?Chapter 1303:


    Then he turned back to Ste, his voice cutting through the air. “Ste. I’m giving you a choice. Go with him… or stay. I won’t force you.”


    She bit down on her lip until she tasted iron.


    Steven had just defended her in front of everyone—with no hesitation, no calction. The guilt pressed into her ribs until she could barely breathe.


    He and William were good friends, yet they were arguing because of her.


    Maybe there really was something wrong with her. Everywhere she went, trouble followed, and the people kind to her always paid for it.


    William’s earlier threat echoed in her ears.


    He didn’t have to force her physically. His words alone had already trapped her.


    Her fingers trembled as she gently pulled her arm from Steven’s hold.


    Even that small motion drained thest of her strength. The light in her eyes dimmed outpletely.


    She didn’t dare hope for rescue anymore.


    Because even if someone stepped in, even if it was William’s closest friend, William would drag them down without blinking.


    She lowered her head, unable to meet Steven’s stunned expression. “I’m sorry… Thank you for helping me. But… I can’t leave.” Her voice was barely audible, small and defeated.


    She turned away from him, moving like a puppet whose strings had been cut. Each step back toward the sofa weighed a ton. She sank onto the cushion, lifted the untouched ss, and managed a hollow smile no one believed. Her hair fell forward, hiding her tears—herst scrap of dignity.


    Across the room, William watched the disy. Somethingplicated flickered in him. Something he immediately shoved back down.


    Steven looked at her—crushed, resigned, disappearing into herself—and something twisted in his chest. But he understood the truth. He could do nothing to help her.


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    He shot William onest look, one filled with pure disappointment. Even he, a man everyone called a yboy, couldn’t stomach staying another second.


    Without a word, he walked out.


    Ste watched him leave. The door shut behind him with a soft click, but it felt like her final escape route sealing shut. Her chest ached. Even breathing hurt.


    The room gradually slipped back into lively chatter, like nothing had happened.


    But Fred didn’t dare approach her again. Even he could tell William’s attitude toward her wasn’t normal.


    Whether it was love or hatred—no one wanted to be the idiot who stepped into that kind of minefield.


    William’s gaze lingered on Ste.


    The way her shoulders shook. The way she tried to hide it. It stung in a way he couldn’t exin. So he buried the feeling deep, deep down.


    Fred rubbed his nose, trying to find something to say, anything to ease the tension. One nce at William’s icy stare shut him up. He slumped back, wishing he’d never pushed the drink earlier.


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