Chapter 279: Chapter 279: Good Mood
After that, Stella Sterling’s attention was clearly elsewhere.
However, she didn’t let on that anything was amiss in front of Gideon Ford.
They exchanged a few more pleasantries, sticking to ordinary topics unrelated to the base’s affairs. The atmosphere between them grew increasingly relaxed.
Gideon Ford looked at Stella Sterling with growing admiration. ’Such an outstanding woman. If it weren’t for that incident back then, she would likely be our daughter-in-law right now.’
’What a shame...’
’In the future, it would all depend on whether his son had what it takes to win her over. If not, well, so be it.’
Although it was a shame, it didn’t change his positive impression of Stella Sterling. Maintaining a friendly relationship in the future would be fine too.
After a few conversations, Stella Sterling could tell that he truly meant her no harm.
While she remained vigilant, her attitude was much more relaxed than before.
By now, how could she fail to see that he hadn’t sought her out to discuss base affairs, but to talk about her and Gordon Ford?
’It was even highly probable that Gordon Ford had put him up to this. Otherwise, why would he? He’s an elder, we’ve had no prior interactions, and there would be no reason for him to go out of his way to say such things to my face.’
’It was as if he was saying it all just for me to hear.’
’If she couldn’t figure out the scheme here, she would have been wasting her life all this time.’
Thinking of this, she tapped her fingers lightly on the table. The way he had spoken so directly and passionately that one time was something she had never seen from him before.
Even back when they were together, Gordon Ford had never been like that.
But after she had knocked him out and sent him away last time, the man had simply disappeared. There had been no news, and he hadn’t come looking for her again.
She had thought he wouldn’t make another move. She never expected that while he hadn’t appeared before her, he was still making plenty of small moves in the shadows.
Thinking of this, Stella Sterling suddenly smiled. At this moment, her mood was surprisingly good.
’If he had come looking for me again right after that, I would have just found another way to knock him out and send him away—’
Gideon Ford didn’t understand why the young lady in front of him suddenly smiled. Seeing that she seemed to be in a good mood, however, he didn’t disturb her.
However, Stella Sterling always had excellent control of her emotions, so she quickly returned to her usual composure.
Seeing the somewhat teasing smile on his face, Stella Sterling pretended not to notice. "I’ll have some tea sent to you when I return to Caeluna, Mr. Ford. I have other business, so I’ll be leaving now."
"Alright, I’ll be waiting for that tea from you, young lady. Don’t forget, now!"
"But whether or not you and that boy of mine are destined to be together, you were still his classmate. I can be considered your elder, so... forgive me for being a bit forward, but would you mind calling me ’Uncle,’ young lady?"
Gideon Ford said with a hearty chuckle.
’Relationships are built one step at a time,’ he mused. ’First, I’ll get her to call me ’Uncle.’ Then, if my son puts in a little effort and manages to win her over, she’ll be calling me ’Dad’!’
’The thought of such a beautiful, capable, and normally aloof young woman standing in front of him and calling him ’Dad’ was really quite appealing.’
’Nope, nope, that boy of mine had better step up.’
’He was dying to see what this guarded young lady, who was so reluctant to even call him ’Uncle,’ would look like when she finally called him ’Dad’.’
Stella Sterling was oblivious to these strange little schemes brewing in his mind. She considered it for a moment, then changed her form of address. "Uncle Ford."
When Gideon Ford heard Stella Sterling finally relent, he was so happy he couldn’t hide the grin on his face.
Having said it, Stella Sterling turned and left.
’It’s just a title. What difference does it make what I call him?’
’Calling him ’Uncle’ doesn’t change anything. It can’t influence anything.’
’So she really didn’t understand what he was so happy about!’
’The man was older than her own father. It was no skin off her back to call him that, and it’s not like he was gaining some big advantage.’
’She truly didn’t understand what he had to be so happy about!’
When she left the office, Ethan Young was still waiting outside.
A hint of surprise flashed in Ethan Young’s eyes when he saw her.
Stella Sterling was still Stella Sterling, but for some reason, he felt that something was different about her.
’She seemed to be in a very good mood.’
He didn’t know what they had discussed inside, but when the door opened, he had seen out of the corner of his eye that his superior’s face was also wreathed in smiles.
It was a kind of warmth and affability he had never seen from the man before!
The sight filled him with questions. ’Could they be a long-lost father and daughter?’
’But based on what he knew, they didn’t look alike at all, so that seemed unlikely.’
In the end, he didn’t ask anything, simply saying, "I’ll escort you out."
He had waited here specifically so he could escort her out once she was finished.
After all, this was the very heart of Meridia Base, with guards posted everywhere and security mechanisms in place.
Someone unfamiliar with the area could easily make a mistake, trigger a mechanism, or be seen by others and cause a misunderstanding.
"Thank you."
Sarah Sterling nodded, not refusing the offer.
With Ethan Young leading the way, getting out would certainly be easier. It was always best to have as little trouble as possible.
As Stella Sterling made her way out, she saw her long-haired neighbor from her previous visit.
The neighbor was quite surprised to see Stella Sterling coming out of that office. He then saw Ethan Young beside her, nodded to him, and headed inside.
"You know him?" Ethan Young asked. "He’s a key scientific talent our base is currently cultivating."
Stella Sterling nodded. "You could say that. The last time I was visiting Meridia Base, he happened to be staying next door."
Ethan Young nodded in understanding and didn’t press the matter. After escorting Stella Sterling out, he took his leave.
There were many outsiders at the base today and a lot of things to handle. After a quick word with Stella Sterling, he hurried away.
Stella Sterling followed the address Louis Grant had given her and found his accommodations.
It wasn’t early, just in time to head over for dinner and have a get-together with her two friends.
As expected of a well-connected "princeling," Louis Grant’s place was far more spacious and luxurious than the one she had spent a fortune in points to rent back then.
Not only was it fully furnished, but it was also equipped for cooking simple meals.
Louis Grant had used his parents’ connections to get his hands on some ingredients. By the time Stella Sterling arrived, Vivian Larkin was already there, and the two of them were bustling about in the kitchen.
They just looked utterly flustered and inept.
In a matter of moments, a bowl was broken, vegetables were poorly washed, a pot was burning, and Louis Grant nearly sliced his own finger. It looked as though they were on the verge of blowing up the kitchen.
Vivian Larkin wasn’t faring any better.
