Forgotten Love: Mr. President, Mrs. Fordham Has Rejected You!-Chapter 191: You Thanked the Wrong Person

"Life-saving benefactor?"

Stella instinctively repeated the words.

Keegan nodded vigorously, "That’s right! Four years ago, in F-Country, when President Fordham was at a farewell party at sea, he was electrocuted and fell into the ocean. It was Corinne Kensington who saved him! That’s why President Fordham has been so tolerant of her and couldn’t bear to be harsh!"

He fell into the sea, and Corinne saved him?

Her mind buzzed, feeling a bit confused.

Keegan continued, repeating the scene from four years ago when Corinne saved President Fordham at sea, and then detailing the love-hate entanglements between Aiden Fordham and Corinne Kensington over the past four years.

All those so-called cover-ups and protection were just because of that undeniable life-saving grace.

Finally, Keegan concluded, "When Corinne was sent abroad, President Fordham no longer liked her. Now, you are the only one he loves and cherishes in his heart."

He didn’t dare reveal the matter of the will; President Fordham had left almost all his property to her. If that’s not love, then what is?

After hearing all this, Stella suddenly laughed.

The laughter was light but filled with endless sorrow and absurdity.

It turned out Corinne had always enjoyed the position of "life-saving benefactor," comfortably enjoying four years of Aiden Fordham’s guilt and protection.

But the person who saved him was clearly herself.

How did it become Corinne? Senior Brother was on the scene back then; he should know the truth.

She always thought he had long forgotten that trivial little event.

Unexpectedly, the truth was like this.

After a while, she found her voice, "Keegan, you go back first. I’ll take a taxi myself later."

Keegan nodded, patiently gave a few reminders, then left.

Stella stood alone in the night wind, carefully digesting what Keegan had told her today, scrolling through her contacts to find a number she hadn’t dialed in a long time.

When the call connected, she opened her mouth and said, "Senior Brother."

Her eyes instantly turned red...

Just as one wave subsided, another arose. That night, the security system in the Sterling Family’s mansion was breached again.

A shadow agilely leapt to the second floor, entering Vivi Sterling’s room.

Yes, it was Hugh Whitman. Aiden Fordham had previously told him if he couldn’t jump to the second floor, then he shouldn’t pursue Vivi Sterling.

It seemed that despicable man had been there quite often.

So tonight, he came too. Because he’d soon be returning to The Imperial Capital to arrange the recognition banquet.

He wanted to see her properly.

The only light in the room was a pale night lamp, blowing through the window screens gently in the night wind.

An easel stood by the door.

He walked over, his long, distinct fingers lightly flipping through the sketch paper.

Aside from two drawings of Tyson Sterling, the rest were all portraits of Zane Zimmerman.

The man in the drawings wore a mysterious mask.

There were drawings of him holding her in his embrace, of them sharing a kiss.

With his sharply defined profile, with them by the hot springs, subtly pulling in the steamy warmth.

Even moments of him shirtless and muscular while boxing.

Her artistry was top-notch; each drawing was vividly realistic, almost indistinguishable from photographs.

Every stroke, every line, was filled with her inexpressible longing.

As he looked at these portraits, his chest felt tight with emotion.

He regretted it.

He truly regretted it.

He should never have carried out that damned plan, subjecting her to such great pain.

He sat lightly by the bed.

She lay on her side, sleeping with that same carefree and unguarded posture.

His large hand gently brushed aside the hair on her cheek.

His gaze slowly moved downward.

His hand came to rest on her abdomen, lightly stroking through the thin nightgown.

There, was their child.

At this moment, his gaze was impossibly tender.

Seemingly sensing something, she shifted and then turned over, lying on her back.

Her head gently tipped to the right, her brows slightly furrowed, sleeping uneasily.

He propped one hand on the bed, leaned down, bowing his head to gently kiss her lips.

She stirred again.

He didn’t dare exert any force, only lightly savoring the moment.

The familiar scent drifted into his nostrils, making his heart race.

He meticulously traced the shape of her lips, his heart pounding uncontrollably; he yearned... for her.

