Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
Chapter 2046

Gab gazed out the window at the deep blue sky, his eyes squinting slightly as he spoke in a grave tone, "I've thought about it, but I feel like I was born to be here. I've forgotten what normal life is like, and I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to adjust."

Estelle said, "Didn't you mention you were going to stay back for two months this time? Maybe you should give it a try."

Gab replied, "I'm already grooming someone to take over. Now that Triceratops is gone, Citadel is going to reshuffle its deck. Alvis and I never wanted to get our hands dirty with Citadel's internal mess, but it seems we've been dragged into it anyway. Jonathan and I have a rough direction for Citadel's future governance."

He paused, a smile spreading on his face, "Before this operation, I had no idea Jonathan was Alvis. Alvis always kept a low profile and steered clear of our turf wars with Triceratops. His willingness to reveal his identity was all for you!"

A softness touched Estelle's eyes, "I must have worried him."

She looked at Gab with a playful smile, "You could step back like Jonathan, especially now that Triceratops is out of the picture. There's no need for you to handle everything firsthand." Gab nodded, "I'll consider it."

Estelle turned her gaze back to the window, "My injuries are almost healed. I'm thinking of heading back tomorrow."

Gab responded, "I'll accompany you to J City tomorrow, then head back to C City afterward."

With a warm smile, Estelle said, "You should visit Grandpa first. It'll put his mind at ease. I'll follow in a few days so he doesn't worry about my injuries."

"Alright."

After chatting for a while longer, Gab received a phone call. He glanced at the screen, excused himself, and left the room to answer it.

Estelle picked up the tea beside her and took a sip, immediately setting it back down.

All she craved now was sugar, even the slightest bitterness was unbearable.

Putting down the cup, she raised an eyebrow and turned to the man standing behind her, "What are you doing there, lurking around like a ghost?"

Lambert's gaze was intense as he watched her.

With a crooked smile, Estelle teased, "Why so silent?"

Lambert took a couple of steps closer, his deep brown eyes flickering with an uncertain light, as if he was a bit nervous. His voice was low and husky as he said, "Is the tea too bitter? I can get you some sugar.

"No need. I already had some sugar with my medicine this morning. Jonathan won't let me have too much," Estelle replied with a light smile.

Lambert's eyes darkened momentarily. He took a seat where Gab had been and spoke softly, "Do you know what Raiden offered me to betray you?"

"Hmm?" Estelle was genuinely curious; she had never heard him mention this before.

Lambert's eyes held a distant look as he continued, "Raiden said if I handed you over, I'd know who killed Stella!"

Estelle was taken aback, but then she couldn't help but let out a scoff, her eyes sparkling in the sunlight, almost bursting into laughter.

Lambert grew even more embarrassed, "I was a fool, go ahead and laugh."

"It's not that," Estelle said, reigning in her laughter slightly, "Thank you for still remembering me."

Lambert's gaze gradually became eager. "Of course I remember you. You don't know that since the peacekeeping war, I have never been able to forget you. It is deeply engraved in my heart. I tried my best to find out everything about you. Every time there is a trace of you, I will rush over immediately. It's just that your mission is a secret. When I get the news, you have already completed your retreat."

"I knew that you failed in your mission and 'died' in that abandoned factory. I also went there. I sat alone in the ruins for a day and a night, and finally came back with a piece of soil. You probably know about that and later."

Estelle thought of the memorial chapel and was still touched. "Thank you for doing all this for me!"

Lambert's eyes became more urgent, filled with hope. He opened his mouth cautiously and asked, "Could you, perhaps, stay?"