?Chapter 1041:


    Margie’s smile faded as a frown reced it. “Is that so? You’d better not hide things from me. Ste, you must choose wisely who you trust. If that man truly wronged you, don’t let him get away with it.”


    Her tone carried a double edge, meant as much for Marc as it was for William.


    By now, Margie had long epted how things stood. Whether Ste remained tied to her grandson or not no longer mattered to her.


    All she wanted was to see the young woman at peace, free from sorrow, and living a life that truly made her happy.


    With a calm voice, Ste said, “Margie, please don’t worry. I can manage my own matters. Marc doesn’t know everything that’s happened, so it’s best not to take what he says too seriously.”


    Marc’s jaw tightened as if he wanted to argue, but before he could speak, Margie raised a hand to stop him.


    “That’s enough talk about this. You’ll stay for dinner tonight. Vera made all your favorite dishes.”


    She gave Ste’s hand a gentle pat, her eyes brimming with warmth and fondness.


    Regardless of her rtionship with Marc, Margie had always held deep affection for Ste. Just having her there for a meal after the divorce was enough to brighten the old woman’s day.


    Ste had nned to refuse, but one look at Margie’s expectant eyes made her stop. “Alright, Margie. I’ll stay for dinner.”


    At her words, a spark of satisfaction shed across Marc’s face. He rose quickly, saying, “I’ll head to the kitchen and see if there’s anything else we need to get ready.”


    When he rose from his seat, he made a point of brushing against her shoulder, but Ste shifted away before he could touch her.


    Dinner that evening felt oddly quiet. The long table, set for only three, seemed to stretch on forever, leaving an ufortable stillness between them.


    One by one, Vera appeared from the kitchen carrying steaming tes—each dish something Ste used to love.


    Marc leaned forward eagerly, dropping a pork rib onto Ste’s te. “Stel, have some of this. Vera made it just the way you like.”


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    Ste nced down at the rib but didn’t lift her utensils. Her tone remainedposed as she said, “Thanks, but I can serve myself.”


    Feeling the tension grow thick around the table, Margie quickly stepped in with a cheerful tone. “Marc, why don’t youdle Ste some soup? She always enjoyed that chicken soup with pickled vegetables.”


    Marc quickly stood up anddled soup into a bowl, setting it in front of Ste with a forced smile. “Careful, it’s hot,” he said gently.


    Ste didn’t react at all. She didn’t even give him the courtesy of a thank you and continued eating as if he wasn’t there. Marc’s smile wavered, but he tried to keep his tone upbeat. “Hey, Stel, I heard your institute’s looking for interns. Mypany’s got this young man, well, a distant cousin of mine, who’s studying the same thing. Maybe he could…”


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