?Chapter 1043:


    Marc’s face turned dark. “Why are you butting in? Just leave already!”


    Was she doing this on purpose?


    Haleyughed softly. “Rx, Mr. Walsh. Stay and keep Mrs. Walshpany; she barely touched her food. I’ll make sure Ms. Russell gets home safely. I promise, I’m not that scary.”


    Ste had driven herself, so she didn’t really need anyone to walk her out. Still, she figured if she didn’t go with Haley, Marc would probably keep trying to talk to her.


    So she stepped toward Haley and gave a short nod. “Alright then, let’s go, Ms. Smith.”


    A small spark of satisfaction flickered through Ste as she caught Marc’s frustrated expression. After politely saying goodnight to Margie and deliberately ignoring Marc, she walked out beside Haley.


    Outside, by the car, Ste paused and nced at the everposed Haley beside her. “Haley, you’ve stepped in to help me more than once. What are you really after?” she asked bluntly.


    Haley chuckled, clearly expecting the question. “You don’t miss much, do you? Makes dealing with you a lot easier.” She reached into her bag again and pulled out another set of papers, different from the ones Marc had signed, and handed them to Ste.


    “I’m interested in this deal,” Haley said smoothly. “Would you think about backing out and letting me take it instead?”


    Ste flipped through the document Haley had handed her. It was a proposal for a mid-sized tech project. Nothing major for Neb, but it had decent potential.


    Closing the file, Ste looked straight at Haley. “And why exactly should I hand this over to you?”


    Haley’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. “Because I can keep Marc off your back. Haven’t thest few times proved that?”


    Ste arched a brow. “So what—you’ve been following me? How do you always manage to show up wherever Marc and I are?”


    Was Haley tailing her personally, or did she have another way of keeping tabs?


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    Haley’s tone turned sharp with a touch of mockery. “Marc’s terrible at keeping secrets. He bs about all his ns to his so-called friends—and guess what? I’ve got people among those friends.”


    Ste remembered Marc’s habit of bragging about everything, especially when he was pursuing someone. He liked everyone to know about his “devotion.”


    Still, she hadn’t expected Haley to have gotten so deep inside his circle.


    Holding the document loosely, Ste said calmly, “Fine. You can have the project. But just so you know—it might not bring you the kind of returns you’re hoping for.”


    Haley didn’t flinch. “Short-term profits aren’t what I’m after. What matters are the resources and connections thate with it.”


    She tilted her head and gave Ste a thoughtful look. “Seriously, Ste, think about teaming up with me. With Marc digging into your issues with William, he won’t back off anytime soon. Let me deal with him—it’ll make your life easier.”


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