Forgotten Love: Mr. President, Mrs. Fordham Has Rejected You!-Chapter 202: The Eldest Miss Whitman Is Stella Grant
An image suddenly crashed into her mind without warning, startling her...
A very tall mahogany desk.
A little girl wearing a fluffy princess dress, struggling to climb up.
Her small hand pressed into the inkstone, the ink cold to the touch.
After climbing onto the desk, she couldn’t stand steadily, her little feet stepped right into the ink, and then "splatt" left an impression on the clean rice paper.
She seemed to think it was fun, squatted down, and her ink-covered hands smacked the paper, "slap" "slap."
At that moment, a beautiful woman quickly walked in.
She wasn’t angry, scooped the little girl into her arms, her voice full of affection.
"Oh, my little rascal."
"Dare to run into grandpa’s study to make trouble, look at you, you’ve turned into a little dirty cat."
The scene disappeared as quickly as it appeared.
Stella Grant’s heart was fiercely twisted, making her fingertips tingle with pain.
She involuntarily reached out, her fingertip lightly caressed over the glass of the picture frame, on two words.
Dearest.
Her eyes suddenly felt hot, instantly turning red.
Behind her, a gentle male voice suddenly rang out.
"Have you seen this painting before?"
Stella turned around, a tear unexpectedly rolled down her cheek...
Ethan Monroe watched her uncontrolled demeanor, his heart tightened, and he urgently questioned.
"Did you remember something?"
Stella quickly wiped the tears from her face, feigning calmness.
"I just feel this painting is very familiar."
But her appearance was hardly believable.
Ethan’s heart stirred with excitement, he pointed at the painting.
"This is Master Sloan’s work, the little footprints on it were left by his lost little granddaughter."
Master Sloan?
Stella’s mind suddenly flashed with Roman Lynch’s words about a highly respected elderly man.
Unexpectedly, Ethan revealed even more surprising news.
"Indeed, Master Sloan is Mrs. Whitman’s father. The little footprints were left by the Eldest Miss Whitman when she was playful as a child. Later, after she went missing, the old man was heartbroken and gravely ill several times. Eventually, he miraculously recovered and inscribed ’Dearest’ on this painting, hanging it here ever since."
Stella stepped back in shock, as if all strength had been drained from her.
It was... the Eldest Miss Whitman.
At that moment, a warm round of applause erupted at the center of the hall, with all the guests converging toward the spiral staircase.
Mrs. Whitman was gracefully escorting Corinne Kensington down the stairs.
Corinne wore a custom blue gown, sprinkled with fine diamonds, reflecting dazzling light under the chandelier, appearing radiant and stunning.
She slightly raised her chin, basking in the spotlight, resembling a queen’s arrival, engulfed in lavish attention, the undisputed focus of the entire event.
Everyone crowded around her, compliments and praises surged in waves.
Mrs. Whitman wore a fitting smile.
"Some distinguished guests are yet to arrive, please feel at ease, the party will officially start shortly."
Even so, they still gathered tightly around Corinne, like the stars surrounding the moon.
"Young Master Monroe, aren’t you going to chat with the Eldest Miss Whitman?" Stella Grant withdrew her gaze, with a hint of teasing in her tone.
Ethan’s glance was indifferent, casually sweeping toward that direction.
"I have no feelings for her."
Stella was momentarily stunned.
Just then, Vivi Sterling rushed over, quickly whispered a few words into her ear.
Seeing this, Ethan wisely found an excuse to leave.
"Master Sloan has arrived."
Someone shouted from the crowd, prompting Mrs. Whitman to immediately move with Corinne to greet him.
Corinne instantly toned down her flamboyance, becoming gentle and docile, truly resembling a well-educated noble lady.
Soon, Abel Whitman, the head of the Whitman Family, took the stage.
Standing at the top of the steps, in a well-tailored gray suit, he appeared handsome, with a dignified presence seasoned by time, exuding a tremendously commanding aura.
It was evident that the Whitman offspring had exceedingly superior genes.
He picked up the microphone, his stable voice echoed throughout the hall.
"Thank you all for attending the Whitman Residence, here for my daughter’s recognition banquet."
He extended a hand toward the stairway.
Corinne immediately lifted her skirt, walking over with joy.
Abel’s large hand tightly enveloped her small one, his voice filled with irrepressible excitement.
"Today is the auspicious day when our eighteen-year-long wish is fulfilled! Our lost and regained precious belle has finally returned home! This is the generous gift from heaven, the ultimate blessing for the Whitman Family!"
"We host this banquet to share the joy of reunion with all of you, tremendously grateful for your presence to witness this event!"
