?Chapter 549:


    Hester stepped in quickly, trying to smooth things over. “Alright, that’s enough. We’re all colleagues here. No need to go that far. Nina already admitted Sylvia’s better—why push it?”


    Watching Hester y the victim, Sandra let out a scornfulugh. Seriously? Who was really being aggressive here?


    If Sylvia had lost, Sandra was sure they’d already be dragging her to the door, urging her to pack up and leave the research institute.


    Nina stood awkwardly in front of Ste and William, cleared her throat twice, and forced out, “Sylvia, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have allowed them to doubt you publicly. How about this? I apologize, and we let this go, okay?”


    The words sounded hollow. Empty. Not a hint of sincerity in her voice. And Ste knew—if William hadn’t walked over just now, Nina wouldn’t be wearing that contrite expression. She wouldn’t even be trying to save face.


    William turned to Ste, his voice quiet and steady. “What were the terms of the penalty?”


    Ste met his eyes and answered calmly, “The bet was simple. If she lost, she’d kneel and apologize to me in public. If I lost, I’d admit to being just a decorative figure and voluntarily resign from the institute.”


    William’s brow lifted slightly in surprise. He’d always known Ste was bold, but he hadn’t expected this level of nerve—willing to stake everything on a single round. If she ever lost because of bad luck, who would be there to back her up? Who would catch her when she fell?


    William turned to Nina, his tone steady but unmistakably firm. “Since there was a bet, you need to ept the oue gracefully. Whoever loses should honor the deal. Besides, Miss Carter—the bet was your idea, right?”


    Thest part came out like a question, but the weight behind it left no room for denial.


    And with so many people watching, Nina knew she couldn’t talk her way out of this one. One wrong move and her reputation at the institute would be shredded.


    But to kneel and apologize to Ste? That was a humiliation she wasn’t ready for.


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    Her hand curled into a tight fist inside her sleeve as she red at Ste, then forced out a stiff, almost grudging, “Ms. Gilbert, I’m sorry.” She didn’t kneel.


    Ste didn’t respond.


    She just looked at Nina, gaze steady—then slowly dropped her eyes to Nina’s legs. The message was clear.


    Nina’s jaw tightened. She hoped someone would speak up for her, push back against Ste’s cold stance.


    But this wasn’t abroad where she had sway. This was the institute—and William was clearly on Ste’s side. Nina was on her own.


    Under the pressure of every watching eye, Nina’s knees began to bend. Just as she was about to go down, Ste reached out and grabbed her arm.


    “No need to kneel. I ept your apology,” she said inly. “Let’s not do this kind of bet again. Not everyone’s cut out for it.”


    Once Nina was standing upright again, Ste let go and walked away without another nce, Sandra and the others trailing behind her.


    William didn’t say a word either. He followed right after Ste, not sparing Nina even a look as he headed upstairs.


    The rest of the researchers, who’d kept quiet while William was there, finally dared to gather around Nina. “Nina, are you okay?”


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