Estelle emerged from the prison, and Soren stood smoking beside the grass outside the courtyard.
His black-suited figure contrasted against the verdant backdrop. Hearing the sound of the metal door, he paused, turned around, and Estelle said, "Don't put it out; finish it."
Soren withdrew his fingers and resumed holding the cigarette.
They stood there for a while without speaking, merely watching the birds taking off and landing on the grass through the fence.
Later, a breeze started, and the smoke drifted toward Estelle. Soren quietly moved past her to stand downwind.
"How are you?" he asked.
"Just fine." said Estelle.
Why does everyone ask me that? It's as if they think I'm so fragile. She thought.
Estelle combed her hair with her hand and said, "By the way, what you said last time, I don't agree with it."
Soren glanced at her, "What?"
"You said that Crescent isn't as important to me as Cyrus. That's not true," Estelle said. "I know it's contradictory, but Cyrus is dead, and I'm alive. I have to move forward. I shouldn't let myself get stuck in meaningless nostalgia. I'll always remember Cyrus. He was great, and I miss him... But he won't surpass the people right in front of me anymore."
Soren looked at Estelle. She lowered her eyebrows and pursed her lips, as if she had gathered some resolve to say these words.
He was momentarily stunned by her words, a flicker of illusion passing, then he regained his composure. He knew clearly that the "people right in front of me" she referred to was a vague term and wasn't specifically about him.
"Regarding Crescent, I'm sorry to you," he said after a pause. "As compensation, before you become the CEO, I'll fund the repair of Stella Technology. If you have any other needs..."
Estelle was taken aback and interrupted with a frown, "What are you saying?"
"Stella Technology," Soren repeated, "From now on, it's yours."
Estelle took a while to process this and asked, "Why give it to me?"
"I wouldn't trust anyone else," Soren answered. "Aiden is dead, and someone needs to take over Stella Technology. You're one of the founders of the company and the top engineer in the city. By every measure, no one is more suitable than you."
Estelle shook her head, "I only know how to write programs; I don't know how to manage a company."
"Marry and George can help you," said Soren. "Although they're currently under my command, I can guarantee their absolute loyalty to you in the future. If you trust me, I can immediately sever ties with them. If you don't trust me, replace them. Everything is up to you. From now on, Stella Technology will be entirely under your control, and I won't interfere anymore."
The wind stirred the summer leaves, and her hair fluttered in the breeze. Estelle was silent for a while before she said, "Okay."
Soren finished his cigarette, and they slowly walked out of the prison grounds.
"After today, we shouldn't meet again," said Soren. "In my current position, I have too many enemies. I don't want you to become my weakness. It wouldn't be good for either of us."
Estelle responded with a soft "Okay" and approached the car, where Charlie ran to open the door for her. She suddenly looked up at Soren and asked, "What happened to your nose?"
There was a repair patch on his nose. She had wanted to ask him about it in the hospital but hadn't had the chance. Half a month had passed, and it had improved significantly, but it was still faintly bruised, likely from a heavy impact.
"Oh, it was punched by your robot," Soren touched his nose, his tone matter-of-fact. "When you were cracking the Eagla, he saw you in danger and turned around to punch me. It's incredibly strong. I almost broke my nose."
Estelle was taken aback and couldn't help but chuckle, "Serves you right."
She bent down to get into the car. The summer scenery of the city came into view through the window, truly beautiful. She gazed quietly until her eyes welled up.
Crescent finally got no chance to see the July in the city.
