?Chapter 1312:


    Marc wanted cooperation? Fine. Nina agreed without a second thought.


    But she had no intention of helping him “rescue” Ste or reunite them.


    She didn’t want Ste happy—no matter who she was with.


    Disappearing was the only fate Ste deserved.


    So Nina made a decision. She’d go to William. Not to help Ste, but to remind him of what he was supposed to do—to push that woman even deeper into misery, to make him truly hate her.


    She hung up and drove straight to William’s vi. The night was heavy. A few cold lights glowed around the perimeter, like distant eyes watching in the dark. She pressed the doorbell, heart thudding in her chest.


    The door creaked open—but it wasn’t William. It was Luca. The sh of surprise on his face didn’tst long. Wariness quickly followed.


    “Miss Carter? What brings you here?”


    Nina kept her tone light. “I need to talk to William. It’s important.”


    Luca hesitated, then finally stepped aside. “He’s in the study. I’ll let him know.”


    She stepped into the vast, sterile entryway, her ears sharp. Upstairs, barely audible, was a sound—quiet, stifled sobs. A woman crying.


    That voice… it was Ste.


    So Marc hadn’t been bluffing. Ste really was still here—and clearly not doing well.


    The sound grated against Nina’s nerves, needle-sharp and insistent.


    William was keeping her locked away, still obsessed, still clinging—why? What was going through his head?


    Luca returned and nodded. “Mr. Briggs will see you upstairs.”


    Nina took a steadying breath and pushed open the door to the study.


    William stood by the window, facing the night. His figure was tall and still, backlit by the faint glow outside. The silence around him was heavy, and the chill in the air made it clear—he didn’t wantpany.


    He didn’t even nce her way. “What is it?” he asked tly, voice as unreadable as his silhouette.


    Nina stepped in and closed the door behind her, shutting out Ste’s muffled sobs.


    She walked toward the desk, letting her gaze linger on William’s profile. Just being near him made her heart twist. “I heard… you’ve been keeping Ste here. And no one’s allowed to see her?”


    William finally turned. His eyes, dimly lit, were dark and bottomless as theynded on her. He didn’t answer right away. Just stared at her like her question didn’t even deserve a response.


    Then came his voice—cool and calm. “Is there a problem?”


    So he wasn’t denying it. He really did have Ste locked away.


    Nina felt her stomach drop.


    She forced a smile, trying to soundposed. “You shouldn’t be around her anymore. Have you forgotten her betrayal? All this vulnerability might be another act. If you keep getting involved, you’re just going to keep reopening old wounds—hurting yourself again.”


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