?Chapter 472:


    “Interesting,” she murmured. “Rumor has it you still have feelings for Ste. So why call me? Aren’t you afraid I might retaliate against her?” Her tone wasced with suspicion.


    “I won’t deny I still care. But if she messes up, she should face the consequences. How else will she learn? I’m doing this for her own good.” His words came off so sincere, so deliberate, but Willow couldn’t help letting out a bitterugh.


    In her eyes, Marc Walsh was nothing short of a two-faced, maniptive man. After ending the call, Willow remained seated on the Lawson family sofa, her thoughts churning.


    She wasn’t usually one to stoop to petty tactics, but Ste had overstepped one too many times. This time, she wouldn’t hold back.


    The following day, William was back at the research institute, working on the experiment he’d left iplete. Around noon, Willow arrived, carrying a neatly packed homemade lunch.


    She stepped into theb with a practiced smile. “William, it’s lunchtime. I brought something I made. Why don’t you eat before you go back to work?”


    William gave her a brief nce and quietly set aside his tools, acknowledging her presence without fuss.


    Just then, the door opened again, and Ste walked in, her gaze on the folder in her hands. “Mr. Briggs, there’s a document that needs—”


    Her voice trailed off as her eyesnded on Willow, who was seatedfortably, calmly watching her with her chin resting in her palm.


    Realizing she had walked in at the wrong moment, Ste quickly said, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”


    Before William could reply, Willow’s voice rang out, sugary-sweet. “Ms. Gilbert, won’t you join us? I made extra. If you’re here to talk to William, go ahead—don’t worry about me.”


    Willow had a polite smile on her face, but Ste could tell she wasn’t really happy.


    She wanted to decline the invitation, but William spoke up before she could.


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    “Bring it here. I’ll take a look.”


    He wasn’t asking her to join them—he just wanted the document.


    Assuming it was urgent, Ste walked over and ced the folder on the table. Willow’s smile stayed perfectly intact, showing no hint of irritation.


    While William scanned and signed the pages, Willow turned to Ste again, her tone light and pleasant. “Ms. Gilbert, as Neb’s CEO, you should really take advantage of everyworking opportunity. There’s a cruise ship event this weekend—golf, CEOs, and top bankers from Choria. You should join us.”


    Ste was ready to dismiss the idea, but William had already signed the documents and closed the folder. “Juste along. It’ll be good for Neb’s uing projects. No need to prepare—just make time.”


    He was the boss, and with him putting it so bluntly, Ste really had no room to say no.


    So she simply nodded and walked out.


    Outside, Sandra was already waiting. “Sylvia, are you alright? If we’d known Willow wasing, we could’ve dodged her.”


    Ste let out a smallugh and tapped her own forehead. “Why should I avoid her? I haven’t done anything wrong.”


    Sandra tilted her head, thinking it over, and realized Ste had a fair point. “True, we just needed William’s signature. That’s it. Willow wouldn’t be that petty, right?”


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