?Chapter 1433:


    He stormed upstairs and mmed his bedroom door so hard the walls shook. Downstairs, Jazlyn stomped her foot, fuming. She’d finally found the perfect daughter-inw, and it had all fallen apart again.


    Once he cooled off, Marc grabbed his phone and called Nina. Nina was surprised to hear he’d alreadynded the project details, but she agreed right away to set up a meeting with the client rep.


    In the meantime, William told Ste that she had to apany him to a business banquet.


    Ste’s stomach dropped. She hadn’t forgotten thest two banquets—people whispering, fake smiles, feeling like a fish out of water. No way did she want to relive that nightmare.


    William must have seen the panic on her face because he stepped closer. “Just stay by my side. I won’t let anything happen to you.”


    Ste gave him a doubtful look. “Do I really have to go? Hardly anyone knows me there. You could take someone else.”


    Plenty of women in Choria would jump at the chance to hang off his arm. Why her?


    William’s brow creased, and his voice dropped. “Ste, don’t push it.”


    It served as a warning not to believe she could influence his choices. Just because she’d delivered milk a couple of times and apologized didn’t mean he would be at her fingertips.


    Ste’s heart sank as she nodded, the fight draining from her. “You’ve already made up your mind,” she murmured. “Why bother asking me? I’ll go.”


    At worst, it would be just like before. She could drink until she passed out. Or be humiliated until it broke her. What difference did it make? Staying by his side wasn’t much better.


    William didn’t say anything more. Seeing her finally yield, he turned and walked out of her room.


    Only once the pressure of his presence eased—his footsteps fading down the hall—did her chest finally loosen. She hadn’t even realized she’d been holding her breath.


    gα?ησν????s?c???? brings imagination alive


    It didn’t seem like he’d noticed anything off today. No shift in his tone. No sharp glint in his eye. Maybe he really hadn’t discovered she’d tampered with his desk.


    She didn’t know yet if Josie had managed to get the photos to Lance, or what Marc was doing with the information. And speaking of Marc, the thought of his betrayal still left a bitter taste in her mouth.


    She pushed the feeling aside. There would be time to deal with thatter.


    That evening, the banquet hall buzzed with chatter, the clinking of sses, and polished shoes on marble floors. For the first time, Ste arrived with her arm hooked through William’s—just like he’d ordered. Heads turned instantly.


    Everyone in Choria knew their story, or at least thought they did. So when William walked in with Ste on his arm, the whispers spread like wildfire. Some were curious. Others suspicious.


    Jewell and Steven spotted them from across the room and made their way over, wine sses in hand. The moment they saw Ste, their expressions shifted. She looked radiant under the warm chandeliers.


    “William,” Steven greeted with a faint smirk, “showing Ms. Russell a good time tonight?”


    There was a teasing lilt in his voice that made Ste’s spine stiffen.


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