?Chapter 1468:


    Now, trapped in this desperate situation, Lainey was the only person she could turn to—the only one she still trustedpletely.


    Sandra nodded enthusiastically. “Lainey should be in her office right now. Come on, I’ll walk you over!”


    When they reached the office, Lainey looked up in surprise at the sight of Ste standing in the doorway. Sandra excused herself quickly, mentioning she needed to return to her experiments.


    Once Sandra disappeared, Lainey crossed the room toward Ste. “Ste, what brings you here today?”


    Ste offered a smile. “Lainey, it’s been far too long. I just wanted to check in and see how you’ve been.”


    Lainey caught the storm ofplex emotions churning in Ste’s eyes and immediately knew there was far more to this visit than a simple social call.


    Lainey knew enough about the tangled situation between Ste and William to recognize the need for privacy. “Let’s head to the coffee shop down the street and talk properly there.”


    Relief flooded through Ste, though she masked it carefully. “Won’t that interrupt your work schedule?”


    Lainey dismissed the concern with a wave of her hand. “Not at all. A quick coffee break won’t set me back.”


    Once inside the coffee shop, Ste deliberately selected a secluded corner table. After scanning the room and confirming they had privacy, she leaned forward. “Lainey, I need to be honest with you. I came here because I need your help.”


    Lainey’s expression softened with understanding, and she spoke gently. “Whatever it is, if it’s within my power to help you, I will.”


    Ste hesitated, the words catching in her throat. She knew with absolute certainty that the moment she voiced her request, Lainey would be her aplice in this dangerous game.


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    If William discovered the truthter, Lainey would face his wrath just as surely as Ste would.


    But she had run out of options. Apart from Lainey, there was no one else left in this world she could turn to.


    Lainey noticed Ste’s hesitation right away and knew things weren’t as simple as they looked.


    She asked softly, “Ste, do you remember the first time we met?”


    Ste paused for a moment before her memories drifted back to that school banquet.


    Back then, Lainey had stood onstage as an outstanding senior, delivering her speech with confidence and poise. Ste had looked up at her with admiration, secretly vowing that one day, she would be someone like Lainey—someone who devoted herself to research and truly made a difference.


    But everything changed after she met Marc. From that point on, her world revolved entirely around him. She had even been willing to give up the career she once loved without hesitation.


    “Ste,” Lainey continued, her voice calm and sincere, “I remember telling you that you were different from the rest. That you’d shine in this field. I told you not to be afraid, to move forward boldly, and that if you ever needed help, you could alwayse to me.”


    Those words twisted something deep in Ste’s chest, leaving behind a bitter ache.


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