I was considering using this mod but wanted to check for AE compatibility and found your issue, maybe this can help.
I am not sure exactly how Vortex works, but with MO2 I have a USER created mod that manages all myconfig type files like in SKSE\plugin\IED for example. So, even if I uninstall it, I still need to manually remove those generated files. If "Strangers mod" inject their own settings and you using MO2, your game files will be completely isolated from mods. I believe Vortex also isolates the game running in virtual environments. It appears that there may be residual files in your mod directory rather than the game files. This issue can also occur in MO2, unless you are running a portable instance that makes each instance unique. for example, in a non-portable all of my unique character creations would share all of the mods, settings, ini's, in portables, unless I particularly copy a profile over into a new profile, it will have all new things that i will need to rebuild. Somewhere in your mod folder is some type of config file. That is the only way in which what you are describing can occur. Sadly no amount of game reinstalls will solve this as each time to add back your modlist, that folder with the config will be added back. You will need to locate it, remove it, or your start your mod directory anew. PS sorry if this sucks making sense I am pretty sleepy