?Chapter 1348:


    He hadn’t been able to three years ago, and nothing had changed since.


    Still, something in Lance’s tone sparked a faint glimmer of hope. If Ste never recovered her memories, and if William’s power could be weakened, then maybe—just maybe—they could have a real future together.


    Marc’s newly foundedpany was only beginning to find its footing, and without Ste’s presence, it simply couldn’t stand on its own. He needed her—in more ways than one.


    After wrestling with his decision for a long moment, Marc finally met Lance’s gaze and nodded. “Alright, I’ll do as you say. I’ll get Ste out of William’s hands.”


    Seeing Marc show a sliver of determination atst, Lance let out a quiet breath, relief softening his features.


    Meanwhile, the auction carried on.


    William nced at Ste beside him and said, “Bid on item number seventeen for me.”


    Ste blinked, caught off guard. “You don’t have your own paddle?”


    She hadn’t forgotten she was sitting in someone else’s seat, and she wasn’t sure how her bidding might affect anything.


    What if the bill ended up in Whittaker’s name?


    As if reading her hesitation, William lowered his voice. “It’s simple. You bid, I pay. You won’t owe a thing.”


    A faint challenge shimmered in his gaze as he added, “Why? After all those years with Marc, he still can’t toss a few million your way?”


    Ste pressed her lips together, refusing to rise to the bait. She wanted to tell him Marc was still building his business, that he couldn’t possiblypare to William’s wealth.


    But the words stalled. Exining herself felt pointless—maybe even dangerous if it set him off again.


    Item seventeen was a breathtaking emerald ne, starting at eight hundred thousand dors.


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    Ste lifted her paddle and asked, “What’s your ideal price?”


    If too many bidders jumped in and the price climbed too high, she needed to know when he nned to back out.


    William didn’t take his eyes off the ne. “Whatever it takes, I’ll pay.”


    Her brows lifted in surprise. She studied the ne again, realizing it must mean something to him. He wouldn’t spend that kind of money otherwise.


    As the auction continued, Ste raised her paddle again and again. It wasn’t her money, and since he’d told her to go as high as necessary, she didn’t see any reason to hold back.


    The price shot up quickly—from eight hundred thousand to three million.


    With only a few bidders left, William seemed eager to wrap up the round. He leaned slightly toward Ste and instructed, “Bid eight million directly.”


    Eight million?


    Ste’s heart nearly lurched out of her chest. The current price sat at just three million. Jumping straight to eight felt downright reckless.


    She wasn’t well-versed in auctions or how jewelry prices tended to rise. But since William had given the order, she lifted her paddle without hesitation and called out, “Eight million!”


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