?Chapter 1012:


    All at once, William cut in, “That restaurant Mr. Walsh mentioned isn’t unfamiliar to me. A close friend of mine happens to own part of it. Since you were already nning to go there, Mr. Walsh, why not make it a group outing? It’ll also give me a chance to go over some project details with Stel.”


    Ste almost blurted out the truth, knowing full well William had no work matter to bring up. Had there been one, he would have raised it back at the institute. His words now were nothing but a cover.


    Although she saw through the excuse, Marc’s presence stopped her from tearing William’s pretense apart. She had no desire to put their private tension on disy.


    Drawing in a steady breath, she finally turned her eyes on William. “We’ll handle it on Monday. I’m not working extra hours today.”


    Sensing the irritation rising in Ste, Lainey quickly interceded before sparks could fly. “That’s right! Work belongs to Monday. Weekends are meant for rest. How about we call it a day here? Everyone can head off their own way.”


    Without waiting, Lainey gently guided Ste aside. Before they could slip away, a lively voice called out from the nearby walkway. “Marc! What perfect timing!”


    Their heads turned in unison to find Haley approaching, a bright smile on her face and several shopping bags swaying at her side.


    Haley’s smile gleamed as she drew closer, though for the briefest instant her features faltered upon seeing Ste. The hesitation vanished as quickly as it came, her grin stretching even wider. “Well, look at this! Ms. Russell—and the rest of you too. What sort of gathering have I stumbled upon here?”


    Ste, however, felt unsettled. Twice now, Haley had appeared at the exact moments she was cornered by Marc. It was far too deliberate to pass off as chance.


    Ste immediately recognized that Haley was up to something, and the safest choice was to avoid getting entangled. A swift departure seemed the wisest course of action. Ste’s greeting to Haley was brief and detached, carrying neither warmth nor interest.


    Marc, on the other hand, grew visibly uneasy when Haley appeared. “Why are you here?”


    “Just here to pick up the ne I ordered.” Haley lifted the bag with a casual shake, then drifted nearer to Marc. “But it seems I’ve stumbled onto a little gathering. What’s everyone so absorbed in?”


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    William broke into a sudden smile. “We were only talking about grabbing coffee. Ms. Smith, why note along? The morepany, the better.”


    William’s eyes flickered with mischief as he asked, “Stel, you don’t mind, do you?”


    The urge to strangle William nearly overtook Ste. He knew better than anyone that thest thing she wanted was to be stuck with Haley and Marc, yet he went ahead and stirred the mes.


    “I do mind,” Ste replied firmly, her chin tilting upward. There was no attempt to soften the blow. “I have other things to do. You all enjoy your coffee.”


    Without pausing, she seized Lainey’s arm and strode away.


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