Chapter 308: Chapter 308: A Chance to Live
Afraid that Stella Sterling would actually pull the trigger,
the Sterling family’s voices grew frantic. They were desperate to prove that they had no such intentions.
But no matter what they said, Stella Sterling just watched them with a mocking smirk, her expression never wavering.
Marcus Sterling and Wanda Larkin could only keep trying to justify themselves, periodically throwing in comments about how guilty they felt.
But after saying just a few words, Evan Sterling looked into Stella Sterling’s cold, indifferent eyes and realized something: this sister he had never met before knew everything.
From the moment she first saw them, she had known what was in their hearts.
She saw all their schemes and had simply been playing along with their act.
Or rather, Stella Sterling wasn’t playing along. She was like an outsider who knew the role each of them was playing, coldly observing the entire spectacle.
She was waiting for their performance to reach its climax, for the moment they had even fooled themselves, only to step forward and viciously shatter their facade.
He had always considered himself clever, the smartest of the Sterling family, but now he realized that this sister he’d never met was the most intelligent one of all.
Everyone had just overlooked her in the past.
For the first time, he found the person before him terrifying. ’My petty little schemes were never hidden from her for a moment.’
At that moment, he understood completely. ’Stella Sterling doesn’t give a damn about family ties. Playing the sympathy card is useless; she won’t let us go.’
At this thought, he, paradoxically, became completely calm.
He looked at Stella Sterling and said calmly, "I’m backed by Sanctyr Base. If you let me go, I can provide you with considerable benefits."
"Moreover, I’m in the middle of an experiment at Sanctyr Base that is extremely important to them. If something happens to me, they will launch a thorough investigation, and it will lead right to you."
"You dealt with Sanctyr Base’s leader, Miles Sanctus, at the Apocalypse Summit, didn’t you? You should know how powerful they are. Offending them will do you no good."
Hearing this, Stella Sterling turned to Evan Sterling. There was a smile in her eyes, but it was a chilling one, and her tone betrayed no emotion. "Are you threatening me? I’m sorry, but I’m the kind of person who isn’t afraid of threats."
"Besides, I’ve already offended this base you’re talking about. I’ve even offended their leader. So, really, adding you to the list doesn’t make a difference to me."
Evan Sterling was taken aback by her words, unable to tell if she was bluffing or telling the truth.
’How could that be possible? If Stella really offended Miles Sanctus, a man like him would have come looking for trouble long ago. Things wouldn’t be this quiet.’
Anxious, he shook his head. "It’s not a threat, it’s a negotiation. After all, killing us won’t do you any good. And no matter what, we’re family, bound by blood. Just let us go."
"Sorry, that’s impossible."
She shook her head, cruelly rejecting his plea. Evan Sterling’s expression darkened in an instant.
He had never imagined before coming here that this sister would be so difficult. Not only was she ruthless, but she was also completely unyielding.
Even when facing her own family, she showed not a trace of affection.
’Are all the people who’ve made a name for themselves in this apocalypse this cold-blooded and ruthless?’
He wanted to make one last struggle for himself. "Even if you aren’t afraid of offending Sanctyr Base, would you be interested in an experiment I’m conducting?"
"This is the apocalypse. What’s most needed right now is power. Once this experiment is complete, I’ll be able to develop an entire legion of superpower users."
"With a legion like that, you can imagine what a formidable force it would be in this new world."
"If you’re willing, I will defect from Sanctyr Base and pledge my loyalty to you immediately."
Evan Sterling paused before continuing, "I admit, I had my own selfish reasons when I said I wanted to come work for you. But I’m being sincere this time. Just spare our lives."
This time, he had thrown all his bargaining chips on the table. He stared at Stella Sterling, his heart pounding.
Stella did narrow her eyes when she heard this. After rescuing those six people, she already knew Sanctyr Base was conducting human experiments.
’What a coincidence,’ she thought. ’So Evan Sterling is involved in this too.’
Stella Sterling watched him, taking in his expression, and chuckled. "I don’t care. And I don’t need it."
Evan Sterling’s eyes widened. He couldn’t believe Stella Sterling was completely unfazed. ’Doesn’t she realize what this means?’
He wanted to say more, but Stella Sterling cut him off impatiently. "Shut up. You’re being loud."
"I don’t care what kind of power you had before. Now you’re on my turf, so you listen to me. Everything you’ve said is utterly useless to me."
Evan Sterling’s breathing grew ragged. He was on the verge of a complete breakdown. "Then what do you want? Are you really going to kill your own father, mother, and brother?"
"You can’t do this!"
Mr. Quinn and Mrs. Sterling stared blankly at Stella Sterling, their eyes filled with fear and pleading.
Stella Sterling curled her lip. "Could you please not look at me like that? Remember, you’re the ones who did wrong, not me. You’re the ones who deserve to die. Don’t act like I’m some kind of arch-villain."
Marcus Sterling said grimly, "No matter what, your mother and I gave you life. Even if we wronged you in the past, you can’t do this to us."
"That’s right. You gave me life. So now, I’ll give you a choice. It’s your only chance to live."
Stella Sterling said. At her words, the three members of the Sterling family’s eyes lit up.
"What is it? Tell us!" they said eagerly.
’As long as there’s hope, that’s all that matters. As long as there’s a chance to get out of here alive. As for this daughter, Stella Sterling, they would never dare to provoke her again. Good or bad, they would stay far away from her.’
’Their son was at a large base, too. They could go live comfortably with him; they didn’t have to stay here with Stella.’
’She was too terrifying. A daughter with no feelings for her own parents... The farther away from her, the better. They didn’t need a daughter like that.’
The three of them watched Stella Sterling anxiously. She smiled brilliantly, like an angel bearing hope. "Since the three of you gave me one life, I will allow one of you to live."
"So, which of you three will it be? Why don’t you discuss it among yourselves. Give me an answer when you’re done."
As she spoke, the three Sterlings fell silent. Disbelief washed over their faces, and the excitement that had been in their eyes moments before vanished completely.
"I’ll be waiting for your decision. I’m going to go get something to eat."
Stella Sterling paid no mind to their expressions. After saying her piece, she stood up and left, leaving the three of them alone in the room.
