?Chapter 572:


    Even if she didn’t have feelings for Rutherford, hearing something like that would get under anyone’s skin.


    William stared at her, stunned. He hadn’t expected this at all.


    It was frustrating—and oddly endearing. “So you’ve been avoiding me… because you think I look down on you?” he asked.


    Ste hesitated, then nodded. “That was the impression I got from what you said that day.”


    William let out a helpless chuckle. He met her eyes, his voice firm. “If you forgot what I saidst time, let me remind you.”


    He spoke clearly, each word deliberate. “I love you. I’ve always loved you. I don’t care about your background—I don’t even want to inherit my family’s business. That stuff means nothing to me. I love you—not your family, not your past, not your appearance. Just you. The real you. Do you get it now?”


    Ste blinked at him, her longshes fluttering, trying to process it all. “But… although you say you love me, you don’t even know what exactly you love. You just say it’s ‘me.’ But I’m just… ordinary. Divorced, even. You could have anyone—why waste time on someone like me?”


    She kept rambling, unsure if she was trying to talk sense into him or into herself. William watched her lips move and, for a moment, just listened. Then his patience snapped.


    Without warning, he leaned in and kissed her—soft but firm, his lips brushing hers, still warm from the wine, silencing everything she couldn’t say.


    Ste’s eyes flew open, stunned.<fnbfe3> Readplete version only at find?novel</fnbfe3>


    The atmosphere shifted.


    The night breeze tangled in her hair, carrying her scent straight to him.


    He cradled the back of her head gently, deepening the kiss.


    And just like that, her resistance melted.


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    Her eyes fluttered shut, her body softening into his touch. It felt unreal—like floating. Like a dream.


    And if it was a dream, maybe it was fine to stay in it a little longer. She raised her arms and wrapped them around his neck.


    William felt her respond and held her tighter, joy quietly blooming in his chest.


    Then footsteps echoed from the rooftop entrance.


    “Hey, didn’t you say William was up here? Where—oh.”


    Steven stopped mid-sentence, immediately spotting the two of them tangled in a kiss.


    Josie froze, then quickly turned around. “Let’s go. Let’s go.” She hadn’te up here to catch a romance movie in real time.


    The air between them got awkward fast.


    Steven, ever the clown, nced sideways at Josie. “Well, since the mood’s already romantic, how about we follow suit?”


    Josie smacked his arm. “Have you lost your damn mind?”


    She turned to leave, but Steven chased after her. “Ms. Patel, I was kidding! Don’t be mad. We’re both friends of Sylvia and William, right? We should get along. Exchange contacts?”


    He waved his phone in front of her face like an eager kid. Josie let out a long sigh and finally gave in, handing over her number.


    Steven grinned as he added her. Best decision he’d made all night.


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