?Chapter 1089:


    Ste closed her eyes, her chest tightening. She understood the position he was in, but the image of Jeff’s terrified face and the sting of the gash on her arm refused to fade. Forgiving Nina was no longer an option. From the moment Nina returned to Choria, she had beening after her, every word and every move dripping with jealousy. It wasn’t even about William anymore. Nina simply couldn’t stand the idea of Ste being better than her.


    Ste drew in a slow breath. Karson’s voice cracked slightly on the other end, tugging at something soft within her.


    “Grandpa,” she said quietly, “since you’re asking, I won’t press charges. But she has to undergo therapy and stay out of the country for at least five years. If she dares toe back before then, I won’t show mercy next time.”


    Ste knew second chances didn’tst forever. And with Nina, she had already stretched her limits far beyond what she had intended. If Karson hadn’t asked her personally, she wouldn’t have given an inch.


    There was a pause, followed by a faint sound of relief in his exhale. “Thank you, Ste. We won’t forget this.”


    The line clicked off. Ste stood by the window, her reflection faint in the ss.


    Her expression was calm, but her eyes were unreadable. She didn’t know whether Nina’s attack had been connected to Erebus, but now that Nina was out of the way, that was the only threat left on her mind.


    Her phone buzzed again—a text from William. “Luca says Nina’s heading abroad. Daniel got her a ticket.”


    Ste rubbed her temple wearily before typing a reply. “Yeah. Grandpa told me.”


    A momentter, William’s response came in. “You’re letting her off?”


    She paused for a second before typing back. “Yeah. She’s going abroad. She won’t be back for five years.”


    William replied with a single word. “Okay.”


    The next morning, Daniel booked Nina ast-minute ticket. She boarded the first flight out to Asnain.


    Ste didn’t go to see her off. She didn’t need to. Knowing the ne had taken off was enough.


    That afternoon, Ste was sitting by Jasmine’s bedside when the woman’s eyelids fluttered. Slowly, her eyes opened, squinting against the harsh light.


    Ste quickly crossed the room and pulled the curtains shut. “Hey, easy. How do you feel?”


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    Jasmine blinked, trying to focus. Her voice came out soft and dry. “I’m okay… Did it work?”


    Ste’s lips curved slightly. “It worked perfectly. Thanks to you.” If Jasmine hadn’t stepped in, Ste would have been the one lying in that hospital bed.


    Jasmine managed a faint smile. “I signed up for it.”


    There was no hesitation or bitterness in her tone. She had epted the risk from the very beginning.


    Looking at her pale face, Ste pressed the nurse call button. Within minutes, a team of doctors and nurses came in, ran several checks, and confirmed that Jasmine was out of danger.


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