?Chapter 557:


    Marc remembered what Doreen had blurted out at the mall—that she was only with him for the money. He figured there was no point hiding anything from her. “Someone else used to live in that room,” he said bluntly. “It hasn’t been touched since. It wouldn’t be convenient for you. Pick another.”


    Doreen froze for a second, then quickly covered her mouth in mock surprise. “Oh, I see! I didn’t realize. I’ll find a different one, then!”


    Marc let out a quiet breath, relieved that she didn’t push the matter. As he watched her walk off to explore the other rooms, his thoughts drifted. If what she said at the mall was true, then maybe it was time to start thinking ahead. Once the baby was born, he’d make arrangements and cut things off.


    Eventually, Doreen settled on another room. It was smaller than the one she originally wanted, but the lighting was great, and it had a clean, open view of the garden.


    After the staff helped her unpack, she shut the door, sat on the bed, and stared at the sunlight streaming in. But she wasn’t admiring the view.


    Her jaw tightened as she bit her lip, fury simmering quietly beneath her calm surface.


    She’d already figured it out—the room Marc had stopped her from entering belonged to Ste. She didn’t need anyone to tell her.


    The second she opened that door, she noticed the pink sheets, the floral curtains, the soft, feminine touches. No one else could’ve lived there. It had to be Ste.


    And the room hadn’t been touched. Ste had been gone for over a year, and still, Marc had left it exactly the same. Her blood boiled at the thought. Doreen refused to ept it. She didn’t see herself as inferior in any way.


    Now that she’d made it into the vi, she wasn’t leaving without staking her im. That room, the master bedroom—everything Ste left behind—she wanted it all.


    And one way or another, she’d wipe every trace of Ste from the house.


    Meanwhile, across town, Ste had just stepped out of the research institute when she got a call. It was Rutherford. “Ms. Gilbert,” his smooth voice came through the line, “I wonder if you have some time this evening. I’m in Choria for business and would love to take you to dinner.”


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    Ste paused. She remembered how Rutherford had helped her out before, delivering equipment to the institute. She owed him one.


    She picked a high-end restaurant with a good reputation and headed out after work.


    When she pulled up, she spotted Rutherford already waiting at the entrance. He was even taller than William, his broad frame making him look like he barely fit under the doorframe.


    She smiled as she walked over. “Sorry I’mte.”


    Rutherford opened the door with a polite smile. “You’re notte at all. I just got here early.”


    The restaurant’s seating was built around a central chef who prepared the food in full view. It was warm, lively, and filled with the scent of good food.


    As they sat, Ste nced at him and said, “Mr. Schoenberg, I remember our bet fromst time. I’ll have you know, the project’s progressing well. I’m confident we’ll seed.”


    She hadn’t forgotten that if she lost, she owed Rutherford a million dors. He chuckled softly. “Ms. Gilbert, I didn’t invite you here to discuss business. I just wanted to share a good meal.”


    Ste was a little caught off guard. She had expected some kind of progress check or at least a polite nudge about the bet.


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