?Chapter 562:


    That day, Ste noticed in themunity group chat that people were discussing the new procedures. Everything seemed more organized now. Since Sandra mentioned it, Ste thought it might be a good time to go back home.


    “The area’s pretty nice now. I think I’ll head back home today.”


    Sandra’s face brightened. “Really? I think we live along the same way. Want to share a cab?”


    Steughed and said, “I brought my car today. I’ll drop you off.”<fn7c81> Readplete version only at fin?novel</fn7c81>


    Sandra happily held onto her arm. “Sylvia, you’re the best! Do you need to stop by the dorm and pack up?”


    Ste paused for a second. She’d only nned to stay temporarily. The bedding she used actually belonged to William, and returning it, even after washing, didn’t feel right.


    She decided it would be better to just pay him backter. As for her belongings, she chose to leave them in the dorm for now—just in case she needed to spend the night there again sometime.


    “There’s not much to pack. Let’s just head out.”


    She pulled up directions on her phone, and the two left the institute together.


    William left his office, nning to see Ste at theb, but it was empty.


    He went back to the dorms, paused at her door for a moment, and then knocked.


    He felt strangely down—it was the first time a woman had left him feeling this unsettled.


    His thoughts were all over the ce, but her door remained closed.


    Where was she?


    She wasn’t at the research institute, and her dorm was empty too. Had she gone out to dinner with coworkers… or was she with someone else?


    His thoughts kept spinning out of control.


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    Maybe he really did need to see a therapist.


    He sighed and went back inside, reminding himself that it was still early, and Ste had her own life. Whether he was her boss, a friend, or… something more, it wasn’t his ce to control her.


    He opened hisptop and focused on Briggs Group paperwork, hoping work would distract him from the fact that Ste still wasn’t back.


    After she dropped Sandra home, Ste got two calls—one from Sharon, the other from Josie.


    They both invited her out to eat, practically at the same time.


    With no better idea, Ste pulled over and created a group chat with the two of them.


    “Alright, what are we doing for dinner then?” she asked.


    Sharon frowned when she saw Josie appear on the call. “Why is she here?” she asked bluntly.


    Josie was caught off guard but kept her cool. “Is it just the three of us having dinner?” she asked gently.


    Ste felt a headache creeping in. “You both texted me about dinner at almost the same time, then called back-to-back insisting I couldn’t bail. So now, all three of us are eating together. No arguments.” She added with a grin, “Let’s try that new restaurant—they’ve got a killer group discount.” Neither Sharon nor Josie responded right away.


    “If no one says anything, I’m taking that as a yes. I’ll drop the location in the group chat. See you there!”


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