Chapter 320:


    Steughed lightly, warmth in her voice. “You’ll be the first to know.”


    “You’re the sweetest!” Marlowe eximed, pulling Ste into a spontaneous hug. The two were already acting like old friends.


    Josie gave Ste a yful nudge. “With fans like her, you won’t have to stress about your bank ount much longer. Looks like you’re well on your way to hitting that savings goal, huh?”


    Ste’s grin slipped into her tone as she responded, “I’ll need to release a few more collections before I get there. You know my current bnce isn’t exactly impressive.”


    Josie grinned, giving her an encouraging nod. “Rx. I’ll make sure your designs sell out. Just watch me.”


    Ste had always trusted Josie implicitly—she wouldn’t have put the brand in Josie’s hands otherwise.


    As Marlowe finally sliced into her birthday cake, the lively party gradually began to wind down. Josie handed over her birthday gift with a cheerful smile, then turned to Ste. “I’m heading out now. Need a ride?”


    Ste hesitated. Since she’d arrived with William, ducking out with Josie felt a little too abrupt. She shook her head. “I’m good, but thanks for offering. Get home safe.”


    Josie gave her a quick wave, her earrings catching the light. “Let’s keep in touch, okay? I’ll be in Choria for a few months—plenty of chances to meet up.” With that, she slipped out, disappearing into the evening bustle.


    When most of the guests had trickled away, William and Ste took their turn saying goodbye to Marlowe and left together.


    Inside the Bentley, the city lights slipped past the tinted windows. William cast several sidelong nces at Ste, silent questions flickering in his gaze. He’d caught her conversation with Josie earlier, but the crowded room had kept him from prying.


    Now, with the world outside hushed and only the low hum of the engine between them, he finally broke the silence. “Are you actually short on money?” he asked, his voice gentle but direct.


    He found it hard to believe. Ste’s research institute sry was more thanfortable, and as Neb’s CEO, she hardlycked resources. Unless she needed a sizable sum for something bigger…


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    Ste gave a small nod and answered bluntly, “I’ve been a little low on cashtely.”


    Her honesty caught William slightly off guard. He was used to the corporate world’s cryptic conversations, where every sentence came wrapped in hidden meanings and polite deflection. But with Ste, there was none of that—she simply said what she meant.


    “Where’d all your money go?” he asked, genuinely curious.


    She shot him a quick nce. “I joined Neb and haven’t even gotten my first paycheck. What do you think happened to my money?”


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    Message from Noah: Have a great weekend dear ones. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (? ?? ? – ? ) ?


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