?Chapter 1014:


    Her eyes flicked away, refusing to drown in the sincerity radiating from his. “Real, fake—whatever. It doesn’t matter. My focus is on work now. On justice for my adoptive parents. Love doesn’t even make the list.”


    He stepped closer, close enough she could feel the warmth of his presence. “Then why are you this angry? Stel, people don’t burn this hot unless they still care. Don’t tell me your heart’s not fighting you on this.”


    She opened her mouth to snap back—but another voice broke in.


    “Ste?”


    She turned, startled, only to see two familiar figures heading their way—Professor Taylor and Jeff.


    “Ste, it’s really you!” Jeff eximed, quickening his pace. “I thought I recognized you. What luck!”


    Grateful for the interruption, Ste slipped past William and toward them. “Professor, Jeff—you’re here for dinner?”


    Professor Taylor nodded warmly. “Yes. I brought him out.”


    “Yes. I brought him out for fieldwork, and we thought we’d grab a meal.” His gaze shifted to William. “And this gentleman?”


    Ste hesitated a beat before answering, her tone polite but clipped. “This is William Briggs. He runs the research institute.”


    William inclined his head slightly, every muscle in his jaw tight from holding back.


    Professor Taylor studied him, recognition shing in his eyes.


    Jeff, oblivious to the tension, broke into a grin. “Mr. Briggs—an honor! We were just heading to eat. Ste, why don’t you join us? Both of you.”


    Ste opened her mouth to decline, but William cut in smoothly. “We’d be d to. I’ve long respected Professor Taylor’s work.”


    Ste clenched her jaw. Rejecting now would’ve been rude. She forced a thin smile. “Fine. Dinner it is.”


    On the way to the restaurant, Ste shot William a few sidelong nces.


    Something was off. He wasn’t just tagging along—he seemed almost eager, unusually agreeable. He didn’t even flinch at the idea of dining with others, even Marc. Was he out of it?


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    What should’ve been a simple meet-up turned into a table for four.


    Inside the restaurant, Jeff naturally slid into the seat beside Ste and passed her the menu. “You first.”


    She murmured a word of thanks, skimmed the pages without much appetite, ordered two dishes, and passed the menu to Professor Taylor.


    While they waited, Jeff poured hot water and carefully rinsed her cutlery, sliding it across to her. Ste blinked, surprised, before giving him a quick smile.


    When the first dish arrived—braised fish—Jeff rotated the tter so it faced her, then gently ced a tender, spicy piece on her te. “Ste, you love spicy food, right? Try this one.”


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