?Chapter 846:


    He ended the call the moment she walked in. “All settled?” he asked, stepping closer.<fnaa99> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? find?novel</fnaa99>


    Ste sighed. “She’s calmer now. Poor girl… how could she end up with such a deadbeat?”


    William’s gaze was steady, unreadable. “We don’t know the full story yet. I’ve already had people check the restaurant and nearby cameras to track down her boyfriend. And as for Lena, I’ll have her background looked into.”


    Ste blinked, surprised by his caution. “You think something’s wrong with her story?”


    William shrugged lightly, his lips curving into a faint, knowing smile. “Not necessarily. But when things line up too perfectly, it doesn’t hurt to be careful.”


    Ste’s brows knitted together at his words.


    The truth was, the odds of meeting a strandedpatriot, unable to speak thenguage, in a foreign restaurant like that one felt far too coincidental. Yet, recalling Lena’s tear-streaked face and her desperation, Ste struggled to believe it was all an act.


    She exhaled softly. “Let’s give her the benefit of the doubt for now. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.”


    William didn’t argue, only nodded.


    As night fell, Ste returned to her suite, her heart heavy despite thevishfort around her.


    The five-star hotel room was exquisite, the city lights glittering beyond the vast window like scattered jewels—but she found no joy in it.


    William went back to his call, his voice deep as he handled Briggs Group business in fluent Denuin, the localnguage.


    Unable to sleep, Ste wandered back into the living area.


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    William ended his call the instant he saw her, his tall frame illuminated by the warm glow of themp. His gaze softened, his eyes carrying an unmistakable warmth.


    “Still thinking about the girl?” he asked. He crossed to the mini bar, poured a ss of warm water, and handed it to her.


    Ste nodded, worry etched on her face. “Something feels off. I want to check on her, but… I’m afraid she’s already asleep.”


    As she reached for the ss, her fingers brushed against William’s. A faint spark jolted through her, and she instinctively pulled back.


    William’s lips pressed into a thin line. His gaze lingered on her delicate features, on the exhaustion in her eyes. “I’ve already had people secure the security footage from the restaurant,” he murmured. “We’ll know soon enough.”


    His efficiency should have eased, yet her heart remained unsettled. “Thanks for handling it,” she whispered, her eyes dropping to the ss in her hands.


    The room fell into silence, the air between them charged with an unspoken tension. A subtle, fragile atmosphere wove itself around them—fragile yet undeniable.


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