?Chapter 1437:


    Ste’s heart skipped. He had seen right through her.


    She fell silent, feeling awkward. Neither of them spoke again until the car slowed in front of the vi gates. Just as the engine idled, William spoke again, voice t.


    “I’ll be going on a business trip out of Choria next week. Don’t go anywhere. Don’t get into trouble.”


    Ste internally scoffed. When had she ever caused trouble for him? Besides, he wouldn’t let her leave the house, so how could she get into any trouble?


    Still, she just nodded, her voice t. “Got it. I’ll be here waiting for you.”


    The words came out automatically, but for some reason, they made William pause. Waiting for him?


    His grip on the steering wheel loosened, and he turned away without a word.


    Just like he said, William left Choria a few dayster. Josie called Ste again to confirm that all the documents had been handed over to Lance.


    “The project’s not in Choria,” she said. “Word is, William’s already flown out. Marc left yesterday too.”


    Everything now rested in Marc’s hands. Ste could only hope he’d manage to outmaneuver the Briggs Group when it mattered most.


    But Josie’s voice turned cautious. “Stel, you do realize one project won’t bring William down, right? This is going to take time. Are you really sure you want to go through with this?”


    Ste knew Josie was only worried. But she’d already made her decision—and there was no turning back now.


    “I thought we were clearst time,” she said simply. She didn’t feel like repeating herself.


    Josie sighed on the other end. “Alright, I get it. I’ll keep a close watch over things from here and give you a call tomorrow.”


    With William away, her calls with Josie had be more frequent.


    The best reads are at g?lnσν???s?c?m


    Just after hanging up, the doorbell rang.


    Ste assumed it might be Jewell or Steven stopping by. Instead, when the maid opened the door, it was Charis.


    The woman stood on the front steps with a smug little smile, her eyes casually scanning the vi interior before settling on Ste.


    “May Ie in?”


    Ste didn’t move. “Why don’t you call William and ask him if that’s okay? I’m not the one who decides who gets to visit.”


    Her voice was t, her expression unreadable. She contemted asking Tasha to shut the door in her face.


    Charis flinched, clearly not expecting that kind of response. “I’m here to see you today,” she said, trying to hold herposure. “Not William.”


    In just a few days, she had switched to first name basis.


    “In that case,” Ste replied, already turning away, “you’re noting in. I don’t want to see you.”


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