?Chapter 127:


    She leaned in, bracing her palms against the desk’s edge, her voice dropping to a near whisper. “Ask me nicely, and if I’m in a good mood, I just might tell you.”


    William didn’t break his gaze.


    Without saying a word, he reached past her, and with a swift motion, tugged the folder out from under her hands.


    Before she had time to react, her bnce slipped. In a heartbeat, she toppled forward.


    “Oh dear!” Before Ste could make sense of the situation, she had already fallen onto him.


    It wasn’t until a momentter that she realized she hadnded awkwardly between his legs.


    Even with what she’d heard about his disinterest in women, the situation stunned her.


    “How much longer will you keep nesting in myp?” His voice, low and unbothered, sent a jolt through her. She scrambled upright, her movements clumsy and rushed.


    Trying to push herself up, her handnded somewhere entirely inappropriate, sending another wave of panic through her.


    William instinctively drew in a sharp breath, while Ste, flustered, jerked her hand back.


    “I swear, that wasn’t on purpose!” she blurted, mortified.


    She finally stood upright, her cheeks burning.


    William’s gaze held steady, and his voice carried a faint rasp. “Ms. Russell, is this your preferred way of getting attention?”


    Ste backed away a few steps, her face already burning, and quickly tried to defend herself. “You pulled the folder! That’s why I stumbled!”


    William studied her—her eyes were everywhere but on him.


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    “You were pressing down on my documents. Was I supposed to just leave them there?” he asked calmly. “Ms. Russell, you’ve just stepped into a senior role. I’d suggest staying focused.” He lowered his head and returned to reading.


    Ste was fuming inside but couldn’te up with a decent rebuttal. Instead, she red at him. “No need to worry, Mr. Briggs. I’m entirelymitted to the job.”


    She spun on her heel and walked out.


    Her temper red. The whole thing had been an ident.


    And even if her heart was still capable of fluttering—it wouldn’t be for a man who, as far as she knew, only found men attractive.


    Elsewhere, Haley, though reluctant after being tossed out of the car by Marc, made her way to the Walsh residence the following day.


    But this time, she didn’t even make it past the entrance.


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