?Chapter 1298:


    Ste blinked hard. Her head still spun from the earlier drink, her vision fogging at the edges.


    She knew—if she took it, she’d be done. Her body wouldn’t hold up. She might copse. Or worse, lose what littleposure she had left in front of all of them.


    Her gaze drifted toward William. She didn’t mean to. Some buried part of her—stupid and desperate—actually thought he might stop this. That he’d step in.


    The second she realized it, something twisted in her chest.


    What was she doing? Looking for rescue from the same man who brought her here to be humiliated? She really must’ve lost her mind.


    William watched Ste unravel, something flickering in his eyes for half a second before it vanished under ayer of cold restraint.


    He reminded himself this was what he wanted—her shaken, humbled, paying for what he saw as betrayal.


    He lounged back in his seat, one leg crossed over the other, idly swirling the wine in his ss. He didn’t drink it.


    He just watched her, almost amused, almost soothed by the sight of her being helpless.


    She used to smile so easily around Marc. She couldugh, drink, entertain. So why couldn’t she do the same for him?


    Was Marc any better than him?


    The thought soured his mood all over again. His jaw tightened. He lifted a brow at Ste, offering no help, no shield.


    Across the room, a man named Fred Turner took William’s indifference as permission to push harder.


    “Ms. Russell, Mr. Briggs already said it’s fine.” He shoved a brimming ss into her hand. “Come on. Have a drink with me. Don’t make things awkward. Mr. Briggs and I go way back.”


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    Ste stared at the liquor. Her stomach cramped on instinct. The drink she’d been forced to swallow earlier was still burning a hole in her gut.


    “I really can’t drink anymore…” Her voice shook, barely above a whisper.


    She tried to step back, but Fred blocked her path with his bulk.


    Never before had she been in such an embarrassing situation, forced by strangers to do something she didn’t want to.


    His expression darkened. “What’s this? Just one drink. Are you disrespecting me?”


    If not for William, he wouldn’t be this easy on her.


    The others joined in, theirughter sharp and jeering.


    “Come on, Ms. Russell, Fred’s being generous!”


    “Don’t be such a buzzkill. No one likes a wallflower—just go with the flow!”


    Their voices blended into a dull roar. Ste’s head spun. She looked to William, desperate, wordless.


    He sat like a spectator, tapping his ss with azy rhythm, watching her squirm like it was some kind of show. Nothing in his eyes. Just frost.


    Thest sliver of hope slipped away. Ste’s throat tightened. She shut her eyes, swallowed the bile rising up, and nodded faintly. “I’ll drink.”


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