Desperate to hold her fiercely, and give her all his love, but fearing to wake her.

After countless stolen kisses, this little pig didn’t wake. Finally, he bent down to tuck her in before turning to leave.

...

The next day.

Aiden Fordham had just returned to the office when a call from The Imperial Capital shattered everything.

Corinne Kensington was missing.

The news came quickly and urgently, yet it didn’t surprise him in the least.

As expected.

After she privately announced her identity as the Eldest Miss Whitman and went out for a small gathering that night, she was abducted without a trace.

The Whitman Family was in a frenzy.

They sent out half the city’s men for a search, calling Hugh Whitman, ordering him to return to The Imperial Capital at once to help find his sister.

Aiden stood by the window, his slender fingers holding a cigarette but not lighting it.

His deep eyes reflected the towering buildings outside, but his mood was frightfully somber.

He had foreseen this step long ago.

The Whitmans were prominent and garnered envy, attracting numerous political adversaries, especially the ever-scheming Minister Lindsey, who had long eyed them covetously.

This daughter, found with much difficulty, was not only a delight to the Whitmans but also a glaring vulnerability exposed to others.

As for the grand recognition banquet they wished to announce to the world, it was merely a card the Whitmans wanted to play.

They intended to use the banquet to force some people’s allegiance.

Additionally, arranging a strong political marriage for their daughter was a way to deter certain people.

Unfortunately, no matter how well-laid the plans, they couldn’t outpace the treacherous human heart.

The recognition banquet had yet to happen, its effects unmanifested, and Corinne Kensington had already become someone else’s hostage.

Aiden slowly exhaled a breath, tossing the unlit cigarette into the ashtray.

Currently, he had no interest in handling the chaos at The Imperial Capital.

His mind was entirely occupied with Stella.

Keegan entered with a cup of hand-brewed coffee, and the rich aroma of coffee instantly dispelled the oppressive air in the office.

Suddenly, his phone rang.

Seeing the name flashing on the screen, Keegan trembled with excitement, nearly spilling the coffee in hand.

He quickly swiped to answer the call, fumbling to press the speakerphone button.

"Madam!"

Stella Grant’s voice came through the receiver, cold and calm.

"Keegan Lindsey, I want to attend the Whitman family’s recognition banquet. Please send me two invitations."

Keegan’s mind went blank for a few seconds, then he quickly responded.

"Okay, okay!"

He glanced subconsciously at Aiden Fordham and quickly added,

"At that time, President Fordham will be flying there by private jet, so... should I pick you up?"

"No."

The two crisp words left Keegan feeling uneasy.

"Then I’ll book a flight for you. The view from President Fordham’s house in The Imperial Capital is quite beautiful."

The voice on the other end said again, "No need, I’ll take care of it myself."

"Alright." Keegan could only nod and quickly find another topic, "Madam, when are you coming back to the company? D misses you so much, always clamoring to see you."

D: I’m being put on the spot again, it’s all that big bad guy’s fault for angering Miss Grant, now she isn’t coming.

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds.

When she spoke again, her tone was unchanged.

"Send me a computer with admin access, and bring D along as well."

"Okay!" Keegan agreed immediately.

The voice softly added, "Thank you."

Then, the call ended, and the busy tone echoed in the quiet office.

Aiden Fordham never turned around, but hearing her relatively calm tone, the tension in him that had been stretching all night finally eased a bit.

Keegan let out a long sigh of relief and said excitedly to Aiden Fordham,

"President Fordham, it’s great that Madam is willing to go to the Whitman family’s recognition banquet! I was still thinking of ways to persuade her to go. After all, it’s the Whitman’s grand event, and Madam is truly the genuine eldest Miss Whitman."

Aiden Fordham turned around, his previously somber expression softened significantly.

"Make the arrangements."

His voice was low and firm.

"There are only a few days left until the recognition banquet. Whenever she sets off, that’s when we’ll depart."

"Her safety comes first, no mistakes allowed."

Keegan’s expression also became extremely serious, and he nodded heavily.

"Yes."

It’s truly great that she’s willing to go to the recognition banquet.

