?Chapter 1067:


    Jeff, finally freed, ran straight to Ste’s side, guilt visible on his face. “Ste, I’m so sorry… this is all my fault. You got hurt because of me.”


    Ste winced but kept her voice even. “It’s fine. Just a scratch.”


    William shot Jeff a look, cold and sharp, before turning back to Ste. “No. It’s not fine. You’re going to the hospital. Now.”


    The cut wasn’t something she could brush off like that.


    Jeff stepped forward. “I’ll take her,” he said, voice firm. “This happened because of me. I should be the one to make sure she’s okay.”


    That did it. William’s jaw tightened. “She’s my girlfriend,” he said through clenched teeth. “Back off.”


    Both Ste and Jeff went still, caught off guard.


    Ste’s brows drew together as she looked at William, ready to retort—but then she caught the cold edge in his eyes.


    Before she could get a word out, he cut her off sharply. “Your arm needs attention. We’re wasting time.”


    He stepped forward and reached for her, but she moved just enough to stop him, her gesture firm yet calm. “Jeff will take me.”


    Ste’s voice was soft but steady as she caught the flicker of pain in William’s eyes. “You should go after Nina. She can’t have gotten far.”


    William didn’t move. He knew Nina’s trail wouldn’t vanish overnight—Luca could easily handle it. He didn’t need to go himself.


    He understood what Ste was doing, pushing him away to create space. Still, he gave a small nod. “Call me if you need anything, okay?” he murmured.


    Ste pressed her lips together and said nothing.


    As William watched Jeff gently help her out, something twisted inside him—a mix of frustration, guilt, and helplessness he couldn’t shake.


    He turned to Luca, his tone low but sharp. “I want every trace of Nina’s movement,” he said. “Start tracking her right now.”


    On the drive to the hospital, Jeff’s hands tightened on the steering wheel as he kept sneaking nces at Ste. Guilt hung heavy in the air, almost choking him.


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    “Ste, I’m really sorry,” he said, his voice cracking. “All this happened because I fell for that stupid scam.”


    His words trembled as he went on. “If I hadn’t believed that fake schrship email, none of this would’ve happened.”


    Ste blinked, startled. “Fake schrship?”


    Jeff nodded, his face hot with embarrassment as he told her how he’d been tricked over the past few days. By the time he finished, his voice had gone quiet, thick with regret.


    “I should’ve known better,” he muttered. “It just sounded like hope, you know? I thought I’d finally found a way to pay Mom’s hospital bills.”


    Ste’s expression softened. “It’s not your fault,” she said gently. “I didn’t see Ninaing either. None of us did.”


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