Forgotten Love: Mr. President, Mrs. Fordham Has Rejected You!-Chapter 196: I Just Want to Rekindle an Old Flame

Chapter 196: Chapter 196: I Just Want to Rekindle an Old Flame

The news that Aiden Fordham and God N are not actually divorced was like a depth charge going off underwater, blasting every lurking netizen out into the open.

The winds of public opinion shifted at lightning speed, pointing straight at Corinne Kensington.

"So, Corinne Kensington is the obvious homewrecker?"

"Even if she’s now the Whitman Family’s heiress, it doesn’t change the fact that she interfered in someone else’s marriage."

Best Actress Kensington’s fans refused to back down, their fighting spirit off the charts.

"The official announcement is the real deal; the one unloved is the third wheel."

"We only acknowledge President Fordham and Corinne’s official announcement. That God N is the one who was officially divorced—whoever wants to accept her, go ahead."

Fans on both sides were tearing into each other all over the major platforms, creating chaos.

And the leading man in all this—Aiden Fordham—naturally became the main target for criticism.

His indecisiveness was at the root of all the turmoil.

In a hailstorm of curses, Aiden Fordham’s official account dropped an update.

"I just want another chance. From now on, there’s only her."

Two short sentences, no elaborate explanation, but a stubbornness that brooked no refusal.

Public opinion exploded all over again.

In the Sterling Family villa living room, the mood was so heavy you could practically squeeze water out of the air.

The Monroe Family had just stepped out, and right after, Stella Grant was immediately surrounded by the four Sterling elders.

Mrs. Sterling held up her phone, Aiden Fordham’s post burning and glaring from the screen.

"You want another chance too? Hm?"

Stella looked at her mother’s tense face and shook her head without hesitation.

"Nope. Can’t chew it."

Five words, firm and loud.

The taut air in the living room seemed to loosen, just a bit.

Mr. Sterling let out a long breath, finally sitting back down on the sofa, opening his mouth in a fatherly, earnest tone.

"Daughter, that’s the right attitude."

"Once a man cheats, there’ll be a first—and then endless times after."

He looked at Stella, his eyes full of pity.

"All that mess between him and Corinne, it’s been fermenting online for ages."

"Now that woman’s the Whitman heiress? She’ll definitely keep stirring up trouble—let’s not get dragged into this muddy water."

Stella nodded like mad, showing she agreed.

Seeing this, Mrs. Sterling quickly shifted the topic. "I thought that Young Master Monroe today was pretty nice."

"Good looks, great background. Miss Monroe said he’s never even had a girlfriend—I think he’s worth considering."

Stella had just picked up her glass and almost choked, something just felt off here.

Vivi Sterling chimed in first, sharp as ever.

"Mom, Stella’s God N, and Monroe’s big business is healthcare. Isn’t that just a wolf spotting a juicy sheep?"

"And besides, how do you know that Monroe guy isn’t here to scam a marriage or a kid?"

"Think about it—a guy who’s twenty-six and never had a girlfriend? Is that even scientifically possible? What if he’s got issues?"

Mr. and Mrs. Sterling were instantly stumped.

Why did that sound so familiar?

Mrs. Sterling recovered and quickly tried to smooth things over. "Well... just more observation, then. No need to rush."

Mr. Sterling nodded, "Right. I’ll have someone check up on him. Can’t afford to be careless."

He fretted to himself—wouldn’t want a repeat of the Hugh Whitman fiasco.

Not only would the cabbage be gone, even the baby bok choy would get snatched away.

The thought made him shiver inexplicably.

Then Mr. Sterling whipped out his phone and dialed a number.

After it connected, his face went serious, voice official.

"Hello? Sanitation Bureau?"

"Someone dumped trash right outside my house. Mind sending someone to clean it up?"

"Yeah, that Fordham guy—that’s the one. Haul him in to pay the fine."

Vivi Sterling was left dumbstruck, then gave her dad a big thumbs up.

This move was just too genius.

