Forgotten Love: Mr. President, Mrs. Fordham Has Rejected You!-Chapter 14: The White Lotus’s Performance

In that split second!

From the crowd, two tall figures burst forth like arrows loosed from a bow, shattering the chaos as they rushed at breakneck speed towards her!

Time seemed to stretch endlessly.

The pain she had braced herself for never came.

Right at the last moment before the rain of glass fell, she saw a figure dressed in white...

Then an expansive, warm chest crashed into her back, enveloping her tightly in an embrace.

The heavy force almost suffocated her, but what followed was a solid sense of safety.

Her ears filled with the explosive crackle of glass shattering against the floor—a deafening roar, yet muffled as if by a protective barrier.

He used his own body to shield her from everything.

The chaotic noises gradually faded. Stella Grant’s lashes trembled as she slowly opened her eyes.

The first thing she saw was Andy Lockwood’s sharply defined jawline and the urgency and worry in his deep eyes, utterly unguarded.

His arms were wrapped so tightly around her, the heat of his body scorching through the thin evening dress.

"Are you hurt anywhere?"

His voice was tinged with the breathlessness of strenuous activity, his gaze quickly scanning her body, examining her with meticulous care.

"Where does it hurt? Tell me."

Stella shook her head, unable to shake off the lingering shock.

At that moment, a startled, tearful cry echoed from the other side—Corinne Kensington.

"Aiden!"

Stella turned toward the sound, her heart twisting sharply.

She saw Corinne Kensington flung in Aiden Fordham’s arms, sobbing like a rain-soaked flower, clinging to his arm and refusing to let go.

"You’re bleeding! Aiden—your hand, it’s hurt!"

Bright red scratches lined Aiden’s left hand and forearm, fresh blood welling up and staining the expensive white suit fabric.

The shards of glass were that sharp, easily slashing through his clothes—if they had cut her skin directly, she’d have been shredded and bloody.

"Sob...sob... I’m sorry, Aiden..."

Corinne was gasping between sobs, the performance written all over her face.

"It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have stood so close... If you hadn’t tried to save me, you wouldn’t be hurt..."

She cried while carefully cupping Aiden’s injured hand, the tears streaming endlessly down her cheeks.

Stella stared numbly at Aiden, just two steps away.

He, too...had rushed in the same direction just moments ago.

Just as fast as Andy Lockwood.

There had even been, in that instant, the faintest glimmer of hope in her heart, so fleeting she’d never dare admit it.

But now, reality slapped her hard across the face.

So...his reckless dash just now, it had never been for her.

It was for the one he cherished—Corinne Kensington.

No matter that she’d been in just as much danger, all he had eyes for was Corinne.

It felt like a thousand fine needles dug cruelly into her heart, the ache dull but spreading, making it hard for her to breathe.

So, all along, his recklessness had nothing to do with her.

Aiden’s eyes lifted over Corinne’s head, settling on Stella Grant.

Seeing her safe in Andy Lockwood’s arms, the flash of shock in his eyes faded swiftly, replaced by a fathomless calm.

He didn’t even ask if she was alright.

He lowered his head, and the gentleness in his voice was something Stella had never heard before. Using his uninjured hand, he gently patted Corinne’s back in comfort:

"Don’t cry, I’m fine." He paused, then added, "As long as you’re okay."

As long as you’re okay.

The words hit Stella like a stinging slap to the face.

It burned.

Keegan Lindsey came running over in a hurry, his face tense with worry:

"President Fordham, you’re hurt. Please, come with me to the medical office for treatment right away."

Aiden nodded, letting Keegan carefully support his injured arm.

Before turning to leave, he didn’t spare Stella Grant even a last glance.

The Group’s general manager, President Lindsey, quickly hurried over too.

He barked instructions for the staff to clean up the mess, all the while loudly reassuring the startled guests.

"Dear guests, I sincerely apologize for the minor accident—please don’t panic!"

"Arrangements are in place. Everyone, please move to the lounge area..."

Still, Stella’s gaze followed Aiden’s retreating figure until he disappeared around the corner.

The tight ache in her chest was only growing, swallowing her whole.

She knew, with crystal clarity, that something inside her had shattered right along with the champagne tower collapse.

Broken beyond repair.

No way to piece it back together.

It wasn’t long before the site was spotless again, no trace of the earlier chaos left.

Corinne Kensington emerged back into the banquet hall, marching straight to Stella’s side.

"Stella Grant, you never should’ve shown up here. You’re just an orphan. Did you really think that pretty face was enough to secure your place as the Fordham Family’s young mistress? Don’t kid yourself—Aiden’s always loved me."

Corinne said it with loud indignation, clearly trying to provoke her, and kept up her biting tirade:

"You should know better than to try and wreck what Aiden and I have—my mother would never let you get away with it."

That’s right, she was bringing her mother into it now.

Stella stared at her coolly, her gaze like ice.

At once, her mind conjured a long-forgotten face—the very one that had brought her such ruin.

Corinne kept pressing, almost gloating:

"Stella Grant, it’s time you faced facts. In that life-or-death moment just now, Aiden saved me first. You know what that means."

Stella looked at the woman with contempt, lips chilling as she spoke: "Corinne Kensington, you’re truly pathetic!"

Corinne immediately bristled.

"What did you just say, Stella Grant? You’re the pathetic one—Aiden doesn’t love you! Oh, I guess you didn’t know: the day you miscarried, he was in my bed."

She finished, hiding a cruel smile behind her hand—knowing just how deeply the words would cut.

Stella was silent for a moment, her eyes dark, then her expression quickly cleared.

"Well then, Miss Kensington, you’d better put in more effort—maybe you’ll be official soon."

Corinne laughed coldly, full of confidence: "Stella Grant, I have plenty of ways to make Aiden kick you out with nothing."

Vivi Sterling happened to walk over just in time, catching those venomous words and feeling anger flare. But her mouth curled in a cold, mocking smile.

"Well, well, if it isn’t Best Actress Kensington?"

Vivi Sterling’s voice was just loud enough for those nearby to hear, the sarcasm thick and unmistakable.

"Love your outfit, it’s almost extravagant—anyone who saw you would think it’s a red carpet event."

The smile on Corinne’s face stiffened. She turned to see Vivi, her eyes flashing with dislike before she forced out another well-practiced smile.

"Miss Sterling, you must be joking. It’s the Fordham Group’s fiftieth anniversary—a big day. Of course I’m dressed to impress, out of respect."

"Respect? Hah!" Vivi scoffed, stepping closer, voice lowered but her gaze sharp as a poisoned blade.

"This is the first time I’ve ever seen someone proud to be the third wheel, acting so self-righteous and at ease. With your mental fortitude, Miss Kensington, you’re wasted—should be starring in a spy drama instead!"

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

Corinne’s expression changed instantly, her voice shrill. She nearly knocked over her wine glass in her outrage.

"Vivi Sterling, stop slandering me!"

"Slander? Please. You know damn well what you’ve done," Vivi sneered, one eyebrow raised, her tone getting ever more cutting.

"Just now you bragged about your moves in bed—what’s the matter? A little pushback and you’re cracking? Tch, you’re out of your league."

People nearby had started to notice the commotion, casting curious glances their way.