?Chapter 283:


    The soft glow of the lights caught the matching purple flowers on their essories, a detail that didn’t escape notice.


    “Isn’t that William? He’s brought that woman along quite a few times now. Who is she, exactly?”


    “Beats me. Maybe she’s his girlfriend? They look perfect together.”


    “Check out their essories—they’re both wearing purple flowers. Are they trying to send a message?”


    “They have to be together. Didn’t she used to be with Marc? Now she’s with William, and just like that, she’s no longer a housewife. She’s out here at all the big events. Impressive.”


    “Honestly, she’s ying her cards right. Walsh Group’s about to go under. If she’d stuck with Marc, she’d be drowning in his debts too.”


    At the edge of the room, a man lounged against the balcony wall, swirling his wine. Upon hearing the gossip, however, his grip on the wine ss subtly tightened, the stem creaking under his fingers.


    All around Marc, whispers floated like smoke—everyone at the banquet seemed to agree he wasn’t in the same league as William.


    In everyone’s eyes, leaving him for William wasn’t just wise—it was the best decision Ste had made in her life.


    The notion was almostughable, yet it gnawed at him, fueling his simmering anger.


    He red at the spot where Ste had vanished into the crowd, his gaze shadowed with suspicion.


    Every instinct screamed that he’d been right all along.


    Ste had set her sights on William; that was the only reason she’d been so eager to end their marriage.


    As Marc brooded over the spectacle unfolding across the hall, he failed to notice a sly pair of eyes tracking his every move.


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    A woman, her gaze sharp with amusement, wove confidently through the gathering, making her way toward the heart of the room.


    Meanwhile, Ste had just slipped from William’s hold, intent on finding her elusive business partner amid the sea of faces. Before she could take another step, a stranger’s cheerful voice cut through the murmuring crowd. “Ms. Gilbert! Good evening!”


    Startled, Ste turned to see a woman she didn’t recognize, her brows lifting in polite confusion. “Good evening. I’m sorry, do we know each other?”


    Doreen offered a bright, practiced smile as she reached out. “I’m Doreen Greville—a volunteer here tonight. Ms. Gilbert, you went to Crossroads University, didn’t you? I’m a student there now, so I guess that makes us alumnae.”


    Ste’s brow furrowed, suspicion flickering behind her eyes.


    Very few people knew her university history unless they’d deliberately dug into her background.


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