?Chapter 456:


    As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted it. She’d probably gone too far.


    She bit her lip and stopped talking.


    William didn’t even look surprised. “How much did Steven tell you?”


    Ste hesitated, then admitted, “Pretty much everything.” She peeked at him carefully, wondering if he’d be mad.


    “My grandfather just said he needed me for something. I don’t know if it’s about them yet.”


    “Oh,” Ste mumbled, falling silent.


    The quiet between them stretched, and with about twenty minutes left till home, Ste suddenly blurted out, “Is your engagement to Willow also because of your family situation?”


    The second she asked, she wanted to kick herself. Why was she still prying? When did she get this nosy?


    William didn’t answer right away. Instead, he nced at her, amused. “Why do you care so much about my family? Do you have feelings for me?”


    Ste’s heart skipped a beat for a moment, but she quicklyposed herself. “I’m just making conversation. What does that have to do with whether I like you or not? If you don’t want to talk, then forget it.”


    He certainly didn’t know how to keep a conversation going. He remained silent, offering no exnation.


    There were still too many things about him and Willow that he couldn’t share with her. Besides, keeping her in the dark was probably the only way to protect her. The sleek ck car finally pulled up in front of Ste’s apartment building. She unbuckled her seatbelt, stepped out, and said casually, “Thanks for the ride. See you.”


    William’s car disappeared into the distance as Ste turned toward her building. She hadn’t made it far when someone suddenly jumped out from behind the bushes, making her stumble back in shock. It was Marc.


    He was holding a huge bouquet of red roses, walking toward her with a soft, hopeful smile. “Stel, I know you’ve always loved flowers. I bought these just for you. I thought you’d like them.”


    Ste stared at the bright red roses, her brows furrowing. “Marc, maybe your ex-wife liked these, but I’ve told you before—the one flower I hate the most is the red rose.”


    Find your imagination at galn  ovels ; con


    Marc’s face fell. He hadn’t expected that. She used to love these. Back then, every time he brought her roses, she’d light up. But now, she said she hated them?


    “Stel, don’t say that. I always gave you red roses, and you never said you didn’t like them.”


    Ste had never met a man so clueless—or so shameless. “Take your flowers and leave. Now. Or I’ll call security.”


    She had picked this neighborhood specifically because it was known for being secure. She had no idea how he had even gotten past the gate.


    Marc’s smile faded. His hand holding the bouquet sagged.


    “Stel, what will it take for you to forgive me? I just made a mistake—a mistake any man could make. I see that now. Can’t you give me another chance?”


    Ste let out a coldugh. A mistake any man could make? Right. He didn’t actually feel sorry. He…


    Ste just thought sweet-talking her would win her back. She had seen through him a long time ago. The moment he opened his mouth, she already knew what garbage wasing.


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