?Chapter 288:


    From the moment she’d crossed paths with Doreen, Ste’s instincts had prickled with warning.


    Now her suspicions solidified—this woman’s friendliness masked a deeper animosity.


    Doreen’s lower lip trembled as she looked up, painting herself the picture of innocence. “Sylvia, why would you say that? I truly wanted to learn from you. Did I offend you somehow? If this is about what happened before, I’m really sorry. Please, let’s not let a misunderstanding ruin things between us.”


    A murmur rose from the onlookers, most of whom had missed the earlier exchanges. Judging by their sidelong nces, they’d decided Ste was simply picking on Doreen without cause.


    Marc’s frustration bubbled over, and he instinctively stepped in front of Doreen, shielding her with a protective arm.


    “Stel, must you really make things so difficult? I already said I was sorry for jumping to conclusions earlier. She just wanted to ask you a simple question. If you don’t feel like helping, fine—but did you have to talk to her like that?”


    Doreen clung to his sleeve, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Please, Mr. Walsh, let’s not drag this out. I was out of line with Ste, too. This probably isn’t the right ce or time for me to approach her, and I should’ve known better. I’m truly sorry for overstepping.”


    A heavy disappointment settled in Marc’s gaze as he nced at Ste. “Stel, I really expected better from you. You’re not the person I used to know.”


    Ste watched their little performance with a growing sense of disbelief. The harmony between them was almostughable.


    She said, “I never took you for a man who needed more than one ‘sweet little darling’ at his side. But as you rush to defend her, did you even remember that Haley is still sitting in a jail cell because of all this?”


    Ste’s wordsnded like a p, catching Marc so off guard that hisposure slipped and a flush crept up his neck.


    He opened his mouth, desperate to justify himself, but Ste cut him off without mercy. “Don’t act like you’re some savior to others when you can’t even manage your own mess. And spare me the lecture about being aggressive. I’ve barely known her a day—what possible motive would I have to target her?”


    Find exclusive updates gα?ησν??ls


    Marc, stung but stubborn, fired back anyway. “That still doesn’t mean you can talk down to her in front of everyone. She’s just a college kid picking up extra shifts because her family’s broke—not every girl grew up with your advantages.”


    Ste stared at him, the absurdity of the argument dawning on her. There was no reaching him.


    He professed love, but when it mattered, he always chose someone else.


    She let out a sharp, humorlessugh. So this was his idea of love? What a joke. A cold, bitingugh slipped past her lips. “If that’s what you call love, then I’d rather have nothing at all.”


    Marc’s stunned expression lingered as the weight of his words hit him. For all his derations, he’d never once chosen to side with Ste—not when it mattered.


    .


    .


    .