Chapter 86: Stefan is Back

She radiated an overwhelming aura, making Kashi and Helen feel like they were facing a murderer. Terrified, they turned and ran, bumping into Yuna, who was rushing over. They fell to the ground, quickly scrambled to their feet, and fled the courtyard without looking back. Irene watched their retreating figures, her face expressionless. She was never one to have a good temper. She had always pretended to be kind around Madame Kashi, afraid of scaring her. Today, she lost her composure. Outside the courtyard, Helen clutched her phone and ran into their luxury car. They hurriedly locked the doors and, trembling, called the police. "Help! Someone is trying to kill us!" Irene followed them out, her pace unhurried, and tapped on the car window expressionlessly. Helen, too scared to speak to the police on the phone, screamed, "Drive! Drive now!" Kashi, sweating profusely, frantically searched himself but couldn't find the keys. He cried out in despair, "Where are the keys? My keys!" Irene's beautiful yet fierce face reflected on the car window. The dark-tinted glass made her look like a vengeful spirit. In Helen's terrified eyes, Irene slowly raised her hand, revealing a set of keys dangling from her slender fingers. Helen and Kashi screamed in unison. Kashi cursed repeatedly, while Helen sobbed uncontrollably. At that moment, a large hand grasped Irene's wrist. The hand was strong, with long, beautiful fingers. A familiar scent of cologne wafted over, and a deep, magnetic voice asked, "What's wrong? Who bullied you?" Everyone was stunned by the series of events, watching in a daze. They couldn't help but question: "Her? Bullied?" Irene looked up. It was a familiar, handsome face. Stefan. He was still wearing a custom-made suit, his features calm, his deep ocean-like eyes fixed on Irene, filled with silent longing and love. Irene snapped back to reality and turned her head away. She felt her earlier violent urge to kill subside. She hadn't felt wronged, but Stefan's question stirred something different in her heart. After hesitating for a while, she looked up at Stefan and nodded. Tony, Stefan's business partner from Country Y, took two steps back. Although it was a luxury car, it couldn't block out the terrified screams of the couple inside. Tony felt a bit dazed. Did he not understand the language of Country Q well enough? He clearly heard them shouting for help. Was this the fragile girlfriend Stefan mentioned, who could be scared to tears by a rabbit? Irene turned her head and saw an international guest with a horrified expression. She paused, then casually smiled and greeted him, "Hello, are you Stefan's friend?" Stefan's gaze lingered on Irene and Tony's clasped hands as they shook, his voice low, "Sort of. This is Tony. He wanted to ask for your help after hearing about you." Irene's demeanor softened considerably. After all, this was the second client for her agency. Tony quickly let go of her hand, having felt Stefan's piercing gaze, and thought to himself how petty Stefan was, even jealous over a handshake. Irene discreetly smirked. Helen's cries for help came from inside the car, "Help! Save us!" Stefan's attention was drawn to them, and he frowned, recognizing the couple. He hadn't known much about Kashi before, but because of Irene, he had looked into her background and remembered her foster parents. Stefan's eyes swept over Madame Kashi, who was clutching her chest in the courtyard, and he quickly assessed the situation. He said coldly, "Take the troublemakers away." Irene glanced at Tony, who had retreated further back, and smiled lightly, "Thank you, but there's no need. It's just a family matter, a bit complicated." Tony sighed in relief. He had seen similar situations in his own country, so he somewhat understood. Irene tapped on the car window again, causing Helen to scream. "Will you come back and cause trouble again?" Helen shook her head frantically, making it clear she was scared out of her wits. Irene coldly watched them, then placed the car keys on the ground. After calming the neighbors, she led Stefan and Tony back into the courtyard. Helen sat crying in the passenger seat, talking on the phone. Her face was dark, her eyes fixed on the road ahead, looking somewhat unhinged. "I'll see if her livestream can withstand an investigation by the 'internet police'!" Kashi glanced at her and, unusually, didn't object. Meanwhile, Stefan looked at Irene, his eyes curious despite not asking anything. Irene felt an uncommon sense of shyness, "What are you looking at? He's your grandmother's son. I can hit him, but if your bodyguards did, it would upset her." Stefan chuckled softly, "Alright, as you say." He was referring to earlier when he wanted to have his bodyguards teach the couple a lesson or make them disappear, but Irene had stopped him. Tony stood at a distance, keeping away from the couple. He thought to himself how much he had witnessed today, more than enough. Irene quickly walked over to Stefan, who smiled at her. Irene indeed had another plan. As she entered the courtyard, she said, "How could you doubt me? It really hurts." Tony observed the two, squinting slightly. Stefan's company was highly respected in Country Y, with countless young, beautiful women dreaming of catching his eye for a Cinderella story. But Stefan had always been cold, like a block of ice. It turned out even a stone could thaw and melt; it just needed the right person. Irene entered Madame Kashi's room and smiled, "Please wait a moment, both of you. Grandma, could you please serve some tea and snacks to our guests?" Madame Kashi, clearly in a bad mood, forced a smile and turned to attend to the guests. Irene pulled Emma aside and found the hidden contract in the wardrobe. Holding the thin piece of paper, Irene's smile turned cold. How calculating. In the living room, the atmosphere between Stefan and Madame Kashi improved. Stefan had noticed her mood and used Irene's stories to draw her out, successfully making her laugh. Madame Kashi, seeing Irene return, chided her lightly, "How could you leave your boyfriend alone? Really." Stefan chuckled, "Grandma, you were keeping me company." Madame Kashi beamed at Stefan. What a good child, she thought. So young, and already so considerate.