Chapter 22
Stella’s fork froze mid–air.
life at the research facility was described as isolated–no contact with the outside world to prevent security breaches.
But it wasn’t realistic to completely cut off all researchers from the internet. Without basic entertainment, nobody would last.
So researchers could browse news and even shop online.
They just couldn’t post anything, and all deliveries went to a central address for inspection before
distribution.
Because of this, Stella had seen Alaric’s public declaration of love plastered across the internet.
Her colleagues looked at her with curiosity.
“Stella, that timing is weird–his fiancée left around the same time you came here. Except she’s supposedly studying abroad while you’re at this facility.”
“Seriously, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you were his fiancée.”
Everyone laughed.
Stella forced a small smile. “There are plenty of people with the same name in the world.”
The researchers at the facility weren’t particularly close to each other.
Except for Dr. Cruise who had handled her orientation and seen her file, none of her colleagues knew Stella was the famous Forbes heiress.
They couldn’t imagine her true identity.
After all, in their minds, what heiress would abandon her fortune and luxury lifestyle to become at researcher in such a demanding environment?
So everyone accepted Stella’s explanation without question and returned to their gossip.
Later that evening, when she and Dr. Cruise were alone checking data, the older woman finally spoke up.
“Stella, you never mentioned it, but I can tell–you came here because your flancé hurt you, didn’t
you?”
“He seems to have realized his mistake. Would you consider going back?”
Dr. Cruise hesitated, then added: “Our protocol says no one leaves until the project ends, but exceptions can be made in special circumstances.”
Without hesitation. Stella replied: “I’m not leaving.”
She looked up at her mentor calmly. “Maybe he truly regrets his actions now, but that doesn’t
matter.”
“I didn’t come here to spite him or hide from him. I came to pursue my dream.”
Yes, Stella had seen Alaric’s declarations, but she didn’t care.
So what if this version of Alaric had finally realized he loved her?
So what if every word he said now was sincere?
Delayed devotion was worthless. No matter how much Alaric regretted his actions, the harm he’d caused her in this life–and the memories of her previous one–couldn’t be erased.
She wouldn’t sacrifice anything for such a man.
She had come here to pursue her dream, not for anyone else.
In this life, she lived only for herself.
Dr. Cruise was surprised by Stella’s response, but eventually nodded with embarrassment.
“You’re right. I was being narrow–minded. I’m sorry.”
So Stella’s quiet life at the facility continued.
She threw herself into her research, watching with genuine joy as the project progressed.
Chapter 2
Time passed quickly. Three years went by almost imperceptibly.
One day, as Stella was leaving the lab, a senior administrator stopped her.
“Stella, there’s a recognition dinner tonight for a major donor. Would you join us?”
Stella frowned.
“I don’t think so. I’m just a researcher. External relations aren’t my responsibility.”
The administrator waved her objection away. “Don’t be modest. The senior team knows you’re the Forbes heiress. You understand these social situations better than us academic types. Please come
along.”
Reluctantly, Stella accompanied the leadership team to the dinner.
The moment she walked in, she saw Alaric in a perfectly tailored suit.
She froze in place.
Alaric immediately stood, his face lighting up with undisguised joy.
“Stella!”
