?Chapter 825:


    But Ste was different—she was the one person he couldn’t bear to lose. His words struck with molten heat, his overwhelming concern and fierce protectiveness pouring into her like wildfire. Ste’s tears spilled over, streaking down her cheeks.


    A storm of anger, grief, and something else she couldn’t name crashed over her, leaving her reeling.


    Closing her eyes, she whispered hoarsely, “All I know is my adoptive parents died without answers, and you kept it from me. Whether you act or not—that’s your decision. But you should’ve told me. That’s all I ever wanted.”


    Her voice broke. She had never imed she’d be reckless, never once said she’d charge in blindly. All she wanted was the truth.


    William’s silence had treated her like something fragile, incapable of judgment, and that betrayal cut deeper than anything else. Her soft sobs twisted in William’s chest like a dull de.


    He lowered his head, releasing her shoulders, his voice raw. “I just need you to trust me this once. Give me a little more time, and I’ll put the evidence in your hands. But right now…” He paused, his voice faltering for the first time. “Right now, I’m begging you. Don’t push me away. Don’t do something reckless.”


    The vulnerability in his tone shook Ste to her core. She stood trembling before him, tears running silently, her heart torn between logic and pain. Her rational mind whispered that Marc’s words couldn’t be trusted, that William’s secrecy must have reasons. But her heart—her heart screamed at the wound of being kept in the dark.


    The air between Ste and William was still thick with unspoken words when the sound of footsteps echoed from the entrance.


    Amon strolled in, his sharp eyes sweeping over the tension-filled scene. A slow, mocking smile curved his lips, and he pped his hands with deliberate sarcasm.


    “Bravo, William. That was downright moving. I thought Ms. Russell would rip into you for hiding the truth, but it seems she’s far more forgiving than I imagined.”


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    William’s expression darkened instantly. He spun around, his voice sharp as a whip. “Shut up!”


    The venom in his tone made Amon flinch, though he quickly masked it with a shrug. He wasn’t foolish enough to push too far—his aim was to needle William, not provoke a real explosion.


    William ignored himpletely. Wrapping an arm around Ste’s shoulders, he shielded her as he led her into the elevator.


    “Don’t be so cold!” Amon called after them, his voice dripping with mockery. “I came all this way just to see you both!”


    But he didn’t follow. The smirk on his face said enough—his purpose had already been served.


    At Briggs Group headquarters, following William’s order, Luca was running himself ragged chasing Alonzo’s trail.


    Luca knew William was likely with Ste, so he was on his own for this task.


    Failure was the one thing he couldn’t afford.


    Hourster, afterbing through piles of data, Luca finally found something—and without hesitation, he dialed William’s number.<fn26ba> Discover more novels at f?ndnovel</fn26ba>


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