Chapter 2

For some reason, perhaps because Stellar had never spoken to him that way before, Percy couldn’t get the image of her tear-filled eyes as she left out of his head. It irritated him.

He downed several glasses of red wine, the burning sensation in his chest finally dulling the inexplicable frustration swirling inside him.

Just then, Chris came over, holding his phone.

"Percy, wasn’t Stellar on this flight? It’s all over the news."

Percy glanced at the screen, where a breaking news report was displayed:

"…Flight AT580 experienced a major crisis today at noon when the pilot lost consciousness mid-flight. Thanks to the intervention of a mysterious passenger with professional expertise, the plane managed to land safely. The cause of the incident is still under investigation…"

The others in the room crowded around as well.

Seeing the report, they immediately started talking all at once, their voices filled with awe.

"That’s insane! With turbulence that strong and one wing practically gone, they still landed safely? Incredible."

"The reporter mentioned a mysterious passenger. Did they catch her face on camera?"

"They said it was a woman. The footage from the black box is too chaotic, but there are a few clips online. Let me find one."

As the others chatted, Percy’s gaze fell on the contract he had carelessly tossed onto the sofa earlier.

A few dried bloodstains dotted the bottom-right corner of the envelope.

That woman… Was she injured?

"I found it!" Chris exclaimed, snapping Percy out of his thoughts.

Percy turned to look at the screen. The video showed only a side view of someone’s back.

The figure’s slender waist, long legs, and the outfit she wore all struck him as oddly familiar.

"Doesn’t she look a little like Stellar?" someone asked, their tone skeptical.

Chris laughed. "Don’t be ridiculous. Everyone knows Stellar’s just Percy’s kept woman. She’s just a pretty face who happens to be good with numbers. Let’s not kid ourselves. Do you really think she’s capable of something like that?"

That one comment was enough to dispel any lingering doubts.

Even Percy dismissed the possibility.

“Keep looking,” Chris said, clearly intrigued. “See if you can find a clearer image. That figure is unreal. I have to know what she looks like.”

However, Percy had lost interest. His thumb absently brushed over the dried bloodstains on the envelope, and even the wine in his glass tasted bitter now.

He frowned, tugging at his tie.

“You guys have fun. I’ve got things to do,” he said, standing up and leaving.

If Stellar had gotten hurt because of this, she should be satisfied knowing he came back early for her.

By the time he returned to Azure Heights, it was already 10:30 p.m.

But to his surprise, the villa was completely dark. Not a single light was on. When he stepped inside, there was no sign of her waiting for him in the living room. The dining table and kitchen were empty, too—no warm, comforting meals or hangover tea waiting for him.

That had never happened before.

“Her attitude’s getting worse,” he muttered under his breath, carrying the envelope upstairs.

He stopped outside Stellar’s bedroom door and knocked for a long time. When there was no response, his patience wore thin. Grumbling, he unlocked the door with his key, only to find it hadn’t been locked at all.

“Are you done throwing your tantrum…”

The familiar, delicate scent lingered in the air, but the bed was empty.

“Running away from home?” Percy laughed bitterly, the sound edged with irritation. He ripped off his tie, pulled out his phone, and was about to call her but the annoyance building inside made him toss the phone onto the bed instead.

“Let’s see how long you can hold out,” he muttered.

There was no way he’d let her get away with thinking she could act spoiled and defiant. He wouldn’t indulge her like that.

…

In the living room of a luxurious villa in the prestigious Easton Hills neighborhood, a tall, striking man held Stellar close, speaking to her softly.

“There, there, don’t cry. He’s nothing but trash. Didn’t I tell you long ago? You should’ve left him ages ago. He’s not good enough for you!”

As it turned out, six months earlier, someone from the prominent Rivers family in Southport had tracked Stellar down.

They revealed that her biological parents weren’t countryside nobodies but the heiress and heir of the wealthiest family in Southport.

Though her parents had tragically passed away in an accident, her grandparents raised four sons who spent years searching for her, never giving up hope.

They told her she could return anytime, but at the time, she refused because of Percy.

Now, the irony of it all hit her hard.

Once her emotions had settled, Stellar felt a little embarrassed. She went to the bathroom to wash her face, then returned to the living room and sat across from her eldest uncle, Claude Rivers.

“Uncle Claude, I’m not ready to return to the Rivers family just yet. A few years ago, I let my mentor down, and I want to finish what I started. Besides, there are some scores I need to settle myself.”

Though her time with the Rivers family over the past six months had shown her the warmth of true family, she couldn’t forget the eighteen years she spent with the Harlow family.

They raised her, only to discard her like she was nothing. If she returned to the Rivers family now, without proving herself, she wouldn’t be able to forgive herself.

She sniffled, her eyes still red, but her expression was calm and composed.

Claude studied her for a moment, his face softening with approval.

Stellar was decisive and self-reliant. Despite the hardships she had endured, she carried herself with dignity and grace.

A true Rivers through and through.

He didn’t argue, choosing instead to respect her decision.

Claude and the entire Rivers family would fully support whatever Stellar wanted to do. This villa, one of Claude’s properties in the area, was purchased specifically for her. Without hesitation, he handed her the keys, instructing the staff to begin the transfer process immediately. From now on, it would be hers.

“If you don’t want to return to Southport yet, just stay here.”

They chatted a bit longer about family matters before Claude excused himself for other obligations. Before leaving, he instructed the housekeeper, Mary Warren, to take good care of Stellar.

The villa was quiet most of the time, with no one else around. Stellar had it entirely to herself.

Once she calmed down, she went to the study Claude had designed just for her. Sitting at the desk, she quickly began scrolling through research documents on her tablet.

“Institute of Aeronautics launches B13 mechanical chip development project, led by Professor Victor Stone…”

Victor was her former mentor. He must be deeply disappointed in her.

Back then, when she refused to pursue further studies, Victor had repeatedly tried to persuade her. Determined to avoid wavering, she cut off all contact with him.

For the past two years, she abandoned her original passion for aerospace engineering, throwing herself completely into financial investments to make herself more useful to Percy. She hadn’t touched anything related to aerospace since.

The emergency she handled during the recent flight crisis was the first time in years she had reconnected with her old field. The adrenaline rush and the sense of purpose had stayed with her, lingering in her thoughts.

No.

Now that she knew she’d chosen the wrong path, it was time to fix it.

She still had a chance.

She was going to become the Stellar Rivers she was meant to be, no matter how hard the road ahead might be.

Resolute, Stellar spent the evening reviewing materials before heading to bed. She slept soundly for the first time in a long while.

The next morning, dressed in a crisp white blouse and jeans, her long hair tied neatly into a ponytail, she carried her B13 research notes to the Aeronautics Research & Development Center. Her fresh, makeup-free face was radiant, her porcelain-like complexion exuding calm determination.

But just as she entered the campus, she ran into the last person she wanted to see—Yvonne.