?Chapter 1366:


    William pressed his lips together. He honestly couldn’t remember thest time he made one.


    Without meaning to, his eyes drifted toward Ste. She sat stiffly on the sofa, looking lost. He let out a soft, mockingugh.


    He had assumed she’d be too proud to leave her room.


    Jewell spoke up, keeping the mood light. “Ms. Russell’s meals need to stay on schedule. Since your workday’s done, how about we eat?”


    William didn’t answer. He just headed upstairs to change. A few minutester, he showed up at the dining table.


    Jewell nced at Ste and nodded, inviting her to sit with them.


    This was the first time Ste had sat down for a proper meal with William since being brought here.


    Her palms were cold. Her fingers kept fidgeting under the table. She chose a seat near him—not at the far end like she normally would.


    As soon as she sat, they both took quiet, shallow breaths. Across the table, Jewell watched the pair with mild interest and took a seat opposite them.


    The spread on the table was impressive. For Ste—who usually picked at food alone in her room—the sight of a full dinner felt surreal. After spending all day outside, her appetite finally kicked in.


    She reached for the sweet and sour pork ribs.


    But just as she grabbed one, William reached for the same te.


    She hesitated, moved on to something else—and again, he followed.


    Jewell saw it all and chuckled to himself. They looked less like two people stuck in a power struggle… and more like two people who hadn’t figured out how to stop orbiting each other.


    Ste didn’t notice.


    Her mind was somewhere else—trying to figure out how she’d give William his birthday presentter. Hoping it might earn her a shred of favor.


    Dinner ended quickly. When the tes were cleared, Jewell gave the staff a subtle nod. A minuteter, they returned with a cake.


    It was sleek and jet ck, minimal to the point of cold, reflecting William’s aura.


    There were no flowers, no glitter, no candles. Just a single ring of “Happy Birthday” in clean white cream.


    William’s expression tightened the second he saw it. He hated sweets. And birthday cake? That was the worst of the lot.


    “Ms. Russell, could you put the birthday candles on the cake?” Jewell didn’t bother hiding his intention. He clearly wanted Ste to take a more active part in the celebration.


    Ste stood and pressed the brightly colored candles into the jet-ck cake. The contrast was almostical, but she made sure they were lined up neatly.


    “All done. You can make a wish now,” Jewell said, nudging things forward again.


    William looked like he had reached the end of his patience. “I don’t have any wish.”


    If he’d known Jewell was cooking up all this nonsense at home, he would’ve stayed away tonight.


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