Chapter 71 Traitor
Natalie A leng, taken aback by a pleasant surprise, crouched down to pick up the small creature. "Little thing, is it you again?" she asked.
The little Starshadow nuzzled against her shoulder, responding with an endearing tone, "I am not a little thing, I am a mighty Starshadow."
Natalie chuckled, her gaze shifting towards Nathan. "He still remembers me."
Nathan responded with a warm smile, whispering, "It always has a good memory. After all, it's not like a real Starshadow. Just don't speak loudly. Don't let it hear you."
The small Starshadow swiveled its head, its eyes narrowing in anger. "I heard it all. I will never like you again," it retorted. Nathan touched his nose awkwardly as a man with curly hair approached them. "Are you the fair lady it speaks of?" he asked.
The curly-haired man was not only characterized by his hair but also his black-framed glasses, exuding an aura of a scientist. He appeared to be in his early twenties, much like a grown boy. "Traitor was bragging to us, claiming he saw a beautiful girl. He's always been picky. We all expressed our desire to meet this beautiful girl, and then you appeared," he explained.
Natalie, taken by surprise, bent down to pat the little Starshadow's head. It squinted its eyes in delight, proudly declaring, "I was right, wasn't I? She's very pretty!"
"Is your name Traitor?" Natalie asked.
The little Starshadow grunted unhappily, turned its head, and remained silent.
Nathan explained with a smile, "I don't know who programmed its personality. It's quite capricious, hence everyone calls it Traitor."
"I designed it. Is there a problem with its personality?" A round-faced, big-eyed girl from next door emerged, shooting an angry glare at Nathan. She then turned her attention to Natalie, who was holding the little Starshadow, and reached out her hand. "Come here, let me hold you..."
The little Starshadow shook its head in refusal, clinging tightly to Natalie's arm. "No. I prefer being held by beautiful women."
The girl pursed her lips, gritted her teeth, and muttered, "Little traitor!"
Laughter filled the room. Natalie smiled and turned to the girl, "Did you design this Starshadow?"
The girl glanced at Natalie. "You're really beautiful," she admitted, squinting her eyes and smiling. "Yes, I designed it."
Nathan coughed and said, "Ms. Clark, this is Avery Cook, a genius scientist. She's also the project lead on our collaborative endeavor. Avery, this is Ms. Clark, our partner. Show her around, I'll go check on the others."
Natalie was shocked. Avery looked like she was only in her early twenties. How could she be the lead on the project at such a young age?
Avery nodded, flashing a smile. "No problem. Leave it to me."
Nathan smiled and led the curly-haired man away. Natalie turned to Avery, smiling. "Ms. Cook, you look very young."
Avery took Natalie's hand and said, "Just call me Avery. I'm twenty-three this year. Ms. Clark, are you wealthy?"
She led Natalie to her lab. Natalie was stunned. Avery said with a smile, "Nathan mentioned that anyone who can collaborate on this project must be wealthy. I like to be friends with wealthy people."
The little Starshadow snorted lightly, "What a shallow woman!"
"Shut up! Or I'll dismantle you," Avery scolded.
The little Starshadow timidly hid in Natalie's arms, too scared to speak.
Natalie smiled, finding Avery quite interesting. "Our company is wealthy," she admitted.
She finally realized whose temperament this little Starshadow mirrored. It was exactly like Avery.
Avery's lab was expansive, surrounded by transparent blue walls that constantly displayed various formulas. The lab was filled with various robot parts and many precise instruments. Natalie was amazed. On a protruding LCD screen on the wall was a familiar figure.
"Yohan?" Natalie recognized her elder brother on the screen.
