?Chapter 241:


    And now, Ste was sitting among them, speaking like she belonged there. Every time the camera panned to her, Ste looked poised, polished—untouched by nerves or doubt. She wasn’t just present. She was thriving.


    Just then, Marc came downstairs. Jazlyn waved him over urgently. “Marc! Come here—Ste’s on TV!”


    At the sound of her name, Marc walked over quickly and sat beside his mother. They both watched in silence for a moment. Jazlyn broke it first.


    “She’s really something now, huh? Honestly, I think she deserves you now… more than Haley. She’s on another level.”


    Jazlyn didn’t find her words absurd at all; she genuinely believed that Ste now matched Marc.


    Marc didn’t reply. His eyes stayed on Ste—captivated. That was his wife. Soposed. So brilliant. So beautiful.


    “She’s not just holding her own,” Jazlyn continued. “She’s standing shoulder-to-shoulder with people who control entire industries. If shees back to you, the resources alone could turn everything around for the Walsh Group.”


    Marc didn’t look away from the screen. He knew what his mother said was true.


    “I’ve never given up on her,” he said quietly. “I’ll win her back.”


    Jazlyn’s brows pinched together. “Then why hasn’t she agreed? Why hasn’t she even considereding back? Do you think… maybe she doesn’t love you anymore?” Jazlyn asked, a flicker of worry crossing her face.


    Marc snapped his gaze toward her. “No way. Stel still loves me. There has to be something else going on.”


    “Like what?” Jazlyn pressed.


    Marc fell silent for a moment, then said, “It’s because of what happened back then.


    That night. The trauma. The shame she carried.” In his mind, that had to be the reason she hadn’t returned.


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    Maybe getting close to William was her way of giving up—like she thought she was damaged, so it didn’t matter anymore. Maybe she believed she didn’t deserve better.


    The thought left a bitter taste in Marc’s mouth. His chest tightened.


    But still—he could forgive all of it. If she came back, he’d let the past die right there. Pretend it never happened.


    He told himself that made him noble. That it made him rare—merciful, even.


    “Then go for it, Marc,” Jazlyn said, her voice softer now.


    She hadn’t dared show her face in public since thest mess.


    Haley? Please. That girl was just a spoiled little princess, no match for someone like Ste.


    If Ste returned, Haley could pack up and leave. Simple as that.


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