At eight o'clock on a Friday morning, during the peak commute time for many office workers, an obscure news studio posted a video on Tiktik, captioned "Leo Starr, Chairman of Starr Group, having a secret rendezvous with a female university student."
Because it carried the hashtag #LeoStarr, within less than a minute, the video views had broken the ten thousand mark.
[Holy crap, the sun must be rising from the west. Is Leo Starr finally coming down to earth?]
[Awww, there's no way my husband would be dining alone with another woman. I refuse to believe this, it must be fake!]
[You can't see the girl's face clearly, but her figure is pretty hot, hehehe.]
[This paparazzo is really brave, daring to release dirt on Daddy Starr. Let's see how long this video lasts…]
Three minutes later, the original post was deleted, the trending keyword removed, and all related search terms cleared from the internet.
The spectators were unsurprised, marveling at the expected outcome while speculating about the identity of the "Starr Girl" who had captured Leo Starr's favor.
Unaware of the Tiktik stir, the "Starr Girl" was peacefully working on her manuscript in her dorm.
Since starting university, Stella had been writing online novels to earn money. Although her grandparents had left her an old house and some savings, and her uncle and aunt had offered to cover her tuition and living expenses, she preferred to be financially independent.
Her pen name was "Mika Sis." After writing for over three years, "Mika Sis" had become a minor celebrity in the web novel circle. Her monthly income was enough to support herself, and she had even published a few books, achieving modest success.
With midterms coming up in half a month, followed by her graduation thesis proposal, and then finals, she needed to stockpile some drafts before she got too busy.
Rose inserted a straw into a yogurt bottle and placed it next to Stella. "You wrote until after 2 AM last night and started again early this morning. Look at your eyes, they're as red as a rabbit's!"
Stella took a sip of milk. "Can't help it, it's for survival."
"Huh, woman, I think you still don't understand your own identity," Rose said with a devilish smile that gave Stella goosebumps. "You're about to become Mrs. Starr. Even if you lie around at home all day doing nothing, you'll still be worry-free for life. Why work so hard?!"
"It's always good to save some money just in case. If I get divorced later…"
"Stella! Don't be so pessimistic!" Rose shook her vigorously. "You're not even married yet, and you're already thinking about divorce? With a perfect husband like Leo Starr, you're thinking about divorce? What else do you want, huh?"
Stella scratched her head. She had developed a habit of planning for the worst in every situation, which made it easier to avoid disappointment.
"You should be thinking about how to win Leo Starr's heart and become Mrs. Starr for life, got it?"
Stella smiled. "Okay, got it."
"Good girl!" Rose patted her head. "I'll treat you to lunch today. How about some super spicy chicken pot?"
Stella replied, "With baby cabbage and enoki mushrooms, thanks Rose!"
The phone on the corner of the desk buzzed. Stella's smile froze when she saw the caller ID. She picked up the phone and walked to the balcony, taking a deep breath before answering.
As soon as the call connected, she felt like her throat was being choked.
"Hello," a cold, hard male voice came through the earpiece. "Why did you take so long to answer?"
"…I was busy." Stella rubbed the goosebumps on her arms, unsure if it was from the cold or something else.
"Busy? Writing those articles of yours again?" Alex Foster's displeasure was evident. "I've told you before, take the accounting exam before you graduate. It's a useful skill for finding a job. Who would want someone who just writes essays? You never listen…"
Stella held the phone away, treating it like background noise.
In Alex Foster's eyes, studying English was useless, unprofitable, a waste of time. Every phone call was a lecture. She didn't bother explaining that she was writing novels or that she planned to go to graduate school. She didn't care about Alex Foster's opinion.
Five minutes later, the one-sided scolding was wrapping up: "Can writing make big money? I told you to study finance, but your grandfather insisted you study English. Now you're just a bookworm…"
"Choosing English was my own decision," Stella interrupted. "My grandfather only suggested it, he didn't force me," she added with a sarcastic smile. "Besides, when I applied for college, I was already a freshman."
Harsh reality can pierce through pretense. Stella's words left Alex Foster momentarily speechless.
Inside, Rose waved at Stella with a bowl of freshly washed strawberries. Stella smiled, shaking off the cold feeling. "Is there anything else?"
"Forget it, I'm too tired to argue with you," Alex Foster hurriedly continued, his tone tinged with a sigh, as if forgiving a willful child. "Next month is Aunt Liz's birthday. Come home for dinner then."
Stella frowned. The goosebumps that had just subsided reappeared, and her stomach churned.
Liz Johnson, Alex Foster's second wife, married him after Stella's mother passed away. She gave birth to a daughter named Emily.
