Chapter 102
Before she even realized it, her mood had lightened, and the tension in her features had melted away.
“Senior, thank you for teaching me all this.”
Before she even realized it, her mood had lightened, and the tension in her features had melted away.
A radiant smile spread across her face–so bright that in Stephen’s eyes, it outshone the stars above.
“There’s no need to keep thanking me. Friends don’t count favors,” he said naturally.
“Besides, you helped me land that project–think of this as returning the favor.”
His words warmed her heart
The term friends had a nice ring to it.
“That’s true. In that case, I won’t hold back in the future.”
Glancing at her phone, she added, “It’s getting late. I should head back.”
Stephen walked her to the door.
Just as she was about to leave, he suddenly spoke.
“I’ll look into it. I’ll find the evidence.”
Stellar paused, momentarily caught off guard, before realizing he was talking about the human traffickers.
She told him someone had set her up, that she was determined to uncover the truth.
And not only did he believe her, but he was also willing to help.
A warmth spread through her chest.
She almost thanked him again but remembered what he’d said about not needing gratitude.
So instead, she smiled.
“I’ll be counting on you then, Senior.”
“Mm.”
His deep gaze followed her until she stepped inside, only then did he close the door.
The moment Stellar entered her home, a voice suddenly floated in from the side.
“Miss, you seem awfully close with the gentleman next door.”
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Chapter 10
She jumped, startled.
Turning her head, she found Mary standing beside her, watching her with a look of intrigue.
Stellar had no idea when Mary had gotten so close.
“Miss, some men are nothing but trouble. You shouldn’t trust them so easily.”
Mary was beside herself.
Stellar had only just started enjoying life, and now some man was already trying to snatch her away?
She couldn’t allow that!
She had to tell Claude about this and have him look into that man next door.
Stellar pressed a hand to her chest, torn between amusement and exasperation.
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“Mary, how do you always move around so quietly? Besides, he’s just my senior who happens to live next door, and we only
talked for a bit. It’s not what you’re thinking…”
“Just a senior?”
Mary’s doubt was written all over her face.
Mary’s skepticism was plain to see.
She wasn’t blind–Stellar had been gone for nearly an hour, and when she came back, her mood had noticeably lifted.
“..Yes!” Stellar quickly changed the subject.
“Alright, Mary, stop overthinking things. He has a girlfriend.”
Mary narrowed her eyes but before she could say more, Stellar added, “I’m feeling a little hungry. Could you heat up some food
for me?”
At the mention of food, Mary instantly dropped the subject and bustled off. “I’ll get it ready right away!”
Only when she left did Stellar finally breathe a sigh of relief.
She wasn’t sure why she had been so flustered.
They were just friends, after all.
The next day, when Stellar arrived at school, she could immediately feel the weight of countless gazes on her.
Clearly, the news from yesterday’s interview had spread.
People must have learned, at least in part, about her situation.
Balling her hands into fists, she braced herself.
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She knew this day would come.
She took a deep breath, recalling the past–the judgmental, disgusted, and condescending stares she had once endured alone.
But things were different now.
She had family, friends, and a strong support system behind her.
She could face this.
As soon as she stepped into the research group’s lab, Lilian’s expression shifted.
After a brief hesitation, she walked over, a slight frown on her face.
“Stellar…”
