?Chapter 945:


    Back then, nobody even thought to thank her. And now? Now they were acting like she was the problem? That was pushing it too far.


    Elbert chimed in too, trying to keep things level. “We’re all colleagues here. None of us want trouble, but since it’s already happened, let’s focus on fixing it instead of tearing each other apart.”


    Sandra gave a nod. She agreed—that made sense.


    But then Nina scoffed and cut in, “Oh, so now we all have to carry the me for your team’s mess? That’s real fair.”


    The tension, which had just started to ease thanks to Elbert, red right back up.


    All the voices rose again—all demanding Ste leave the institute.


    Ste stood there, frustrated and exhausted. She knew whatever she said wouldn’t change a thing. Just as she opened her mouth to speak, the sound of steady footsteps echoed behind her.


    William walked in, calm but quick, and without hesitation stepped in front of her, cing himself like a shield between Ste and the others. His gaze swept over Nina and the rest, sharp and cold. “We’re still investigating what caused this incident,” he said, voice frosty. “So anyone making baseless usations better be ready to take responsibility.”


    Paul came in behind him, face just as serious. “Right now, solving the problem is what matters—not turning on each other. Everyone, get back to your posts.”


    Nina opened her mouth again, clearly ready to argue—but one look at William’s expression made her swallow her words. His stare was intense—borderline scary.


    With a frustrated huff, she turned and walked off, muttering, “You can protect her all you want. Someone’s still gotta answer for this. You can’t shield her forever.”


    William didn’t even flinch. He just gently led Ste away and walked her to his office. On the way there, she sighed more than once, her chest tight with anxiety.


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    Sure, William and Paul were standing by her, but the damage had already been done. What her colleagues said—even if harsh—wasn’t totally wrong. The root of the problem… it had started with her. She couldn’t stop the guilt from sinking in.


    Maybe leaving really was the right call.


    People were clearlying after her, and because of that, the institute was getting dragged into a mess.


    If she left, maybe it would save the institute.


    William, walking quietly beside her, seemed to read her mind. “Don’t take it all on yourself,” he said. “You’re part of this institute. If something goes wrong, we face it together.”


    This wasn’t him ying favorites. Even if it were another staff member in her shoes, William would’ve handled it the same—carefully, fairly, without jumping to conclusions.


    He could tell Ste wanted to take the fall for everything, but now wasn’t the time for that.


    She nced at him, a little caught off guard, but didn’t know what to say.


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