?Chapter 648:


    William gave a short sigh. “You’re part of my team, and a key one at that. I can’t have you working while someone’s breathing down your neck. It’ll affect your performance.”


    He knew if he openly admitted he was just concerned about her safety, she’d likely brush it off. So he framed it as a productivity issue instead.


    Sure enough, her expression softened slightly.


    She got into her car, ready to say goodbye, but to her surprise, William opened the passenger door and slid right in without saying a word.


    “Mr. Briggs, don’t you have your own car?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.


    His tone was serious. “I was in a rush and took a cab. Since you’re heading home and we live in the same direction…”


    Ste blinked. Technically, he wasn’t wrong—they were neighbors. So she didn’t have aeback.


    When they arrived at their building, the maid Rita opened the door for William. Her face lit up when she noticed Ste just across the hall. “Ms. Russell! You’re living next door again?”


    There was something suspiciously yful in the way she said again. But really, shouldn’t she be asking William that question?<fnd337> The rightful source is FιndＮovel</fnd337>


    Before Ste could respond, Rita smiled warmly. “Ms. Russell, I made dinner. Want to join us?”


    Ste froze mid-step, surprised by the invitation. She looked at Rita, puzzled.


    Wait a minute… since when does Rita cook?


    She was definitely overthinking it. Rita’s “dinner” turned out to be nothing more than instant noodles with some vegetables, a fried egg, and sausage thrown in, but it actually looked kind of decent.


    Watching William eat that, Ste couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him. The man had a sensitive stomach, and his own maid couldn’t even make a proper meal.


    No wonder he was always bothering her to cook for him.


    After dinner, Rita took Ste out to the balcony and began teaching her some new self-defense techniques.


    hosts great stories


    Once she saw that Ste had gotten the hang of the basics, she moved on to more advanced moves.


    Ste was absolutely thrilled to learn something new, and from the living room, William couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her bright, excited smile outshone everything else, as radiant as a blooming rose in full spring.


    News of Ste calling the police reached Nina in no time. She was quickly summoned to give a statement for allegedly sending someone to harm Ste.


    With no solid evidence, the police had to let her go after a brief questioning. But once she got back into her car, Nina sat there seething, with fists clenched in anger.


    Ste actually called the police on her? She had underestimated just how bold Ste could be.


    Thinking back on how every attempt to sabotage her had failed, Nina fumed in frustration.


    She snatched her phone and made a call. “Grandpa, I’m being bullied in Choria. You’ve got to help me out!”


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