?Chapter 1042:


    “No,” Ste interrupted before he could finish, soundingpletely uninterested. “We follow procedure when hiring. No special favors.”


    From that point on, dinner turned painfully awkward. No matter how hard Marc tried to lighten the mood or win her over, she stayed distant and unmoved.


    Margie sat quietly, with worry written all over her face. She was starting to regret ever asking Marc toe tonight.


    The meal was halfway through when the doorbell suddenly rang. Vera went to check and came back looking uneasy. “Mrs. Walsh, it’s… Miss Smith.”


    Ste’s hand froze midair, the fork hovering above her te, while Marc’s face darkened.


    Haley? What on earth was she doing here?


    Margie looked puzzled, ncing at Marc for rification. “Do you know her?”


    Before he could even answer, Haley strode right in as if she owned the ce.


    She was dressed in a crisp business suit today, looking all professional—a far cry from her usual graceful and flirty self. “Good evening, Mrs. Walsh,” Haley greeted Margie with a courteous nod before shifting her attention to Marc. “Mr. Walsh, I apologize for the intrusion, but this document requires your immediate signature. I had no choice but to deliver it myself.” She opened her briefcase and handed over the papers, her expressionposed and businesslike.


    Margie’s face hardened. She had never liked Haley and thought Marc was done with her long ago. Seeing her back in their home again made her blood boil.


    “Paperwork at this hour? That’s ridiculous,” Margie muttered under her breath.


    But Haley ignored herpletely and kept her focus on Marc with a polite, unbothered smile.


    Marc awkwardly took the papers and signed them in a rush. “There. All done.”


    The project was under Haley’s management, so even though he clearly didn’t want to deal with her, Marc didn’t have a choice. Haley epted the file back with a smooth smile and then turned toward Ste. “Ms. Russell, what a nice surprise to see you here.”


    Ste gave a small nod but didn’t bother to reply.


    Feel the thrill at gα?ησν????s﹒??o??


    The room’s tension had spiked the moment Haley arrived. Marc looked restless, clearly wanting to say something to Ste but stopping himself with Haley there. Margie’s mood hadpletely soured, while Ste, on the other hand, looked calm and detached, as if none of it had anything to do with her.


    Thankfully, the awkward dinner wrapped up earlier than usual. Setting her fork down, Ste rose from her seat. “Margie, I should get going. It’s gettingte.”


    Margie reached out to hold her hand, reluctant to let her leave. “Stay a little longer. Let Marc drive you home.”


    Marc jumped at the chance. “Stel, it’s too dark out. I’ll take you.”


    Haley, already slipping her documents back into her bag, looked at Ste and smiled. “Actually, I was just about to leave too. Why don’t we go together, Ms. Russell? No need to trouble Mr. Walsh.”


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