Mr. Kane Got Blacklisted

Stella gritted her teeth and said, "It doesn't count! That must have been a fluke. Let's do it again-whoever gets the babies to move first this time won't have to pay for Aurora's engagement party." Keegan smirked confidently, "Alright, who's going first?"

"Me!" Stella set down the plate of strawberries, sat up straight, cleared her throat, and began, "My babies, I'm your mother. Do you want to hear a story?"

As soon as she spoke, her belly moved, though not as strongly as when Keegan had spoken earlier. It was a hesitant, light movement, but enough to make Stella excited. "Look! See that?" Keegan's confidence wavered, and with a frown, he said, "Are you mimicking my voice? Isn't that cheating?"

Indeed, after clearing her throat, Stella had spoken in a voice that sounded just like Keegan's.

Stella blinked innocently, "How is that cheating? You never said I had to use my own voice. I'm just using my strengths."

Keegan frowned, "You're taking shortcuts!"

Stella simply replied, "I won."

Keegan protested, "You're stealing the fruits of my labor."

Stella repeated, "I won."

Keegan gritted his teeth, "You also tricked them and made them experience the deceitfulness of human nature before they're even born!"

Stella only smiled, "I won."

Keegan was still resisting, "But I haven't had my turn yet! I haven't lost!"

Stella smirked, "Sweetheart, didn't you listen to the rules? I said the first one to speak wins. It's not about who shouts first. Since I've already spoken, it doesn't matter if you shout now-you'll never be first." Keegan was silent, his mouth twitching. "Are you playing word games with me?"

Stella smiled, "The rules were clear before we started. You just didn't pay attention."

Keegan, determined to win as a parent, said, "We can't settle this in one round. Let's do best two out of three. Just now was a draw, so for the next round, you have to use your own voice. Whoever shouts first wins!" Stella's eyes glinted as she suddenly said, "If you don't want to pay for your sister's engagement party, I'll do it. Why are you getting so worked up?"

"This isn't about paying-" Keegan began, but before he could finish, he noticed Aurora.

Aurora was wearing a dress, and Keegan's smile vanished. She scoffed, "Grandma's paying for the party, not you!"

Keegan paused, realizing he had fallen for Stella's playful trap. Aurora shrugged innocently, "Are you still competing?" Keegan laughed in disbelief.

Two nights ago, Stella had a nightmare and woke up crying. When she didn't find Keegan in bed, she tearfully accused him of avoiding her because he no longer found her attractive during her pregnancy. Keegan had to reassure her that he had only slept in the study because he was working late and didn't want to disturb her.

After much comforting, she finally calmed down and became clingy, hugging him tightly for the rest of the night.

Despite Stella's emotional swings during pregnancy, Keegan secretly enjoyed her clinginess. The prenatal education expert had said that pregnant women could feel insecure due to hormonal changes, causing mood swings that were often directed at the people they cared about most.

Keegan was less concerned with her temper and more focused on how much she cared about him. This realization made him happy, but he also understood that Stella would cry for him when upset and tease him when in a good mood.

Now, he was less worried about her emotional ups and downs, knowing she found ways to stay entertained without overexerting herself.

Aurora approached, holding the hem of her skirt. "How about this dress?" she asked.

Keegan glanced at the long hem and remarked, "It's very eco-friendly."

Aurora was puzzled.

Keegan added, "The skirt will clean the floor as you walk."

Aurora was speechless.

"You know nothing!" Stella lightly slapped Keegan and said kindly to Aurora, "It's beautiful, but not ideal for an engagement party. You'll be moving around a lot, greeting guests, and a shorter dress would be more practical."

Aurora suddenly realized how wrong she had been to think Stella was unworthy of her brother. She should be thankful that Stella was willing to put up with him-otherwise, with his sharp tongue, it would be impossible for him to find a wife!

"Should I go for something shorter?" Aurora asked, ignoring Keegan and seeking Stella's advice.

"It doesn't need to be too short, just above the knee. Keep the style simple and elegant, and choose colors like white, beige, or red."

Aurora tried on a few dresses from the collection the old lady had sent over, and finally, both Stella and Keegan agreed on a beige one.

As Keegan put it, "As long as you don't talk, you still look like a lady from a noble family."

Aurora wasn't too thrilled with his comment.

A bit later, Aldor arrived.

Hearing the engine, Aurora rushed to open the door without waiting for Keegan's instruction.

Keegan grumbled to Stella, "She never opens the door so eagerly when I come home!"

Stella glanced at him, "You're proud of forgetting your keys and having to ask someone to let you in?" Keegan had no response.

Aldor, always considerate, had brought skewers and even thought about everyone's preferences.

Stella noticed that while Aldor and Keegan were deep in conversation, the skewers Aldor casually handed to Aurora had their sharp ends cut off.

Traditionally, engagement parties are hosted by the bride's family. The Hart family matriarch had already coordinated with Aldor's mother regarding the guest list. Keegan was focused on Aldor's friends.

Aldor was quite popular, and many

friends wanted to attend the

engagement party..

party. Additionally, news

of his engagement to a Kane family member had prompted long-lost acquaintances to reach out, eager to attend. Keegan reserved eight tables, anticipating a larger turnout

As they discussed the details of the engagement, Aurora suddenly asked, "Should Mom come to the party?"

The room fell silent.

It wouldn't be right for Dahlia to miss such an important event in Aurora's life, but her presence could cause

complications. Since the.ComAll text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

engagement was announced, everyone had avoided mentioning Dahlia, but that didn't mean she was out of the picture. In fact, Dahlia had been reaching out ever since Aurora's engagement was publicized.

When Aurora answered, Dahlia launched into a tirade, accusing Stella of plotting to marry Auroral off so she could take over the Kane family's wealth. She belittled Aldor and even suggested a more "suitable" match for Aurora from a wealthier

family.

Aurora had hung up halfway through.

She couldn't stand hearing Dahlia insult Aldor. She had once looked down on Aldor herself, but after experiencing life from the ground up, she truly appreciated how hard it was for someone like him to reach his current position.

Aurora believed that Aldor was just as good as anyone from a prominent family. Starting from a low point and climbing high is a real achievement.

She didn't want Dahlia at her engagement party, fearing she might humiliate Aldor in front of everyone.