A red hint of joy flickered in Aiden Fordham’s eyes.

He wants to announce her true identity in front of everyone at that highly anticipated recognition banquet.

He wants everyone to know who the real eldest Miss Whitman is.

He wants to witness that thrilling moment with her.

But before that, he must eliminate all potential threats.

He would never let her be hurt even a little more.

Of course, Minister Lindsey’s unsavory dealings have long been stored in his safe. This thorn he must remove sooner or later...

The Whitman family is all-seeing and all-knowing and naturally understands that what The Fordham Group controls is more than just wealth.

He turned back and instructed in a cold, decisive tone,

"Deploy people to The Imperial Capital, make preparations, and clean up where necessary."

Keegan immediately responded, "Understood."

The door was knocked on.

In the next second, Quentin Lockwood pushed the door open, unable to hide the smugness on his face, a picture of happiness.

"This time I found two explosive pieces of information that you would never expect."

He said, walking straight to the side of the coffee table, unabashedly picking up the freshly brewed cup of coffee, and took a big swig.

"Don’t..." Keegan tried to shout, but it was too late.

Aiden Fordham turned around, his gaze steady as he looked at him, "Spit it out."

Quentin Lockwood approached Aiden Fordham, took a cigarette from his pack.

With a click, a flash of flame, and the cigarette was lit.

He took a deep drag, exhaled a heavy cloud of smoke, and then began speaking leisurely.

"The Roman Lynch you asked me to investigate; damn, he’s actually Professor Franck’s stepson."

"Miss Grant... cough, sis-in-law’s blood sample, was handed to him by his good younger brother, Leo Lynch, himself."

"The timeline matches exactly when you were both in Mardale."

As he finished speaking, Aiden Fordham and Keegan’s expressions changed, not expecting that seemingly harmless pup.

"Continue," his voice was cold as ice.

Quentin Lockwood took another drag of his cigarette, purposely dragging out the suspense, "And there’s something even more unexpected."

"This Roman Lynch is actually the Whitman family’s illegitimate child."

"Twenty-five years ago, when someone from the Whitman family was still on the rise, he got involved with his secretary, resulting in a pregnancy. Later, he fired her and gave her a large sum of money to abort the child."

"But the woman took the money and fled abroad, giving birth to the boy."

"Later, she married Professor Franck and had another son, Leo Lynch."

This time, Aiden Fordham captured the main point accurately, his eyes filled with tumultuous emotions.

"So, he deliberately arranged for Corinne Kensington to enter the Whitman family to avenge being abandoned back then?"

Quentin Lockwood flicked his cigarette ash, "That’s part of it."

"Roman Lynch has a severe heart condition and is searching worldwide for a matching donor."

It was Keegan’s turn to be shocked, and the truth struck his mind like a lightning bolt!

"So! He also inherited the Whitman family’s genetic disease, and common anesthetics don’t work for him! If he has to have surgery, he can only approach Madam to deceive her into developing a new anesthetic for him."

No wonder the people they sent out could not find that supposed patient in The Imperial Capital.

Quentin Lockwood approvingly patted his shoulder and nodded.

"Not bad, brother, it’d be a waste if you didn’t become a detective. Want to join me?"

Keegan pulled at the corner of his mouth, displaying a textbook professional smile.

"Thanks for the offer, Young Master Lockwood, once I retire, I’ll definitely report to you."

"Haha, you brat, always so witty."

Instinct told Aiden Fordham that Roman Lynch’s motives ran deeper than mere deception for anesthetics. He resented the Whitman family.

He extinguished his cigarette, then asked, "What’s the second piece of news?"

Quentin Lockwood’s smile faded slightly as he exhaled another long puff of smoke, his eyes becoming inscrutable.

He looked at Aiden Fordham, speaking slowly and deliberately.

"Aiden, you better brace yourself for this news."

"Because the impact... is beyond ordinary."

"You may have thanked the wrong person. The one who really saved you at sea in F-Country back then wasn’t Corinne Kensington."

"It was... Stella Grant."

Aiden Fordham’s pupils suddenly contracted, and the pack of cigarettes in his hand fell to the floor...