"
Future daughter-in-law?
At those words, the nearby staff members shot a shocked glance at Stella.
Two seconds later, they quickly averted their eyes.
Which elite family did this heiress belong to?!
Stella was completely shell-shocked. She bit her lip and stayed silent.
After all, Samantha had three sons, which meant three future daughters-in-law.
Maybe... she was picking this out for Emily. She shouldn't get ahead of herself.
"Let's go."
Seeing the girl's tense expression, Samantha didn't push the issue. She just smiled. "Have afternoon tea with me."
"Alright."
Stella nodded and followed Samantha to the luxury café on the top floor.
To break the ice and build some 'mother-in-law and daughter-in-law bonding,' Samantha began spilling all of Roger's embarrassing childhood secrets.
Stella had never heard any of this.
Most of it sounded completely uncharacteristic of the stoic doctor she knew today.
"Hilarious, right?" Samantha laughed so hard she could barely breathe, showing absolutely no mercy as a mother. "After his bedwetting phase, he would practically panic anytime someone said the word 'map.""
"Come here, look, I even have photos."
Samantha was fully committed to throwing her son under the bus.
"Isn't he adorable? Don't you just want to squish his cheeks?"
"Mhm."
Stella leaned in and saw a photo of a ridiculously cute toddler Roger. A soft, genuine smile lit up her face.
"Roger is pretty decent-looking, and you're absolutely stunning, my sweet girl. When you two have babies, they are going to be overwhelmingly cute."
Samantha's imagination was running wild. She looked like she wanted to force them to produce a grandchild right that second.
Stella's smile froze. She was paralyzed with embarrassment.
"Ah." Realizing she had come on a bit too strong, Samantha quickly changed the subject. "Right, the case wrapped up today."
"I texted Roger. He's coming to pick you up in a minute."
"Pick me up?"
Stella was spinning. She simply couldn't keep up with Samantha's chaotic energy.
"Of course." Samantha patted Stella's hand, wiggling her eyebrows with a knowing smirk. "For your date."
"
Stella opened her mouth but no sound came out.
She was too intense.
Way too intense.
Just as Stella was sitting there in utter bewilderment, a tall, imposing shadow fell over her.
The girl blinked, instinctively turning around, and locked eyes with the man standing behind her.
"Morning."
Roger looked down at her, a lazy, unrestrained smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. His voice was deeply affectionate.
"Morning."
Meeting his gaze so suddenly, her heart hammered like a trapped deer. She offered a shy smile in return.
"Finally."
Watching the two of them stare at each other, completely lost in their own world, Samantha felt an indescribable thrill.
Oh my god, Cupid must have tied this knot himself.
They were so perfect for each other!
Perfect, absolutely perfect!
Samantha rested her chin in her hands, her eyes sparkling like a massive fangirl watching her favorite couple.
II
Roger sat down next to Stella and cast a slow, deliberate look at his mother.
He didn't say a word, but his eyes were anything but friendly.
"What is that look for?"
Catching her son's glare, Samantha downed the rest of her coffee and stood up. "Fine, fine, fine. I'm leaving!"
Before she walked away, she dug a
sleek black credit card out of her purse and shoved it into Stella's hand Leaning close to her ear, sher whispered, "No limit. Buy whatever you want."
"Mrs. Gates!"
Seeing what it was, Stella's face changed instantly. She stood up, ready to chase after her.
But Samantha moved fast. She was gone in the blink of an eye.
"Roger, please give this back to your mother Stella handed the black-
card to Roger her expres
serrous. "I can't accept this." .net>
"I wouldn't dare."
Roger looked at her, the corner of his mouth ticking up.
"What?"
Stella froze.
"Samantha is currently highly
annoyed with me," Roger said, staring traight at the girl and lying through his teeth to play the victi "If I try to hand this back to her, she'll probably break my legs."