?Chapter 56:


    Haley stared at Ste with visible contempt, as though she hadn’t been the one pleading moments ago.


    Ste remained silent, allowing Haley to unleash her fury uninterrupted. Once the outburst ended, she spoke in a steady tone. “You call me disgraceful, but what about your own behavior? Public misconduct, knowingly bing someone’s mistress, and doing it all with pride—this is what passes for aristocratic grace in Achury? What an inspiring example of moral decay.”


    Haley opened her mouth but couldn’t form a response. Instead, she stamped her foot in irritation.


    Unbothered, Ste went on. “You say my patent is worthless, yet the Walsh Group’s sess over the years would suggest otherwise. Should we talk about those wed contracts of yours? Or maybe look at the patent agreements that clearly outline the monthly fees owed? Take a closer look and see whether Walsh Group’s actually paid me.”


    Living off someone else’s work while pretending to be righteous, what a joke.


    Haley clenched her jaw, unwilling to back down. “You keep saying someone signed your patent deal, then prove it. Where’s the contract? Aren’t you always going on about having evidence?”


    She was certain Ste had nothing to show, and that belief fueled her boldness. “Go ahead, bring it out. I want to see who dares challenge the Walsh family!”


    Beatrice hade to Haley’s side again, standing tall and offering her silent backing. She ced her full trust in her daughter, not Ste.


    By doing so, she made one thing clear: anyone bold enough to sign a contract with Ste wasn’t just opposing the Walsh family, they were going up against the elite circles of Achury as well.


    The confrontation dragged on, and the crowd buzzed with anticipation, waiting to see whether Ste could actually produce the agreement she imed to have.


    But the contract had been finalized at the research institute, and Lainey was the one holding the document. Ste didn’t have it with her.


    Just as she reached for her phone to ask Lainey to send a copy, a voice rang out from beyond the crowd. “I’m the one who signed her patent. Is there an issue with that?”


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    A hush fell over the gathering.


    Heads turned instantly, and the crowd stepped aside to make way. William appeared, walking in with confident strides.


    It was him! Not just a mysterious figure behind the research institute, but also a powerful businessman.


    Even Ste was caught off guard by his presence. She knew Lainey had arranged a new partnership for her, but she hadn’t imagined that her new employer was William himself.


    William spotted Ste standing by herself, facing a small crowd of hostile faces, and walked directly toward her.


    Positioning himself beside her, he turned toward Haley and Marc, his voice sharp and cold. “I’m the one who signed the contract. Does anyone here have a problem with that?”


    William’s influence far outshone that of the Walsh family. The fact that he had acquired Ste’s patent proved it held real value, contrary to everything Haley had imed.


    “After years of working with the Walsh Group, Ms. Russell hasn’t received a single payment. But let me make this clear,” William said, directing his words to the room. “I run a principledpany. You’ll be paid every cent you’re owed, Ms. Russell. And my legal team will assist you in recovering everything you’re entitled to.”


    Marc’s behavior of living off Ste’s work withoutpensation was, in William’s eyes, pathetic.


    Turning back to her, William gave Ste a warm smile, his expression calm but filled with assurance.


    Ste inhaled sharply. She’d never seen him look at her like that before. Her eyes fluttered, uncertain if what she saw was real—or if her mind was ying tricks on her.


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