?Chapter 799:


    Her replynded like ash, sharp and filled with her own brand of vengeance. William clenched his jaw, and a shadow of hurt flickered in his eyes. He understood she would dismiss anything he tried to say, so he held back his words.


    The risk he had taken weighed heavily. He hadn’t acted when he first learned that Amon might seek her out. He had assumed his cousin would wait longer to make a move. That error struck him hard, as though he had been struck across the face.


    When silence stretched between them, William steadied himself and spoke again with practiced calm. “You shouldn’t stay here. Come with me, and I’ll exin everything on the way.”


    A humorlessugh slipped from Ste as she pulled her coat close. She didn’t even spare him a nce before striding toward the exit.


    Though her steps wavered, her back remained straight, carrying a defiance that refused to bend.


    Keeping a measured distance, William followed in silence. He stayed behind like a shadow, his eyes fixed on her slim figure, unwilling to let her drift out of his sight.


    The moment they stepped outside, the evening greeted them with emptiness. A cold gust swept by, and Ste shivered against it.


    Catching sight of her car in the vacant lot, she quickened her pace, pulled the door open, and slipped inside without hesitation.


    William stood back, watching her leave. He didn’t call out or move to stop her. Instead, he turned and entered a ck Rolls-Royce stationed nearby.


    Pulling out his phone, he connected the line without dy. “Luca, find the men who vanished earlier. I want their backgrounds. And keep someone on Amon. I need a report on his every move.”


    “Got it, Mr. Briggs,” Luca responded without hesitation.


    Engines roared to life, breaking the stillness of the suburban lot. Ste’s car shot forward, her urgency clear in the way she sped off, as if distance itself could shield her.


    William followed at a controlled pace, his gaze never leaving the glow of her taillights. His thoughts twisted into knots, heavy and unsettled. Was she running from the danger at the cafe or from him? The question pressed against his chest, leaving his breath tight and shallow.


    The thought of arriving toote chilled him. He didn’t want to imagine the oue if he hadn’t arrived in time. But every part of it traced back to him. Ste had be a target only because of his existence in her life. Amon would never have singled her out otherwise.<fnff70> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n find?novel</fnff70>


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    For the first time, William began to question if Ste’s persistent desire to distance herself from him might actually be justified.


    Nearly forty minutester, Ste made it home. She secured the lock quickly, leaned back against the door, and slid down until she hit the floor.


    Relief didn’te. Instead, dyed terror surged through her body, leaving her limbs weak and shaking.


    The memories of the day surged forward in cruel shes, impossible to shake off.


    With trembling fingers, she reached for her phone and pressed Sharon’s number.


    The call rang several times before Sharon’s voice finally came through, weighted with worry. “Stel, did you run into him? Tell me what happened.”


    Tears threatened to spill as Ste struggled to steady herself. Her voice wavered, and she drew in a few shaky breaths before forcing the words out.


    “Sharon, the witness you told me about… he’s William’s cousin.”


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