Jack Holden paused, then asked, "May I ask who's calling?"

"Are you serious? You can't recognize my voice? It's Stella Dawson. Have you lost your mind?"

"Oh, Miss Dawson." He responded swiftly this time.

"Where is the divorce certificate?" Her voice wasn't loud, but the quiet room amplified her icy tone.

Kevin Porter kept his mouth shut-he knew better than to provoke her in this mood.

Ever since Stella had finally secured the divorce from Alexander Sterling, she had been euphoric. But now.

Alexander had better pray she didn't decide to unleash her full wrath.

Kevin muttered silently to himself, trying to blend into the background.

"Miss Dawson, as I said, my schedule has been overwhelming. Let's discuss this next month, shall we?" Jack was clearly brushing her off, his tone dismissive over the phone.

Right after saying that, he hung up. When Stella redialed, she discovered-no surprise-he'd blocked the number again.

"Whoa, careful, Miss Dawson! That's my only phone!" Kevin clung to her arm, terrified she was about to hurl it across the room.

Stella stood rigid, hands clenched into fists, trembling with suppressed rage.

"I found out something important!" Kevin blurted out hastily.

"Spit it out," her tone was sharp and demanding.

"Alexander used his connections to process the divorce without both parties being present. It's a fast-tracked, legal procedure. Since he can do it, so can we!" Kevin explained, now serious. "You already signed the agreement, so can't we just go collect the certificate ourselves?"

"Alexander's lost his mind," Stella stated calmly. "He won't allow it, and no one dares defy him."

Her phone buzzed. Distracted, she glanced down at the screen.

Another taunting message popped up in the group chat: "Stella, it's been days. Still counting pennies?"

She took a deep breath, suppressing her irritation.

"Listen up, everyone. Alexander signed the papers but is now withholding the certificate. He's doing this on purpose, keeping me in legal limbo to force me to beg. Who the hell can tolerate that?"

She fired off a rapid series of messages, her fingers flying over the screen.

Sure enough, the group chat erupted.

"What a disgusting piece of work."

"Does he think he's some kind of godfather?"

"Don't you dare beg him, Stella. I'll go teach him a lesson for you."

"If he kicks the bucket, no certificate needed, and you inherit everything, right?"

"Now that's an idea."

The comments flooded in, and Stella began reading them with newfound interest.

She typed quickly into the group: "The guy's worth billions, sure, but we had a prenup."

Meanwhile, the contact helping her with the bank cards messaged again.

"I'll make a call shortly. Have the divorce agreement ready and go collect your certificate."

"Once it's in your hands, contact me. Your card will be reactivated."

Stella Dawson stared at the two brief texts, her face instantly brightening. She gave Kevin Porter a quick, excited pat on the arm.

"Come on, Kev! To the courthouse!"

The entire errand took barely thirty minutes.

Stella stepped out holding two copies of the divorce certificate, beaming as if she'd won the lottery.

She made a quick call, waited a moment, and sure enough, a notification popped up: her bank card was officially active again.

"Perfect." Stella's eyes remained fixed on the screen, a triumphant smile plastered on her face.

After a moment, she waved a hand. "Kev!"

"What's the plan, Stella?"

"I'm officially wealthy enough to be your sugar mama now."

"Hey now, watch it-I'm premium merchandise!"

"Oh please, whatever the price, I can cover it!" She laughed, her eyes sparkling with glee.

Hooking her arm through his, Stella declared, "Let's go car shopping. Sports cars."

"Newly rich and ready to splurge-I deserve a reward!"

Later that day, Stella made a grand entrance at the mall, rolling up in a soft pink Lamborghini.

She'd been eyeing an upscale restaurant for ages-today was the day.

"Stella, your university starts tomorrow. Want me to drive you?" Kevin asked casually, playing with his chopsticks.

Leaning back, beer in hand, Stella took a slow sip and gave a slight nod.

"I have some credits to make up this semester. Need to wrap that up before I fully dive back into work."

"You'll drop me off, then link up with Rex. We need someone reliable to manage daily operations at the company."

"Don't worry, I'll transfer the necessary funds right after this."

She downed the last of her beer like a pro, radiating smug satisfaction.

Kevin nodded as if it were routine. "Understood. I'll finalize the remaining reports while I'm at it."

They refilled their glasses and clinked them together.

"To Stella's freedom!"

...

The next day-City University, the premier institution in the capital.

It was registration day. Luxury cars were casually parked near the entrance, the sons and daughters of the elite making their appearance.

