Chapter 309: Chapter 309: All Gone
The remaining members of the Sterling family stared at each other, left with nothing but despair.
’What has she done...?’
While furious with her, they began to grow wary of one another...
After leaving, Stella Sterling returned to her villa. She had some fruit and pastries, then picked up a slice of cake and began to eat it in small bites.
’Sweets really do lift one’s mood.’
A short while later, Stephen Lawrence arrived. Stella Sterling looked up. "What about those people?"
Just before returning to the villa, she had ordered her men to take care of everyone Evan Sterling had brought with him.
"They’ve all been dealt with. Not one was left alive."
Stephen Lawrence reported respectfully to Stella Sterling. He had come specifically to inform his leader that all those people had been eliminated.
Stella nodded. She paused for a moment before asking, "How are those three doing?"
Stephen Lawrence hesitated, a look of contempt on his face. "They’re fighting fiercely."
He thought of those three members of the Sterling family, at each other’s throats, and his contempt only deepened.
Just moments ago, those three had been united, acting all close and affectionate. Now, in an instant, they had become mortal enemies. It was unsettling.
But Stephen Lawrence quickly pushed the thought aside. When faced with life and death, who wouldn’t want to live, even at the expense of their closest kin?
In this apocalypse, instances of people betraying their family and friends to survive were innumerable.
Of course, there were also those who sacrificed themselves and fought for others.
It just meant that everyone’s nature was different, and they made different choices when faced with the same situation.
He glanced up at his leader and understood why she could be so ruthless from the very beginning, without a shred of compassion.
’Being born into a family like that... if you aren’t ruthless, it would be difficult to survive.’
Hearing this, Stella Sterling’s expression was odd. It was hard to tell if she was pleased or angry.
Or perhaps it was a bit of both.
She was surprised by the outcome, yet at the same time, it felt completely expected.
After all, the Sterling family had never been good people, had they?
It was just that in her past life, Mr. Quinn and Mrs. Sterling had treated Yara Sterling so well, willing to do anything for her.
She had wanted to see how they would treat their own biological son.
Faced with this one and only chance to live, would they fight to the death for it, or would they give that single opportunity to their biological son?
Before this, Stella Sterling had mostly assumed they would give the chance to Evan Sterling.
After all, they doted on Yara Sterling so much; they should have cherished Evan Sterling, the son they were so proud of, even more.
But she never expected this would be the outcome.
But on second thought, Stella Sterling understood. In her past life, no matter how well they treated Yara Sterling, it was only because their own safety was never on the line. That’s why they were willing to do anything for her.
To achieve Yara Sterling’s goals, they even had her do all the dangerous things, while they simply gave orders from their high-and-mighty position behind the scenes.
Because they didn’t have to do it themselves, they could be so nonchalant, spouting such self-righteous words in her past life.
They could satisfy Yara Sterling’s wishes without lifting a finger themselves. Of course they were happy to do so.
If, in her past life, a situation had occurred that threatened both Yara Sterling and themselves, perhaps their choice would have been different.
And now, with their beloved son in the same position, hadn’t they made the exact same choice?
With that thought, Stella Sterling finally understood. Her parents didn’t love anyone; they loved only themselves.
And she was just the one they disliked the most.
"It looks like it’ll be a while before we have a result. Have your men keep an eye on them. I’m going to rest for a bit. I’ll go over later."
Stella Sterling waved a hand at Stephen Lawrence, dismissing him.
She then sat down in her chair to rest.
「An hour later, she woke up.」
Stella Sterling got up and walked in the direction of the three Sterling family members.
On the way, she ran into Shane Lawrence. He looked at her, seeming to want to say something but holding back, his gaze a mix of complex emotions she couldn’t quite decipher.
Stella Sterling glanced at him. "What, do you think I’m cold-blooded?"
"No, Sterling."
Shane Lawrence lowered his head. Of course he wouldn’t think that about Sterling.
As far as he was concerned, Sterling had taken him in when he had nowhere else to go.
He also knew very well that aside from helping build the base, his abilities were average. His combat power couldn’t even compare to the new recruits.
But because he was one of the first to join, Peter Sterling had given him a respectable position and was training him as one of the base’s managers. The other members of the base also treated him with respect.
Because of Jed Sterling, he had even gotten revenge for his wife, personally finishing off the bastard who had betrayed him.
In his heart, Sterling held a special place.
He had absolute respect, loyalty, and gratitude for her.
It was just that the events of today had been a bit of a shock to him.
In his mind, Sterling had always been a good person. She was ruthless to outsiders, but she was lenient with the members of her base. Beneath her strictness, there was always care.
But today... today, those people were her closest relatives, and her actions were completely beyond his expectations.
However, from their behavior, he could also tell how horrible they had been before, so really, nothing done to them could be considered excessive.
He just wondered if her reputation would be affected if word of this got out.
With this in mind, Shane Lawrence voiced his concerns to Stella Sterling.
Hearing this, Stella Sterling just scoffed, looking completely unconcerned. "If anyone has a problem with me because of this, then let them."
"If they’re unhappy, they’re free to leave Caeluna Base. I don’t care. But I’m not about to make myself unhappy just to appease them."
After a pause, Stella Sterling’s voice rang out again. "This is the apocalypse, a place where strength is all that matters. Just because I choose to be lenient with them doesn’t mean I have to be some kindhearted saint. Whoever makes me unhappy will get a taste of what I’m capable of."
Finally, Stella patted Shane Lawrence’s shoulder. "This is the apocalypse. It’s an era where strength reigns supreme. We need to change our way of thinking. Other people’s opinions don’t matter that much."
"When I have absolute power, the fact that I don’t go looking for trouble or commit evil acts is a kindness in itself. Beyond that, I refuse to make myself miserable just because of other people’s opinions and views."
Shane Lawrence felt like he both understood and didn’t understand Stella Sterling’s words.
But he understood one thing: ’The leader is never wrong.’
