?Chapter 1131:


    If he called, it meant desperation. And when that desperation passed, he’d toss her aside.


    Her silence made him uneasy. He leaned forward, urgency bleeding into his voice. “Ste, you’re the best in this field. If you help me, everything will go smoothly. It’s just one patent—something effortless for you.”


    She let him finish, then tilted her head slightly. Haley’s n was unfolding exactly as she’d predicted.


    “I can do it,” she said atst, “but I have two conditions.”


    Marc’s eyes lit up instantly. “Name them.”


    Ste raised a slender finger. “First, I oversee the entire process. You’ll follow my instructions precisely—no interference.”


    Marc nodded quickly.


    That wasn’t an issue; he had nned to leave the patent in her hands anyway.


    “And second,” she continued coolly, “I want full ess to your business partner records—contacts, cooperation history, everything.”


    The request wiped the relief from his face. He hesitated. “Ste, do you really need that kind of information?”


    She reached for her bag, her tone sharp as ss. “If you’re unwilling, forget it. Seems your supposed sincerity isn’t worth a few business files.”


    “Wait!” Marc’s jaw tightened. After a moment’s internal battle, he relented. “Fine. I agree.”


    Two weekster, Ste delivered thepleted preliminary patent. As promised, she went to the Walsh Group headquarters in person to finalize the handover.


    She wasn’t naive enough to give up her work before payment was secured.


    Marc looked tense as he passed her a folder. “Ste, promise me—you’ll use these documents only for your research. Nothing else.”


    She epted the materials, her tone calm and detached. “I promise.”


    She felt no guilt. After all, what Marc had done to her went far beyond this.


    That evening, in a dimly lit café tucked away from the city’s noise, Ste slid a small USB drive across the table toward Haley.


    “Here’s what you wanted. We’re even now.”


    Haley turned the drive between her fingers, her smileced with amusement. “Efficient as always. Looks like Marc still hasn’t gotten over you.”


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    Ste’s gaze was cold and unflinching. “I’ve repaid your favor. From now on, stay out of my life.”


    Haley arched a brow, resting her chin on her hand as she studied Ste with interest.


    “Don’t be so quick to end things, darling. In our world, one more friend is better than one more enemy. If it weren’t for me, you’d be lying dead in that auditorium.”


    “I don’t need friends like you,” Ste said evenly, rising to her feet. “No matter what happens, I won’t need your help again.”


    Haley chuckled, her voice soft but cutting. “Still so naive. Do you think debts disappear just because you say so? Some things happen whether you want them to or not.”


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