?Chapter 1411:


    Lance spoke with honesty, yet the doubt he carried toward Nina settled heavily inside him.


    He chose not to reveal that part to William.


    William let out a coldugh. “Yourpassion never fails to amaze me, Lance.”


    Lance had no words to counter that. His tenderness had always been his w, and he knew it.


    With nothing left to say, William rose from his seat, clearly done with the conversation.


    Lance stood as well, unable to hide the desperation creeping into his voice. “You know the truth now. Ste never betrayed you. Can you release her?”


    William’s stare sharpened. “Did I ever promise to let her go?”


    Whatever hope Lance had mustered vanished instantly.


    William left the ce without paying any mind to Nina waiting upstairs.


    But Nina, waiting on the second floor, heard their conversation from start to finish.


    Everything revolved around Ste, and even when William knew Ste hadn’t intentionally betrayed him, he still refused to let her go.


    Nina’s chest tightened with rage and envy.


    Why her?


    Arlo’s words echoed in her thoughts, along with the agreement she had made. She spun around and hurried back to her room. Her hands trembled as she took out her phone and dialed Marc.


    If William refused to release Ste, then she would make sure Arlo stepped in and imed her instead.


    Life inside that ruthless mercenary group would grind Ste down. There would be nofort for her there.


    Nina’s gaze darkened as she listened to the ringing tone, waiting for Marc to pick up.


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    A momentter, his weary voice echoed through the line.


    Nina straightened, her tone sharp and unyielding. “Marc, I want to strike a deal.”


    Marc froze at the sound of Nina’s voice. He had assumed William had already taken care of her.


    Hearing her speak so boldly, he let out a coldugh. “Nina, look at your situation. What makes you think you’re worthy of negotiating with me?”


    His contempt didn’t faze her. Nina had reached a point where he was the only possible ally left.


    “I know you still care about Ste. You won’t fight William because you can’t beat him, but do you even know what he’s doing to her? I heard she’s fainted several times, and he went as far as hiring a private doctor just to keep her functioning.”


    If Ste were truly fine, why would William need someone watching her every moment?


    Marc’s breath hitched. He once believed William would cherish Ste after taking her back.


    “William thinks Ste betrayed him with you, and he has turned against her entirely. He doesn’t love her anymore. He only wants her to break. Marc, if you’re still a man, how can you stand by while the woman you care for suffers?”


    Marc’s breath turned uneven. Memories of Ste—herughter, her warmth, the way she once looked at him—rose like ghosts he could not push away.


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