Chapter 58
Simon was always serious when it came to academics, and when he saw true talent, he never hesitated to give credit where it was due.
Even Nathan, usually unreadable, had a flicker of admiration in his otherwise indifferent gaze.
Vivian widened her eyes as she stepped forward, scanning the data carefully.
It was flawless,
No matter how hard she tried to find a flaw, there wasn’t a single mistake to nitpick.
She was so confident just moments ago, insisting on switching tasks.
And now, this data–so precise, so irrefutable–felt like the biggest slap in the face.
Her expression twisted with discomfort.
“Well, no wonder. Geniuses really are built different,” Lilian gushed, practically in awe, looking more and more like Stellar’s biggest fan.
Vivian clenched her jaw, unable to stand the praise.
“To be fair, it’s probably thanks to Senior Ward’s teaching.
It was a thinly veiled jab, implying Stellar’s skills weren’t her own but merely the product of someone else’s guidance.
But this time, Stellar didn’t even acknowledge her.
Instead, she kept chatting with Lilian, completely ignoring the comment.
It was like throwing a punch into thin air–nothing but wasted effort.
Vivian’s fingers curled into a tight fist, her jaw ticking as frustration simmered beneath the surface.
Perhaps realizing that snide remarks wouldn’t get her anywhere, Vivian didn’t stir up any more trouble for the rest of the day.
Stellar smoothly finished her assigned work without issue
As their shift wrapped up in the evening, Lilian suddenly raised her hand, excitement in her voice.
“Stellar, let’s go out for dinner to celebrate your return and the start of our collaboration on these projects!”
Simon immediately clapped a hand over his chest, grinning
“Sounds good! I’ll cover the bill.”
“There’s really no need for all that,” Stellar replied, politely waving it off.
She wasn’t exactly fond of big group outings.
Lilian grabbed onto Stellar’s arm, her bright, expressive eyes practically pleading.
“Come on, Stellar, just say yes! We’ve all been working hard all day! We deserve a little fun.”
Faced with such an adorable, determined expression, Stellar found herself powerless to resist.
With a resigned sigh, she nodded. “Alright, fine.”
Chapter 56
+25 BONUS
The group piled into their cars and headed to a karaoke restaurant–a spot that offered both food and. entertainment, perfect for students looking for a budget–friendly night out.
After booking a private room, they settled in.
Lilian, full of energy as always, barely ate before she grabbed a microphone and rushed onto the stage.
She picked an upbeat song and, without hesitation, started singing.
With her sweet, cheerful voice and lively performance, she had an infectious energy that instantly lifted the mood.
By the time she finished, everyone applauded enthusiastically.
When she returned, cheeks flushed from excitement, Stellar didn’t hold back her praise.
“Lilian, you’re amazing. You could be a professional singer.”
Beaming, Lilian plopped down beside her.
“My two greatest joys in life are collecting pink plushies and singing. What about you, Stellar? Do you have any hobbies?”
Stellar answered honestly.
“I like making handcrafted pieces like small designs, custom objects, that kind of thing.”
Lilian’s eyes lit up.
Vivian scoffed internally, barely concealing ber disdain.
Handcrafting?
What a cheap hobby.
It sounded like something poor people did–nothing refined, nothing that belonged in high society.
Seeing that the conversation was about to continue down this mundane path, she casually slipped into the discussion, feigning casual curiosity.
“By the way, Stellar, there’s something I’ve been wondering. You graduated two years ago, so why did you suddenly decide to come back to the research institute?”
She barely gave Stellar a chance to respond before continuing, her tone light but poin
pointed.
“I also heard that back in university, you and Senior Moore were a thing. Since freshman year, you were always by his side, bringing him meals, holding an umbrella for him when it rained, constantly running around doing things for him.”
