Chapter 95
Stellar flinched, startled, and quickly turned around, only to find Stephen standing beside her.
She had no idea when he even got there.
“Senior…”
She blinked at him suspiciously.
“You heard everything just now?
“Hmm. I happened to be in the restroom.”
Stephen’s tone was casual as if it were just a coincidence.
ellar’s eyes gleamed with a mischievous glint.
Well, I guess you saw through me.” She let out a small chuckle.
“I was bluffing to see how she’d react. Turns out, she folded instantly. If I actually had proof, I wouldn’t have let her off so
easily.”
Someone who couldn’t focus on their research and instead schemed to sabotage others‘ work wasn’t worth any sympathy.
Just having her step down from the project while still keeping her spot as a graduate student was already giving her more mercy
than she deserved.
“Senior, do you think I was too harsh?”
Her eyes shimmered with mischief, not at all apologetic.
Instead of coming across as cunning, it made her seem playful–almost impossible to dislike.
Stephen pushed aside the fleeting thought that crossed his mind and cleared his throat.
“You did nothing wrong. There’s no reason to feel guilty.”
It seemed she already learned how to navigate the real world.
But rather than using it to harm others, she had simply learned to protect herself–something everyone should know how to do.
Stellar’s smile widened, her mood instantly lifting.
“If you say so, then I won’t overthink it.”
Stephen unconsciously took in the image of her smile, as if tucking it away in his memory.
Then, after a brief pause, he suddenly asked, “Are you free later?”
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Stellar nodded without hesitation.
“My tasks are all wrapped up, so I can leave early. Do you need my help with something, Senior?”
“Hmm. I want you to come with me somewhere.”
Stephen handed her a document as he explained, “Brighton Group is looking to bid on a prime piece of land–perfect for buildin
an aeronautics research facility.
“The project organizers are hosting an event tonight, more like a networking banquet. There’ll be a lot of people, and since
you’re more familiar with the area, I figured you could give me some insight.”
Hearing that the land was tied to aerospace research, Stellar’s interest was piqued instantly.
“Alright, I’ll go with you.”
“Meet me in the parking lot in thirty minutes.”
With that, Stephen turned and left.
Stellar returned to her desk, quickly scanning through the project details before packing up her things and heading to the parkin
lot.
Just as she was about to walk toward Stephen’s car, a petite figure suddenly rushed up and latched onto her arm.
Lilian’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Stellar! You promised me–once we finished this project, we’d go out and celebrate tonight!”
“Oh…”
Only then did Stellar remember their plans..
She suddenly found herself in an awkward spot, glancing between Lilian and Stephen’s direction.
“Sorry, Lilian, I have something important to take care of tonight. How about I make it up to you another day?”
“Something important?”
Lilian narrowed her eyes suspiciously, scanning the parking lot, only to spot Stephen leaning casually against his car, tall and effortlessly refined.
In an instant, realization dawned on her.
With a knowing smirk, she shot Stellar an amused look.
“Ah, I see now. Priorities, huh? Say no more–I won’t be the third wheel. Have fun!”
Before Stellar could even explain, Lilian turned on her heel and bounced away, waving over her shoulder.
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Chapter
Stellar was speechless
She sighed, feeling both exasperated and helpless. Where did she even get these ideas from?
Pushing the thought aside, she made her way to Stephen.
He gave no indication of whether he had overheard the conversation.
Without a word, he pulled open the car door for her.
“After you.”
Stellar couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted.
Ever since last night’s dinner, Stephen’s attitude toward her seemed… different.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the event venue.
The place was bustling with people.
Many of them were well–known figures in the business world, some even familiar faces Stellar had crossed paths with before.
But among the crowd, one stood out the most–Percy.
She wasn’t particularly surprised to see him.
For all his faults, Percy wasn’t completely incompetent.
He must have caught wind of the land auction early on.
Besides, with the Moore family’s steady decline, he wouldn’t pass up an opportunity like this.
Still, as far as she was concerned, she had already agreed to help Stephen, so she wasn’t leaving without securing this deal.
Across the room, Percy’s gaze drifted over the crowd only to land on the one person who outshined everyone else.
For a split second, he completely forgot where he was.
