?Chapter 699:


    “And William’s just letting that slide?” Josie snapped. “It’s his institute, isn’t it?”


    Josie felt a surge of frustration, thinking any friend of Steven wasn’t exactly a saint.


    The moment his name came up, a flicker of unease crossed Ste’s face. “He’s the boss. He’s got to put the institute first. He’s not doing anything wrong. Don’t worry about me, Josie—I’ve got it under control.”


    Josie let out a sigh, clearly frustrated but not wanting to push it further. “Come on, help me carry the food out. Dinner’s ready.”<fn8916> Readplete version only at fin?novel</fn8916>


    As soon as Josie stepped out of the kitchen, Steven’s face lit up. He jumped up, ready to “help” with the food—though really, he just wanted to sit next to her. But Josie saw right through him. She stuck to Ste’s side and casually leaned against the wall, making sure there was no seat left for him by her side.


    Steven had no choice but to flop down next to William, looking less than thrilled.


    “Ms. Patel, what do you like? I’ll grab it for you,” he offered with a bright smile.


    Josie didn’t even look at him. She dropped some beef strips into the fondue pot like he wasn’t even there.


    Steven, still trying to be friendly, chimed in, “Ms. Patel, you like beef strips? So do I!”


    Josie frowned, clearly fed up. “Mr. Harrison, a little self-awareness goes a long way. You might want to think before you speak—or you’ll end up embarrassing yourself.”


    She wasn’t just annoyed—she was calling him out for that nonsense he’d spouted earlier, iming she’d praised Ste’s cooking.


    But Steven had already forgotten that little lie he’d told back at the office. So now, confused, he blinked and asked, “What’d I say that was so bad?”


    Josie set down her fork and stared him down. “You said I told you Ste was a great cook. When, exactly, did I ever have that conversation with you?”


    Steven froze. He hadn’t expected her to call him out like that. He hadn’t thought his offhand lie would get exposed so fast, especially by Josie, the woman he liked. So embarrassing.


    Ste gently patted Josie’s arm. “Let it go, Josie. Let’s just eat.” She didn’t want dinner to turn into a scene.


    But Josie wasn’t about to let it slide that easily. She shot a sharp look across the table. “Mr. Harrison, if you’re going to run your mouth, at least be man enough to own it. Don’t just throw words around like they don’t matter.”


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    William, who’d been quietly holding his te, finally spoke up, his tone low. “Ms. Patel, that’s enough. Steven was just saying Ms. Gilbert’s a good cook. Nothing more.”


    But that only made Josie angrier. “Oh, so what now? She’s your personal chef? Just because she’s good in the kitchen, she has to cook for you? Her hand’s injured, and you two couldn’t even be bothered to bring takeout? What—no food at home? You had to make a hurt woman cook for you? Seriously, aren’t you guys ashamed?”


    Her words hit Steven hard, and he felt like every decision he’d made today was a mistake. All he wanted was to y wingman for William tonight. He hadn’t nned for Josie to show up… and definitely hadn’t expected to get roasted like this.


    “Ms. Patel, we’re really sorry about all this,” Steven said, ncing between the two women. “Sylvia’s hand is hurt, and William’s genuinely worried. He even had his assistant pick up some top-tier scar cream from overseas. It’s not like we’re ignoring her, like you made it sound. Dinner was my idea, so if you’re going to me someone, me me.”


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