?Chapter 1282:


    Ste was their lost family—finally found after years of searching. She was his sister. There was no universe in which he’d abandon her.


    Normally, William could’ve stopped him. But he was still recovering, not nearly strong enough to hold off someone like Lance—someone trained, fit, and furious.


    Lance pushed past him easily and bolted up the stairs.


    Surprisingly, William didn’t even yell. He just turned slowly, watching Lance run with the calm, amused look of a predator waiting for the inevitable.


    At the bedroom door, Lance heard soft, broken sobs. That was all it took.


    He kicked the door open with one sharp hit. “Ste! I’m here. I’m taking you out of here!”


    Ste, sitting on the edge of the bed, froze like a frightened deer. She was still in the torn wedding dress, thin ribbons hanging off her like wilted petals. Her pale cheeks were streaked with tears, her eyes swollen, scared, exhausted.


    But the moment she saw Lance, a fragile light flickered in her hopeless gaze—a spark of relief.


    Lance’s voice cracked the moment he saw her. “Ste!”


    She lurched to her feet, ready to run straight into her brother’s arms. “Lance—”


    Lance’s heart twisted painfully. He immediately moved forward to reach her.


    But another voice sliced through the hallway like ice. William’s tone wasn’t loud, but it carried enough weight to freeze her mid-step.


    Ste’s head snapped toward the doorway, dread flooding her veins.


    William stood behind Lance, his figure half-swallowed by the light—a shadow she could never outrun.


    He didn’t even look at her. His attention locked onto Lance, calm and lethal. “Ste, you can choose to leave with your brother right now,” he said.


    Ga ln ovels . fuels your imagination


    For one heartbeat, hope flickered across her face.


    Then William continued.


    “But if you walk out that door…” He paused, each word measured and deadly. “The Carter family will be wiped from this city within three months. Your brother. Your grandfather. Everything they have—gone.”


    The blood drained from Ste’s face.


    William’s gaze finally moved to her, cold enough to slice through bone. “And those friends of yours,” he added, “the ones who meddled today? I’ll make sure they learn what happens when people get involved in a fight that isn’t theirs. Do you think the Carter family and a handful of acquaintances can stand against me?”


    A humorlessugh slipped from him, low and cruel, like he had control over all their fates.


    “So choose, Ste. Leave or stay. It’s your decision.”


    Ste stared at him, shaking so hard she could barely breathe.


    He wasn’t bluffing. He never bluffed.


    Everything about him—his tone, his eyes, the quiet finality—told her he meant every word.


    She turned back to Lance. He looked terrified for her, arm still stretched out, waiting. Wanting to bring her home.


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