Chapter 176: Hidden affection event

"Something that belongs to your life outside this room." Tom announced and Stella’s expression changed. She blinked and a small frown made its way onto her face in confusion.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

Then without further ado, Tom reached into his pocket and pulled out a phone... He handed it to her and Stella could it was her phone.

She was taken aback. The question formed clearly on her face before she could speak it, so he answered first. But not until he sat on the edge of the bed, resting his elbows loosely on his knees, and began to explain without rush.

"I went to your place. As I expected, your housekeeper was worried... Really worried that you weren’t one to go out without telling anyone and even left your phone. Thankfully, she already knew me. When I told her you sent me, she let me take the phone." he said.

Stella’s gaze went to the phone and she heaved a heavy sigh. Tom continued;

"She was concerned about you, but I assured her you are fine."

Stella blinked. For a moment she said nothing. She only looked at him, her eyes holding emotions she did not pour into words. Surprise and gratitude. Then she looked back at the phone.

Tom’s voice became more gentler as he continued;

"There’s one thing I’ve learned from dealing with different struggles, It’s better not to avoid them for too long. When you avoid something, you leave it unattended. And while you’re looking away, it grows bigger." he said.

Stella looked up at him again and he held her gaze.

"Put yourself together and face it. Your world is still waiting for you." He added.

Stella remained silent, absorbing the words. Then the System spoke in Tom’s mind.

```

[HIDDEN AFFECTION EVENT COMPLETED]

Target: Stella Marchetti

Rewards:

$1,000,000

Club Management Insight (Passive)

Problem Solver (1x Daily)

Physique Refinement 50%

```

Tom was completely surprised. He did not fully understand what a Hidden Affection Event even was. He decided to ask later. For now, the timing alone told him enough. Whatever he had just done had mattered.

Meanwhile, Stella drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then she nodded.

"I feel encouraged by what you said," she admitted. "I won’t run from my world anymore. I’ll face whatever comes with my full chest out." she said quietly firm then she unlocked the phone. She saw different missed calls: from her personal assistant, her management, and other numbers that belonged to the life she had stepped away from overnight. She dialed her personal assistant first.

The woman picked up immediately, and her voice came through, tight with worry.

"The media is on fire," she said.

Stella’s tone stayed calm as she replied; "I can guess that much."

"No, no... I mean... Not in the way you’re thinking." the other woman said and Stella noticed her voice coming out excited to even form coherent sentences.

Stella frowned slightly. "How?"

"Put on your data and see for yourself." The other woman maintained.

Stella ended the call. For a second she only looked at Tom, as if needing quiet confirmation before she opened that door. He gave her a small encouraging nod.

She turned on her mobile data. And Notifications arrived in a rush. Blog posts, with different headlines, shared screenshots... The broken engagement was already public, carried across multiple pages with her pictures and Adrian’s name circulating beside them.

But there was a surprising thing.. The angle was not only scandal. Several blogs framed the decision as better than walking into a broken marriage. Some praised her for taking a hard decision despite Adrian’s status. A few called her a woman who knew what she wanted. In the comment sections, younger fans were already calling her a role model for refusing to stay where she was no longer sure.

Stella read through the posts, and her expression changed. Surprise morphed into a warmer demeanor. A small smile pulled at her mouth before she turned the phone toward Tom.

He glanced through and read enough to understand and felt genuine happiness for her.

"This is good." He smiled at her.

Stella stood up immediately and announced; "I need to go home."

Tom smile grew bigger and he said immediately as well, matching her energy;

"I’ll drive you."

~~~~~~~~~~~

After dropping Stella off, Tom headed toward the club site. And that was when he finally called on the System.

"Explain... That Hidden Affection Event. Was it a glitch? I didn’t complete any mission." he pointed out.

[No, there was no glitch.] The system replied and began to explain;

[Hidden events are not assigned in advance. They trigger when Host takes an action that genuinely moves a fully recruited harem member.]

[Stella Marchetti is already recruited.]

[She is part of the investment subsystem.]

[When Host strengthened her emotionally and returned her to her world instead of keeping her hidden, the event completed.]

A pleasant grin broke out on Tom’s face as he listened carefully as the System continued.

[Rewards issued:]

[$1,000,000 has been transferred.]

[Club Management Insight is now passive... With it, Host will understand club operations, weak points, and logical decisions more clearly.]

[Problem Solver can be used once per day. When activated, Host will see the best available solution to a present problem.]

[Physique Refinement 50% has begun. Presence, body definition, and overall physical sharpness will improve as Host continues normal body fitness activity.]

Tom’s mouth open in excitement as he processed it all. The money was one thing, that huge of a reward... And the club insight would matter every day from now on. Then there was the Problem Solver ability which was the kind of tool that could change difficult situations smoothly. As if those weren’t enough, the physique refinement was still included.

That was such a thoughtful, elaborate package for an event that didn’t require much effort from him.

He muttered under his breath, completely to himself,

"Okay, I love this investment subsystem... So much."