"As friends who haven’t seen each other in years, can I have a word with you?"

Faced with Stella Sterling’s coldness, Gordon Ford remained calm and took two steps back, creating a safe distance between them.

Basil Xavier then said something to the people behind him and led them to the side.

Stella Sterling’s expression softened slightly. She turned to Julian Fletcher and the others, saying, "Go and clean up." They had just dealt with so many people, and the boats they left behind were still there. Caeluna was currently short on equipment, so this was a windfall. These people had essentially given them free boats.

Now that the two of them were alone, Stella Sterling finally looked at Gordon Ford, her tone tinged with resignation. "Yes, what do you want to say?"

Gordon Ford sighed. "Do we really have to be so distant with each other?"

Seeing the look on his face, Stella Sterling felt a headache coming on. ’This is all emotional debt left over from the past.’

For Gordon Ford, they had only been apart for half a year, and then another three years because of the apocalypse. But for her, they had been separated by seven years of the apocalypse.

They had a brief reunion after that, followed by another three years of not seeing each other. For her, far too much had happened in between, and she truly didn’t know what to say to Gordon Ford.

She would occasionally think of him on normal days, but now that they were face-to-face, she was at a loss for words.

This was a man she had once loved—loved very, very much. But for her, too much time had passed, and many of those feelings had faded.

’Do I still love Gordon Ford?’

’Perhaps I do, but that love has long since been buried deep in my heart. Something like romance is optional for me now.’

It was for this very reason that, faced with the still-ardent Gordon Ford, she found herself completely unable to reciprocate his feelings. So, when they finally met, all she could do was avoid him.

’What a terrible feeling.’

Stella Sterling remained silent.

Seeing her like this, Gordon Ford wanted to pat her head, but he lowered his hand as soon as he raised it. His voice was gentle. "It’s okay if you don’t want to continue what we had before. But please, don’t be so resistant toward me, alright? Don’t forget, we’re still friends, aren’t we?"

Fearing he would hear a reply he didn’t want, Gordon Ford quickly changed the subject after saying this. "I heard from Basil Xavier that you were at Meridia Base. What about now? Where are you now? After I finish this mission, I’ll come find you."

There was much Gordon Ford left unsaid. He didn’t tell Stella Sterling that ever since hearing news of her from Basil Xavier, he had spent the entire past year wandering the nearby areas, hoping to run into her.

Unfortunately, it seemed his luck wasn’t that good. A whole year had passed before he finally saw her today.

They had already faced many problems after being separated for half a year before, and now they hadn’t seen each other for another three. He wasn’t even sure if he still held even the smallest place in Stella Sterling’s heart.

And now, sensing her avoidance and coldness, he didn’t dare push her too hard.

Stella Sterling thought for a moment and gave him an address—the location of Mount Caeluna.

Since she intended to develop her own faction, she had no intention of hiding it. Besides, it wasn’t that she didn’t want to see Gordon Ford; she just couldn’t give him the response he wanted.

And since he had asked, she answered truthfully.

After giving him the location, she said, "You still have things to do. Let’s talk again when we have the chance. Good luck with your mission, and come back safe."

After saying this, Stella Sterling gave a wave and left.

This time, Gordon Ford didn’t stop her. Now that he knew her address, he could go look for her directly next time, instead of searching for her in a vast sea of people like before.

Watching Stella Sterling’s retreating figure, he slowly let out a breath. A hint of a smile touched his eyes, which were no longer as cold and icy as before, like those of a man devoid of warmth.

He walked over to Basil Xavier and the others. "Let’s go."

Basil Xavier saw him approaching alone and glanced behind him. After confirming Stella Sterling wasn’t there, he asked, puzzled, "Haven’t you been looking for her all year? Why did you just let her go like that?"

"As long as I know where she is, that’s enough. I don’t want to imprison her."

Gordon Ford said, then directed everyone to board their boat and leave.

Meanwhile, the Caeluna group was also ready. In addition to their original boat, they now had four more: one large fishing boat and three small boats.

When Stella Sterling saw them, she noticed they were all beaming with joy. The boats were loaded with plenty of supplies and food, as well as various other survival gear.

These people must have traveled on the water often, so the boats were quite well-stocked.

Stella Sterling told everyone to sail the boats straight back to Caeluna. From now on, these assets belonged to Caeluna.

Including Black Swan, there were six or seven of them in total, enough for each person to pilot one boat back.

Stella Sterling boarded their original boat with Black Swan in tow, while the others were responsible for sailing the other four boats back.

After boarding, Stella Sterling plopped back down into her chair and gestured with her chin toward Black Swan. "You, pilot the boat."

Black Swan, the woman in black, stared at Stella Sterling. ’Is this person crazy?’

’How could she entrust something like this to me? Isn’t she afraid I’ll pull some trick? After all, I was her enemy just a moment ago.’

But even as she thought this, her body moved as if it wasn’t under her control, following Stella Sterling’s command.

A sense of fear grew in her heart. For some reason, it felt as if her body was no longer her own.

In an instant, she thought of the pill that woman had made her swallow.

’That thing is definitely not normal, but it’s too late for regrets now.’

Watching the scenery glide by, Stella Sterling squinted slightly, the emotional ripples caused by Gordon Ford’s appearance having now calmed.

She looked at the obedient Black Swan and once again marveled at the miraculous effects of the Loyal Servant Pill.

’With this thing, I don’t have to fear betrayal at all. It doesn’t matter how defiant they are in their hearts.’

She had originally come out to ask Mr. Cheney about the progress of the items she’d asked him to prepare, and also to train Julian Fletcher and the others and check on their progress.

’I didn’t expect to have such an unexpected windfall this time.’

Capturing Black Swan, acquiring four fishing boats, and seeing Gordon Ford again.

Every single one of these events put Stella Sterling in a very good mood.

So, as soon as she returned to Caeluna, Stella Sterling instructed the kitchen staff to prepare extra food for dinner tonight.

Afterward, she summoned Stephen Lawrence and had him prepare 200 *jin* of grain to be sent back to Mr. Cheney.

He had lent her things in good faith, and she wouldn’t let him suffer a loss.

That night, Mount Caeluna received another unexpected visitor.