?Chapter 1425:


    There was a pause. Then, beneath the silence, came the sound of rhythmic tapping—faint but deliberate.


    Josie’s heart skipped. She was sending a message.


    A slow stream of coded taps, like Morse, began filtering through the line. Josie listened closely, piecing together the message with practiced focus.


    “I can’t reach my brother or the others. If you have the time, tell them I’m fine now. There’s nothing to worry about.”


    Josie understood right away. This message wasn’t for her—it was for Lance.


    She grabbed a pen and wrote everything down, replying, “I’ll tell him. Don’t worry. Stel, please… take good care of yourself over there, okay?”


    With each line of their conversation, Ste slipped in another key detail—covert bits of information she’d managed to photograph earlier.


    To anyone else, it sounded like two friends chatting idly. But by the time ten minutes had passed, Josie had already transcribed every crucial detail Ste needed to share.


    Then came the sound Ste had been dreading. A car engine pulled into the driveway. William was back.


    Ste’s tone shifted quickly. “Josie, I’ve got to hang up. I’m really d you called. Can you call again soon?”


    Josie didn’t miss a beat. “Every three days. Promise.”


    They sealed their n in that short exchange.


    As soon as the call ended, Ste deleted the log, locked away the photos in a hidden folder, and tucked her phone under her pillow—just as footsteps echoed down the hall.


    A maid knocked, calling her down for dinner.


    She followed the maid downstairs—and stopped. William wasn’t alone. Walking just a step behind him was a woman—young, tall, elegant. Her dark hair was swept back into a neat ponytail, and she carried herself with cool professionalism.


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    “Good evening,” she said with a friendly smile. “I’m the nutritionist Mr. Briggs hired. I’ll be managing your meals moving forward. My name’s Karina.”


    The woman extended her hand to Ste, introducing herself simply.


    Ste blinked. A nutritionist?


    She nced at William, confused. Why did he hire a nutritionist?


    William, without meeting her eyes, strode straight to the dining table and tossed off a casual exnation. “The doctor said you’re showing signs of dietary deficiency. It’s better handled by a professional.”


    He left it at that. Even he wasn’t sure what had prompted him to do this.


    But every time he thought about her—at her age—struggling with malnutrition under his roof, he felt something ugly twist in his chest.


    He was William Briggs, head of Briggs Group. The wealthiest man in Choria. Everyone around him lived well. Yet the woman sleeping in his vi looked like she hadn’t eaten properly in weeks.


    It was ridiculous and embarrassing to think of. And somewhere along the line, he simply forgot that bringing Ste back was to make her suffer.


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