Even in this gathering of brilliant minds, the scions of powerful families were ubiquitous.

No one felt the need to show off-it was unnecessary.

The three most influential families in the capital-the Sterlings, the Mitchells, and the Campbells-all had descendants enrolled here.

The Sterling Group, for instance, frequently recruited directly from City U's talent pool.

These three families held an unshakeable grip on the city's power structure, a status even other old-money clans couldn't challenge.

The capital's wealth rankings updated every three years, but these three dynasties? Untouchable.

Amusingly enough-their cars arrived almost simultaneously.

Evan Sterling and Liam Sterling stepped out, their valet waiting patiently nearby with the luggage.

"Well, what a coincidence. Seems we're all early birds," Evan said, his gaze drifting toward the Campbell family's vehicle.

Liam glanced over lazily but offered no comment.

A moment later, Lindor Mitchell strolled out of his car at a leisurely pace, also turning to look toward the Campbells' parking spot.

While they were still observing, the door of a sleek black sports car opened smoothly.

Lucas Campbell hopped out with a grin and pulled open the passenger door. "Cathy, we're here."

That single line acted like a catalyst.

Liam's face brightened, and he and Lindor both hurried in that direction. "Cathy!"

The girl wore a simple white dress, a delicate fish-shaped earring dangling beside her cheek, enhancing her soft, innocent beauty. Her features were delicate and graceful, and she carried an air of serene sweetness.

Catherine Campbell's arrival instantly commanded attention.

She might not have been the most visually striking girl present, but her pedigree made her utterly unapproachable.

The only daughter of the Campbell family, doted on endlessly by her four older brothers-she was the embodiment of envy.

Countless young men harbored crushes on her. Despite other beauties at City University, she secured the title of campus goddess with effortless ease.

In the back seat of a recently parked car, Stella Dawson lounged casually, her eyes catching the scene of Catherine standing there, encircled by her brothers. No one dared intrude.

Those four guys... they looked strangely familiar.

"Hey, Kev," she tapped the seat in front of her.

Kevin Porter unbuckled his seatbelt and turned toward her, puzzled. "Stella, what is it?"

"Look over there. The one with his arms crossed-" Stella pointed. "Doesn't he bear a slight resemblance to me?"

Kevin followed her gaze, squinting for a moment before raising his brows in surprise.

"Stella, wow, he really does! You both have those distinctly captivating eyes."

"Wait-could there be a family connection?" Kevin suddenly exclaimed, scratching his head.

"That's the fourth Campbell son. He and the youngest daughter-Cathy-are twins," Stella narrowed her eyes. "Think if I walk up and ask if he's my long-lost brother, they'll have security toss me out?"

Kevin opened his mouth to respond, but Stella had already stepped out of the car, slinging her backpack over one shoulder.

She was dressed low-key today in a basic hoodie and joggers, a black cap pulled down over her hair. Even without a trace of makeup, her tall, slender frame and graceful curves were unmistakable.

As she walked toward the university entrance, the sunlight hit her face at just the right angle-and suddenly, all eyes were drawn to her.

No one was looking at Catherine Campbell anymore.

Everyone-male and female students alike-seemed to be holding their breath, their gazes locked on a different figure entirely.

"Wow, she's breathtaking."

"Is she a student here? She looks quite young."

"Definitely not a freshman-perhaps a sophomore?"

"How can someone be that beautiful?"

The surrounding murmurs didn't faze her in the slightest. She continued forward with an air of casual indifference.

A boy quickly stepped into her path. "Hi, I'm Zack Nelson, a sophomore in the Foreign Language Department. Would you mind if I-"

"I'm a junior. Art Department," Stella Dawson replied with a polite but distant smile.

She didn't feel like elaborating. Her major was highly specialized-only one class offered in the entire university.

"Oh, you're an upperclassman! You look much younger." He gave a sheepish grin. "Could we exchange contact information?"

Stella was about to decline when Lucas Campbell unexpectedly approached.

He looked at her with a calm, assessing gaze, then offered a slight smile. "Hello. I'm in the Finance Department. Let's exchange numbers."

Zack froze, his face a mixture of disappointment and anxiety. Lucas shot him a cool glance that made him retreat immediately.

At City University, the heirs of the three great families were practically royalty. Wealthy, powerful, and each with their own distinct quirks. No one dared cross them.

The message was clear-Lucas had claimed interest in Stella. Even if Zack resented it, he had no choice but to back down.

