?Chapter 1154:


    Drake had barely escaped and sounded surprised to hear from her. Nina said, hatred seeping into every word, “Ste and William destroyed your organization. Don’t you want revenge?”


    There was a pause. Then Drake’s voice came low and dangerous from the other end. “What do you want?”


    A twisted smile crept across Nina’s face. “I’ll make sure their wedding turns into a funeral.”


    The day before the wedding, Ste and William headed to the venue for their final run-through.


    The ceremony would take ce at akeside estate, where the garden was in full bloom. Roses lined the path, and the air smelled sweet and fresh.


    “Tomorrow, you’ll finally be my bride,” William murmured, wrapping his arms around her from behind as she stood in front of the mirror in her gown.


    Ste smiled at her reflection, cheeks glowing. “I can’t believe I’m wearing a wedding dress again.”


    Her first wedding to Marc had been simple—no mour, no fuss. She hadn’t cared at the time because she’d truly loved him. But now, standing beside William, she realized just how small and suffocating her past had been.


    William leaned in close, his breath brushing her ear. “Are you happy with everything? Is there anything you want to change?”


    Ste turned to face him, serious but smiling. “Nope. It’s all perfect. Don’t change a thing.”


    They shared a quietugh, unaware of the telescope hidden in the bushes outside—cold eyes watching their every move through the lens.


    That evening, Ste stayed at the Carter estate.


    Karson hadpletely redone a room just for her, every detail showing how much he cherished his long-lost granddaughter.


    Nina appeared at the doorway, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “The Carters really went all out for you. Must be nice being the favorite.”


    Ste turned calmly. “No one’s really luckier than anyone else. You’ve had twenty-plus years offort here. Hardly sounds unfair.”


    She thought of her own first twenty years—losing her mom early, then her adoptive parents in a car crash. Lucky? She didn’t even know what that felt like.


    Nina gave a coldugh. “Spare me the act. Just remember—don’t get too full of yourself. Let’s see who’sughing at the end.”


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    She stalked off.


    Ste watched her leave, frowning slightly. The threat left a knot of unease in her chest, but she pushed it aside. Tomorrow was her wedding day—nothing was going to ruin that.


    Meanwhile, William was in his study, going over thest of the wedding ns.


    He nced up at Steven, his best man. “Tomorrow has to go perfectly. You made sure security’s solid?”


    Steven grinned. “All taken care of. You’ll get to marry your dream girl without a hitch.”


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