Late at night.

Keegan Lindsey had just finished his shower, wearing only deep blue boxer briefs.

Yawning, he slipped into his warm bed, but before he could even get comfortable, his phone at the bedside started vibrating like crazy.

After the call, he was totally dazed.

In the end, all he could do was crawl out from under his blanket, throw on some clothes, and brave the cold to rush over to the sanitation bureau and pay a fine for an urgent complaint.

Stella Grant returned to her room.

On the balcony floor, a dozen paper airplanes still lay scattered.

She walked over quietly, collecting each one with gentle hands.

Glancing down at the garden, she froze.

In the night, Mr. Sterling was down on the lawn with four bodyguards, carefully using a big cardboard box to collect the paper planes from the grass.

On each plane, Stella’s name was written—not one was tossed in the trash.

Because he knew just how much his daughter treasured the first paper plane Aiden Fordham once gave her. She’d looked at it for fourteen years.

Stella’s eyes instantly reddened.

The next morning.

Stella woke up to fresh floral scents.

As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw a bouquet of barely blooming lilies sitting on her nightstand—the stalks still beaded with dew, and in the air, that familiar, crisp cedar scent lingered.

Her heart dropped hard.

Striding into the bathroom, she looked in the mirror. Sure enough, there was a faint red mark on her fair neck.

That crazy bastard—he really came last night...

The snow in The Imperial Capital was still coming down hard.

Selene Sloan sat at her daughter’s bedside, feeling like her world had collapsed.

After finding out her daughter had been violated, she held Corinne Kensington and sobbed for ages, utterly heartbroken.

In the end, it was actually Corinne who comforted her.

"Mom, I’m okay. It doesn’t hurt anymore."

She said it with eyes red as a rabbit’s.

"I just don’t know if Aiden... will still marry me."

Selene Sloan perked up at this, immediately drying her tears, eyes suddenly steely.

"Don’t worry. Those videos—your brother’s already sent someone to recover them. Aiden Fordham will never know about this."

"I’ll make sure he marries you. As long as he shows up at the recognition banquet, he’ll be my Whitman son-in-law."

"And your father will put pressure on him, too. The Fordham Group has lots of business in the Imperial Capital, all under your father’s jurisdiction."

Corinne nodded seriously at her mother’s reassurances, finally feeling a bit more secure.

At that moment, Hugh Whitman’s slender fingers clutched a freshly printed report, his expression dark enough to wring water.

Without a second’s hesitation, he strode up the steps of a private jet bound for Meritopia.

That evening was Damian Hawthorne’s birthday party, held at the top-floor crystal banquet hall in Stellario Hotel.

The rooftop garden was dreamily decorated, complete with a shimmering swimming pool.

The event hall was always closed to the public—everyone present was either from Young Master Hawthorne’s elite circle or close business partners.

Just after eight, chic guests mingled, sipping drinks and laughing quietly.

By the main stage, birthday gifts for Young Master Hawthorne were piled into a mini-mountain.

When Vivi Sterling, Stella Grant, and Claire Norton showed up, the noise at the door paused for a split second.

Claire Norton looked like a fairy-tale princess—a fitted, blue off-shoulder dress showing off her shapely figure.

Vivi Sterling and Stella Grant were more casual, but still stole the spotlight.

Stella was stunning as ever, while Vivi’s naturally beautiful bone structure made her a walking clothes hanger.

Just standing there, the three of them were a vivid and luxurious painting.

The crowd buzzed with whispers.

"That’s God N. Oh my god, in the flesh."

"She’s President Fordham’s wife now—the most distinguished woman in Meritopia, right?"

"She looks a thousand times better in person! That cold vibe is unreal."

"That Eldest Miss Sterling is gorgeous too. I heard she broke off the engagement with the Grant Family—think she might have a shot with Young Master Hawthorne? He’s been visiting the Sterling house a lot lately."

As the gossip flowed, Damian Hawthorne finally arrived.

