?Chapter 426:


    When Ste called to update Shaun, he waspletely stunned.


    “I can’t believe it… He did all that for money?” Shaun said, his voice tight with disbelief. “Back when we started working together, he seemed so decent. I never thought he’d go that far.”


    He sighed over the phone, clearly regretting how wrong he’d been.


    Ste stood by the window, her phone in hand. “You couldn’t have known. It wasn’t your fault. He let greed blind him. You were just another person he used.”


    Shaun paused for a second. “Syl… I’m really sorry I couldn’t protect you. I was seriously worried something would happen to you. If it had… I’d never forgive myself.”


    She wasn’t used to hearing him talk like that. So direct. So… personal.


    “Mr. Smith,” she said, steadying her voice, “now that Nixon’s out of the picture, you’ll probably need a new materials supplier. I’m not cut out for handling this project anymore. Better if someone else on your team takes over. I won’t be following up.”


    She’d once thought it was a great opportunity. A good side gig. But after nearly losing her life? No amount of profit was worth it.


    Shaun was quiet for a moment, clearly not expecting that. “Syl… are you still upset with me because of all this?”


    She blinked, a little surprised by the question. “No. Not at all.”


    There was nothing to be upset about. It wasn’t on him.


    Shaun sighed. “Finding a new supplier will take time, but once that’s settled, I still hope we can work together again. I know you wanted to earn more—and this project’s returns are high.”


    But Ste just shook her head. “There are others better suited for it,” she said. “And the institute’s been piling work on metely. I really don’t have time.”


    She was exhausted mentally and physically. All she wanted now was a break. Some peace. She just wanted to go back to herb work and focus on Neb. Shaun seemed to pick up on the finality in her voice and gave up trying to convince her. “Alright. Just take care of yourself. When the time’s right, maybe we’ll work together again.”


    “Of course.”


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    A brief pause. “Then… can I still take you out to dinner sometime?” Shaun asked.


    Ste hesitated. “If I have the time.”


    It was a polite answer—but distant. Shaun could hear the brush-off in her tone.


    He let out a low chuckle.


    “Alright, I won’t push. See you around, Syl.”


    Ste hung up, a strange chill crawling up her spine.


    Every time Shaun called her “Syl,” it made her skin crawl a little—but she didn’t know how to bring it up without making it awkward. Now that their project was over, though, she figured she wouldn’t have to deal with him much anymore.


    She turned around and jumped slightly. William was staring at her from the hospital bed, eyes half-open, his gaze steady.


    “You feeling okay?” she asked, her heart skipping a beat.


    He’d been out cold just a second ago. Could the call have woken him?


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