed up and Stephan gave me all his love, as if to make up for his past self and I never asked him anything about Bianca.

The evening breeze was cool, I lowered my eyes, unable to sort out my thoughts for a moment.

At this time, Stephan finally hung up the phone, turned around and saw me. He hurried over, took off his suit jacket and put it on me. “Vanessa, why did you come out? It’s cold outside.”

I calmed down and smiled. “They were all waiting for you. They urged me to come out to find you. I saw you were busy with work, so I didn’t disturb you.”

“Well, I do have some work to do.” He looked away. “I can’t accompany you tonight, just stay at home and behave yourself.”

“Yeah, okay.”

As night fell, the birthday party ended quickly, leaving the living room in a mess.

The housekeeper, Audrey, said respectfully, “Mr. Marshall is busy with work. Miss Martin, you should also go and have a rest. I will clean up here.”

“No, you should rest first. I will collect these things tomorrow. I need to rest now and you will disturb me.”

“Okay, Miss Martin.”

After Audrey left, the clock pointed to twelve o’clock. I looked at the empty living room and suddenly felt a sense of depression rising slowly from the bottom of my heart.

In fact, it was my birthday now.

When I was 20 years old, which was also my birthday, my parents who loved me suddenly passed away and the Martin Family fell.

When I was crying my heart out, Stephan took me home. I didn’t celebrate my birthday that year.

Later, Stephan said that I should celebrate my birthday one day in advance to dilute the sadness with happiness, so that my parents would be relieved. On my real birthday, he would put aside all other things to spend it with me.

He did it when he was twenty-one and today, just over a year later, he seemed to have forgotten it.

His mind was filled with the news that Bianca had returned. He didn’t even feel the pain when his fingertips were pierced by the thorns of a rose when he was making a phone call in the garden just now.

I stared at the living room in a daze until my phone vibrated and broke my thoughts.

“Hello, Vanessa, I’m Emmett.”

It took me a moment to react, then I remembered that this was my senior from college.

“Emmett, what’s wrong?”

“I have to tell you that I’m in Draport now. By the way, do you know Albert?”

“Yes. He has established a unique jewelry brand in the world and is at the forefront of fashion. He is a very powerful person.”

“Yes, I’m planning to create a new global brand with him, but we don’t have enough manpower here.” Emmett’s voice was a little hesitant. “I showed him your work without telling you in advance and he was very satisfied. I sent word that I hope you will join me.”

I was stunned. “Creating a new global brand with Albert?”

“It’s like this. I heard someone say before that you followed Stephan to work in Marshall Group. Will it bother you? Actually, I’m just asking. It’s okay if you don’t want to. I just think it’s good to be with Albert. It’s a particularly good opportunity to be together…”

Emmett’s voice was hesitant and regretful.

Indeed, Albert was a well-known figure in the jewelry design industry and many people would beg for his services, but I never expected that he would be interested in my work.

However, if I wanted to start a brand with Albert, I would have to go abroad, leave ShenStephan and go to Draport for a few years.

I was silent for a long time. “Give me some time, I’ll think about it.”

“Okay, I look forward to hearing from you.”

I returned to the room and didn’t know when I fell into a deep sleep. When the sunlight filled the whole room and the back of my hand was wrapped by a warm palm, I opened my eyes.

Stephan sat on the bed, still wearing the suit he wore yesterday.

“Vanessa, were you exhausted yesterday? You went straight to sleep without even changing into your dress.”

He ruffled my messy hair and said distressedly, “If I had known, I wouldn’t have arranged so many procedures.”

I was a little surprised that he would come back at this time. I pursed my lips and said, “Don’t you have work to do?”

“It’s true that I’m busy at work, but Vanessa also needs my company.”

My nose felt sore and I threw myself into his arms.

Stephan hugged me and said, “I was wrong. I should have stayed with you last night. Vanessa won’t be angry, right?”

I shook my head and buried myself deeper in his arms.

He was my salvation, how could I be angry with him?

Leaning against his chest, listening to his steady, strong heartbeat, a hint of unique perfume permeated my nose, the top note being an elegant white rose and the base note leaving a faint moonlight.

It was not my taste, nor was it Stephan’s taste.

My heart skipped a beat and my hand subconsciously reached out for the collar of Stephan’s shirt. As soon as I unbuttoned a button, my wrist was grabbed.

“I’ve been a little tired from work lately, maybe next time.”

He stood up and buttoned his clothes again. “By the way, last time I said I wanted to learn how to make shrimp and scallop porridge from Audrey. Have you eaten yet? Wait for me for a while and I’ll let you taste my cooking skills.”