?Chapter 61:


    Ste stared out the window, quietly turning his words over in her mind. She had been lost in thought for a while, and just as she was about to speak, the car rolled to a gentle stop.


    She nced over at him, only to hear him say calmly, “We’ve arrived at the research institute’s dormitory, Ms. Russell. Please take care.”


    The way he said it—polite yet distant—left her with no room to ask anything further. Ste had no choice but to hold back the question that hovered on the tip of her tongue. It was clear he was politely drawing the line, and pressing him now would onlye off as rude.


    So she simply lowered her head, whispered a soft “thank you,” and stepped out of the car without another word.


    When she returned to the dorm, Lainey was still awake. The moment she heard the door, she sat up, her eyes filled with worry. “Hey, how did it go? Everything alright?”


    Ste could tell Lainey had been worried. “It went well,” she said. “And honestly, if you hadn’t fixed my recorder, I wouldn’t have been able to show everyone that Haley framed me.”


    Haley and Marc were probably having a rough time at the police station right now. Even if they managed to walk outter, their reputations were already in shambles. Once she filed for divorce, the truth behind it would be out in the open.


    As for the patent, Marc could forget about it. That ship had sailed, and his troubles were only just beginning.


    Lainey waved her hand dismissively. “Please, those two snakes deserve everythinging to them.”


    In fact, Lainey thought this was letting them off easy. If she had her way, they’d be skinned alive.


    Ste chuckled at how fired up Lainey was. As she changed clothes, she asked casually, “Hey, why didn’t you tell me that Mr. Briggs was the one behind thepany I signed with?”


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    Lainey blinked. “Wait. What are you talking about?”


    Ste gave her a look. “Thepany that offered me the new contract—it’s under the Briggs Group.”


    Lainey gawked at her, totally floored—just as stunned as Ste had been when she found out earlier.


    Ste had assumed Lainey was already aware, but it was obvious now that she had no clue.


    “Oh my god! William? You’re working with him? I seriously had no idea!” Lainey gasped. “I only knew the rep seemed generous and professional over the phone. They felt legit, so I told you to go for it. I didn’t know he was behind the whole thing.”


    She truly hadn’t realized it was linked to William. If she had, she might’ve thought twice and definitely would’ve given Ste a heads-up.


    Ste didn’t actually mind—it just felt a little awkward. But since Lainey clearly hadn’t known, Ste waved it off, saying it didn’t matter. As long as the partnership worked out, that was all that mattered.


    Lainey agreed quickly. “Honestly, they’re offering a much better deal. This will be way more worthwhile than anything Marc ever gave you.”


    When it came to business, Lainey felt she could count on William to be fair and professional.


    “By the way,” Lainey began, “you’re all over the inte right now. After what happened at the g, everyone’s talking about how Marc stole your patent. Looks like Briggs Group is getting ready to take legal action, and thepensation alone might bankrupt him.”


    Marc’spany had only grown because of Ste’s invention. So when the news broke that the patent was no longer his to use, his business partners didn’t waste a second—they pulled out.


    Earlier today, Marc had been trying to line up new investors. But after the scandal, no one in Choria wanted anything to do with him.


    Covering thepensation fees now would be nearly impossible for him. At this rate, he’d have no choice but to mortgage thepany, maybe even lose it entirely. That would be the end of the Walsh Group. Ste hadn’t heard something this satisfying in a long time.


    And Lainey wasn’t done yet. “As for Haley—she thought she could get away with anything just because she’s not from around here. But the authorities aren’t letting it slide. She’s probably headed to jail.”


    With two nations involved, the whole thing had be a diplomatic issue, not something that could be brushed under the rug.


    Letting Haley off the hook like that would damage the government’s credibility.


    Even if it was only for show, they couldn’t afford to go easy on her.


    Meanwhile, Ste stepped out of the shower, feeling clean and much more at ease. The steady chirping of cicadas outside created the kind of calm that made sleepe easily.


    She curled up in bed, pulled the nket over her, and closed her eyes with a quiet sense of peace.


    The chaos and hurt she’d been through finally ended today. She had taken her stand—and won.


    While Ste and Lainey slept peacefully, Marc was having a far rougher night.


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