?Chapter 1156:


    Ste immediately stood up, concern shing across her face. “Why don’t you let someone else handle it? Or have it sent over by courier? We can pay whatever it takes.”


    She didn’t like the idea of him going out—not today. Not when everything was supposed to be perfect.


    William cupped her face gently, his eyes filled with warmth despite the tension. “I made that ring just for you, Ste. There’s only one like it in the world, and I want to be the one to bring it to you. Please, just stay here and wait for me. I won’t be long.”


    There was something so certain in his eyes that she couldn’t bring herself to argue. After a moment, she nodded softly. “Alright. I’ll wait. Bute back quickly, okay?”


    He smiled and pressed a quick kiss to her forehead before rushing out the door.


    Ste slowly walked to the window and watched his car roll out through the gates, a wave of unease rising in her chest.


    By five o’clock, he still hadn’t returned.


    The door to the lounge suddenly flew open, and a man in a security uniform stumbled in, his face pale and panicked.


    “Ms. Russell, bad news!” he shouted breathlessly. “Mr. Briggs… he’s been in a car ident!”


    For a heartbeat, Ste couldn’t process his words. Her entire body went rigid. “What? What did you just say?”


    The guard caught his breath and continued, “A truck rear-ended his car on the way to the city. It’s badly wrecked. They’re taking him to the central hospital right now!”


    Ste’s legs nearly gave out, and she gripped the edge of the dressing table to steady herself. “No… that’s not possible. He was fine just a few minutes ago!”


    He had promised he’d be quick—how could something happen so suddenly?


    Her hands shook as she pulled out her phone and dialed his number, but all she heard was the lifeless automated voice: “The number you are trying to reach is unavable.”


    The guard stepped forward, urgencycing his tone. “Ms. Russell, please—you need to go to the hospital right away. He’s in critical condition and keeps calling your name.”


    Something didn’t feel right. Even through her shock, Ste could sense it.


    Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. “What’s your name? I’ve never seen you before.”


    “I’m one of the estate guards,” he replied quickly. “A friend of mine saw the crash and called me right away. Please, Ms. Russell. Mr. Briggs needs you! You can’t just stand here!”


    Just as Ste was about to speak, the emergency bulletin on the television filled the room with its steady, grave tone.


    The anchor reported, “Around 4:40 this afternoon, there was a serious collision at the Ring Road intersection. A ck Maybach was struck from behind by a truck. The injured have been taken to the central hospital.”


    The screen showed the ck Maybach—badly smashed—and the license te was unmistakably William’s.


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