Chapter 164: Chapter 164: Crossed the Line

He had plenty of supplies backing him up. While he couldn’t exactly feast on extravagant meals or eat whatever he wanted like in the old days, most of the time, he just ate dry rations.

But at least he’d never gone hungry. He’d never had to worry about his next meal.

But even with all that, Stella Sterling was somehow living even better than him?

’How did she do it?’

Suddenly, some thought crossed his mind, and Basil Xavier’s expression turned frigid. Even his gaze on Stella Sterling grew cold and probing.

The first time he’d seen her, she killed without batting an eye. Even with Gordon Ford, a man she’d once had a serious relationship with, her attitude was hardly enthusiastic. On the contrary, she was somewhat cold and guarded.

’For two years, she’d not only avoided starvation but had lived well. Could it be that she...?’

His breath hitched, and his brow furrowed.

’He tried to force himself not to think about it.’

’Stella Sterling might seem cold, but surely she wasn’t so depraved.’

Besides, she hadn’t known about his connection to Meridia Base before, yet she had still saved him. That proved Stella Sterling wasn’t a truly heartless person.

’Perhaps Stella Sterling just had her own opportunities.’

Stella Sterling didn’t miss the change in Basil Xavier’s expression.

She lowered her eyes, her expression unchanging, and calmly answered his earlier question. "Of course. You can’t just focus on the present; you have to consider the future."

"Everyone will be fighting for their place in the future. If you don’t build a solid foundation now, you’ll just end up as cannon fodder in someone else’s eyes—fish on the chopping block."

She spoke calmly, but her every word sent a chill down Basil Xavier’s spine.

In this day and age, when so many people were scrambling desperately for a single bite of food, Stella Sterling was already looking so far ahead.

Stella Sterling’s face wasn’t conventionally beautiful, yet in that moment, her unique aura and wildness bestowed upon it a different kind of breathtaking beauty.

He didn’t know if Stella Sterling would succeed in the future, but right now, she seemed to be glowing. She was so dazzling it was impossible to look away.

After she finished speaking, Stella Sterling said no more. She picked up the book resting on her lap and began to read quietly.

She was now placid and serene, exuding a sense of tranquil peace. The ambition and aspirations from a moment ago seemed to have vanished completely, as if she were a different person.

But Basil Xavier knew Stella Sterling hadn’t changed in that short time. She had simply hidden her true self away.

He took a couple of deep breaths. He didn’t know why he suddenly felt so tense; an indescribable feeling churned in his chest.

He still felt that Stella Sterling was a walking bundle of problems, yet he also felt he suddenly understood why Gordon Ford was so taken with her.

He glanced at the book in her hands. "You still have the presence of mind to read at a time like this?"

"Why wouldn’t I? Knowledge is progress. One should never stop learning."

Stella Sterling replied softly and turned a page.

’What a mindset... ’

Basil Xavier couldn’t help but be impressed.

One moment, she was telling him about her ambitions; the next, she could calmly settle down to read a book.

But then another question struck him. "Where did you get that book?"

’Could it be that Ethan Young had actually prepared books for people to read on this ship?’

But ever since the apocalypse began, books had become worthless. Whether people were fleeing or scavenging for supplies, their first priority was always food. No one would spare a book a second glance, much less waste energy on one.

Ethan Young had to know that. Why would he deliberately stock the ship with such things?

"Oh, I’m a model student. It’s only natural I’d carry one with me. Nothing strange about that, is there?"

Stella Sterling’s deadpan reply made Basil Xavier’s eyes go wide.

He realized this encounter was revealing many other facets of Stella Sterling’s personality.

For instance, her narcissism. And her thick skin.

He didn’t press the matter, instead steering the conversation back to their previous topic. "It’s good that you have such ambition, but do you have any idea how difficult it will be?"

"Let’s assume you have the strength to make people follow you. But where will you get supplies and weapons? Without those, who’s going to stick with you?"

Stella Sterling turned her head. She was smiling, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes, and her tone was a few degrees colder than before. "Mr. Xavier, I know you mean well, but in some matters, you’re crossing a line."

The room fell silent for a moment. After a long pause, Basil Xavier’s voice finally broke the quiet. "My apologies. I’ve said too much. Since you clearly have your own plans, I won’t press you further."

"However, you could stay at Meridia Base for a while. Perhaps you’ll change your mind."

A cold sweat broke out on Basil Xavier’s back. He realized his words had just crossed a major line. Everyone has their secrets, and his probing questions, regardless of his intentions, could easily be misunderstood.

The chill deep in Stella Sterling’s eyes had startled him. He was certain that, for a split second, she had wanted to kill him.

In the end, she hadn’t acted on it, settling for a verbal warning instead.

But it put him on high alert. He had almost forgotten what kind of person Stella Sterling truly was.

He looked at her. Seeing that she didn’t respond, he continued, "Gordon Ford also has a strong connection to Meridia Base. If you stay there for a while, the two of you could meet."

He paused, then added, "Gordon Ford... he’s very worried about you."

After saying this, Basil Xavier watched Stella Sterling closely. He saw the hand turning the page hesitate for a fraction of a second before resuming its normal pace.

’But a flicker of joy sparked in his heart. It seems it’s not just Gordon Ford who’s invested in this. Even someone as cold and detached as Stella Sterling has a reaction when his name is mentioned.’

Just as he was thinking this, he heard Stella Sterling nod lightly. "Mm."

Her tone was natural, as if she were inquiring about an old friend. "How has he been these past two years?"

Basil Xavier laughed. "Hard to say if he’s been doing well or not. When you two meet, you can catch up yourselves."

"But I can tell you this, so you can rest easy: there isn’t a single woman in Gordon Ford’s life. Every day, it’s either training or missions. He keeps himself busy, spinning like a top."