?Chapter 240:


    As the group chatted, William strolled up behind her. His voice was soft, but there was a familiar yfulness in it. “Congrattions on achieving your goals, Ms. Gilbert.”


    Ste turned to look at him, still riding the high of everything.


    She couldn’t deny it—without William’s help, getting the dirt on Cecelia and the others would’ve been a whole lot harder. Maybe he wasn’t just a slick businessman after all. And maybe all those meals she’d cooked for him weren’t for nothing.


    She raised an eyebrow, teasing just a bit. “Thanks to you, Mr. Briggs. Your skills are impressive—here in Choria and in Briset. I’ve got to say, I’m impressed.” Her words were genuine, but her tone had a yful edge.


    William let out a quietugh. “And here I thought you’d repay me with more than just apliment.”


    “Oh? What do you want then?”


    “At the very least… dinner. That’s fair, right?” He stepped in just a bit closer, not enough to make a scene—but enough to stir something unspoken between them.


    Sandra, still hanging onto Ste’s arm, giggled and gave her a light shake. “Seriously, you two! The flirting is unreal. It’s almost too sweet.”


    William nced her way but didn’t say anything—just chuckled.


    Ste, on the other hand, shot Sandra a look. “Stop with the nonsense.”


    Sandra turned to nce at her friend’s face, expecting a flustered grin—but Ste was dead serious. No blush. No dodging.


    Still, there was something unspoken hanging in the air between her and William. These two might not be a couple… but somehow, they just fit. Strangely well-matched.


    The day of the academic conference had finally arrived. Ste showed up dressed to the nines—every bit the professional—polished, poised, and quietlymanding. She took her seat without fuss, sharp eyes behind rimless sses, her whole demeanor exuding calm confidence.


    When she spoke up, her questions were insightful and precise. No fluff. All substance.


    The best stories are at g?lnσν????s???????


    The entire event was being streamed live, which meant everyone had to be on their toes. One clumsy moment, one careless slip, and it would be all over the inte within seconds.


    Back at the Walsh family home, Jazlyn sat frozen in front of the TV, eyes wide in disbelief. There was Ste—calm, sharp, and professional—looking every bit the intellectual with those frameless sses. Was this really the same Ste?


    Jazlyn didn’t understand most of what the conference was about, but she recognized the faces on screen. These were people she’d seen in headlines and glossy magazine spreads—top-tier names. The kind of people who ran things behind the scenes.


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