?Chapter 1077:


    So yes, Nina wouldn’t go abroad. Her old resistance to leaving the country now mirrored her reluctance to stay here. The only difference was the setting. Everything else holding her back hadn’t changed one bit.


    Ste sat quietly for a moment, lost in thought, before finally saying, “I’ll visit Daniel’s house in a few days.” Her uncle.


    William didn’t hesitate. “I’ll go with you.”


    Ste lifted her eyes to meet his, calm and unflinching. “And what identity would you be using to go with me?”


    The questionnded like a quiet reminder. They weren’t together anymore, and showing up beside her as if nothing had changed wasn’t the right thing to do.


    William fell silent at her words, though concern lingered in his eyes. He knew Daniel was never an easy man to deal with, and the thought of Ste going alone unsettled him. He worried she might run into trouble if things turned hostile.


    Ste, however, had faith in herself. She didn’t believe Daniel could intimidate her.


    “I’ll go by myself tomorrow. If anything happens, I’ll message you.”


    He could get there quickly if needed, and she knew that.


    Seeing the unwavering determination in her expression, William didn’t press the matter further. He simply nodded in agreement. Daniel and Norene had always indulged Nina. With her sudden disappearance this time, it was almost certain she had gone straight to them.


    Daniel’s mansion stood in the city’s upscale northern district, a stark contrast to the traditional elegance of Karson’s Carter Mansion. Every detail of the ce exuded opulence.


    The next day, Ste stood before the mansion’s grand entrance and pressed the doorbell. Footsteps echoed faintly from inside, yet the door remained closed.


    She wasn’t in a rush. Standing tall, she waited with a faint, knowing smile.


    She was well aware that someone from the Carter family was watching her through the peephole, perhaps forgetting that a shadow always betrayed whoever stood behind it.


    A minuteter, the door finally opened. Norene appeared with a stiff smile. “Ste, what brings you here today? Please,e in.”


    Ste nodded politely and stepped into the elegantly decorated living room.


    Daniel sat on a leather sofa, leisurely sipping his tea. When he noticed her, he merely lifted his eyelids and said tly, “Have a seat.”


    He maintained the air of amanding elder, pretending ignorance of her reason foring.


    Ste had expected nothing less. She sat down with quietposure and went straight to the point. “Uncle, Aunt, I’m here today about Nina.”


    Daniel set down his teacup, feigning surprise. “Nina? What about her? Isn’t she abroad, taking a short break?”


    Abroad?


    Ste almostughed. What a flimsy excuse.


    Keeping her tone steady, she met his gaze. “She’s wanted for kidnapping and intentional assault. Are you truly unaware, Uncle?”


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