Queen of Wild Cards novel Chapter 139

The next day.

When Stella finally woke up, it was past nine o'clock, and Julius had long since left for the office.

She washed up and headed to the kitchen to find something to eat, spotting a sticky note from Julius plastered on the fridge.

[Morning, honey. You worked hard last night. I made breakfast for you; it's on the dining table. Make sure you eat!]

Stella crumpled the note into a ball and tossed it into the trash, her lower back throbbing with a dull ache as the memory of their wild night came rushing back.

That absolute bastard. He nearly exhausted her to death last night!

Falling for a pretty face was a dangerous game!

Still, she had to admit, his physique was flawless, so she hadn't exactly suffered. She'd let it slide.

Seduced by Julius's charms, she had completely forgotten about the faint scent of blood she caught on him the night before.

If he was just on a business trip, how had he come back smelling of blood?

He had to be injured. If it was someone else's blood, the scent would have washed away completely after his shower and change of clothes.

But the way he acted last night made it obvious he was trying to hide it from her.

Was it an accident, or was there more to the story?

Why was he keeping it a secret?

...

Sean Cahill watched his CEO stare blankly into space, completely baffled as to what was going through the man's head.

"Mr. Blackwood, if we're facing an insurmountable crisis, please share it so the executive team can brainstorm a solution. Two heads are always better than one."

Julius snapped out of it and shot his assistant a look. "Sean, what makes you say that? What gave you the impression we're facing a crisis?"

"Sir, you've been staring blankly at that document for half an hour, and... you're holding it upside down."

Julius glanced down at the file in his hands and smoothly flipped it right-side up without missing a beat.

"Sean, the company is doing phenomenally well, and I am not facing any crisis. Stop letting your imagination run wild."

"Then why..." Sean pointed at the file in Julius's hand.

"You obviously wouldn't understand. I'm practicing reverse cognitive memory training."

"Yes, Mr. Blackwood? How can I assist you?"

"Get the car ready. We're doing an impromptu inspection of the Blackwood luxury mall in ten minutes."

It occurred to him that they had been married for quite a while now, and he had never actually bought Stella a proper gift. He wanted to pick something out for her personally.

Sean nodded professionally. "Right away, sir."

...

The Jennings family residence.

Today was Sylvie Jennings's birthday.

As Stella approached the entrance to the estate, she crossed paths with Rhoda Ford and Una Lowell.

She couldn't help but feel her luck had been terrible lately, constantly running into people she absolutely despised.

Rhoda was walking arm-in-arm with Una, and it was obvious they had spotted Stella as well.

Rhoda gave Una's arm a gentle tug and whispered, "Una, look over there. Isn't that the girl who tried to steal your bracelet at the jewelry store?"