Chapter 1125:


    “Why, Jeff?”


    He looked up with a strained smile. “Ste, do you remember what I once asked you? Whether someone born without privilege is doomed to never rise?”


    She didn’t answer, waiting for him to continue.


    Jeff let out a bitterugh. “I was tired. Tired of struggling. Tired of being looked down on. Erebus promised me everything I wanted most.”


    Her chest tightened. “Money? Jeff, you had such a bright future.” What he had done was nothing less than throwing that future away.


    His head snapped up at her words. “It’s not for money, Ste! What I wanted most was never about money!” His voice cracked, raw and desperate.


    He liked her. That much was painfully clear. And everything he’d done—every reckless choice—had been for that single, twisted reason.


    A chill ran through her.


    Even the gifted could lose themselvespletely, all because of one misguided desire.


    “Jeff,” she said softly, her voice trembling, “Is this how you repay Professor Taylor’s trust?”


    Her words cut through the heavy silence. Only days ago, the professor had spoken of Jeff with pride, saying he was bound for great things.


    Ste never imagined he would throw it all away.


    She turned to leave, her heart heavy, but his voice stopped her.


    “Ste… do you remember what I told you? That if we survived, I’d tell you something?”


    Her steps faltered, and she squeezed her eyes shut, the memory still fresh with the grime of their ordeal.


    “Do you really think I did this for money?” His voice dropped, trembling with emotion. “No. I like you. I’ve always liked you. But you have Mr. Briggs, and I… I couldn’t just watch from the sidelines anymore. Erebus promised that if I helped them deal with William, they’d let you live—and then we could finally be together.”


    Ste’s breath hitched. The world seemed to tilt, the weight of his words sinking in slowly, painfully.


    So that was it. His ruin. His reason.


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    “Jeff…” she whispered, her voice hollow. “Even without William, I wouldn’t be with you. You were wrong from the very beginning.” Because love wasn’t something that could be bargained for.


    It wasn’t something built on harm.


    Her gaze lingered on him for a moment—onest time—before she turned away. Jeff’s body sagged. The fight left his eyes, reced by a dull emptiness. He sank to the floor, staring at nothing.


    After leaving the basement, Ste went to see Nina in another room.


    Unlike her usual sharp and arrogant self, Nina seemed strangely calm today.


    “Thank you,” Ste said quietly, her sincerity softening her tone.


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