Chapter 181: Chapter 181: Tacit Understanding

In response to Crystal Thorne’s excitement, Stella Sterling thought for a moment and said earnestly, "It’s not that difficult. You just get better with a lot of practice."

’I’ve been practicing on Stephen Lawrence quite a bit these past two years. But he didn’t have any complicated illnesses, so I could only create wounds for him and then strive for perfection. After doing it so many times, I naturally became proficient in this area.’

"Miss Sterling, you’re being too humble. This isn’t something you can achieve just by practicing a lot. It still requires a certain amount of natural talent."

Crystal Thorne shook her head. Before this, she had been a doctor at a major hospital and had treated countless patients.

After joining the base these last two years, she had to handle many things due to the scarcity of medical personnel, and she had taken on many different kinds of injured people.

Although she wasn’t old, she could be considered experienced, but she knew she couldn’t perform like Miss Sterling.

Stella Sterling had told the truth, but no one believed her. She shrugged and said no more.

She turned to Louis Grant. "Your cousin is safe now. I’m leaving."

"Thank you for today. I’ll come find you later."

Louis Grant nodded. He wanted to leave with Stella Sterling, but thinking of his cousin still being unconscious, he felt a little uneasy. He decided to wait for his cousin to wake up before leaving.

"Dr. Grant, Mr. Magnus, I need to step out for a moment!"

Ethan Young said to Adrian Grant and Marvin Magnus, then quickly followed after Stella Sterling.

"Why is he so concerned with this girl? Isn’t he usually the iron-faced and impartial type?"

"I used to say he was clueless, that he had no idea how to be gentle with women. With that cold look on his face all day, how could anyone possibly like him? So why is he suddenly so attentive to this young lady?"

Marvin Magnus asked with some confusion as he watched Ethan Young follow Stella Sterling.

It was obvious just now that Ethan Young’s attitude toward this woman was very unusual.

Louis Grant nonchalantly explained from the side, "He’s always been good to Stella Sterling, but it’s not because he likes her. It’s because she saved someone—someone with a rather special identity."

Then, Louis Grant asked his father, "Dad, do you know someone named Basil Xavier? Stella Sterling saved him, and that’s why Ethan Young has always treated her with such respect."

Although his parents were both high-ranking officials at the base, he had never been to the base before. Much of what he knew about it was just hearsay, and he didn’t understand the situation very well himself.

He didn’t know this Basil Xavier person either.

But his dad was different; he would most likely know.

However, when he said the name, both his father, Dr. Grant, and Marvin Magnus looked puzzled. The name was unfamiliar to them; they had never heard it.

Adrian Grant also said directly, "I don’t know that person. Never heard of him."

Seeing that even his father didn’t know, Louis Grant felt a bit disappointed and grew even more curious about Basil Xavier’s identity.

He believed the man couldn’t be just an ordinary person. If he were just someone insignificant, or simply a former student of Ethan Young’s, there was no way Ethan would treat Stella this way.

But even his dad didn’t know who he was, which showed just how secret his identity must be.

After chatting for a few moments, Marvin Magnus pulled Jack Thorne over to a nearby office to ask him some questions.

Meanwhile, Louis Grant and Dr. Grant walked toward Titus Grant’s hospital room.

On the way, Dr. Grant said to Louis Grant, "You said that young woman is your friend and that you knew each other before. This time, she saved your cousin. If she’s free tomorrow, invite her over to our home for a meal."

"Invite her for a meal? You and Mom are so busy. Do you have time to cook? If you’re not cooking yourselves, there’s no reason for her to come all the way to our house, is there?"

Louis Grant said reflexively.

Dr. Grant shot him a glare. "Just invite her. Stop with the nonsense. She’s your cousin’s savior. Even if I don’t have time, I’ll make time to thank her."

His older brother had passed away long ago, and his sister-in-law had also died in the line of duty. He had only this one nephew, whom he had raised by his side since childhood, treating him no differently than his own son.

Therefore, he cared deeply for Titus Grant. Regardless of the reason, he was truly grateful to this young woman.

Sensing his father’s anger, Louis Grant quickly said, "Alright, alright! I’ll go find her later and ask if she’s free. But given her personality, she might not agree to come."

From his interactions with her, he felt she was a rather aloof person who didn’t seem to enjoy socializing.

So it wasn’t a given that just because his dad wanted to invite her, she would definitely come.

"Just ask her."

Dr. Grant said, not seeming too worried about it.

Meanwhile, Ethan Young caught up with Stella Sterling. "Miss Sterling, rest assured. I was the one who invited you here, and I will definitely not let anything happen to you at the base."

"But Academician Magnus has a special status. He’s been in a high position for a long time, so his temper can be a bit hard to predict. I hope you won’t hold it against him."

With her hands in her pockets, Stella Sterling turned her head slightly to look at Ethan Young upon hearing this. She smiled and said, "The old man’s status is special. Naturally, I know better than to be tactless."

Stella Sterling’s reply made Ethan Young swallow the rest of his words. He looked at her properly and said, "Miss Sterling, for someone so young, you see things with great clarity and remain so calm and composed. I have to say, I’m rather impressed."

"You flatter me, Captain Young. I just happen to be perceptive and know my own limits."

Stella Sterling gave a faint smile and stopped walking. "I already have a good idea of what you want to say. Don’t worry. For the next few days, as long as no one provokes me, I won’t go out of my way to clash with you all."

"This is far enough."

After saying this, Stella Sterling nodded and walked ahead quickly.

Ethan Young also stopped, his gaze a mixture of complexity and admiration as he watched Stella Sterling’s retreating back.

The more he interacted with her, the more he realized that Stella Sterling was different from everyone else.

She clearly knew he treated her differently because of the debt he owed her for saving Basil Xavier, yet she didn’t act wantonly because of it.

’She really is a smart one. She understood the underlying meaning of my words.’

Although he had defended her today, he suspected she also understood perfectly well that if Marvin Magnus was determined to move against her, they would ultimately side with Marvin Magnus.

Neither side had said it outright, but they both understood each other’s intentions.

And his words just now, while seemingly comforting, were actually a reminder not to truly offend Marvin Magnus, as it would do her no good.

After all, the base would not offend Marvin Magnus—a man they had expended great effort to recruit—for the sake of someone who was just visiting for a few days.