?Chapter 952:


    This was too risky. Too messy. It involved too many people, and she didn’t want to drag him into it. Not now. Not when she wasn’t even sure how deep it all went. She needed to figure this out herself first.


    William looked at her like he wanted to say more—but held back. Instead, he gently wrapped his arm around her and said quietly, “Take it easy, okay? I’m here if you need me.”


    His hug was warm andforting—but Ste’s mind was anything but calm. As she leaned into him, her thoughts were already racing ahead, reying the path to that warehouse over and over.


    She had to go. She had to find proof—something, anything—that tied it all together.


    Over the next two days, Ste mostly stayed inside the vi, doing her best to look like she was just resting. She even called Paul and told him she wanted to pause all her current projects for a while.


    Paul was surprised by the sudden move but trusted her judgment. He figured it was just a temporary break and gave her the go-ahead.


    Ste appreciated that. She promised she’d return once things were sorted out. With that reassurance, Paul rxed, even reminding her to rest and take care of herself.


    But word of her “stepping back” spread fast. Nina and her crew wasted no time celebrating, acting like Ste had finally thrown in the towel.


    Ste didn’t care what Nina thought. She had bigger things to worry about. Whenever William was out—usually at the Briggs Group or the researchb—Ste used the time to quietly prepare.


    She started making small trips out, iming she needed fresh air, but in truth, she was picking up gear: tiny cameras, voice recorders, anything she might need. She even rented a beat-up secondhand car, something that wouldn’t draw attention.


    What she didn’t realize was that William had already caught on. He didn’t know the full story, but he could tell she was nning something. Still, he didn’t confront her. He respected her space—and her secrecy.


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    Instead, he quietly gave Luca instructions to double the security detail, keep eyes on her at all times, and never miss a thing.


    William knew that if he tried to stop her outright, she’d only dig in deeper. Pretending not to know anything gave her a false sense of control, which made it easier for him to keep her safe from the shadows.


    Then, on the third afternoon, Ste told him she was heading out to an art exhibition in the suburbs.


    Normally, William would’ve insisted on going with her. But today was different. He already knew this was no art trip. Still, he yed along, smiling softly as he said, “Stel, I’ve got a video conference this afternoon. Might not be able to join you.”


    Ste’s eyes lit up the second she heard William say it. She’d been racking her brain trying to figure out how to turn him down without making it a whole thing. “No worries. Work takes priority. I’ve got this,” she said, ying it cool. “It’s just a quick run from the vi anyway, no big deal.”


    William wore a mask of regret. “Perhaps I should have Luca postpone the video conference by one day,” he offered.


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