?Chapter 469:


    Ste forced a smile, not sure how to respond without blowing her cover. As the evening rolled in and dinner was served, Dexter turned to her and said warmly, “Ms. Gilbert, I hope the food suits your taste. And if there’s anything you’re not into, the kitchen can whip up something else.”


    Stephanie’s jaw practically hit the floor. Dexter had never gone out of his way for someone like this—especially not someone he just met. Was it just because Ste came with William? If so, then the favoritism couldn’t be clearer.


    Unlike Stephanie, Cesar and Davion stayed quiet.


    Although Davion kept sneaking nces at Ste, his eyes full of curiosity, making her feel weirdly exposed.


    William noticed too. His face darkened. “Davion, if you can’t keep your eyes to yourself, maybe you should get rid of them,” he said coolly.


    Davion shrugged, smug. “What? I think she’s hot. Can’t a guy appreciate some beauty at the dinner table?”


    His tone was yful, but it still made Ste ufortable.


    Then he turned to her with a grin. “So, Ms. Gilbert—got a boyfriend?”


    William’s expression turned cold. “Davion. This is a family dinner. Don’t make me lose it in front of Grandpa.”


    Before Davion could fire back, Dexter cut in, his voice low but sharp. “That’s enough. We don’t talk during meals. Or did you all forget how this house works?”


    Davion threw William onest look, then dropped his head and kept quiet. William leaned toward Ste and murmured just loud enough for her to hear, “Sorry about that.”


    Ste blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected sincerity in his voice. “It’s fine,” she whispered back.


    It really wasn’t that big of a deal—and she hadn’t expected him to step in like that anyway.


    By the time dinner wrapped up, it was already pushing nine.


    New chapters now on .c?m


    William didn’t n on staying. “It’s gettingte, Grandpa. I’ll take her home.”


    Once they were in the car and a few blocks away from the mansion, he nced over and said, “About the painting—if you can’t find it, don’t worry. I’ll talk to Grandpa. It’s not a big deal.”


    He clearly thought she’d just said that earlier to be polite.


    But Ste let out a softugh. “I wasn’t bluffing. I actually have it—the real deal.”


    William looked at her, surprised. That painting was worth at least ten million. How did she get her hands on it?


    “I used to talk to this guy online,” she said. “After a while, I found out he was an artist. Turns out, he’s the one who painted it.”


    William looked half-convinced. What were the odds?


    The car pulled up to her building. She unbuckled and opened the door. “I’ll let you know once I dig it out. Shouldn’t take more than a few days.”


    William nodded, one hand still on the wheel. “No rush.”


    Ste smiled, said goodbye, and watched his car disappear down the road before turning to head inside.


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