He wore a perfectly tailored custom black suit, his frame tall and broad, exuding an effortless alpha aura with every step.

His handsome face looked almost sculpted under the lights—except his deep eyes were colder than the night itself.

Hooked on his arm was a woman in a plain white dress—her face unfamiliar, pretty and fresh, with clean brows and the innocence of a college student.

She gazed up at Damian, eyes sparkling—overflowing with admiration and pride.

The guests quickly crowded around, and the party grew lively.

Damian’s lips curved into a polite smile.

"Thanks, everyone, for coming to my birthday party."

His gaze fell on the woman by his side, and his voice gentled. "This is my girlfriend, Miss Nancy Summers."

"Wow!"

"Young Master Hawthorne’s girlfriend is so pretty!"

"Congratulations, Young Master Hawthorne!"

The flattery swelled all around.

Claire Norton stood frozen, watching the two of them lit up at the center like the perfect couple.

The light in her eyes faded, bit by bit.

He... has a girlfriend?

And she’s THAT pretty, that perfect?

"What the hell—girlfriend?"

Vivi Sterling was about to blow a fuse, her voice shooting up a notch.

"So what does that make our Claire?"

She started elbowing through the crowd to confront him, but Stella Grant caught her wrist first.

"Vivi." Stella’s voice was soft but steely, leaving no room for argument. "Tonight is Young Master Hawthorne’s event—don’t make a scene."

She turned to pale-faced Claire, her tone gentle.

"Let’s go grab something to eat, okay?"

The three made their way through the crowd, heading to a quieter, dimmer spot by the food.

Claire did her best to seem casual, staring hard at the colorful array of snacks.

She soon piled up a plate with fancy treats and started wolfing them down.

Stella watched, her brow creasing.

"Don’t eat too many sweets. You’ll get a stomachache tonight."

Just then, a low, gentle male voice sounded nearby.

"Stella."

It was Aiden Fordham. He dressed casually today, but his aura was as impressive as ever.

Stella looked his way, then got up and walked toward the small rooftop garden.

Aiden briskly caught up, joy clear in his deep eyes.

They reached a quiet corner on the terrace. Stella spun around, face cold, and demanded:

"What’s up with Damian Hawthorne? Bringing his girlfriend publicly—doesn’t he know Claire likes him?"

Aiden’s face was blank, like it was some random issue.

"He’s never been a good guy."

"He swaps girlfriends every three months—Claire and him won’t work out."

Still, the good thing is, he’s generous to every girlfriend—car, apartment, breakup payout—he always settles everything, never any lingering drama.

Stella gave him a pointed look. "You’re not a good guy either."

"Why did you announce we’re not divorced? We already signed the agreement."

Aiden actually smiled, lips turning upward with smug satisfaction.

"Yes, we signed."

"But then I asked the lawyer to add The Sovereign Estate and Aeria Mall to the appendix. Dividing assets got too complicated, so I just tore it up."

Stella stared, face growing even colder.

"Aiden, stop doing those pointless, wasteful things."

He just laughed, the mirth not reaching his eyes. Suddenly he reached out and pulled her into his arms, holding her tight.

"Stella, that’s how I show you how I feel."

He lowered his head, warm breath against her ear.

"Do you like it? Is it romantic? Are you even a little moved?"

She pushed hard but couldn’t budge him an inch, so she spat out two icy words.

"Childish."

He flashed a dangerous, seductive smile. "Come on, let me see how stubborn you really are."

With that, he bent down and kissed her.

Heat and sweetness flooded her lips, his clean, woody scent dominating her senses.

"Aiden—" Stella’s mind went blank.

This guy, here of all places, actually...

Stella couldn’t move at all, her small hands pinned by his big ones.

His kiss was forceful, all hunger and possessive, greedily tasting every bit of her sweetness.

He was obsessed with her delicious, sugary flavor.

Any wandering guests who saw the scene hurriedly backed away.

Magnate Fordham, back at it again—torturing single people...