Chapter 133
“What is it?”
Stephen turned to look at her, but before she could answer, he added, “I have work to do. If it’s not important, let’s talk later.”
He cut her off again.
She swallowed back her frustration. “It’s nothing.”
For the rest of the day, they crossed paths in the lab multiple times, but there was no real chance to talk.
A vague restlessness lingered in Stellar’s mind.
By the time classes ended, Stephen had already left early.
Lilian and the others invited her to dinner, but she turned them down.
Her mood was complicated as she returned to the villa only to run into Stephen again.
This time, she didn’t hesitate.
Stepping forward, she handed him a neatly wrapped gift box.
“Senior, thanks for taking me home last night. I know you said I don’t have to keep thanking you, but you’ve helped me so many
times.
“This is just a small gift I made to show my appreciation. I won’t bother you anymore unless it’s something important.”
Stellar had never been the kind of person who didn’t know her place.
If someone wanted to keep their distance from her, she knew how to do the same.
With that, she turned to leave.
But just as she was about to step away, Stephen suddenly spoke from behind her.
“Aren’t you going to spend the evening with your boyfriend?”
“What?”
She froze in place.
Turning back, she looked at him in surprise. “My boyfriend?”
“That Mr. Sinclair from yesterday. You admitted it yourself.”
Stephen’s
“I never…”
expression remained unreadable, but the hand at his side curled slightly, a faint trace of sweat gathering in his palm.
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CHON 133:
20 Bonus
Halfway through her sentence, a hazy memory suddenly resurfaced in her mind.
She couldn’t help but burst into laughter, her eyes softening as her lips curved into a bright smile.
“Senior, I think you misunderstood. I was too drunk last night and must have misspoken in my daze. In reality, I’ve only met Mr.
Sinclair a few times. He’s not my boyfriend.”
As soon as she finished speaking, a flicker of surprise crossed Stephen’s eyes.
His expression visibly softened.
“It was a misunderstanding?” he asked again, as if needing confirmation. (1)
“Of course it was.” Stellar emphasized seriously.
For a moment, something rare happened–Stephen’s lips curved into the faintest smile, like ice thawing under the first touch of
spring.
His deep, enigmatic eyes lingered on her, unwavering.
Stellar suddenly felt warmth creeping up her cheeks, her heartbeat faltering in a sudden and unsteady rhythm for no apparent
reason.
It must be the aftereffects of her drunkenness from last night.
Otherwise, why did it feel like Stephen was genuinely happy to know she didn’t have a boyfriend?
That had to be an illusion… right?
“Alright.” Stephen didn’t press the matter further. “I’ll accept the gift.”
With the misunderstanding resolved, he found himself in an unusually good mood–enough to offer an unexpected invitation.
“Do you want to have dinner at my place?”
Snapped out of her thoughts, Stellar blinked in surprise. “You cook?”
Stephen couldn’t bring himself to lie.
After a brief pause, he admitted, “I can order takeout.”
Stellar couldn’t help but laugh. “How about this? I’ll cook for you instead. What do you say?
Stephen raised a brow. “Won’t it be a hassle?”
“What hassle? Last time, you treated me at the Howe Grand Hotel, and I still haven’t returned the favor. My cooking may not be
on par with a five–star chef’s, but it’s at least edible. The only question is whether Mr. Ward is willing to give it a try.”
Her eyes spark
sparkled with amusement, and now that the misunderstanding was cleared, her mood had noticeably lifted.
+20 Bonus
Chapter
“In that case, I’d be rude to refuse.”
Stephen led her inside.
The last time she had been here, she hadn’t paid much attention, her mind too preoccupied.
But now, as she took a proper look around, she realized that the villa’s design, layout, and overall style were strikingly similar to
her own home.
It was likely designed by the same architect.
Her villa had been a gift from her uncle.
What about Stephen’s?
“Senior,
did
d you buy this place yourself?” she asked, curiosity getting the better of her.