But Stella's mother had passed away when she was nine, and Emily was only four years younger than her.
Asking her to celebrate Liz Johnson's birthday? Where did he get the nerve?
Alex didn't wait for her reply; he merely informed her and then moved on to another topic. "By the way, the notarized document is ready."
Stella's right hand clenched instantly.
Alex continued, "Go pick it up next Monday."
Noticing Stella's prolonged silence, Alex feared something might go wrong, so he quickly adopted a "caring father" tone. "Stella, don't be sad. This notarization only legally severs your ties with the Foster family. In my heart, you will always be the eldest daughter of the Foster family."
His tone wavered unusually, perhaps realizing this wasn't a glorious act. "The family assets and company shares… although your inheritance rights have been revoked, just ask, and I will give you pocket money."
Stella almost laughed. Since she returned to the Orion family at age nine, she hadn't spent a penny from the Foster family. Alex was sure she wouldn't ask, so he made this empty promise. He wasn't even sincere in his deceit, so perfunctory.
"Stella?"
"I understand. I will go get it."
"Good," Alex was relieved upon hearing her response. He repeated, "Stella, remember, this is just a legal formality. You're still my daughter at home."
No need.
Stella thought, all I want is to legally sever ties with you.
I have always been waiting for this day.
On the 17th floor of Starr Group Tower, in the chairman's assistant office area.
"Did Mr. Starr just lose his temper?" The newly hired assistant, John, asked nervously. "I saw Mr. Joe come out of the office drenched in sweat, his shirt soaked in the back!"
"There was a major error in the report he submitted. Mr. Starr being angry is understandable," Assistant Sophie replied. "But Mr. Starr never loses his temper; his gaze alone can make you suffocate."
John shivered, looking pitiful. "I have to go in and deliver the report later. Am I going to step on a landmine?"
Sophie reassured, "No, no, Mr. Starr is very fair and just. He won't take it out on you… By the way, why has Assistant Lin been in there for so long?"
John said, "I heard Mr. Starr and his fiancée were photographed by paparazzi last night. Assistant Lin is reporting the PR progress."
"What?!"
The other two assistants immediately gathered around.
"Mr. Starr really has a fiancée?"
"I thought he said that just to fend off suitors!"
"Mr. Starr works all day, every day, in and out of meetings. How could he have a fiancée?"
"Who is this boss lady?"
…
Inside the office, Assistant Lin handed over a document.
"Mr. Starr, the ones who photographed you and Ms. Orion are from a newly established studio. They don't know the rules. The video was taken down by our PR department shortly after it was posted. All information has been blocked, and Ms. Orion won't be affected."
"Good," Leo Starr flipped through the PR department's contingency plan and said, "No need to release the marriage announcement. Keep it confidential for now."
"Understood."
Leo Starr continued, "Tell the PR department to keep monitoring strictly. Don't let any of Stella's personal information leak. Ensure no one disturbs her."
Assistant Lin nodded. "Yes, sir."
The fact that Mr. Starr had a fiancée was known to the office assistants, his friends, and the socialites he had clearly rejected. However, few knew the identity of his fiancée because he guarded her so closely.
Two years ago, when Assistant Lin went to the Starr family's old house to pick up Leo, he found out that his boss's fiancée was studying at EP University and learned about the childhood engagement.
His mind was blown, and he couldn't help but think, "The cold, cool boss is actually a pure-hearted guy."
He once asked Leo why he hadn't met Ms. Orion, and Leo had said, "She hasn't reached the legal marriage age yet."
When she turned twenty last year, he asked again, and Leo replied, "She's too busy with her junior year courses."
Assistant Lin suddenly felt these reasons were flimsy and suspected that his boss was "nervous about his wife," but he had no evidence.
This year, the boss finally met Ms. Orion!
It was a joyous occasion, touching and heartwarming.
When he learned that the boss immediately discussed getting a marriage license after meeting her, Assistant Lin, as a fellow man, understood completely. Waiting twenty-eight years to stay pure, it's no wonder he couldn't wait for his bride to grow up.
Legal, cohabiting, get it all set up!
"Is the house at Imperial Seal No. 1 ready?"
Assistant Lin replied, "Yes, it's ready. You can move in on the day you get the license."
Leo nodded. "Good, have them turn on the heating in advance. I don't want it to be cold."
"Understood."
"And one more thing," Leo added.
Assistant Lin took out his notepad, ready.
The always straightforward boss suddenly cleared his throat. "Prepare some… condoms."
See? He's in a hurry!
Assistant Lin said, "Yes, Mr. Starr. Should I also prepare some short-term contraceptive pills?"
Leo frowned. "No need."