Married to a Secret Billionaire (Stella Taylor)

Chapter 136 The State of Your Engagement

Chapter 136 The State of Your Engagement

Stella was momentarily stunned when Audrey approached her, and they shared a big hug.

"Stella, it's been so long! Haven't you missed me at all?"

Stella chuckled and playfully pinched Audrey's little nose.

"Of course I missed you! Life felt less exciting without your chattering in my ear."

Audrey's eyes sparkled with delight as she let out a joyful giggle.

However, Stella could not help but notice the middle-aged woman standing behind Audrey.

Despite her well-maintained appearance for her age, her short, wavy hair, the boldly branded suit, and

the Herm®s limited edition bag hanging over her shoulder combined to give her an outfit that felt

somewhat peculiar and comical.

"Ahem!" The woman cleared her throat pointedly.

Audrey promptly pulled her over and introduced her to Stella. "Stella, this is my mom. She's here in

Eldoria to visit me!"

Stella was surprised to learn that this was the Martinez family's matriarch.

Aren't the Martinez family known for their prestige and wealth? It's a bit unexpected to see someone

adorned in brands from head to toe...

To avoid appearing impolite, Stella maintained a reserved smile.

"Ms. Opal Moss." Audrey playfully grimaced. "This is Stella. She's my closest friend here in Eldoria!"

Opal removed her sunglasses and appraised Stella from top to bottom.

So, this is Stella. The woman who has stolen Noah's heart and turned him into a lovestruck husband,

making the famous Noah Martinez live a low-profile life in Eldoria. Stella Taylor?

Opal frowned.

At a glance, she could not discern anything particularly exceptional about Stella. She remarked that

Stella was slender, with a delicate, clean appearance and finely chiseled features.

However, compared to the women Noah had associated with in the past, she believed Stella fell far

short of their standards!

Hmph, I didn't expect this little white rabbit to manage to catch Noah's attention!

"Mom!" Audrey nudged Opal, giving her a meaningful look. "Don't stare at people like that!"

"Oh, my apologies!" Opal quickly composed herself, putting on a friendly smile. "Miss Taylor, you're

absolutely stunning, and this cafe is delightful! You must be quite accomplished!"

Stella offered a bashful smile and gestured for Opal to take a seat.

They settled in the courtyard, basking in the warm sunlight. The late summer air carried a hint of

crispness while the irises swayed gently in the breeze.

Stella engaged in a brief exchange of pleasantries and was about to stand up to prepare coffee at the

cafe when Noah emerged from the shop.

"Honey, the cookies are done!"

Opal was taken aback by his appearance.

In a simple T-shirt, jeans, and an apron, he seemed like a man who embraced his inner child, dashing

about with enthusiasm.

Seeing Stella, Noah smiled and gave her a playful little head bump, kissing her cheek.

His sunny smile was a sight Opal had never witnessed at home.

She was shocked, momentarily unable to collect her thoughts.

On the other hand, Noah was equally taken aback when he noticed her.

After a brief pause, his face lost the smile and reverted to its usual cold and guarded demeanor.

Stella smiled and linked her arm with him. "Darling, this is Audrey's mother. She came to Eldoria to visit

Audrey."

Audrey hastened to clarify. "Oh... Mom, his name is... Liam Anderson. He's Stella's husband."

She emphasized the name "Liam Anderson" strongly.

Opal reacted swiftly and immediately smiled, addressing him as "Mr. Anderson."

Noah maintained a stern expression, nodding slightly.

Stella gave an embarrassed smile.

She was well aware that her husband possessed many admirable qualities, but his initial expression

when encountering strangers was consistently bewildering to people.

"Darling..." She gently tugged at him. "How about you bring us some cookies? We've baked cranberry

cookies this time, and Audrey loves them."

"Sure." Noah agreed in a nonchalant tone before turning to go inside.

Audrey exchanged a glance with Opal and told Stella, "Stella, I need to use the restroom!"

Stella was momentarily surprised but was then led by Opal to continue their conversation, unable to

continue with making coffee.

She smiled and decided to sit in the courtyard to chat with Opal.

Once Audrey was inside, she immediately spotted the broad back of the man behind the bar. As she

quietly approached, Noah suddenly turned and fixed his icy gaze on her.

The girl's heart trembled intensely, and she nervously called his name. "Noah..."

His expression darkened, and he questioned, "Why did you bring Opal here?"

Audrey anxiously waved her hands in denial.

"I didn't intend to do anything! Noah, you should thank my mom. If it weren't for her intervention, Gwen

would be the one visiting today!"

"What?"

Noah raised an eyebrow, and his gaze turned even darker and more intense. Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

"She knows?!"

"She probably doesn't know you're here. I've been in Eldoria for a while, and she's been talking about

coming to keep me company. I had no choice but to bring my mom here."

He nodded, and his furrowed brows relaxed slightly.

"Don't worry. Although my mom tends to nag a lot, she knows precisely when to speak and when to

hold her tongue." Audrey assured Noah.

He did not have much to worry about this aspect either, given Opal's kindness to him over the years.

However, he could not shake the unease about so many people coming to Eldoria.

"If there isn't anything else, get back to your seat." His expression softened. "Uncle Christopher and the

others still believe I'm in Mintwale. It might arouse suspicion if you keep visiting Eldoria."

"He still thinks you're in Mintwale!" Audrey grinned. "Have you forgotten that my mom is a computer

genius? Those videos of you feeding pigeons in the square, which ended up in Uncle Christopher's

hands, were all her doing! He can't tell the difference."

Noah nodded in acknowledgment as he looked at her. "Pass on my thanks to Opal."

"My mom says we're all family, so no need for thanks!" she replied.

He chuckled and patted her shoulder.

However, Audrey broached a rather sudden topic. "Noah, are you not planning to return to Emberfall?"

Noah furrowed his brow and gazed at her with confusion.

"Gwen has been quite persistent lately. She's always inquiring about you and bringing up the

engagement. Noah, I understand your feelings for Stella, but what do you plan to do about your

engagement with Gwen?"

His eyes tensed, and his demeanor swiftly turned stern.

"When did I ever have an engagement with the Kent family?!"

Noah's actions were somewhat forceful, and he accidentally sent the coffee pot crashing to the floor

with a resounding noise, creating a mess on the ground.

Audrey stood there timidly, her complexion paling, not daring to utter another word.

Since meeting Stella, the mere mention of engagement had become a painful subject for him.

In truth, it was not a formal engagement he had willingly accepted, and there had been no clear

indication from both families to solidify a marital alliance.

However, due to Gwen's longstanding closeness to Noah since their school days and the compatibility

of their families, their parents had subtly arranged it this way.

He held no affection for her to the extent that he could not even recall her appearance clearly.

Before meeting Stella, he had assumed that his choice of a life partner held little significance. But now,

he wished for nothing more than to be solely with Stella after meeting her.

"What's going on?" Stella arrived in response to the commotion and beheld Noah's ashen face, Audrey

standing frozen at the side, and the shattered coffee pot.

Oh, no!

Stella could not help but wonder if his temper had flared up once more, causing Audrey to be

frightened again.