?Chapter 1345:


    “Good morning, Ms. Russell,” the servant said with a practiced smile. “Mr. Briggs has a charity g tonight. He wants you to apany him as his date.”


    Ste sat up slowly, teeth clenched. “Do I have to?”


    The smile the servant gave her said it all. She had no choice.


    By evening, she was in the car, dressed and silent.


    Her gown was formal—sleek, fitted, with a fishtail hem that hugged her curves. Nothing revealing. Just elegant and distant.


    The car slowed in front of the venue. As she stepped out, another vehicle pulled up beside hers. A Maybach. William stepped out. The sharp lines of his ck suit, his long strides—he stood out immediately. Heads turned.


    He didn’t offer her a hand. Didn’t say hello. Just looked at her and said, coldly, “Keep up.”


    Her heels were four inches high. Paired with her already tall frame, they made walking a quiet struggle.


    As they approached the entrance, a staff member suddenly stepped in front of her. “Ma’am, may I see the item you’re donating tonight?”


    Ste froze. Her eyes flicked toward William, who was already inside.


    It was a charity g. Of course guests were expected to bring something to donate. But hadn’t he informed the staff she was with him?


    She parted her lips to call out—but stopped herself.


    No. He’d left her behind on purpose. He wanted her stuck here, humiliated. And if she shouted after him in front of everyone, that would just make it worse. Especially if he decided not to acknowledge her.


    She only had one thing of value on her—the pearl ne that hade in the gift box earlier. She had no idea how much it was worth, but decided to give it a try.


    She unsped it and held it out. “Will this do?”


    New updates in gα?ησν???s?c?m


    The staff examined it carefully, then smiled. “Yes, ma’am. This will be perfect.”


    Relief washed over her. At least that part was over.


    “Please sign here,” the staff added, offering a pen and clipboard.


    She nced down at the donation record and hesitated. William’s name wasn’t there. After a beat, she signed it anyway—his name, not hers.


    If there was going to be embarrassment tonight, she figured it might as well belong to the person who set her up.


    Inside the ballroom, everything glittered. Lights,ughter, crystal sses clinking together. A sea of carefully curated smiles.


    Ste scanned the room, looking for William.


    The seating was tightly arranged, row by row. She didn’t know where he was supposed to be, so she followed instinct—and headed to the front.


    He was there. Of course he was. Sitting in the most prominent seat, like he belonged there.


    But there was no seat saved for her.


    Seats on both sides of him were already taken. She stood frozen in the aisle, unsure what to do.


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