Catherine's eyes followed her brother, eventually settling on Stella. Her heart clenched, a wave of tension washing over her.

She hurried over, reaching for Lucas's arm.

"Very well," Stella said with a soft nod, her demeanor shifting the moment she noticed Catherine's reaction.

"What's your name?" Lucas asked, eyebrows lifting slightly. "I'm Lucas Campbell."

"Stella Dawson."

"Pleasure." He grinned, putting his phone away after saving her number.

Stella slipped her phone into her pocket, turned, and walked toward the main academic building without another word.

Lucas blinked, caught off guard by her cool dismissal.

Was his status not impressive enough? He was a Campbell, for heaven's sake. He'd never been brushed off like that before.

Evan Sterling, who had been observing less than discreetly from the sidelines, froze the moment he heard her name.

"What did she say her name was?" he asked, voice tinged with shock.

His younger brother grinned, scratching his head. "She said Stella Dawson. Even her name sounds lovely."

Evan's expression shifted instantly. He fumbled for his phone and fired off a message to his brother.

"Bro, we've got a situation!"

"If you have something to say, get to the point," Alexander Sterling replied bluntly.

"I just saw your wife. Lucas Campbell started a conversation with her-and she actually responded."

"You saw Stella Dawson?"

"Yes, and she was all smiles. Pretty sure she's interested in him. What are you going to do about it?"

"How do you know her?" Alexander's response came faster this time. "And what makes you think she's flirting with Lucas?"

His fingers flew across the screen, his anger barely contained.

Damn it. First male models, now more men? How many does she need?

Evan Sterling stared at the rapid-fire texts, his eyes widening in disbelief. A low whistle escaped his lips.

Props to his sister-in-law-he'd never seen his brother this agitated. The man barely spoke this much under any circumstances.

"Of course I recognized her," Evan typed back, still somewhat amused. "She introduced herself to Lucas. I mean, she's stunning and attends City U. It wasn't hard to connect the dots that she's your wife."

Then, seizing the opportunity to provoke, he added: "You probably didn't notice, but both Lindor Mitchell and Liam Sterling couldn't take their eyes off her either."

He was mid-text when he spotted Lindor striding purposefully forward. Evan quickly fell silent and jogged to catch up.

Just after Stella walked away, Catherine Campbell caught up and grabbed Lucas's hand, her expression dark.

"What do you think you're doing?" she snapped. "Mom said you're supposed to focus on your studies, not pick up random girls!"

A note of unease crept into her tone as she added, "Delete that girl's number. Now."

Lindor had drawn closer by then. As his eyes landed on Catherine's upset face, his expression softened.

Her eyes were slightly red, lips pressed tight in frustration-yes, she was clearly bothered by Stella Dawson.

No one enjoyed being overshadowed.

If he confronted Stella, Catherine would surely be grateful.

That thought alone filled Lindor with smug satisfaction.

Without another word, he spun around and rushed forward, cutting Stella off just before she could get far.

"Hey! I'm talking to you!"

He thrust an arm out to block her path. Stella glanced up, brows furrowing as she took in Lindor's arrogant posture.

His entire demeanor screamed troublemaker, as if he went out of his way to provoke others.

With a slight roll of her eyes, she moved to step around him-which only infuriated Lindor further.

"Are you deaf or just stupid? I told you to stop!"

As the youngest Mitchell, Lindor was notorious for his hot temper and lack of self-control.

Seeing Stella ignore him, he instantly lifted his foot, aiming a kick at her knee-likely intending to force her to her knees.

But Stella? She calmly sidestepped the attack without so much as a flinch.

Honestly, it happened too fast for anyone to clearly see how she avoided it.

"Ah-!" Lindor Mitchell missed his step and landed flat on the ground, a complete mess.

It felt as if he'd been subtly tripped from the side, his leg smacking hard against the pavement with a dull thud. He practically sprawled at Stella Dawson's feet.

She paused, a flicker of amusement in her eyes, and let out a light laugh.

"I don't believe we've met. What's with the dramatic gesture?" Stella smiled innocently. "You're really making me uncomfortable, you know."

Shrugging, she bent slightly and patted his back in an exaggeratedly polite manner. "If you plan to kneel before me next time, perhaps give me some warning? Dropping like that is rather unsettling."

Her fingers, cool and casual, brushed lightly across his still-handsome face.

By the time Lindor had gathered his wits, she was already long gone.

His lackeys finally scrambled over, panicking as they hauled him up from the ground.

"Careful! Damn it-my leg!"

