?Chapter 5:


    Just the memory of what she’d done at the bar made Ste drop her head in a hurry. She could almost feel the man’s intense gaze burning into her, leaving her flustered and ufortable.


    “He’s ridiculously good-looking, right?” Lainey nudged her with a grin. “What’s going on with you? You’re blushing like crazy. Did you fall for him already? And to think, you were the one saying you weren’t interested just a minute ago!”


    Ste’s cheeks burned from the teasing, and her ears felt hot. “Cut it out,” she muttered.


    “Good morning, everyone. I’m William Briggs. It’s an honor to join this project, and I look forward to working with all of you to see it through,” the man said in a deep, smooth voice that drew another round of apuse.


    Ste was caught off guard, her embarrassment fading as she looked up again. William Briggs?


    Could it really be that William Briggs—the genius who co-founded the institute and had joined a top-tierb at just fifteen?


    Her surprised gaze met his calm, unreadable eyes. William sat down casually, his sharp fingers tapping lightly on the table. “Mr. Gibson, you may start,” he said coolly.


    Although the meeting was supposed to be just an introduction, everyone was expected to present their thoughts on how the project could be developed further.


    They began on the left side of the room, and each person shared their ideas in turn.


    Ste pushed aside her earlier emotions and forced herself to concentrate.


    Being the youngest on the team, Ste’s ideas stood out for their creativity.


    After her ten-minute presentation, the room responded with apuse.


    William’s gaze briefly flickered with approval.


    Mr. Gibson, seated next to William, leaned over and said softly, “All those patent projects you’ve been following? Ste either led or helped develop them. She’s extremely gifted. Originally, she wasn’t going to take part in this project due to family issues, but she submitted her application at thest minute. I think she’s going to surprise us.”


    The meeting continued for more than an hour.


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    Just as the meeting wrapped up, Ste felt a sharp cramp in her lower belly, followed by a warm, unwee gush she couldn’t control.


    She knew immediately what had happened. Frozen in ce by embarrassment, she waited until the room emptied out before rushing to the restroom across the hall.


    And just as she feared, there was a visible bloodstain on her white trousers. Her periods were never regr, and after everything she’d been through emotionally, this one hade in strong.


    In her rush to the meeting room earlier, she hadn’t even grabbed her phone—so now, she couldn’t call anyone for help.


    Letting out a frustrated sigh, she blew gently at her bangs, then gathered herself and stepped out, hoping she could slip into the underground parking lot unnoticed.


    But the moment she looked up, she froze. William was at the sink, calmly washing his hands.


    Caught off guard, Ste pressed herself against the wall. Her face flushed with heat.


    She couldn’t go forward, and turning back wasn’t an option either.


    The situation was awkward enough, and now it was ten times worse. She wished the floor would just open up and swallow her whole.


    Meanwhile, William dried his long fingers slowly with a paper towel. Then he nced at her and said in a calm, low voice, “How long are you nning to stand there, Ms. Russell?”


    Ste forced a tight smile and mumbled, “You go ahead.”


    His eyes flicked down to the blue folder she was using to hide her back. He paused for a moment, then casually took off his suit jacket and handed it to her. “Would this help?”


    She was stunned. Her face flushed even deeper.


    Did he… notice? Did he see the stain?


    The embarrassment was overwhelming, but there was no time to overthink it. She quickly epted the jacket and put it on.


    Thanks to the nearly eight-inch height difference between them, the jacket hung down just right, covering everything she wanted to hide.


    It was still warm from his body and carried that cool, clean scent unique to him—reminding her of what happenedst night at the bar.


    She gave a stiff smile. “Thank you, Mr. Briggs. And sorry… this is kind of embarrassing.”


    William stared at her face, still a little pink. Her eyes were clearly flustered, though she was trying her best to act calm. Then, without warning, he stepped closer.


    His tall frame and quiet authority made the air around them feel heavy. The pressure was almost too much, and Ste feltpletely surrounded.


    “Last night,” he said slowly, his voice low and unhurried. “When you were pulling on my tie and inviting me to your bed, you didn’t seem this shy.”


    Ah—there it was.


    Ste’s heart skipped a beat. Her mind went nk, and she instinctively took a few steps back, rattled.


    Why was he being so blunt? So shamelessly direct? He didn’t even try to ease into it—just hit her with the truth, leaving her nowhere to hide.


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