As soon as he finished, waiters served a champagne tower.
He handed a glass to his daughter, holding another for himself.
"As parents, we hope our daughter finds her other half in life, together writing the vibrant Chapters of life. Our daughter’s happiness is our greatest fulfillment."
"A toast to express gratitude. May joy linger, sharing beauty! Please enjoy!"
Having said that, thunderous applause ensued, the head of the Whitman Family and everyone shared the first glass of wine.
Stella Grant and Vivi Sterling stood in the corner, watching Corinne basking in glory on stage, feeling slightly uncomfortable.
"Truly the phoenix soaring to the top of the tree."
Vivi Sterling curled her lips into a cold smile, lowered her voice.
"Soon, let her taste falling from the pedestal."
Just after the first toast, suddenly, a series of discordant phone alerts sounded throughout the venue.
From all directions.
Many people’s phones received the same message simultaneously, which, when opened, revealed a video.
An extremely scandalous video, featuring Corinne Kensington with three well-built men, though the scenes were pixelated, her mesmerizing face was crystal clear, the scene spectacular.
The guests erupted instantly into chaos, buzzing with discussions.
"Am I seeing things? Is this the Eldest Miss Whitman? Truly appalling!"
"Is this acting or real? My heavens!"
"How could she make such a thing, utterly embarrassing, can’t even bear to watch."
"Stop watching, it’s eye-searing! The daughter the Whitman Family just claimed is such a disgrace!"
"This time, the Whitman Family’s reputation is ruined."
Meanwhile, Aiden Fordham’s car was slowly entering Whitman Manor, his phone also received the video.
With just one glance, his face turned grim, his surrounding pressure dangerously low.
This woman, so indecently promiscuous.
The butler, pale-faced, dashed onto the stage, whispered a few words to Abel Whitman, and discreetly handed over his phone.
After only one glance, veins throbbed at Abel’s temples, his anger restrained, he spoke four words.
"Humiliation and disgrace!"
Having said that, he angrily left the stage.
Mrs. Whitman sensed something was wrong, immediately approached her daughter to inquire.
"What’s going on?"
Corinne Kensington saw the video on the phone screen and her mind exploded like a bomb.
How could...
Her face turned as pale as paper, frantically grabbing her mother’s hand, she screamed loudly.
"This video is fake! Photoshopped! Someone deliberately targets me! That’s not me! The person inside isn’t me!"
Nearby, Master Sloan’s face had turned dark red, trembling with anger, it was utterly shameful.
Suddenly, Corinne went berserk, her gaze fixed on Stella Grant and Vivi Sterling in the crowd, charging toward them.
"It’s you! You two bitches deliberately sabotaged me! Did you send the video?"
Vivi Sterling crossed her arms standing there, smiling mockingly.
"Where there’s doubt, there’s usually truth. Never thought the Eldest Miss Whitman had such a great figure."
"Vivi Sterling!"
At this moment, Corinne Kensington was completely panicked, disregarding her image, and shouted out loud.
"How dare you slander me in such a setting? Mom! Quickly have someone arrest her! She’s framing me!"
Mrs. Whitman quickly approached, her sharp gaze fixed intently on Vivi Sterling, her tone unfriendly.
"Did you post the video?"
Vivi Sterling, however, smiled.
"Mrs. Whitman, do you have any evidence?"
Mrs. Whitman’s tone became even harsher.
"Miss Sterling, please go on stage and clarify immediately, or else you won’t leave the Whitman family’s premises today!"
"Mom, don’t be hasty."
Hugh Whitman didn’t know when he had come over. He glanced at the chaos in the venue and said to his mother.
"President Fordham will be here soon; let’s wait for him."
Upon hearing this, Corinne Kensington nearly lost her mind.
"Brother! That video, Aiden cannot be allowed to see it! Quickly have them delete it! Arrest that woman; she wants to ruin me, ruin our family’s reputation!"
Hugh Whitman paid her no attention at all.
Corinne Kensington completely lost control, pulling Vivi Sterling’s arm, attempting to drag her onto the stage.
Just then, Hugh Whitman made a sudden move.
He swiftly protected Vivi Sterling’s waist, pulling her into his embrace, while his other hand grasped Corinne Kensington’s wrist with such force it seemed as if it would break her bones.
"Ah!"
Corinne Kensington screamed in pain and was forced to release Vivi Sterling.
Hugh Whitman’s eyes were cold as he warned, word for word.
"You have no place to act insolently in the Whitman family."
Vivi Sterling straightened up from his embrace, gently prying away his hand still around her waist, and said lightly.
"Since I’ve come, it seems like a good opportunity to speak a few words on stage."
