Chapter 317: Chapter 317: Gordon Ford Cooks
Stella Sterling’s thoughts turned to Evan Sterling, who had just faked his death to escape from her.
’He’s a perfect example,’ she thought. She was certain that before arriving at her base, Evan Sterling had never imagined things would escalate to that point.
In fact, he had undoubtedly come with the intention of using their connection to live a comfortable life at her Caeluna Base, perhaps even harboring plans to slowly swallow it whole.
He probably assumed she would welcome him with open arms.
He never would have expected her to react the way she did.
’Logically, someone coming with those intentions wouldn’t have arranged an escape route for himself in advance.’
But he had done just that. He was so cautious that he’d even taken a feigned-death drug beforehand.
’If Evan Sterling operated that way, could that Miles Sanctus be the same? Always prepared for anything?’
After hearing Stella Sterling’s words, Gordon Ford thought for a moment and concluded it wasn’t out of the question.
Although he had blown the man’s head off, he hadn’t actually confirmed his identity. Looks could be faked, after all.
And looking back, it did seem a bit off. Everything had gone too smoothly.
Miles Sanctus was the leader of a major base, after all. If he could be taken out that easily, he never would have gotten to where he was.
But Gordon Ford just smiled. "It’s fine. If I didn’t get him this time, I’ll just try harder next time."
He might lack other things, but he had patience and perseverance in spades. This was hardly a setback. If he failed to kill the man this time, he’d just try again.
Gordon Ford had one particular virtue: he was incredibly persistent. No matter the task, he had to see it through. He would never give up otherwise.
Hearing Gordon Ford say this, Stella Sterling understood his intentions. She smiled. "Then you’d better be careful. The man’s no pushover. Don’t get yourself killed instead."
She swore she was genuinely concerned for Gordon Ford, but the words just didn’t come out sounding very nice.
Gordon Ford sounded a bit hurt. "Are you saying you don’t think I’m as capable as he is?"
Stella Sterling froze for a second, then said with an innocent look, "I never thought that. I’m just reminding you not to underestimate your enemy."
A smile returned to Gordon Ford’s face, and his eyes lit up as he asked, "So, can I take that to mean you’re worried about me?"
"Of course you can."
Stella Sterling smiled back. Before Gordon Ford could say more, she added, "I hate the man too. It would be great if you could get rid of him."
"Besides, we’ve known each other for so many years. Compared to that despicable man, I’m naturally more concerned about your safety."
Upon hearing this, the smile on Gordon Ford’s face deepened even more. He said with a hint of feigned exasperation,
"The way you say that, I almost have to wonder if you’re finding a roundabout way to defend him."
"Now that I know you hate him, my desire to kill him has lessened considerably."
As he spoke, Gordon Ford propped his head up with one hand.
Seeing him like that, Stella Sterling crossed her legs. "You know, that pose makes me think of a creep."
Gordon Ford chuckled. ’Sometimes, when it came to Stella Sterling, he really did want to be an obsessive creep.’
’He could lock her up and keep her by his side. That way, they would be together forever, and she could never leave him.’
’But in the end, his reason always won out over those insane impulses.’
’He knew that if he ever acted on them, any chance he had with Stella Sterling would be gone for good, and that wasn’t a result he wanted.’
He cleared his throat a few times, schooling his expression back to normal. "I’m perfectly normal. I absolutely don’t have any of those crazy thoughts."
"But since you don’t like him either, I guess that means we’re on the same wavelength."
Hearing Stella Sterling say she disliked the man with her own lips, the lingering worry in Gordon Ford’s heart finally settled completely.
’No matter what, at least she’s never said anything like that about me.’
Thinking of this, Gordon Ford shook his head. ’I should look forward, not constantly compare myself to a man who’s already failed.’
In the end, Stella Sterling did end up lending her private kitchen to Gordon Ford.
And this time, it was Stella Sterling’s own suggestion.
Back when they first knew each other, she had no idea Gordon Ford could cook.
Later, due to all sorts of circumstances, they had spent pitifully little time together, so it was no surprise she didn’t know.
Since he had just offered to personally cook a couple of dishes, he must know how. And his skills were probably quite good.
Stella Sterling wanted to have a taste.
She thought for a moment, went into the kitchen first, decided on a few dishes she liked, and then took the necessary ingredients out of her space.
When she led Gordon Ford in, she said, "Our base raises chickens, fish, and pigs. The main kitchen just happened to send some over for me today."
He looked at the fresh pork, chicken, and vibrant, crisp vegetables arranged in the kitchen.
A flicker of surprise crossed Gordon Ford’s eyes.
Ingredients this fresh were a rare sight even at Meridia Base or Sanctyr Base.
He glanced at Stella Sterling but ultimately said nothing, entering the kitchen in silence.
Then he gently pushed Stella Sterling out of the kitchen. "You just go and wait. Find something to pass the time. As for in here, leave it to me."
Hearing this, Stella Sterling didn’t argue. While she considered her own cooking skills to be decent, she was someone who knew how to enjoy life. If she didn’t have to do the work herself, she wouldn’t. Getting to eat a meal prepared by someone else was the best-case scenario.
Last time at Louis Grant’s place, she’d had no choice. Those two couldn’t even handle the basics without making a complete mess, so she had to step in herself.
But seeing Gordon Ford’s confident demeanor now, she figured she didn’t need to worry.
So, Stella Sterling left without a worry.
She grabbed a phone, found an old variety show, and started watching.
Every now and then, she would let out a laugh.
One of them was on the sofa outside watching a show; the other was in the kitchen, busy with dinner.
The atmosphere was uncharacteristically cozy, and a rare, relaxed smile graced Stella Sterling’s face.
This was the sight that greeted Gordon Ford when he came out.
He stared at Stella Sterling for a long time.
He hadn’t seen her smile so radiantly in a very long time. It was so familiar.
Fragments of memory flashed through his mind, and he chuckled.
Hearing the sound, Stella Sterling turned to look at him.
Gordon Ford asked, "Where are the bowls and chopsticks? I couldn’t find them."
Stella Sterling then remembered she’d forgotten to get any dishes out.
Her kitchen had cooking utensils, which she’d collected from a restaurant during a supply run, but the bowls and chopsticks she had gathered had already been given to the base. She didn’t have any here.
