?Chapter 1239:


    A lowugh slipped from Drake, sharp enough to crawl under Nina’s skin. “Why not find out for yourself? Rx. Whatever hatred he carries, it isn’t meant for you.”


    Without wasting a second, Nina sprinted barefoot down the hall to William’s room. The moment she flung the door open, her heart dropped. His face was colder than she had ever known it to be. William had always been distant, but now there was nothing human in his stare.


    Frozen at the threshold, she clutched the doorframe and struggled for breath. “William…”


    At the sound of Nina’s voice, William turned. For an instant, something faintly familiar flickered in his gaze, but the hatred buried beneath refused to loosen its hold.


    Just then, Arlo stepped into the room behind Nina, satisfaction curling his lips as his eyes roamed over the man William had be. “William, you and Nina will head home first thing tomorrow. Finish the deal as nned. You already know what needs to be done.”


    William’s jaw tightened. He gave a curt nod, expression nk and unreadable.


    Testing William’s hatred, Arlo said deliberately, “Once it’s over, you can go find Ste and make her pay. I won’t stop you.”


    At the sound of Ste’s name, a violent tremor broke through William’sposure, stirring the fury he had tried so hard to contain.


    William’s jaw tightened, the muscle twitching beneath his skin. His face was stone—cold, sharp, unreadable. But his eyes… they burned darkly, locked on the window as if Ste were on the other side of the ss, and he could crush her just by staring hard enough.


    Even from across the room, Nina shivered.


    She had never seen him like this—so controlled, yet so terrifying. And she couldn’t help but wonder what he’d do to Ste once they returned.


    Arlo, standing beside him, seemed almost pleased. A faint smirk curved his lips as he patted William’s shoulder. “I heard she’s nning a wedding with Marc,” he said slowly, savoring every word. “Taking her away on her wedding day… wouldn’t that be poetic?”


    Then he turned and left, pausing only to nce back at Nina. The look in his eyes was enough to freeze her in ce. She lowered her gaze instantly, afraid even to breathe.


    I@te$t ￠#@pter$ In g@!novel$.c0m


    The next morning, she and William boarded the private flight back home. Drake was there to see them off, and as Nina passed, he leaned in close, his voice a low warning. “Be smart. His hatred isn’t for you—don’t do anything stupid.”


    Her throat tightened. She gave a stiff nod and hurried up the steps. William was already seated, eyes closed, expression calm but empty. For a moment, he looked peaceful—like a man simply resting after a long journey. But the air around him was suffocating, so heavy it pressed against her chest.


    She sat beside him quietly.


    The man she had once longed for was right there, within reach. Yet it felt like only his body hade back—the rest of him, the warmth, the light, had been buried somewhere she could never find.


    Afraid to disturb him, Nina closed her eyes and pretended to sleep.


    But halfway through the flight, his voice cut through the silence. Low. Cold. “Tell me how Ste betrayed me.”


    Her heart stopped. Hershes fluttered open, and she realized there was no escape. He was watching her, gaze sharp as a de.


    .


    .


    .