?Chapter 208:


    “Thank you, Mr. Hoffman. I’ll settle this as soon as possible,” she said. She also promised not to let it affect her work.


    As she stepped out of the office, she was surprised to see William still standing nearby.


    She had figured he’d left already—but he hadn’t. Was he… waiting for her?


    She immediately brushed off the thought. Ridiculous.


    But then William looked at her and asked, “Are you nning to go to the press conference this afternoon?” Her heart thudded. So he knew too.


    “I’m sorry I dragged you into this,” she said quietly. “I’ll deal with it and won’t cause you trouble. I didn’t expect the rumors online, and I’m sorry they involved you.”


    William’s brows furrowed slightly. “I’m already involved. You think it hasn’t caused me trouble?” That shut her up.


    It was true—things had already spiraled out of control, and she couldn’t even begin to fix the mess she hadn’t started. Then he added, “I’ll go with you this afternoon.”


    Ste blinked at him in surprise. “You’re…ing with me?” William usually avoided anything remotely like a public appearance, let alone a live broadcast.


    He gave her a sideways nce. “Why, is there a problem?”


    She shook her head quickly. “No—not at all.”


    With preparations to make, Ste didn’t return to her team that morning.


    She spent her time getting ready.


    By early afternoon, just as she stepped outside, William’s ck Bentley rolled out of the underground garage and stopped right in front of her. This time, she didn’t wait for him to open the door or say anything. She climbed in.


    The venue Haley had chosen for the press conference was downtown, just a short drive away.


    In the car, Ste listened as the live stream yed on her phone. Haley’s voice droned on, every word full of drama and manufactured pity.


    When they arrived, the conference was already halfway through. Without hesitation, Ste pushed open the conference room doors and strode in.


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    Her voice rang clear and steady: “I’ve just been watching your live broadcast, Ms. Smith. About what you said—I think I can provide some rification myself.”


    Heads turned all at once.


    Ste stood tall in a crisp white blouse and tailored ck trousers. Her hair was tied neatly at the back, her entire presence calm and poised.


    Right beside her, William stood in a sleek, dark suit, his expression cool and unreadable, his presencemanding without needing to say a word.


    Together, they were impossible to ignore.


    Haley, seated onstage, froze the moment she saw them. She hadn’t expected Ste to show up in person—and definitely not with William walking in beside her.


    “What are you doing here?” Haley snapped.


    Ste didn’t even blink. “If I didn’te, how else would I shut down all your nonsense?”


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