Chapter 3: A Different Future

The private room fell into complete silence after the secretary's announcement. Every guest stared at Stella with disbelief. Eric Chilton rarely appeared in public, and almost no one had ever seen his personal secretary. Yet the man standing before them was unmistakably one of Eric's closest assistants. Stella remained composed while everyone else struggled to process what they had just heard.

One of Noel's friends finally laughed awkwardly. 'This has to be a joke, right? Eric Chilton would never agree to marry someone like Stella.' The secretary calmly adjusted his glasses before replying, 'Mr. Eric Chilton does not joke about matters concerning his marriage. Miss Judd is now his fiancée, and I advise everyone here to speak of her with respect.' His calm but firm words instantly silenced the room.

At that moment, Noel returned after failing to catch Sophie. Seeing the secretary standing beside Stella, he frowned. 'What are you doing here?' The secretary turned toward him politely. 'Young Master Noel, I came under Mr. Eric Chilton's orders to escort Miss Judd home.' Noel's face darkened. 'Miss Judd?' he repeated slowly. 'What does my uncle have to do with Stella?'

Stella looked directly at Noel without any hesitation. 'I was going to tell you earlier, but you didn't give me the chance. The marriage alliance is still happening, but you're not the groom. Your uncle, Eric Chilton, accepted the proposal this morning.' Noel stared at her in complete disbelief before suddenly laughing. 'Impossible. My uncle would never agree to this.'

The secretary calmly took out a velvet invitation card bearing the golden Chilton family crest. 'Mr. Eric Chilton instructed me to deliver this personally. The engagement ceremony will be held in two weeks. Miss Judd, Mr. Eric hopes you will choose your preferred wedding venue tomorrow morning.' Stella accepted the invitation while Noel's expression slowly turned pale.

Everyone in the room exchanged shocked glances. Moments ago they had mocked Stella for desperately chasing Noel. Now it turned out she was about to become Noel's aunt by marriage. The sudden reversal left them speechless. Several girls who had laughed at Stella moments earlier lowered their heads awkwardly, avoiding eye contact.

Noel stepped forward and grabbed Stella's wrist. 'Tell me the truth. Is this your new trick to make me jealous?' Stella slowly pulled her hand away from his grasp. 'You're overestimating your importance, Noel. This decision has nothing to do with you. I simply chose someone else.' Her calm voice hurt Noel far more than anger ever could.

For the first time since they had known each other, Noel felt something slipping beyond his control. Stella had always followed him, cared about him, and forgiven every cold word he spoke. But today she looked at him as though he were nothing more than a stranger. That unfamiliar indifference made him unexpectedly uncomfortable.

Outside the building, a luxurious black Rolls-Royce Phantom quietly waited by the entrance. The secretary respectfully opened the rear door for Stella. Before getting inside, she looked back at the people standing in the doorway. None of them dared mock her anymore. She simply smiled politely before entering the car without another word.

As the Rolls-Royce disappeared into the evening traffic, Noel remained standing outside the bar, staring after it in silence. For reasons he couldn't explain, watching Stella leave with his uncle's secretary left an emptiness in his chest. It was a feeling he had never experienced before—and one that would only grow stronger in the days ahead.