During the meeting break, Steve brought Leo's phone to him. "Mr. Starr, your brother called you three times and sent a message."
"Three calls?" Leo was slightly surprised.
Leo knew his brother well enough to understand that he rarely made even a second call if the first one went unanswered. Something significant must have happened.
Leo opened the message, and the coarse, red headline made his pupils contract. By the time he finished reading the post, his expression had completely darkened, making Steve standing nearby extremely nervous.
Leo immediately tried calling Stella—no answer. He instructed Steve to pause the meeting, grabbed his coat, and headed out while calling his brother back.
The call was answered quickly. "Hello, Leo."
Leo cut to the chase. "Who posted the thread?"
"A girl named Bella White," his brother replied, prepared. "Several accounts fanning the flames share the same IP address."
Leo pressed the elevator button. "Does she have any conflict of interest with Stella?"
"No, her grades are average, and she's not in competition for awards or grad school spots. But she's always been wary of Stella."
Leo frowned. "How so?"
"When our school held a poll for the most beautiful girl, she came first, and Stella was second. Many thought Stella was prettier and often compared them. She really cares about this and likes flaunting her 'campus beauty' title." His brother added, "By the way, her current boyfriend previously pursued Stella but didn't succeed. Bella later anonymously posted a thread mocking Stella for supposedly chasing after her boyfriend."
Leo swore under his breath.
His brother chuckled. "What happened to your usual composure, Mr. Starr?"
"Get me the evidence and send it over." Leo exited the elevator and strode towards the exit, his long legs moving swiftly, causing people to step aside.
Steve struggled to keep up in her high heels, puzzled by Leo's sudden urgency. What had happened to make the normally unflappable boss rush out as if to put out a fire?
His brother asked, "What are you planning to do? Get a lawyer and sue her?"
"Definitely," said the explosive Mr. Starr, slamming the car door, "but first, I need to find Stella."
Stella realized once again how much she depended on Leo. Tears she could hold back flowed freely at the sight of him; the strength to stand tall dissipated upon hearing his voice. She felt useless and embarrassed.
Leo held her with one arm, gently rubbing the back of her head, whispering comforting words with endless patience.
A few minutes later, Stella pulled away from his embrace and looked up. "Why are you here?"
Seeing Leo extend his hand behind him, Steve immediately handed him a pack of tissues. Steve had more or less guessed that Leo was here to find his legendary wife. The marriage news had shocked the executive office at first, but it didn't change much since the boss remained a workaholic as ever. However, witnessing the transformation of the cold-faced boss into a warm, comforting figure was mind-blowing, making her struggle to maintain her professional composure.
Stella noticed Steve handing over the tissues and, thinking she was one of Leo's assistants, politely nodded and smiled.
Steve was thrilled, barely containing her excitement. The boss's wife looked stunning even with teary eyes—no wonder the aloof boss couldn't help but marry her.
"Weren't you supposed to pick me up after school?" Leo teased while wiping her tears. "All the other kids have someone to pick them up. Of course, our Stella should too."
Stella managed a teary laugh, pouting, "I'm not a kid."
Leo immediately corrected himself. "Right, kids can't get married. Our Stella has a husband."
Blushing, Stella glared at him. She had just started to punch him in the chest when her fist was caught and held tightly.
Someone cleared their throat, and Stella turned to see a group of school leaders, led by the deputy dean, standing quietly and watching them. Her legs went weak as she stiffly turned the other way, spotting her advisor and her three roommates with knowing smiles.
Stella: "…"
So, there were this many people watching?
Stella stared at Leo's chest, wondering if banging her head against it hard enough might give her amnesia.
"Mr. Starr."
In the silence, Deputy Dean Tom Chen was the first to speak.
Leo, with his arm around Stella, turned and nodded. "Dean Chen."
Chen looked at their clasped hands, feeling quite distressed. An hour earlier, he had received a report from the Academic Affairs Office about a top student being exposed on the forum as a mistress, allegedly kept by a rich man, causing widespread discontent among students and demands to revoke her honors and guaranteed admission.
Chen was shocked, as he knew the student and recognized her as an outstanding talent. But he also knew such matters were hard to clarify without concrete evidence, leaving a seed of doubt. Regretful as he felt, the school's reputation and authority were more important.
The decision to revoke her qualifications was nearly made when several teachers vouched for her, and she posted a clarification. Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the matter was settled—until he turned and saw the powerful chairman of Deerway Group hugging the student.
There was nothing unclear now.
Who was Mr. Starr?
An investor in multiple key laboratory projects at the university, a man even the president respected. They almost wrongfully accused his wife of being a mistress, nearly revoked her hard-earned qualifications.
Both Stella and Chen wanted to forget everything.
