?Chapter 438:


    An awkward silence hung in the air until another voice chimed in behind Willow. “Mr. Briggs, Miss Lawson was asking where you were, so I brought her here, and I—”


    It was Luca. But the moment he stepped in and saw the scene in front of him, his expression froze in horror. He looked like he’d just walked into a disaster. “Oh no. This looks so bad,” he screamed inwardly.


    Ste wanted to disappear. She cleared her throat, trying topose herself. “Since there was no one else around, I stayed to help him get changed. But now that you’re here…” She looked at Willow, then Luca. “I’ll take my leave.”


    Before Ste could finish her sentence, William cut in. “Don’t head out just yet. Luca, swing by the mall and get a change of clothes—for a woman.”


    Willow immediately jumped in, her voice sweet and polished. “No need for that. I’ll take Ms. Russell. I drove, and I’ve got a clean outfit in my car—top to bottom.” As someone who bounced between banquets and luncheons, keeping a full backup in her trunk was just standard protocol for Willow.


    But Ste didn’t feelfortable epting, especially not from someone she’d had friction with before.


    So she said, “It’s fine, really. I’ll just head home—it won’t take long.”


    Willow sped Ste’s hand and said sweetly, “Don’t be in such a rush. I brought tons of food, and William’s appetite isn’t what it used to be. Join us. After you change, you can go when the rain stops.” Her cheeriness made Ste uneasy.


    She opened her mouth to decline again, but William’s voicended first. “That would be very kind of you, Miss Lawson.”


    Ste’s brow twitched. Great. Apparently, no one needed her opinion. Willow took that cue and tugged her along. “We’re about the same size. My clothes will fit perfectly.”


    Left with no out, Ste followed her.


    When she came out changed, Willow gave her an appraising look. “You look gorgeous in this. The color tters your skin tone.”


    The words sounded nice enough, but Ste caught the bite hidden beneath thepliment. The kind that carried more territorial warning than warmth. It was like the past tension between them had never happened.


    ???ЯE ??P?ΛTΞ? IИ GΛ?И?VΞ??.???


    “Come on, let’s head back upstairs,” Willow chirped, leading the way again. “You must be freezing. I’ll get you something warm to drink. I always carry a bottle with me.”


    True to her word, she returned a momentter with a sleek ss bottle. “Here, take this.”


    Ste reached out to grab it, but the bottle slipped through her fingers and shattered on the floor with a loud crack.


    Hot liquid sshed across her ankle—scalding, not lukewarm. Her skin stung instantly.


    Willow had been holding the bottle by its insted silicone lid.


    She didn’t flinch, didn’t step back—she just stood there, arms crossed, watching.


    A smile curved at the corner of her lips. “Oh no… my bad. I must’ve forgotten to add cold water. Are you alright?” Her tone was all sugary concern, but her expression gave her away.


    Ste clenched her jaw, looked down. “I’m fine. Let’s just go back.”


    Ste turned to head back, but Willow wasn’t done. “This is just a little warning.” Her voice dropped, sharper now. “You really like hovering around William, don’t you? I’m his fiancée. Maybe learn some boundaries. You changed his clothes, didn’t you? What else did you do while you were at it? I know you, Ste!”


    .


    .


    .