?Chapter 428:


    Then she turned to the nurse, flustered. “And just to rify—he’s not my boyfriend. He’s my boss.”


    The nurse blinked, clearly not expecting that.


    But then something shifted in her expression—like it all suddenly made sense. She gave Ste and William a knowing smirk, picked up the soggy sheets, and headed for the door.


    As she walked out, she muttered just loud enough to hear, “Boss and his office girl—ssic.”


    William, sharp-eared as ever, caught what the nurse said on her way out.


    He nced over at Ste, who was crouched on the floor wiping up the spilled water, looking totally unfazed—like she hadn’t even realized what she’d said to the nurse a moment ago.


    Once the floor was clean, she got up and walked toward him. “Mr. Briggs, let me help you back to bed.”


    William raised a brow. “You’re not nning to fall on me again, are you?”


    Ste’s face turned red. “I promise I won’t!”


    This time, she managed to help him back into bed without incident.


    As he leaned back against the pillows, Ste started to step away—but before she could move, William caught her wrist and tugged her toward him. She gasped, stumbling slightly, and ended up half-leaning against his arm. His other hand steadied her waist, and his breath grazed her cheek—warm, close, way too intimate.


    Her body tensed, heat rushing up her neck.


    She tried to wriggle free, but he wouldn’t let go.


    “You still haven’t agreed to what I asked earlier,” he said.


    Ste paused, struggling to recall what he had asked.


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    His expression darkened. “I told you to stay away from Shaun. Don’t meet with him alone anymore.”


    Seriously?


    She yanked her hand free and stepped back, face stiffening. “Mr. Briggs, I have the right to choose who I talk to. You’re my boss—not my parent. And even if you were, you wouldn’t get to dictate my friends.”


    She couldn’t understand why he was so hung up on Shaun. Was it just because she worked for him? Did he expect her to only work with people he approved of?


    That made zero sense. As a businessman, William should know the value ofworking. Coborating with others shouldn’t be a problem. Or was it that—after everything they’d been through—he just expected her to follow his lead now?


    Sure, she’d listen to him about work—that was fair. But this? Her personal life? No.


    William stared at her, jaw tight. Her defiance hit him harder than the wound. “You really think he’s that great?” he asked bitterly. “You’d choose him over everything?”


    Ste’s eyes narrowed. That wasn’t a warning—it sounded like jealousy. She kept her voice calm. “This isn’t about Shaun being great or not. It’s about you crossing a line. Who I spend time with is none of your business.”


    She looked him straight in the eye. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading out. Get some rest, Mr. Briggs.”


    With that, she turned and walked out without giving him a chance to speak. William sat there, seething. His chest tightened—not just from the wound, but from frustration. Why couldn’t she see he was trying to protect her?


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