?Chapter 1000:


    Caught between their questioning—especially with Lance clearly siding with William—Nina felt a sting of injustice. She bit her lip and forced out, “I didn’t do anything. Ste just couldn’t handle it. She’s not right for you, William. Only I can ept you for who you are!”


    Her eyes glowed with a desperate kind of passion. No matter William’s past or future, she was ready to stand by him. Could Ste ever do that?


    She looked at him, her voice trembling but full of conviction. “I can take every part of you. I’m better for you than she is. She doesn’t even understand you!”


    But William only looked back at her with pure contempt. His tone was sharp enough to cut ss.


    “Nina, let me make this clear onest time. The only woman I love is Ste. I don’t want anyone else. Your so-called devotion? It’s nothing but a burden—a nuisance. From now on, stop meddling. If you don’t, I won’t care about family ties anymore.”


    The threat was deadly serious. Even though Ste was a Carter, that didn’t mean he wouldn’t go after Nina if she crossed the line again. Not even the entire Carter family could stop him once he had decided.


    His words hit Nina like a knife, slicing herst bit of hope to shreds.


    She had bared her soul, and he stomped on it without a second thought—throwing it aside for Ste.


    William didn’t even nce at her pale, devastated face. He turned to Lance, gave a curt nod, and said, “Sorry to intrude.”


    Then he strode out of the Carter estate, his figure vanishing as quickly as it had appeared—like a gust of cold wind blowing past.


    Nina watched him go, her whole body hollowing out, her spirit draining away.


    Then the dam broke—she copsed into sobs, raw and uncontroble.


    Lance looked at her, torn between anger and helplessness. He dismissed the servants who had gathered, then walked over, his voice firm. “What you did this time was thoughtless, Nina.”


    She snapped her head up, disbelief in her tear-streaked eyes. “You’re ming me too? Is this all because of Ste? Why does everyone suddenly adore her just because she’s back? What does that make me, then?”


    Lance sighed and rubbed his temples, the weight of frustration heavy in his voice. “Nina, Ste’s my sister. We were separated for years. Of course, we’re going to treat her well now. And no one in this family has mistreated you. Why can’t you ept new—”


    galnσν???s?c?m opens doors to new adventures


    But Nina’s grief had already twisted into rage. Tears blurred her vision as she spat, “Just because she’s your sister, everyone takes her side! I grew up here with you. And now shees back and takes everything—even the man I love?”


    Karson was like this too. They all were. And she hated it.


    She pushed herself off the floor, ignoring Lance’s hand reaching for her, and bolted toward the door.


    “Nina!”


    Lance’s voice echoed after her, but she didn’t look back.


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