With that, she adjusted her dress and went straight to the stage.
Her actions immediately drew everyone’s attention, and the room fell silent.
She slowly picked up the microphone and began to speak.
"It’s an honor to attend the Whitman family’s recognition banquet. I didn’t expect to stumble upon such a scandal."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd.
"I hope everyone listens carefully to what I’m about to say because I’ll only say it once."
In the audience, Hugh Whitman watched her closely, uncertain of what she planned to do.
But he remained vigilant, his gaze locked on her, fearing any mishap.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Eldest Miss Whitman before you is not only beautiful and a great actress, but there’s something very important I believe you all aren’t aware of yet."
Vivi Sterling’s voice rang clear and loud.
"It’s that she shamelessly took credit for another person’s achievements, masquerading as the lifesaver of Magnate Fordham, enjoying four years of unearned gratitude, and even had the audacity to intrude into another’s marriage, utterly despicable!"
"I’m done, thank you."
Vivi Sterling gave a charming smile, nodded slightly towards the audience, and gracefully walked off the stage.
The crowd erupted into even louder murmurs after a moment of stunned silence.
"Oh my God, I can’t believe the Eldest Miss Whitman is such a person; this is atrocious!"
"Stealing credit and pretending to be the magnate’s savior?"
"A woman like this truly brings shame; I’d never dare marry her."
Just then, the crowd parted to form a path.
Aiden Fordham was walking along that path, moving against the light, each step landing heavily on everyone’s hearts.
The pressure around him was daunting, and his handsome face was as cold as ice.
He had clearly heard everything.
Upon seeing him, Corinne Kensington’s smug expression instantly froze, turning into extreme panic.
She gathered her dress and stumbled forward.
"Aiden!"
She grabbed onto Aiden Fordham’s arm, her fingertips trembling.
"What Vivi Sterling said is all false, don’t believe her, she’s spewing nonsense!" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚
"Back then in F-Country, I was the one who saved you, really, it was me! Everyone saw it!"
Aiden Fordham’s gaze moved past her, not sparing her even a glance.
He simply shook off her hand without mercy.
Corinne Kensington staggered, nearly falling.
Stella Grant stood a short distance away, witnessing the scene, her heart tightening into a knot.
Who will he believe?
Mrs. Whitman hurriedly approached, her face filled with a fawning smile.
"President Fordham, you mustn’t believe these baseless rumors."
"We know our Sierra too well; she wouldn’t do such things."
Aiden Fordham remained indifferent.
He went directly on stage and picked up the microphone.
His mere presence caused the entire banquet hall to fall silent.
His icy gaze swept across the crowd.
"From this moment on."
His voice carried clearly through the speakers to everyone’s ears.
"If I hear any further rumors about the Eldest Miss Whitman, I won’t be lenient."
The room fell silent.
Everyone’s hearts skipped a beat, realizing they dared not further indulge in the scandal; President Fordham intended to openly protect her.
It seemed the marriage alliance between the Fordham and Whitman families was a done deal.
Aiden Fordham continued to speak, his voice emotionless but undeniably authoritative.
"The title ’Eldest Miss Whitman’ is noble."
"I won’t allow anyone, in any manner, to slander or gossip about her."
Corinne Kensington’s once despairing heart was reignited with hope.
Aiden was speaking for her!
He still believed her!
He’d still marry her!
She looked at the tall and imposing figure on stage, her rock, and immediately felt at ease.
However, hearing these words, Stella Grant’s face lost all color.
So, in his eyes, the title ’Eldest Miss Whitman’ was so noble.
Then what about her?
She couldn’t stay any longer and turned away, desperate to escape this suffocating place.
As she turned, a figure leapt down from the stage.
Aiden Fordham’s burning hand suddenly grasped her icy wrist.
His grip was strong, impossible for her to shake off.
He pulled her around to face everyone again, speaking into the microphone to finish his statement.
"However—"
"The Best Actress Kensington before you isn’t the real Eldest Miss Whitman."
He paused, and each word landed like a heavy blow.
"The real Eldest Miss Whitman is her, Stella Grant."
"She is the moon in the sky, pure and flawless, untouched by dust."
"And above all...she is the goddess of my heart."
Boom!
His words were like a thunderclap, exploding through the banquet hall.
Everyone was stunned, including Stella Grant, whose wrist he held tightly.
Countless pairs of eyes, filled with shock, curiosity, and inquiry, were fixed on Stella Grant’s beautiful yet pale face.
Mr. and Mrs. Whitman were even more incredulous, their mouths agape, as if they could fit an egg inside.
"Wow!" Vivi Sterling gasped, covering her mouth in surprise, her eyes wide open.
