?Chapter 213:


    Ste realized, suddenly and with a strange sense of awe, that he wasn’t chasing after awards or fortune. He simply wanted to understand the universe—to unravel mysteries for the sheer sake of knowing.


    Not many people dared to follow their passion so fearlessly, especially when the world measured worth by money and reputation.


    She studied his profile for a moment, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “What if one day you finally figure out what the universe is trying to say?”


    William’s gaze never left the sky. “If that dayes, I’d use what I’ve learned to help people. That’s always been the point.”


    The answer caught Ste off guard. He had no interest in socializing, yet he wanted to serve humanity. He was an enigma—brilliant, earnest, and quietly maic.


    Ste turned her attention back to the night sky. For the first time, she felt genuinely curious about the stars—about the endless, wordless secrets they might be hiding—and she had William to thank for that newfound wonder.


    Beneath the sweeping night sky, the world seemed to shrink until it was just the two of them in their own quiet universe.


    A gentle, elusive fragrance drifted from Ste, soothing the restlessness inside William.


    He’d always preferred solitude when stargazing, bristling at any sign of intrusion.


    Yet tonight, with Ste beside him, the loneliness felt lighter, as if her presence belonged alongside the constetions overhead. For the first time, he was d to share the night with someone else.


    Little by little, the tension inside Ste faded, reced by a tranquil warmth.


    She returned the telescope to William, her eyes reflecting the starlight. “Thanks for letting me see something so extraordinary,” she murmured softly.


    Together, they descended from the rooftop, their footsteps falling in sync. At her doorway, Ste nced over her shoulder, her smile bright but unhurried. “I had a wonderful night. Thank you, William. Goodnight.”


    Her words lingered between them, and William’s voice turned gentle, touched by her sincerity. “Goodnight, Ste. Sleep well.”


    The next day, Ste was back at theb, diving headfirst into work. After three grueling days of experiments, her team finallypleted thest phase of the project.


    All the magic begins at g?lnσν???s


    That morning, they submitted their findings to be tested against the other teams.


    Now, the results were just minutes away.


    In exactly three minutes, the names of the teams advancing would appear on the big disy screen in the hall.


    Everyone who had participated was gathered there, the air thick with anticipation.


    Sandra stood beside Ste, practically clinging to her sleeve, palms slick with sweat. “Do you think we have a chance?” she whispered nervously.


    Elbert stood nearby, tense.


    Even Jamir, usually unreadable, looked uneasy.


    Ste stayed calm and gave Sandra a reassuring smile. “Our data’s solid. Everyone gave it their best, and we double-checked everything. We’ve got this.”


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