?Chapter 308:


    If Marc thought she supported his reunion with Ste, he’d never see her as a threat.


    That was how she would stay close.


    “Mr. Walsh,” she coaxed, “I still think Ste has feelings for you.”


    Marc didn’t respond. His gaze lingered on Ste for a moment longer, then slowly dropped as he slid his hand into his pocket. His fingers found the familiar fabric. The charm.


    It was back when the Walsh Group was just getting off the ground. Ste had gone out of her way to get the charm for him.


    He was preparing for a work trip to a remote area, and she’d been worried—reminding him over and over to be careful.


    The morning he left, she handed him the charm, saying it would keep him safe. He didn’t believe in those things. But it was from her, so he kept it.


    Later, when he returned, he found out she’d spent three hours waiting to get it.


    At some point, the charm had torn—its edges worn and frayed from being carried so long—but Ste had carefully stitched it back together by hand. She had always been that kind. And he was the one who failed to appreciate her.


    His grip on the charm tightened. His expression shifted.


    As Doreen nudged him on, Marc finally stood.


    Across the room, Ste was deep in conversation with Sandra. But Sandra suddenly paused mid-sentence, her eyes locked on something behind Ste.


    Ste turned. Marc stood there.


    She felt a headacheing on. Without missing a beat, she dipped her head and pretended not to see him.


    Marc ignored it. He stepped forward, took the charm from his pocket, and held it out. “This is the charm you spent three hours in prayer to get for me,” he said quietly. “I think it’s time it returned to its rightful owner.”


    The charm stirred memories in her.


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    She nced at it, her expression steady. “You can throw it away,” she replied coolly.


    If she took it back now, it would mean nothing to her.


    Marc’s lips pressed into a line. He hadn’t expected that.


    “Stel… you once told me this charm would keep me safe. I’ve carried it with me all this time. I know now how much you cared for me. I didn’t see it before. But I do now.” He paused, then asked softly, “For the sake of this charm… can you give me onest chance?”


    Ste fixed Marc with a cold stare, then snatched the charm from his hand and, without a second thought, flicked it into the trash bin by her chair. Garbage belonged exactly where she put it. If she had her way, Marc would be right in there with it.


    Marc froze, struggling to process what had just happened. He stared, ck-jawed, at the discarded charm, a mess of disbelief and hurt flickering in his eyes. “Stel, how could you do that? I’ve carried that charm for years! It’s always been with me!”


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