The Heiress With Seven Secret Identies (Stella Shaw) novel Chapter 35

Both of them were legends in their own right.

Still, Julian was genuinely curious to see who would come out on top.

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“Here’s how it works,” Stella said, her voice steady with confidence. “We each give the other a problem. First one to solve it wins. Best of seven.”

“Fine by me.”

Elias‘ sharp gaze stayed fixed on her. He probably didn’t even realize it himself, but there was something softer in his eyes now–something that hadn’t been there before.

“Then let’s start.”

At that, Elias suddenly stood, leaned forward slightly, and extended his hand.

The gesture caught everyone off guard.

Julian, in particular, was stunned. He’d known Elias for years. The number of people in the world Elias voluntarily shook hands with could be counted on one hand.

And more importantly–the person across from him was a woman.

Everyone in this city knew Elias kept his distance from women. Always had.

Stella didn’t read into it. She shook his hand politely, nothing more.

When the competition began, they exchanged their first problems.

The timer started, and both of them dove in.

Round after round, they finished almost simultaneously.

Gideon watched from the sidelines, his heart lodged somewhere in his throat,

Elias had literally walked away from a billion–dollar deal to… play math games with Stella?

But looking at him now, he wasn’t holding back at all. How exactly was that supposed to win her

over?

After seven rounds, there was still no clear winner.

Not only had both solved every single problem correctly–their times were never more than a second apart.

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Chapter 35 From Rivals to Friends

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Julian and the other professors exchanged quiet, impressed glances.

When Elias had left to take over the family business all those years ago, it had felt like such a waste. Such a loss for the academic world.

Stella looked over his answers, her eyes lighting up slightly.

“You’ve only gotten better.”

Elias offered a faint smile. “So have you.”

“I’ve got more problems if you two want to keep going,” Julian cut in, barely able to contain his excitement. “At this rate, you’ll eventually settle it.”

It had been years since he’d witnessed anything like this.

It wasn’t an official competition–just a private match between two young talents—but the intensity rivaled any international championship.

“I was a second slower,” Elias said quietly. “I lose.”

He conceded before she could. That surprised her.

“Miss Shaw, would you be open to discussing these problems further?”

“Of course.”

So the two of them took those brutally difficult problems–the kind that made even seasoned professors break a sweat–and sat in the back row of the lecture hall, diving into a heated discussion.

When Leo arrived and got a quick summary from Gideon, he couldn’t help but laugh. “Elias really does have a unique way of pursuing someone.”

Jax had tagged along too. He looked unconvinced.

“This is how my uncle woos a woman? Feels more like self–sabotage. Those problems are inhuman. Challenging the person he likes with those? That’s peak clueless guy behavior.”

“What do you know?” Leo shot back. “Your future aunt isn’t exactly ordinary. She was the SAT scorer in the country at thirteen. She’s a genuine genius.”

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“A prodigy, huh?”

Leo nodded.

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Chapter 35 From Rivals to Friends

Finished

He’d rushed over straight from the hospital, eager to finally meet Stella, Something told him this

young woman had serious medical skills–skills worth understanding.

At the word “prodigy“, Jax’s face fell slightly.

Did the world really need another academic overachiever?

The discussion between Stella and Elias stretched on until the sun started dipping below the horizon before finally winding down.

They looked at each other and smiled.

“Miss Shaw…” Elias hesitated for just a moment. “Would it be alright if we were friends?”

The moment the words left his mouth, Leo and the other two exchanged glances and collectively rolled their eyes.

“My uncle actually asking permission for something? I’ve seen it all,” Jax muttered under his breath.

Stella simply nodded.

She reached into her bag and pulled out two small bottles.

“Your medicine.”

Elias blinked, surprised.

“For last night. And the pastries–they were really good. The other bottle is just my way of saying thanks.”

Stella stood, a soft smile crossing her delicate features, and extended her hand. “It was nice meeting you.”

Elias took her hand. “Likewise.”

Back then, they’d been rivals–neither willing to back down.

Years later, fate had brought them together again. This time, they could sit down and actually talk.

Turned out, they shared the same passions, the same interests.

From rivals, they’d become friends.

“Since we’re friends now…” Elias hesitated again. “Can I call you Stella?”

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