?Chapter 897:


    Ste wrapped her fingers around the cup, letting its heat chase the lingering chill from her hands. She gave a small shake of her head. “I never thought his intentions were pure. It’s not exactly shocking.”


    William’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Amon’s aiming for more than just the Briggs fortune.”


    William’s expression darkened. “Amon’s deeper in this than we thought. I’d bet he’s been groomed to inherit Alonzo’s operation for years.”


    On the surface, Amon yed the role of a spoiled, reckless yboy who despised his father. But William knew better. He’d kept an eye on him during those years abroad.


    And one thing was certain—no one born into the Briggs family was simple.


    Ste sucked in a sharp breath. “So you’re saying Amon’s the one calling the shots now, and Alonzo’s just a fall guy?”


    William gave a slight nod. “It’s possible.”<fncbc5> Discover more novels at f?ndnovel</fncbc5>


    William’s voice took on a colder edge. “Amon’s ce in the family was never solid. Alonzo barely acknowledged him, and his mother’s been on the edge for years.”


    The memories seemed to weigh on William. He’d witnessed Amon’s cruelty firsthand—once even seeing him mistreat animals. But that was just the tip of the iceberg.


    The Briggs family had a way of fostering trouble, and with someone like Alonzo raising him? It wasn’t surprising Amon turned out this way.


    The conversation lingered in the air like a storm cloud, but the arrival of the dishes provided a wee distraction. The rich smells and delicate presentation of the food helped to soften the tension between them, momentarily lifting the heavy atmosphere.


    William reached for the serving spoon, easily scooping a generous portion of braised pork onto Ste’s te.


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    “You’re too thin. Eat more,” he said simply, his focus so matter-of-fact it made her heart skip.


    Ste nced at him, bemused.


    Was she really that thin?


    She took a bite. The rich, familiar vors pulled her straight back to childhood memories, warming her in a way she hadn’t expected.


    William watched her quietly, the corners of his eyes softening as her cheeks puffed slightly with each bite. He finally served himself some food, the atmosphere between them easing into something almost domestic.


    They lingered over dinner longer than nned.


    Ste asked him whether he liked certain dishes, tossed in light chatter about the institute, and William indulged her, steering clear of Amon and the organization.


    Some things just didn’t belong at the dinner table.


    Afterward, William had Luca drive them back. But when they reached Ste’s building, William didn’t let her step out right away.


    He raised the partition between them and Luca, his gaze locking onto hers in the dim car light.


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