?Chapter 227:


    William gave a small nod and nced at his phone.


    Within seconds, Ste’s phone buzzed with iing files.


    She blinked at the quick response and murmured, “Thanks.”


    But William only raised an eyebrow. “Don’t thank me just yet. I have a condition.”


    The moment William mentioned he had a condition, Ste immediately regretted thanking him.


    She stared at him warily, especially when she noticed the faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. Something told her she had just walked straight into a trap.


    William noticed her cautious look and couldn’t help but chuckle. He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice with amusement. “Why do you look so nervous? You think I’m going to do something to you?” His breath lightly brushed her cheek. Ste instinctively tensed.


    “I… When did I say that?” she muttered, flustered.


    It seemed to her that he was clearly twisting her words.


    William leaned backzily. “Oh? So you’re saying you think I’m a trafficker now? nning to sell you off?”


    Ste pursed her lips. “Honestly, it’s not impossible.”


    Capitalists and traffickers—same level of ruthlessness in her book. Though she had to admit, William had been generous with her. A lot more generous than most.


    After a bit of yful back-and-forth, his teasing faded. The air shifted as he adopted a more serious tone.


    “Neb’s just starting to get noticed. You’vended a few key projects, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to rx.” He turned to her, his gaze sharp. “Next quarter, I want Neb to stand out among the newpanies—dominate thepetition. I trust you can make this happen.”


    Ste met his gaze head-on. There was no fear, only fire. She had already prepared for this when she agreed to run Neb.


    Comfort zones were boring.


    She craved challenges.


    Explore captivating tales on gα?ησν????s


    “I can do it,” she said firmly. “I’ll increase Neb’s profit by fifty percent next quarter.”


    William raised an eyebrow. “Ms. Russell, you’re certainly brave.” That kind of promise—even Steven wouldn’t dare make.


    Buting from Ste? It didn’t sound like an exaggeration.


    She caught the amused glint in his eyes and shot him a look. “Pennypincher,” she mouthed silently.


    He really wanted to have his cake and eat it too.


    William saw it—and instead of being offended, he actually smirked and started the car.


    As the engine hummed and the city lights passed them by, Ste opened her phone and tapped into the files he’d sent.


    Each message, each recording, triggered a memory—pulling her mind back to that night years ago.


    .


    .


    .