?Chapter 979:


    Only after he walked out did Ste finally let out the breath she’d been holding. She stared out the window at the gloomy sky, feeling a heaviness settle in her chest.


    The next morning, she was up early. Her eyes were rimmed with dark circles—clear signs she hadn’t slept much, if at all.


    She came out of the bedroom and headed downstairs. The housekeeper had alreadyid out breakfast. William was sitting at the table, reading the news on his tablet.


    Hearing her footsteps, he looked up and smiled at her, like nothing had happened the night before. “Morning,” he said warmly. “You’re up.”


    Ste nodded vaguely and sat down across from him.


    He poured her a ss of freshly squeezed juice and spoke in an easy tone. “Things at the institute are sorted now. All the misunderstandings have been cleared up. You can go back to work today.”


    He sounded rxed, like he was trying to lift her mood. There was even a touch of forced cheer in his voice—something totally unlike the William she used to know.


    Once, she would’ve been overjoyed—grateful, even—that he had quietly taken care of everything behind the scenes.


    But now…


    She just sat there, nk. No smile. No gratitude. Just a quiet, faraway sadness clouding her expression.


    “Oh. Thanks,” she said, her voice t and distant.


    She picked up her fork and knife and started eating mechanically, eyes glued to her te, not once looking at him.


    William’s smile faded. He set the tablet down, studying her closely.


    Something was definitely off. Even with everything that had happened recently, she’d never looked at him like this. She was hiding something.


    His brows furrowed slightly. “Ste, did Marc or Nina say something to you yesterday?” His tone was cautious, but his gut already told him the answer.


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    Ste was momentarily stunned, a mix of emotions surging in her heart. It was crazy how easily he could read her—like he already knew everything she’d been through without her saying a word.


    And yet, she knew so little about him. She had to rely on people like Nina to fill in the nks.


    It was absurd to think about it that way.


    Ste’s hand paused mid-air. She lowered her eyes, staring into the bowl of warm porridge like it might hold some kind of answer. Her longshes shadowed her face, hiding every trace of emotion.


    “Nothing.” Her voice was low, t—the same answer she’d givenst night. “What would they even say? Same crap, different day. I just didn’t sleep well. That’s all.”


    She lifted the spoon and took a small sip, but it might as well have been water. Tasteless. Empty.


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