?Chapter 1007:


    Still, he couldn’t figure out why she had resurfaced so suddenly. Whether her aim was revenge or a sign that she had genuinely let go, her calm indifference gave nothing away, leaving him unsure of her true purpose.


    moment. Ste stepped out of the building and quickly caught sight of Marc nearby, his expression betraying unease. Her eyes then shifted to Haley, who was walking toward her.


    Ste paused for a moment, taking in Haley’s radiant presence and almost questioning if she was seeing correctly.


    Haley noticed her too but kept walking. As they crossed paths, she leaned close enough for only Ste to hear. “That nuisance at the entrance—I’ve sent him off for now. No need to thank me.”


    Ste froze in surprise. When she nced back, she saw Marc climbing into his car with a dark expression, the vehicle soon disappearing from the intersection. Ste stood still, watching Haley vanish around the corner, her mind struggling to process what had just taken ce.


    Why had Haley shown up so suddenly, and why had she stepped in to help?


    Since no answer came to her, Ste set the thought aside for now, raised her umbre, and climbed into the car William had sent.


    Not long after Ste arrived back at the vi, her phone lit up with a call from an unfamiliar number. After a brief hesitation, she pressed the button to pick up the call. Aposed voice came through the receiver. “Ste. It’s Haley.”


    Ste’s body went rigid. “What do you want?”


    Haley let out a soft, mockingugh. “Marc clinging to you like a stubborn burr must be maddening. Wouldn’t you prefer him gone for good, never to trouble you again? After everything he put you through, don’t you want to see him utterly ruined?”


    A sudden jolt tightened Ste’s chest as Haley’s old parting words returned to her—the promise that Marc would not be let off easily.


    Pausing for a heartbeat, Ste lowered her voice and asked, “Can you exin what you mean by that?”


    Haley’s tone slid into something smooth and persuasive. “I can help you. I know a great deal about him. If you are willing to cooperate and provide a small favor at the right moment, I will see to it that he is removed from your life very soon.”


    Your journey begins on g?lnσνe??s


    In that instant, Ste understood Haley’s n. She meant to recruit her as an ally against Marc.


    Ste’s fingers tightened around the phone, and a cold shiver traced down her spine.


    During her darkest moments, Ste had indeed imagined taking revenge, picturing Marc’s downfall with bitter satisfaction.


    But hearing Haley’s offer now, she felt no desire to be drawn into such plotting. She had already resolved that neither Haley nor Marc would be allowed to intrude on her life again.


    After pausing to collect herself, Ste answered calmly. “I appreciate your offer, but I want no part in this. What happened between us is in the past. Whatever remains between you and him is for you to settle on your own.”


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