?Chapter 1324:


    They walked around a little longer, but the lightness from earlier never returned. Ste tried—she really did—but she couldn’t hide the fatigue or the heaviness dragging at her expression.


    By lunchtime, Sharon took her to the bistro on the mall’s top floor. The one with soft piano music and big ss windows. The one they used to treat themselves at when life was still normal.


    She ordered their favorites without asking. Ste had lost so much weighttely. Sharon hoped the familiar food might coax her appetite back.


    The restaurant was mostly quiet, just the pianist ying something slow and warm. Peaceful, almost.


    While they waited for the food, a small group of well-dressed young women at the next table started talking.


    Their voices weren’t loud, but in the quiet room, every word carried straight to Ste and Sharon.


    “Did you hear what happened to that bald guy, Fred Turner? The one in the building materials business?”


    “Yeah, total copse. Hispany’s gone. Cash flow dried up overnight. A bunch of banks demanded repayment all at once—he couldn’t keep up.”


    “I heard they’ve already filed for bankruptcy. And it gets worse—someone tipped off the cops. He’s being investigated for illegal fundraising. Got called in for questioning this morning. He’ll have a hard time getting out of all the mess.”


    “Wow… that fast? Someone really wanted him taken down. Who’d he piss off?”


    “No clue. But with his personality, it was bound to happen sooner orter. He must’ve crossed the wrong person.”


    The conversation continued at the next table, tinged with the detached curiosity and thinly veiled mockery of those watching a drama unfold from a safe distance.


    Updates always at galnoνe??s


    Ste’s fork slipped from her fingers and ttered against her te. Her face went pale.


    Fred Turner. The same bald creep who forced her to drinkst night… who tried to assault her at the club. And now, hispany had crumbled overnight?


    Was this karma?


    She picked up her fork again and poked at the sd in front of her, pretending to eat as the noise around her faded into a blur.


    Across the table, Sharon watched her closely. “Stel… do you know that Fred guy?”


    Ste blinked, then shook her head a little too fast. “No. Never met him.”


    Sharon didn’t press. She’d heard Fred’s name pop up in recent weeks—wasn’t he negotiating something with Briggs Group? So how did he go from expansion ns to total ruin?


    Ste tried to focus on her te, but her mind kept spinning. Could William have had something to do with it? The idea came uninvited… and ridiculous.


    He hated her. He watched her humiliationst night and didn’t lift a finger. Why would he destroy a business partner for her sake?


    She forced herself to look down, pushing lettuce around her te. The more she thought about it, the more her stomach twisted.


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