?Chapter 481:


    The abruptness caught Ste off guard, but she managed a yful shrug. “Don’t worry, I’m terrified of water. I’ll just stay right here.”


    Once Shaun slipped into the crowd, Ste meandered toward the buffet, eyeing a cupcake. Just as she reached for it, she spotted Willow and William strolling past—arms linked.


    “Mr. Briggs, have you and Ms. Lawson picked a wedding date yet? You two are Choria’s golden couple—we’re all dying to see the wedding!” The man across from William and Willow grinned, his tone dripping with ttery. “You and Ms. Lawson make a stunning pair. I bet you’ll be just as in love after tying the knot.”


    William didn’t say a word. Willow, however, leaned in closer to him with a polished smile. “Thanks, that’s sweet of you. We’re still deciding on the date.”


    Not far off, Ste quietly turned her head away, pretending not to hear any of it. Just then, a waiter came up behind her carrying a tray of freshly ted food. “Excuse me, ma’am, could you step aside?”


    Ste started to shift, but as the waiter cleared the used dishes, he identally bumped her—hard—with his elbow.


    She staggered,pletely off bnce. And the next thing she knew, she was falling—backward—straight over the edge.


    A sharp ssh, and then—the ocean swallowed her whole. Her body bobbed violently with the waves.


    “Help!” She iled and yelled, but the music sting from the ship drowned her out.


    Saltwater rushed into her mouth, burning her throat. She choked, panicked, and went under. Her vision blurred, her limbs heavy and useless.


    Meanwhile, Sharon wasbing the deck, finally spotting Josie chatting away with Steven.


    She grabbed Josie’s arm, trying to pull her along. “What’s up with you?” Josie frowned, tugging her hand back. “Stel’s looking for you,” Sharon said.


    That got Josie’s attention. Without hesitation, she followed Sharon toward the dining area.


    LΑτ??τ chαρτ?rs ιn g??l??ov?l??.??????


    Steven was seconds away from scoring Josie’s number and wasn’t about to let go.


    He trailed after them.


    At the dining section, Sharon looked around—no sign of Ste.


    Josie folded her arms. “Where is she? You didn’t just make that up, did you?”


    “Do I look like I’ve got time to y games?” Sharon shot back. “I told her to wait right here. She should be around.”


    A nervous flutter started in Sharon’s stomach. Something didn’t feel right. Josie could see the shift in her expression and got serious. “Maybe she wandered off to chat with someone?”


    “No,” Sharon shook her head. “She said she’d wait. And even if she left, she wouldn’t be gone this long.”


    Josie turned to scan the ship—plenty of people milling about,ughing, drinking, but no Ste.


    “You stay here. I’ll go ask around,” Sharon said.


    She headed straight toward William. “Have you seen Stel?”


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