With no choice, Chen tried to remedy the situation.
Chen forced a smile. "Stella, you've been wronged. But rest assured, your honors and qualifications will not be revoked!"
Before Stella could respond, Leo spoke first. "Your department values talent and won't let Stella be wronged. Dean Chen, do you have time now? We can discuss how to proceed."
Chen realized he couldn't easily send away this influential figure. He forced a laugh and invited them to his office.
Just as they reached the meeting room door, a dignified elderly woman hurried over. She first glared at Chen, then scrutinized Leo, finally pulling Stella to her side like a protective mother hen. "Stella, is this your husband?"
Stella replied, "Yes, Professor Liang. This is my husband, Leo Starr."
Professor Lydia Liang, a staunch defender of her students, had been causing quite a scene in the deputy dean's office. She was already set to be Stella's graduate advisor and was renowned for her protectiveness. Stella's forum post had blurred out Leo's face and details, but Liang deduced his identity from their closeness.
Leo was about to greet her when Lydia Liang reprimanded him. "What kind of husband are you?!"
Steve and Chen simultaneously gasped.
"N-no, it's not like that," Stella tried to explain, but Leo admitted his fault directly.
"Professor Liang is right. It's my fault," Leo said earnestly, holding Stella's hand. "I didn't consider things thoroughly and let Stella be wronged. I shouldn't have taken so long to come here, leaving her to handle this alone."
He looked into Stella's eyes. "I'm sorry. It's my fault."
Steve internally cheered, Chen worried about Leo's demands, and only Professor Liang was genuinely confused by the term "brother."
A few minutes later, everyone gathered in the meeting room. It was already seven in the evening, and Leo, mindful that Stella hadn't had dinner yet, decided to keep it brief.
"As the family of the victimized student, I believe the school should issue a statement," he said straightforwardly. "The statement should clarify the details of Stella's graduate school admission and 'Three Good Student' honors, officially affirming her qualifications and abilities."
This was a reasonable request, and Chen nodded in agreement.
"Additionally, it's clear that the Humanities Department is also a victim in this incident," Leo continued, his gaze intense. "If we don't identify and punish the person making these baseless accusations, anyone could question the school's rules with a few photos and out-of-context statements. Over time, where would the school's authority be? How could we, the partners, continue to have trust?"
Was he implying a withdrawal of investment?
Chen broke out in a cold sweat. Losing Leo's investment would mean the end of his career as deputy dean.
Leo's unwavering gaze bore into him. "Do you agree, Dean Chen?"
Chen nodded repeatedly. "Yes, absolutely."
"Then we trust you to handle it," Leo's smile was cold, sending a chill through the room. "Yale University's efficiency is always commendable. We'll wait for your official statement."
Leaving the administration building, Leo thanked Stella's three roommates and suggested a dinner at Nine Rivers sometime, to which they happily agreed before departing.
Sitting in Leo's car, Stella was still a bit dazed. She had only hoped to clear her name but ended up with a promise of an official statement from the school.
Thanks to Leo.
She rested her head on his shoulder, murmuring, "Thank you, Leo."
Leo reached to embrace her, but Stella, mindful of the driver and Steve in the front seats, kept pulling away.
Steve wisely raised the partition between the front and back seats, leaving the couple in privacy.
Leo mentally noted to reward his perceptive assistant later and pulled his wife into his arms.
Stella's eyes, still glistening from crying, and her rosy cheeks made her look exceptionally endearing. Leo stared at her for a while, the words "no need to thank me" morphed into "how will you thank me?"
Stella thought for a moment. "I'll make yam and pork rib soup for you when we get home."
Leo slowly shook his head, a teasing smile on his lips. "Can't you thank me now?"
Stella blinked, guessing but not daring to confirm his meaning.
Leo leaned in closer, their noses almost touching, the proximity dangerously intimate. "Stella, I want my thanks now."
Unable to resist his direct gaze, Stella glanced at the partition, then quickly pecked his cheek. "Thank you, Leo."
Leo squinted his eyes, savoring the moment, making Stella's face flush. A few seconds later, he turned his other cheek towards her.
Stella had no choice but to give him another quick peck.
Still, Leo didn't move away, his intense gaze locked on hers. "Is that all?"
There were people in the front! Stella ignored him, looking down and pretending to be asleep.
Leo persisted, his voice low and husky. "Is there no more, Stella?"
Stella shivered at his deep tone, her embarrassment giving way to a rebellious urge. "There is."
She moved closer, lying on top of Leo.
Leo's Adam's apple bobbed, and he tightened his arm around her waist. The girl's soft lips brushed against his ear, her voice sweet and seductive.
"Thank you… my dear husband."