Written Off as Trash, I Activated My Hidden Queen Mode novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57 A Growing Connection

Fi

Elias‘ handsome face floated into her mind, and before she knew it, a small smile had curved her lips.

Thinking about what Iris had said, and remembering the injuries he’d had when they first met, Stella decided to make him some medicinal pastries. A thank–you gift.

She got straight to work.

Across town, Elias kept glancing at his phone. He wanted to text her, but didn’t want to disturb her–it late, after all.

He checked the online comments. No one was saying anything out of line about her. He breathed a lit easier.

After a moment’s thought, he typed into his search bar–How to pursue a woman?

He ended up scrolling well past midnight.

Nothing he found seemed particularly reliable. But remembering he had plans with Stella the next day finally forced himself to sleep.

He slept soundly for the first time in weeks.

*****

The next morning.

Elias waited in the parking lot. The moment he spotted her, he was out of the car, his eyes lighting up as he watched her approach.

Stella stood tall at five–foot–seven, with the kind of effortless grace that turned heads without trying. She wore a dress in an elegant, relaxed cut, in a soft ice–blue jacquard fabric. It suited her–quiet elegance wi an old–world charm. Every small smile carried a warmth that felt almost academic, almost refined.

She walked toward him slowly, radiating something gentle and steady.

For a moment, Elias was back at their first meeting–the first time he’d realized he didn’t instinctively pul away from a woman.

This time, he felt his heart pick up speed.

He knew what that meant.

“Have you been waiting long?”

“Not at all. Just got here.”

Elias, who had been so wired he’d woken up at six–thirty, had gone through three suit options before settling on this soft blue one. A deliberate break from his usual dark, serious palette.

“I made you some herbal pastries. A thank–you–for all your help lately.

Chapter 57 A Growing Connection

Fini

After everything with Silas, she’d started to see Elias differently. He was actually… decent.

And Elias was a man who had everything. The best she could offer was what she knew best–helping hi look after his health, especially since he was still recovering from that injury.

Elias‘ face lit up. “You made these yourself?”

“Mm–hmm.”

Something warm bloomed in his chest.

“Thank you. I’ll finish every last one.”

He held the container like it was something precious.

Then he opened the passenger door. A gift box sat on the seat.

“I got you something too. Hope you like it.”

The moment Stella opened the box, her eyes went wide. Her heart stumbled.

It was the old medical text she’d been searching for. The one she thought she’d never find.

“This has been in my family for generations. My ancestors were royal physicians a few generations back. It’s not exactly useful these days, but I thought it might serve a better purpose with you. So. It’s yours.”

“Elias. This is too much.”

She tried to hand it back, but he gently pushed it toward her.

Their fingers brushed.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify