Chapter 1996
"Keegan?" Darcie's voice was tinged with uncertainty. She thought, 'It's unusual for Keegan to be with
Jaylene so late.'
"Why do you have Jaylene’s phone?" she inquired.
Stella, mimicking Keegan's voice, explained, "Jaylene had too much to drink. I brought her to my place
to help sober her up. She didn't want to go home in this state, fearing you'd be angry."
Darcie frowned, "Keegan, bringing Jaylene to your place is inappropriate. You're engaged to Stella,
even if just in name. It looks bad. Send her home now."
After a feigned pause, Stella replied, "I planned to, but Jaylene insisted on staying, not wanting to upset
you while drunk. Don't worry; Aldor's here too. It won't affect Jaylene's reputation."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtDarcie was silent for a moment. Just as Stella thought she had been persuaded, Darcie said, "Turn on
the video call. I want to see Jaylene."
Stella, maintaining her composure, agreed, "okay."
The call ended, and Darcie's video call request soon came through on Jaylene's phone.
Stella, caught in a bind, neither answered nor disconnected.
Holding Jaylene's phone, she turned the flashlight to its brightest and, with the persistent ringtone
echoing, messaged Keegan on WhatsApp: [Darcie called Jaylene's phone, she wants a video to see
Jaylene's condition. We need to wrap this up quickly.]
Keegan swiftly replied: [OK.]
The unanswered video call left Darcie hanging up and calling back. The once mundane ringtone now
echoed ominously, heightening Stella's anxiety.
Shortly after, Keegan emerged from the room. Stella went upstairs with Jaylene's phone to brief him on
the situation.
Just then, Keegan's phone rang with Darcie on the line. He gestured for Stella to stay quiet before
answering.
"Keegan, why didn't you answer the video call earlier?" Darcie asked sternly.
"I was about to, but Jaylene's phone died," Keegan replied calmly.
Darcie's brows knitted together, "Your voice sounded different before."
Stella's heart pounded. Imitating a male voice as a woman was challenging, especially in maintaining
the lower pitch and nuanced characteristics of Keegan's voice. While she had captured Keegan's vocal
traits accurately, the imitation was not flawless, especially when compared to the person being imitated.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAnyone listening intently to the voice might notice the pitch discrepancy.
Stella had hoped Darcie would not detect the difference over the phone, but the woman was
exceptionally perceptive.
Keegan, however, remained composed, "Does it? I think it's the same. Maybe it’s the echo in the living
room. The new house is quite spacious."
Darcie paused, pondering his response. After a moment, she said, " I'll add you on WhatsApp for a
video call. I want to see Jaylene."
"Alright," Keegan agreed.
After hanging up, Stella exhaled in relief.
Keegan accepted Darcie's WhatsApp request, and she initiated a video call immediately. He answered,
greeting her calmly, "Hello, Darcie."