The Unveiling of Secret Queen

Chapter 1075: Chapter 1075: Stella Iversen Apologizes to Nathalie

Jackson Wafford actually wanted to find a chance to ask Nathalie Quinlan about the ”Maybelissa” matter, but couldn’t find an appropriate opportunity for the time being, so he had to return to school to handle the follow-up tasks regarding this matter first.

Chip technology is a major domestic research project with substantial investment. This time, achieving a breakthrough success from 0 to 1, along with gaining recognition from the International IT Association, meant that as the principal, he still needed to write a summary report to submit. As for whether or not he included Nathalie finding someone to help in this report, that would be his personal decision.

Jackson Wafford didn’t intend to include this minor episode.

After some pleasantries among the team of around twenty at the airport terminal, they dispersed individually.

Stella Iversen was the quietest one in the group.

Whether at the airport in the Illegal Zone or after returning to Beijing, she hadn’t actively reached out to speak with any acquaintances.

Nor did she congratulate Stanley Zachmann and the others on their successful recognition by the IT Association.

She remained completely silent throughout the journey, not saying a single word.

It wasn’t until everyone had gone their separate ways that she lingered behind, dragging her steps and becoming the last one to leave. Before leaving, she called out hesitatingly to the girl in the duckbill cap, who had just gotten off the plane and hadn’t rested: ”Uh... Nathalie.”

Nathalie looked up, her dark eyes fixing on her, with a rather indifferent air. Her hands were casually tucked in her pockets, her posture relaxed.

Stella, meeting the cold gaze of the girl, felt her breath hitch slightly. After a moment, she pressed her feet together and tightly gripped the luggage handle, her knuckles turning pale—clearly revealing her embarrassment and nervousness.

However, Nathalie didn’t respond, leaving Stella no choice but to press on despite her awkwardness, forcing herself to say: ”I shouldn’t have acted the way I did before coming here. I heard some people say unfavorable things about you, which led me to misunderstand you.”

After building up some mental courage, Stella took a deep breath, stubbornly overcoming her inner shame to meet Nathalie’s gaze: ”I apologize for what happened before!”

Once she uttered these words, she felt significantly lighter. The weight she’d been carrying in her heart suddenly seemed less burdensome.

She originally thought the other party was unlikely to show her any warmth.

After all, she had started the hostility first, so even if Nathalie refused to ”give her face” now, she would have no grounds to complain.

But unexpectedly, the girl’s posture shifted slightly as she glanced at Stella. Her expression remained neutral, showing no intention of making things difficult.

”What did Professor Iversen do before?”

Stella froze.

Nathalie continued, ”I don’t remember.”

Her tone was identical to how it had been two or three days earlier when they first set out from Beijing—unhurried, with a casual air.

Back then, Stella found this attitude irksome, thinking Nathalie was just as Jackson Wafford described—young, impractical, and pretentious, with little respect for her elders.

But the situation now was different. Hearing the same words and seeing Nathalie carry herself with the same demeanor, Stella suddenly felt relieved.

She curled her lips slightly, said nothing more, and merely nodded to the girl before softly murmuring a ”Thank you,” audible only to them.

After that, she greeted Stanley Zachmann briefly and politely said, ”Well, Professor Zachmann, I won’t intrude on your reunion. I’ll head back to the lab first.”

*

Stella hadn’t wanted anyone to know she’d apologized and shown weakness to Nathalie, so she’d deliberately waited to be the last to leave and seized the opportunity to speak privately with Nathalie.

She didn’t spend much time.

In the eyes of Audrick Zachmann and Stanley Zachmann, all they noticed was Stella speaking briefly and alone with Nathalie. They didn’t hear what was said; all they saw was Stella finishing her short conversation, flashing a brief smile at Nathalie, and then leaving.