?Chapter 1241:


    Luca pressed his lips together and continued carefully, “During your absence, thepany remained stable. The partners trust the Briggs Group too much to be swayed by rumors. No one dared terminate a contract.”


    That much was true. In Choria, everyone knew that cooperation with the Briggs Group was like holding a golden key—mutual profit guaranteed.


    Only a fool would walk away from that.


    Even when Howe had tried to spread news of William’s disappearance, even death, the whispers hadn’tsted long.


    William spent the rest of the morning buried in work, flipping through reports, signing off on proposals, his pen moving with steady precision. By the time he finally rose from his chair, the clock was striking noon. “I’ll be at the mansion,” he said tly. “If anything urgentes up, call me immediately.”


    Luca nodded, instinctively sensing he was going to pay Howe a visit.


    But just as William reached the elevator, Luca blurted out, “Mr. Briggs… should I inform Ms. Russell that you’re back?”


    He had been deeply unsettled about Ste’s involvement with Marc during William’s absence. Now that William was back, surely he would want to see her.


    But the silence that followed was heavy. William turned his head slowly. The faint light in his eyes vanished, reced by something icy and violent.


    “Don’t mention her again,” he said. His tone was soft, but it sent a chill straight down Luca’s spine.


    Before Luca could respond, the elevator doors closed.


    He stood frozen, the echo of William’s words still ringing in his ears. That hatred—pure, deep, and absolute—hadn’t been there before.


    Could it be because of Ste’s engagement to Marc? Was that what had turned love into loathing?


    Let your mind wander with g?lnσν????s﹒??????


    Luca rubbed the back of his neck, trying to shake the thought away.


    Whatever had happened between them, he didn’t want to be caught in the middle of it.


    Meanwhile, William’s car pulled into the long, familiar driveway of the Briggs Mansion. He stepped out, every movement steady, deliberate. “Prepare dinner,” he told the butler. “Invite Uncle Howe to join. He’s been away for years—if I don’t wee him properly, people might think I’ve forgotten my manners.”


    The staff stood frozen, staring as if they’d seen a ghost.


    Dexter appeared from the hallway, equally stunned. He stopped halfway down the stairs, studying the man who had vanished a month ago.


    William caught his expression and gave azy smirk. “What? It’s only been a month, and none of you recognize me anymore?” He sat down on the sofa like he owned the air in the room, one leg crossed casually over the other.


    Dexter gathered himself and nodded toward the butler, instructing him to call Howe.


    When Howe arrived an hourter, his car screeched to a halt outside the mansion.


    He stormed in, his pulse hammering, only to find William calmly sipping tea in the living room—alive, unbothered, and very much in control. The color drained from his face.


    William looked up, a faint smile ying on his lips. “Uncle Howe. It’s been too long.”


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