?Chapter 1051:


    Ste looked like she was about to argue. But then she saw it—the flicker of pain in his eyes, the emotion he couldn’t quite hide. She hesitated, then sighed. “Alright, I understand.”


    William’s expression shifted, surprise shing across his features. Hope stirred behind his sadness—as if he hadn’t dared believe she’d give him even that much.


    “Stel,” he said softly, “whatever happens… I need you to know that what I feel for you—it’s real. It always has been. It’s not about any other person or organization. Not Erebus. Not the past. Just you.”


    Ste lowered her gaze, stirring her coffee absently. Memories drifted back—quiet nights, soft words, the warmth of his presence. None of it had been fake. She knew that.


    And deep down, so did he. But between them now stood something heavier than doubt. Something unresolved.


    Her voice was calm when she finally spoke. “You can help me investigate. But that doesn’t erase what happened between us. You understand that, don’t you?”


    A shadow passed across William’s face. He nodded slowly, forcing a smile. “I understand.”


    Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small USB drive and slid it across the table. “This has information on your adoptive parents’ case—along with a few recent findings. It’s not enough to bring Erebus down, but… I still think you should see it.”


    Ste took the USB drive from William, her hands trembling just a little.


    She didn’t know exactly what was on it, but something told her it would shed more light on Erebus—and possibly change everything.


    “Is there any movement from Drake’s side?” she asked.


    William’s expression darkened. “Nothing yet. Erebus has been a messtely. Amon’s pushing for full control, but Drake’s got most of the resources. It’s constant internal strife right now. As for the people sent after you—we honestly don’t know if it was Amon’s doing, Drake’s call, or someone else entirely.”


    He looked at her, worry etched into his features. “Stel, Erebus is even messier than we thought. You should really consider moving back to the mansion. At least there, we can keep you safe.”


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    Right now, she was living alone in her apartment—and William hadn’t been able to sleep, always anxious something would happen.


    At his mansion, there was top-tier security—cameras, guards, the whole setup. It was a fortresspared to her ce.


    Ste hesitated. On paper, it made sense. If Erebus was as chaotic and dangerous as it seemed, she’d be safer under tighter protection.


    But emotionally? She still hated being left in the dark. And deep down, part of her felt that as long as William wasn’t living with her, he’d stay out of Erebus’s crosshairs.


    Her thoughts tangled in knots. She didn’t know what the right move was.


    After a moment, she said softly, “I just… need some time to think it through.”


    A flicker of disappointment passed through William’s eyes, but he nodded. “Alright. Take all the time you need. I’ll be right across the hall, okay? Just call if you need anything.”


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