?Chapter 1179:


    She’d just returned from an overseas business trip, barely in time to attend Ste’s wedding—only for the event to be abruptly canceled before the bride even showed up.


    Since then, both she and Sharon had been trying to reach Ste, but their calls went unanswered. Today, Josie had nned to meet Sharon first, then head to the Carter residence for answers. But fate had thrown Steven in her path.


    “If you think I’m lying,” Steven said smoothly, stepping aside, “why not ask her yourself? Oh—unless you can’t get in touch with her either?”


    His words struck like a de, right where it hurt most.


    Josie’s patience snapped. She shoved him aside, her re sharp enough to cut ss. “Move. I don’t have time for your games.”


    Steven only lifted his hands in mock surrender. “By all means, go ahead. But if you find out I was right, do let me know. I’d hate to be used of spreading false rumors about the saintly Ms. Russell.”


    Josie didn’t dignify that with a response. She stormed off, her car tires screeching as she sped away, leaving Steven smirking in a cloud of dust.


    Josie met up with Sharon soon after, and together they drove straight to Ste’s apartment.


    Empty.


    They checked the ces Ste often went—nothing. Not even a trace.


    Finally, at the research institute, they ran into Sandra as she was on her way out. She recognized them instantly.


    “Are you two looking for Sylvia?”


    Sharon’s tone softened. “You’re her colleague, right? Has she not shown up today?”


    Sandra hesitated, remembering what she had seen earlier. “Actually… I saw her. She was with Marc.”


    The two women exchanged a look—part confusion, part disbelief.


    Sandra went on, describing what she’d witnessed. By the time she finished, Sharon and Josie were both pale and silent. For the first time, Josie began to wonder whether Steven’s words hadn’t been pure provocation after all.


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    But still… Ste hiding something this huge from them? No. It didn’t make sense.


    Even so, the doubt had already taken root.


    When every lead ran cold, they had only one ce left to go—the Carter mansion.


    Lance looked startled when they arrived. He clearly didn’t want to say much. The fewer people who knew about Ste’s condition, the better.


    But Sharon caught his hesitation.


    “We’re her best friends,” she said firmly. “Whatever’s going on, we have a right to know. Ste wouldn’t want to shut us out.”


    That made him pause. After a moment, he sighed and lowered his voice. “She’s staying with Marc. At the riverside vi.”


    Both women froze.


    Marc again?


    Their minds reeled. Could it really be true? Had Ste actually gone back to him?


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