"I SAID be gentle! Are you freaking deaf?!"

He roared in pain, face contorted with a mix of fury and humiliation as he clutched his leg as if it were shattered.

One moment he was all arrogance, the next he looked utterly pathetic.

"Tch. Pathetic." Catherine Campbell scoffed, then yanked Lucas Campbell in the opposite direction without a backward glance.

"Wait, Cathy, listen-" Lindor panicked.

He seemed to forget his injury, hopping awkwardly after her with a miserable, pleading look.

Liam Sterling quickly closed the distance to Catherine, his grin a blend of excitement and obsession. "Cathy, let's go together."

Evan Sterling rolled his eyes at the spectacle, frowning in utter disappointment.

Was his younger brother always this much of an embarrassment?

What was so special about Catherine? Why were all these men chasing after her like whipped dogs?

"What happened over there?"

Emily Dawson rushed to the entrance, only to see the crowd beginning to disperse.

"Not sure, but Young Master Mitchell just took a nasty fall," someone answered dismissively.

"Lindor Mitchell?" Emily's eyes lit up.

What a perfect opportunity.

She quickly adjusted her outfit and strutted forward, her voice dripping with sweetness.

If Alexander Sterling wasn't an option for now, perhaps another wealthy heir would do.

Lindor, limping and sulking while leaning on a lackey, looked up and noticed Emily approaching. She wasn't a stunning beauty, but her soft, seemingly innocent aura had its appeal. And the way she looked at him with open admiration? Well, that certainly stroked his ego.

"Hello, Mr. Mitchell, I'm Emily Dawson." Emily smiled shyly. "Would you mind if we exchanged contacts?"

He might still be hung up on Catherine, but there was no harm in keeping other options open.

"Sure, why not? I'll give you a chance." He flashed a smug grin. "Emily, was it?"

Meanwhile, far removed from the chaos, Stella sat in a quiet corner of the campus, calmly pulling out her phone.

She had no idea about the budding connection between Lindor and Emily-and frankly, she couldn't care less.

Unhurried, she dialed Kevin Porter's number.

"Look into which hospital Catherine Campbell was born at, and her exact date of birth."

"Stella, are you thinking she might be..."

"Keep it quiet for now."

"Alright, I'll dig into it. Oh, and by the way, Aidan Campbell was ranked the wealthiest man the year before last, but he got knocked down to second place-dethroned by Alexander Sterling!"

Kevin sounded excited over the phone. "Stella, if this turns out the way we suspect, you might end up being the heiress sister! I mean, if not his daughter, being his sister is still an incredible twist!"

"Just go and verify it," she replied with a soft sigh, cutting off his enthusiasm.

Ending the call, she aimlessly climbed the steps of the academic building.

After her class, she headed straight back to the dormitory.

Stella Dawson majored in sculpture. At City University, the arts department was relatively small, and very few students were enrolled in this specialization.

Their sculpture class had only one cohort, so all the students were familiar with each other.

Last semester, Stella had skipped classes for two whole months.

Given the small number of students, her absence was noticeable to everyone.

Thus, her sudden return to the dormitory somewhat stunned the other girls.

"No way, Stella, you're actually back?"

"Stella, perfect timing-take a look at my design sketch for today. What do you think?"

The girls gathered around her happily, chatting away.

.

Alexander Sterling had been staring at his phone for a considerable time, his annoyance palpable.

His brother had sent him a message, and it had been left unanswered. Now it only fueled his suspicion.

"Stella Dawson." he muttered, his brow furrowing. "Didn't she only complete primary school?"

Jack Holden looked stunned. He cautiously clarified, "At the very least, compulsory education covers middle school."

"Then how is she a student at City University?"

"She's been seen with male models and even conversing with Lucas Campbell?"

It was as if he were talking to himself, yet he kept locking eyes with Jack, seeking confirmation.

Jack finally dared to voice his frustration: "Sir, she's your wife, not mine."

Seriously, how would I know the details of her personal life?

He didn't know Stella well and had no insight into her current activities.

Even if she were unfaithful, it wasn't his place to comment.

Alexander's face turned cold. He stared Jack down, who immediately recoiled.

"Sorry, sir. I misspoke-I meant your ex-wife," Jack quickly corrected, keeping his head lowered.

Alexander's eyes narrowed. "Did you finalize and deliver the divorce certificate to her?"

"No, sir."

"Then she is not my ex-wife!" His voice was sharp and biting. "We are still legally married. What gives her the right to act so freely behind my back?"

