?Chapter 285:


    Ste, unwilling to dwell on the tension swirling around them, forced herself to sound calm. “I’m sure it was just an ident. Don’t worry about it—you’re free to leave now.” She waved Doreen away.


    But Doreen, her voice already quivering, couldn’t hold back. “But… what about the dress? I really can’t pay for it…”


    She hadn’t even finished her plea before a scornful voice cut through the tension.


    “Ste, I never expected this from you. Now that you’re hanging onto William, you think you can parade around here, acting like you own the ce and picking on people who can’t fight back?”


    Ste’s brow tightened as she turned to see Marc striding toward her in a sharp white suit.


    “You didn’t used to act this way. When did you start thinking so highly of yourself?” he asked, his voice clipped.


    Even from afar, Marc had witnessed the whole scene. He’d caught sight of Doreen dabbing at Ste’s dress, while William stood nearby, backing Ste up. Though the words had been out of earshot, Marc felt sure Ste had scolded Doreen.


    The memory of Ste snapping at his mother in the market resurfaced, and irritation stirred in his chest.


    “This isn’t the first time you’ve pushed someone around. Can’t you recognize what you’ve be? When did this start?” He nearly added that everything had gone wrong the moment she got close to William, that she should’ve never been near him.


    Ste exhaled slowly. “Tell me, when have I ever bullied anyone?”


    Right then, Doreen moved forward, flustered as she tried to clear things up. “Mr. Walsh, you’ve got it wrong. Sylvia didn’t do anything to me. I was just upset for staining her dress. It was my fault, really!”


    Marc paid her little attention. “You don’t have to defend her. I saw what went on. Your eyes were swollen.”


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    Doreen parted her lips to respond, but no words came. For a second, she just stood there, unsure of how to go on.


    Across from them, Ste watched the back-and-forth. A flicker of realization crossed her face. She remembered now, where she’d recognized Doreen from. A cold chuckle slipped from her lips. “Marc, who do you think you are, speaking on her behalf? She already said she was the one at fault. Were you even listening?”


    Marc couldn’t stand the way she carried herself—calm,posed, like she always thought she was right. Without warning, he slid an arm around Doreen’s waist and pulled her close.


    Keeping his eyes locked on Ste, he tilted his chin upward and said, “She’s my girlfriend. Is that a good enough reason for you? You’ve got someone, don’t you? Why can’t I?”


    Doreen hadn’t seen thating. Thrown off bnce, she stumbled into him and looked up, startled.


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