?Chapter 571:


    Ste wrinkled her nose, clearly not a fan, and groaned softly, wanting to enjoy the breeze without being covered up.


    But William gently ced the jacket back again. “It’ste, and you’ve been drinking. If you sit in the wind like this, you’ll catch a cold.”


    Maybe it was the tone of his voice—low and calm—but this time she didn’t take the jacket off.


    They sat in silence for a bit before William finally spoke again. “Ste, why didn’t you tell me you were moving?”


    Her eyes felt heavy, her thoughts fuzzy. She smacked her lips. “It wasn’t a big deal. No need to tell you. You’re a busy man—no point bothering you with something like that.”


    She paused, then addedzily, “Besides, you’re the CEO of Briggs Group and the boss of the research institute. If I get too close to you, people might start talking.”


    William’s voice was gentle but probing. “Who would talk? And say what?”


    Ste blinked, like she was trying to piece it together. Then she waved her hand dismissively. “What else? You’re a man, I’m a woman. People love to gossip. Isn’t it better to keep a safe distance?”


    She started to get up—clearly wanting to leave the conversation—but William reached out and pulled her gently back down.


    Her shoulder bumped into his.


    He asked again, his voice lower now. “Ste… tell me the truth. What’s the real reason?”


    Things between them had been fine. Then out of nowhere, she started pushing him away.


    If it were just about appearances, she would’ve kept her distance from the start. He didn’t buy it. He couldn’t.


    His sudden seriousness made her shrink back, pouting like a kid who had just been scolded.


    Seeing that, William softened immediately. His tone turned warm again. “Ste, we’ve known each other for so long. You know how I feel. When you suddenly start avoiding me like this… it hurts.”


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    He had held back for so long. Even when he confessed before, he was cautious, worried he might scare her off.


    But this time, he wasn’t going to leave anything unsaid.


    Even if she turned him down, she needed to know—he wasn’t just being nice. He cared. Really cared.


    Ste hadn’t expected William to say that. She looked up, a little flustered. “Actually… I just felt like the gap between us is too wide. You said it yourself—Rutherfordes from a wealthy family with high standards for a partner. And since you’re friends with him, I figured your family must be the same, right?


    So if you think I’m not good enough for someone like him, then maybe I’m not good enough for someone like you either. It just seemed better to keep my distance. I didn’t want people thinking I was trying to climb the socialdder. I know I don’te from that kind of background.”


    Her voice dropped a little toward the end, like she was trying to keep herposure. But the sting was still there.


    At the time, she and Rutherford had only been working together. Then out of nowhere, William had said she wasn’t good enough. That hurt.


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