?Chapter 1151:


    The following morning, Ste’s phone rang with unexpected news from the National Research Institute. They were assembling a specialized R&D team based on her groundbreaking materials technology and had extended her an invitation to join their project.


    Around the same time, William received word that thest remnants of Erebus abroad had been wiped out. Almost everyone had been captured, with only a few fugitives still atrge.


    Alone in her room, Ste picked up a photo of her mother, her fingers tracing the familiar lines of her face. “Mom, I’ll carry on your unfinished work. And the happiness you never got to see? I’ve finally found it,” she whispered softly.


    A weekter, on the weekend, William took Ste abroad. After hours of flying, they arrived at the secludedb where they had once conducted a private experiment.


    “Why are we here?” Ste asked, curiositycing her voice as she held William’s hand tightly while walking down the familiar corridor of the observatory.


    Theb was empty now that the experiment had concluded. Most of the rooms were locked, leaving only the outdoor walkway essible.


    William’s lips curved into a secretive smile. “This is where we first met as adults.”


    Even though they had crossed paths at the domestic institute, their feelings had truly begun here.


    Ste looked at him, surprised. “Did you bring me back just to remember those awkward early days?”


    Back then, she had mistakenly thought he was gay—a misunderstanding that had lingered for months. William said nothing, walking slowly beside her as memories of those early days washed over him.


    They arrived at the top-floor observatory, where the giant telescope stood quietly beneath the night sky.


    William adjusted it with practiced ease and gestured for Ste to look through the eyepiece.


    Ste’s eyes widened as she peered through it, letting out a sharp gasp.


    Against the backdrop of the stars, one bright point of light glimmered, circled by glowing words: “Ste, will you marry me?”


    Spinning around, she saw William kneeling before her, a ring box open in his hand.


    Nestled on deep blue velvet, the ring’s unique diamond design sparkled brilliantly beneath the night sky. The central diamond was perfectly set, encircled by smaller diamonds and tiny sapphires that twinkled like stars.


    Read it all on g?lnσν???s


    “I had this custom-made a long time ago,” William admitted, his voice shaking with unusual nerves. “Even then, I knew you were the one I wanted for life. I was just worried it might scare you, so I didn’t give it to you.”


    Drawing a steadying breath, he continued, “Now everything’s in ce. Ste, will you marry me? Let me spend the rest of my life proving that my heart will always beat with yours.”


    Tears gathered in Ste’s eyes as she looked at the usuallyposed man before her—now fidgety like a boy—and couldn’t help butugh softly. “You get nervous too? I thought nothing ever rattled you.”


    William chuckled, though his gaze remained serious. “Only you make me feel like this.”


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