?Chapter 1124:


    William’s gaze met hers, silent but clear—it was time to leave. Just as they turned, she spotted Jeffing toward them, clutching a ck box. His face looked strained, anxious. “Jeff?” she called, stepping forward. “Wait—what’s that?” He hesitated, eyes darting between her and William. “Ste, I have something important to give you.”


    William stepped in front of her instantly, his tone icy. “Stop right there and drop the box. Now!”


    Jeff’s hands trembled. “Mr. Briggs, you’ve got it wrong, this is—” Before he could finish, a blur of movement came from the side.


    Someone lunged, tackling Jeff to the ground.


    The box hit the floor with a loud, metallic thud.


    In the dim, flickering light, Ste’s breath caught when she saw the person who’d attacked him. “Nina?”


    Nina’s eyes burned with fury as she red down at Jeff. “You traitor!”


    The word sliced through the tense air like a de. Everyone around froze—staring in shock, unsure of what was happening.


    Security rushed in. Within moments, Jeff and Nina were both restrained. William kept Ste close, shielding her as they quickly moved toward the elevator.


    By the time they reached the car downstairs, Ste was still dazed, her mind racing in circles.


    What just happened? Why was Jeff carrying that ck box? And Nina—why was she even there? Wasn’t she supposed to still be in prison?


    Her thoughts tangled like wires, until William’s calm voice pulled her back to the present. He wrapped a steady arm around her shoulders.


    “Jeff was bought over by Erebus,” he said quietly. “The box he had… it was from them. Likely a bomb.”


    Ste’s eyes widened. “How could that be? Jeff?” Her voice cracked slightly. “He was my junior, Professor Taylor’s most promising student. The idea that he could be part of Erebus feels impossible.”


    William handed her a thin folder. “We checked his ount. Arge transfer came from overseas. His phone shows messages with Erebus contacts.”


    Her hands trembled as she took it. The words on the page blurred—too cruel toprehend. She thought of Jeff’s earnest smile, his drive, and his quiet admiration. It didn’t match the image of a traitor.


    She forced herself to ask, “And Nina? Why was she there?”


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    William’s face darkened. “She tipped us off about Jeff’s betrayal.”


    That only deepened Ste’s confusion.


    If Nina was the informant, why did she call Jeff a traitor? And why would she—of all people—betray Erebus? Nina had wanted her dead more than anyone. None of it made sense.


    After a long silence, Ste spoke quietly, “I want to see them.”


    William didn’t stop her. He led her down to a small, windowless basement where Jeff was being held.


    He sat hunched over, head down, wrists bound, saying nothing. Ste stopped at the doorway. Her voice was steady but low.


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