?Chapter 1199:


    Sharon trembled with fury, ready tosh out and blurt the truth, but Josie gripped her tightly to stop her.


    Josie met Steven’s gaze with calmposure, her tone steady. “Mr. Harrison, not everything is as it seems. Everyone has their own battles to face. We care about Mr. Briggs too, but please don’t speak ill of Stel. She has her reasons.”


    “Reasons?” Steven repeated, his lips curling into a bitter smirk. “I’ll be very interested to hear what those reasons are when…”


    “…Williames back.”


    With that, he turned sharply and strode out of the café, his anger echoing in his steps.


    The search for William had reached a dead end, and Howe was circling thepany like a vulture.


    Even Ste had walked away from William.


    Steven felt a sharp knot tighten in his chest. Once inside the car, he dragged a hand across his face, his voice low and rough with irritation.


    “Damn it, William, where the hell are you? You think vanishing into thin air is some kind of game?”


    Watching his car speed off, Sharon’s fury boiled over. Her eyes stung red, but no words came out. All she could do was stomp her foot in helpless anger.


    “Unbelievable man! What on earth do you even see in him?”


    Her words were aimed squarely at Josie, who snapped back immediately. “Who said I liked him? Don’t start spreading nonsense!”


    Sharon gave her a pointed look, her tone sharp. “Oh, please, Josie. Do you think I can’t tell? He’s obviously into you, and you’re not exactly pushing him away. Let me guess—you’re still figuring out your feelings, right?”


    Josie hesitated, then nodded reluctantly.


    “He’s been chasing me for a while,” she admitted, “but I haven’t given him an answer. Until Stel gets her memory back, I’m not getting into anything. So don’t worry. I won’t let anyone distract me.”


    Sharon blinked, then broke into an amusedugh. “You really took me seriously? I was just joking, and you fell for it!”


    Josie stared at her in disbelief,pletely thrown off. She hadn’t expected Sharon to still find humor in a moment like this.


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    The sudden roar of Steven’s engine snapped them both back to the situation at hand.


    Sharon’s smile faded as she muttered, “Still, he’s insufferable. Calling Stel heartless? She’s thest person in the world who could ever be that.”


    Josie exhaled softly, her voice heavy with resignation. “Forget it. He doesn’t know the truth. Of course he’d misunderstand. What matters now is figuring out our next move.”


    Their earlier ns had failed. Now, they needed another way forward.


    They looked at each other, neither speaking, yet both seeing the same thing reflected back—fear, frustration, and the sinking weight of uncertainty.


    At the same time, a secluded manory hidden on the outskirts of Montavia, a country far across the ocean.


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