?Chapter 999:


    “You’re saying… she already knows? And that’s why she’s pulling back? Because she thinks I kept this from her on purpose?”


    Steven nodded. “Most likely. And think about it—besides me, who else knows? Who’s most likely to have whispered it to her?”


    William’s jaw clenched, his expression darkening as names flickered through his mind.


    Other than family and Steven, only a few people had ever known, and among them, only one would tell Ste.


    “Nina.”


    He ground her name out between his teeth.


    She had seen the ring once by chance—and she had met Ste with Marc at that café.


    Nina had always been hostile toward Ste. And she had feelings for him too.


    He should have seen thising.


    William shot to his feet, his eyes shing cold. “I need to go now.”


    Steven watched him storm off, shaking his head. So that was it—dragged out here to untangle William’s mess, then tossed aside like nothing.


    He nced at the half-finished bottles of wine on the table and let out a long breath. Fine. He’d take the wine as payment for tonight’s trouble.


    At the Carter vi, Nina’s pulse quickened when the servant announced William’s arrival. A secret thrill bloomed in her chest.


    He and Ste must have fought, and now he wasing to her.


    She hurried to fix her hair and smooth her dress before gliding downstairs. Spotting William’s tall figure in the living room, she put on her sweetest smile. “William, what brings you here sote? Sit down, please.”


    But he didn’t budge. His gaze was sharp, his tone even sharper. “Nina, what did you say to Ste?”


    Her smile faltered, her heart lurching, though she fought to keep herposure. “William, what are you talking about? What could I possibly have told her?”


    gα?ησν????s?cо??, your storytelling home


    He wasn’t in the mood to circle around. His stare cut right through her. “Did you tell her about my involvement with Erebus?”


    The color drained from her face. She opened her mouth to deny it. “I didn’t, why would—”


    But before she could finish, a voice boomed from the staircase above, calm and deep. “What are you two arguing about?”


    Lance stood at the stairs in his robe, his brow furrowed as he stared down at the two people in the living room.


    Nina’s heart skipped when she saw him descending.


    William turned, his voice cold and sharp. “I came to ask Nina why she went to Ste, stirring up trouble and bringing up that stupid thing from my past.”


    The moment Lance heard that, his expression darkened. His gaze locked on Nina, disapproving and stern. “Nina, why did you do that?”


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