Stella wasn’t sure if Dolores believed her. The latter took over the insulation pail, “Leave it to me. You
can go upstairs and take a nap.”
After that, she entered the kitchen.
Stella didn’t sleep well last night, so she felt a bit sleepy now. Yawning, she went upstairs.
She didn’t wake up until six o’clock in the evening.
When she woke up, she saw the evening glow all over the sky.
Stella went downstairs, only to find that Dolores wasn’t in the kitchen. She checked on her next door
and found Evelyn wasn’t in either.
Besides them, it was time for preparing dinner, but the few houses in the neighborhood were all silent.
She couldn’t hear anything.
As the last trace of the evening glow disappeared, the street lamps were turned on one after another,
shimmering the whole river.
It was way too difficult to find such a long and peaceful street with a long history.
When Stella was lost in thought, Evelyn showed up behind her. She patted Stella on the shoulder,
“Hey, Stella, you are awake.”
Stella returned to her senses, “Hi, Ms. Beckham.”
Evelyn said, “Let’s go.”
Stella was confused, “Where to?”
“Oh, you don’t know yet.” Evelyn patted herself on the forehead and continued, “The hotel resort was
almost decided, so all of us are moving soon. We don’t know when we’ll reunite in the future, so we
decided to have a gathering together. I asked Ms. Anderson for help this afternoon. Now almost
everyone has arrived. I came back to take you over.”
Hence, Evelyn dragged Stella to the ancestral hall.
It was a public ancestral hall. Whenever it was a holiday or there was a gathering, the neighbor would
use this ancestral hall. In the past, the whole community didn’t have a gathering because of various
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtreasons. It was probably the last time that they could gather together, so almost all of the neighbors
had attended.
On Anqiao Street lived mostly the aged men and women who were not willing to stay with their
children, such as Dolores and Evelyn. Besides, that there were also some young tenants such as
Alexander and Stella.
All of them got along very well. They were beyond landlords or landladies and tenants. They were like
regrouping new homes.
For the dinner tonight, all the mid-aged men and women showed their cooking skills. Each of them
cooked a dish that they were best at. With the dozens of dishes on a big round table, the dinner looked
like a feast.
Evelyn took Stella to a seat, “Come on, Stella. Sit here.”
There were neighbors that Stella was quite familiar with at this table.
Both Evelyn and Dolores were sitting at the table. However, there was an empty seat next to Stella.
...
The acquisition meeting of Anqiao Street was held for a whole afternoon. It didn’t end until it was
getting dark outside.
After others were gone, Clarence sat in his chair, rubbing his temples with strength.
Nathan walked up and said, “Mr. Conrad, would you like to take the migraine pills?”
Clarence put down his hands, stood up, and said, “Forget it. Let’s go grab something for dinner.”
In front of the elevator, Alexander and the executives of his company were still waiting for the elevator.
A manager said, “It’s dinner time now. Let’s go home after dinner.”
Others echoed him. Alexander said in embarrassment, “I’m sorry, but I might not join you tonight.”
He told them about the community gathering briefly.
The rebuilt ofAnqiao Street into a hotel resort was a huge project, so it was also important to
Alexander’s company. Upon hearing it, they agreed immediately, “I see. Then we can’t hold you up for
so long, Alex. Please do ahead.”
“Alex, after going back, please send our wishes to your neighbors as well.”
“By the way, Alex, will Stella join your gathering tonight?”
Alexander nodded, “Yes, she will.”
A manager patted him on the shoulder and encouraged him, “Not bad. It’s is a rare good opportunity.
Seize the chance.”
Although feeling shy, Alexander nodded determinedly, “I will. Thank you.”
None of them noticed that someone was standing behind their backs, his eyes cold and darkened.
Out of the hotel, after bidding the managers farewell, Alexander was hailing a taxi at the intersection.
However, just when his hand was raised, a black Maybach was pulled over slowly in front of him.
Alexander was puzzled.
The car window was pressed down, and he saw a man’s cold handsome face.
The man greeted, “Mr. Hans.”
Alexander was surprised, “Hello, Mr. Conrad?”
Clarence asked indifferently, “Mr. Hans, where are you going? I can give you a ride.”
Alexander was extremely flattered. He immediately refused, “Thank you, Mr. Conrad. But not
necessary. I can take the cab...”
“Get in.”
Alexander didn’t have the guts to refuse him again. He pulled the door open, bent over, and sat in.
Although he had been working with Clarence in the past two days, mostly it was the managers and
executives of his company who talked to Clarence. Alexander was just an assistant for them to get
documents and deal with other odd jobs. He had never had a chance to be with Clarence alone.
It was extremely quiet in the car. Alexander was quite nervous, holding his breath all the time.
He had heard a lot of Clarence before. Although the Conrad family was a powerful and wealthy old
money, Clarence wasn’t just a playboy who only knew about enjoying spending. After he took charge of
Conrad Group, not only their share price doubled, but only numerous overseas markets were
developed. Their annual profits soared.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe rumors said that Clarence was determined, decisive, cold-blooded, and heartless, even his father
was afraid of him. He was an extremely tough man.
While Alexander was lost in thought, he heard a man’s voice beside him, “Mr. Hans?”
After a few seconds, Alexander suddenly returned to his senses, “Yes, Mr. Conrad?”
Clarence said, “Mr. Hans, I heard that you are chasing Ms. Radomil.”
Alexander hadn’t expected that he had heard it. In embarrassment, he answered, “Ah? Well... Yes, I
am...”
“But yesterday, Ms. Radomil said she’s pregnant. Don’t you mind it, Mr. Hans?”
Alexander didn’t know why suddenly he asked such a question. After a thought, he answered, “I like
Stella for who she is. No matter what happened to her before, I like her. As for her pregnancy, I believe
we’ll have our own children in the future.”
Clarence curled up his lips into a sneer. He didn’t comment on his words.
Soon, the black Maybach was arriving Anqiao Street. Alexander said to Nathan, “Excuse me, Mr.
Lance, please dropped me at the roadside in front. Thank you.”
Clarence pressed down the window and took a glance. He asked expressionlessly, “Mr. Hans, so you
stay here?”
“Not really. Mr. Conrad, this is the thing...”
Alexander repeated the community gathering to him.
Clarence raised his eyebrow, “Really? That sounds fun!”
Since Alexander could reach his position, he wasn’t a fool. Naturally, he got what Clarence meant.
Hence, he tentatively asked, “Mr. Conrad, would you like to join us?”
Clarence withdrew his gaze, “It’s your community gathering. I’m an outsider. I don’t think it’s
appropriate.”
“Mr. Conrad, please. All my neighbors like you a lot. Originally, we planned to invite you, but we were
afraid that you won’t like such an occasion and we might interrupt you. Mr. Conrad, if you join us, I’m
sure they would be overjoyed.”
“Since you said that, I must attend it.”