"She led me to believe she had only a basic education. Claimed she could barely read."

"She might as well have told me she was a street performer."

Jack looked horrified as he risked a glance at the furious Alexander.

The boss was truly enraged this time-he'd even likened Miss Dawson to a street performer. He was completely unraveling.

Just as Alexander was about to unleash more anger, his phone rang-it was Mr. Sterling.

He really didn't feel like answering, but ignoring his grandfather was not an option.

"Yes, Grandpa? Is something the matter?" Alexander took a deep breath, striving for a calm tone. "I'm preparing for a meeting shortly."

Mr. Sterling snorted. "Always the 'meeting' excuse, isn't it?"

"Why don't you just say you're off giving birth?"

Alexander awkwardly rubbed his jaw, his anger cooling slightly as he attempted diplomacy. "What is it, Grandpa?"

"I can't reach Stella. What is that girl up to?"

"She's likely preoccupied with her studies lately."

"Busy? Her number is out of service!"

"What?" Alexander blinked, clearly taken aback.

"Be honest with me-did you two have a disagreement? Did you do something to upset her?"

That was a perilous question. Mr. Sterling was certain to reprimand him if he answered incorrectly.

"No, I did not," Alexander Sterling replied firmly without hesitation.

He paused briefly, then added, "Her previous phone was malfunctioning, so I arranged a new one for her and neglected to inform you."

"I will send you the new number shortly."

As he ended the call, he turned his icy gaze back to Jack. "Why was I not informed that she changed her number?"

Jack was momentarily stunned, then quickly dialed Stella Dawson's current number.

The automated "number not in service" tone sounded, and he gasped. "Mr. Sterling, her number really has been changed!"

Alexander maintained his frosty glare.

"I-I genuinely wasn't aware she had changed it," Jack stammered in his defense.

"Find her new number immediately. Don't tell me you didn't connect with her on social media either?"

"...No."

"So you have no means of contacting her whatsoever?"

Jack nodded, visibly guilty.

"And what, precisely, is your function here?"

How was I supposed to know the boss would suddenly take such an interest in Miss Dawson's contact details?

Jack muttered under his breath and, unable to restrain himself, said aloud, "She's not my wife..."

If Stella were his wife, he certainly wouldn't be this oblivious.

His boss was completely losing his composure-first assuming Stella had minimal education, now expecting him to know her every move?

As his internal grievances mounted, a dangerous aura suddenly permeated the room. Jack snapped back to attention.

Alexander glared at him as if contemplating murder. "Consider your bonus for the next six months forfeit."

"I was wrong! Mr. Sterling, please! I'll find her number immediately!"

Jack could only watch helplessly as his boss turned and walked away.

Still, even with the heavy penalty, he had to admit-speaking his mind had felt liberating.

...

Evan Sterling was slouched at his desk, bored, propping his head up with one hand when his phone buzzed.

It was finally a message from Alexander: "Keep a close watch on Stella. I will not tolerate any indiscretions. I refuse to be humiliated."

"If she so much as looks at another man, ensure she is... restrained."

"If you are incapable of this, do not bother returning to the Sterling family."

The class was tedious enough to induce sleep, but reading his brother's severe texts, Evan's eyes widened in disbelief.

He reread the messages several times.

What is wrong with my brother? Nearing thirty and having a pre-midlife crisis?

"Bro, how did you ever manage to get married?" Evan replied, barely suppressing a laugh.

A man with his brother's abysmal social skills ought to have remained perpetually single.

When he received no response, Evan sent another message, smirking: "Oh, that's right. It was an arranged marriage."

Otherwise, there was no conceivable way his brother would have wed.

Alexander saw the irritating message and nearly stormed into City University to throttle Evan on the spot.

But he took a deep breath, steadied himself, and casually inquired, "How do you know she's at City University? I was under the impression she only had a primary school education."

The moment he sent it, he regretted it.

Sure enough, Evan replied with a slow, sarcastic sticker that read: "Bro, are you suffering from cognitive decline?"

He'd been waiting for the perfect moment to use that sticker, and now was it.

Then followed a stream of unsolicited advice: "Listen to me, bro. When it comes to matters of the heart... perhaps delegate that to someone more capable, alright?"

Alexander didn't bother reading it fully. He blocked Evan immediately, seething.

Evan saw the failed delivery notification, frowning as he rubbed his chin.

Seriously? He blocked me over that?

He'd never seen Alexander this unsettled before.

Stella must truly be a force to be reckoned with.