?Chapter 899:


    The realization struck suddenly—it was gasoline. At that moment, William burst from the elevator and shouted, “Ste, get out of the car!”


    Fear shot through her chest. Dropping her bag where it was, she opened the door and sprinted away.


    Moments after she fled, the car exploded, mes curling into the air with a muffled st that smothered the garage in smoke.


    As Ste reached him, William pulled her into his arms, holding her while they both stared at the burning wreck in disbelief.


    His mind recoiled from the thought of what would have happened if he had arrived only secondster.


    The deafening crash still echoed, and Ste quivered in his embrace.


    Never before had death felt so close.


    Only a few heartbeats had separated her from tragedy.


    William stayed by Ste’s side, keeping her steady until the police came to examine the wreckage.


    Afterward, Luca escorted the shaken pair back to the apartment.


    Once they settled, William pressed Ste again about moving out.


    Recalling her previous hesitation, William exined, “I own several homes, including a secluded one that even the Briggs family knows nothing about. I’ll also station more guards there, so you’ll have protection without it interfering with your daily life.”


    William never intended to confine her, for he understood her need for freedom. Still, her present neighborhood left her far too vulnerable, with barely any security in ce.


    The fact that someone had managed to slip a bomb into her car without detection was proof enough. What else could they attempt?


    Updates loaded at g@lnoνe??s


    Even living right across the hall, William realized he could not shield her at every moment.


    William’s persistence, coupled with his respect for her choices, finally broke down Ste’s resistance. She gave a quiet nod. “Okay, let’s move.”<fnf072> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on find[?]ovel</fnf072>


    Relief washed over William’s face, and a small smile appeared in his eyes. “I’ll send people to help pack tonight, and we’ll leave immediately.”


    Ste had expected to move the following day, yet William’s swiftness left her stunned. Before the thought fully sank in, Luca returned with efficient movers who swiftly gathered her belongings.


    Packing everything took less than half an hour.


    Within the next hour, Ste sat inside William’s armored SUV as it carried her toward the new hideout.


    Rather than heading downtown, the vehicle turned off toward the quiet suburbs.


    The drive ended inside a thick stretch of forest, where a modest wooden cabin stood waiting.


    Peace filled the area, broken only by rustling leaves and the distant call of birds. Guiding her inside, William sped her hand and exined, “This ce used to be my mother’s retreat whenever she needed solitude. Later, I had it rebuilt.”


    .


    .


    .