?Chapter 1132:


    She stood, her eyes gleaming with something unreadable. “If you truly don’t want to owe me, then stop getting into situations where you need saving. Don’t give me a chance to save you.”


    People only acted in their own interest. Expecting otherwise was like asking a thief to walk past a vault of gold—impossible.


    The only real solution was to keep temptation out of sight, because no one could resist human nature forever.


    Ste’s lips parted, but no words came out. Haley’s words, sharp as des, sliced through her defenses. Cruel as they sounded, they carried an undeniable truth.


    She had been making demands she had no power to enforce, and the realization left a bitter taste in her mouth.


    Drawing in a steady breath, Ste gathered herposure and looked at Haley onest time. “Goodbye, Ms. Smith.” Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away—her back straight, her heels clicking with quiet resolve.


    The moment Ste disappeared beyond the café door, she pulled out her phone and spoke softly, her tone suddenly devoid of charm. “I’ve got the documents. Start the operation.”


    Within a month, the business world was in uproar.


    Walsh Group lost several major clients almost overnight. Contracts were terminated, partnerships dissolved, and thepany’s stock plummeted.


    The final blow came when Marc’s much-anticipated international deal was abruptly suspended—officially due to “technical uncertainties.”


    In herb, Ste was discussing experimental results with Sandra when the financial headlines shed across the screen. Sandra gasped, handing over her tablet. “Sylvia, look at this! Your ex-husband’spany is in deep trouble again.”


    Ste nced at the news calmly, her face unreadable. Sandra continued, lowering her voice, “Word is, their cash flow’s almostpletely drained this time. Looks like Walsh Group might not survive.”


    The headline shing on the screen said it all.


    She didn’t even need to read the full article to know Haley had made her move. Using the evidence Ste had handed over, Haley had gone straight for the jugr—putting pressure on every partner the Walsh Group had left, forcing them to pull out one after another.


    Thepany had barely crawled out of ruin. Now, with the Smith family stepping in, no sane investor would want their name anywhere near Marc’s.


    Ste kept her phone aside and went back to adjusting theb equipment. “He brought it on himself,” she said tly.


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    Sandra watched her for a moment before speaking. “I heard he’s been begging around to keep his business alive. Has he tried reaching you?”


    Ste’s hands didn’t stop moving. “Even if he did, I wouldn’t meet him.”


    But that same afternoon, Marc showed up at the research institute.


    Security stopped him outside the gates.


    He called her again and again until she finally blocked his number and kept working until the sun went down.


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