"Are you kidding with me?"
She had been waiting for him to mistreat her so she could confront him directly, but this request was completely unexpected. The tone of his voice did not carry mockery, which made the situation even more confusing.
"Say, do you accept or not?"
The carriage stood quietly near the edge of the marketplace, slightly removed from the main noise, as if isolating the conversation from the outside world.
"You're truly foolish. Why would I accept an offer from a rude person like you?"
He replied with a cunning smile, one that suggested confidence rather than anger, "Actually, you have no choice. If you don't, you'll end up telling your story in prison."
"So, you're going to frame me?"
"What a slander. I saw you with my own eyes getting out of my carriage."
Stella cursed internally, "Bastard, he speaks with complete confidence, he must be someone of some stature."
The faint sound of distant voices from the market contrasted with the calm certainty in his tone.
"Come on, decide quickly, I don't have time."
Stella thought, "It's like you left me other options."
"Well, I accept your offer."
"That's good, you're thinking in a good way."
He turned to the person with him, saying, "We will return."
The other replied respectfully, "As you wish, Sir."
Stella got into the carriage with them. The interior was more refined than she had expected, with clean wooden panels and well-maintained seating. Throughout the ride, she kept looking at the man in front of her, trying to understand how things had reached this point.
"I don't know why I have to meet people who make strange offers, and the strangest thing is that I have to accept. Damn it, I have no solution. Even if I didn't meet him, I would be in trouble. I have to find a place to stay. Uh, it's all because of that girl."
At the same time, he was also thinking, "I don't know if she is suitable or not?"
The carriage continued moving steadily, passing through quieter parts of the city. The noise of the crowded market gradually faded, replaced by a more controlled and orderly environment.
After a while, the carriage had not stopped yet.
Stella looked out the window. It seemed that they had moved far from the crowded streets and into a more spacious area, where buildings were larger and the paths less congested.
"What a person, he didn't even ask for my name."
She glanced outside again. They passed through a large gate, built from solid stone, resembling the entrance to a private estate rather than a common residence.
The carriage finally came to a stop. After they got off, he said, "Follow me."
As they passed through the gate, Stella was momentarily taken aback by what she saw. It was not just a large house, it was a palace!
The majestic mansion stood with imposing presence, its structure carefully designed to reflect wealth and authority. The white surfaces and gold accents were clean and polished, catching the light naturally without appearing excessive.
Surrounding the building was a vast garden, neatly arranged and maintained.
Servants moved quickly but silently, each one focused on their task, creating an organized flow of activity.
"So you're a master here, now I know where all that arrogance comes from."
The two of them walked toward the entrance. The doors were large and detailed, opening smoothly as they approached.
Inside, Stella's eyes widened slightly. The interior was even more impressive , yet it maintained a sense of balance rather than overwhelming decoration.
Inside the luxurious mansion, wide staircases extended toward upper levels, with polished railings and structured design.
The floors reflected the light softly, and the space felt open and carefully arranged.
A team of maids moved gracefully, carrying dishes toward the kitchen area, their steps coordinated and quiet.
The atmosphere carried a sense of discipline and routine.
The walls were decorated with detailed engravings, many of them depicting flowers in different shapes and patterns. The designs were consistent across the hall, creating a unified visual identity.
Like mural paintings, laurel leaves appeared frequently in the designs, forming a repeating theme that suggested symbolism or tradition.
Stella had been absorbed in observing the surroundings until Adam's voice interrupted her, "Don't be displaced like that, I will take you to meet someone right now."
"Who am I going to meet?"
He ignored her question and walked forward, opening the door to a room ahead.
Inside, there were two people. Two women.
One was sitting on a sofa, and the other stood beside her.
The older woman had hair as white as snow, yet she maintained a lively and healthy appearance. She sat upright with composed posture, her presence calm and controlled.
Her clothing reflected refined taste without unnecessary display, and the atmosphere around her felt stable, almost authoritative in a quiet way.
Next to her stood her maid, noticeably younger, likely in her thirties. Her appearance was simple but elegant, her posture straight and attentive.
As soon as she saw Adam, the older woman smiled and said in a warm voice, "Here you are back, I was just asking about you."
At the same time, the maid greeted him, saying, "Welcome back, Mr. Adam."
Stella stood slightly behind him, observing everything in silence.
Her presence in the room felt secondary, yet noticeable.
She noticed that the maid was examining her with a sideways glance, subtle but deliberate.
"It's a habit among women here, it seems. Well, that doesn't matter. It's not a harmful thing, so I don't care."