?Chapter 1031:


    She said, “It’s only a guess. Maybe he’s just under the weather, and that’s why his voice sounded different.”


    A touch of frustration crossed William’s face. “I’m not about to let you face that on your own. Either I go with you, or I’ll have someone else keep watch.”


    Ste understood his concern, and truthfully, a hint of unease had already settled in her chest. Maybe having William nearby wasn’t such a bad idea after all.


    Atst, she gave in. “Alright, you cane. But you’ll stay downstairs and wait. If something happens, I’ll call you right away.”


    William gave a firm nod, tapping out a quick message to Luca before joining Ste on the way downstairs. They got into the car and headed toward the university.


    As the city lights slid past the windows, William remarked in a calm yet probing tone, “You’ve been around that junior of yours quite a lottely.”


    Ste turned her head slightly, meeting his eyes. “It’s nothing unusual. He’s gifted, and my advisor just asked me to guide him a little.” She remembered mentioning the same thing to him once before.


    After a brief silence, William said evenly, “I checked into his background. Twenty-two years old. Outstanding grades. Comes from a struggling family and lives with his mother.”


    Ste’s head snapped toward him. “You what? William, why would you dig into the lives of the people I know?”


    “Because I need to keep you safe,” he replied at once, his voice steady and sure.


    Ste opened her mouth, ready to protest, but the memory of that strange message from a few days earlier—and the dark car that had lingered below her building—shed through her mind. Her words faded, and she said nothing.


    When they reached the campus, William pulled over at a discreet corner close to theboratory building.


    Ste reached for the door handle, but her phone buzzed with a message from Jeff: “Are you here yet, Ste? I’m waiting in Room 307.”


    A chill brushed down Ste’s spine. Something about it didn’t sit right—Jeff had never been the impatient type.


    Just as she was about to step out, William reached over and caught her wrist, cing a small device in her palm.


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    “It’s a safety rm. If something goes wrong, just press it, and I’ll be alerted right away.”


    Ste closed her fingers around it, her feelings caught between gratitude and unease.


    She entered theboratory building on her own, pausing by a window to glimpse William waiting below. The sight steadied her only a little, her pulse quickening in her chest.


    After drawing in a slow breath, she started down the corridor toward Room 307.


    The door stood slightly open. She nudged it with her hand, letting it creak inward.


    Inside the room, Jeff sat motionless, his face drained of color. Behind him stood Richie and the same round-faced boy she’d seen once before.


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