?Chapter 1498:


    Ste sat at the dining table, eating her porridge in silence.


    Unable to hold it in any longer, Tasha spoke up. “Ms. Russell, Mr. Briggs’s attitude toward you had actually softenedtely. If yesterday hadn’t happened, he might have let you go soon.”


    Ste pressed her lips together. “How soon?” she asked quietly.


    “A day? A month? A year?”


    How much longer was she supposed to stay here?


    She couldn’t predict William’s next move, which meant she could only rely on herself.


    But her n had failed.


    She had intended to soften him, to lower his guard around her. Instead, she had only confused herself, unable to separate or make sense of her own feelings for him.


    Ste gave a bitterugh at her own naivety.


    Free?


    She had ruined everything, and now she was utterly trapped, with no way out of his control.


    Her phone buzzed in the corner. Ste hesitated, then walked over and picked it up.


    The caller ID read Sharon.


    Seeing her friend’s name, Ste felt a sting in her nose and tears threaten to spill, but she forced them back and answered.


    “Sharon, what’s up?”


    “Are you home, Stel? Josie and I are currently en route to visit you. The thing you gave usst time… it didn’t work.”


    At Sharon’s words, Ste’s heart plunged once more into despair.


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    She remembered what William had said the night before and let out a deep sigh.


    “Sharon, you won’t be able toe over anymore.”


    Sharon’s blood ran cold. “Why not?”


    Ste struggled to force the words out. Finally, she managed, “William discovered I was stealing information. We fought yesterday. A bad one. He’s forbidden me from seeing you again.”


    Sharon leapt up from the sofa. “He knows?”


    Ste’s grip on the phone tightened.


    “Stel, did he hurt you? Listen, don’t be scared—I’ming right now. If he won’t open the door, I’ll talk to you through the window. Just wait for me!”


    The call ended abruptly.


    Minutester, Sharon and Josie stood at the vi gate, their faces taut with worry.


    From inside, Ste could see them perfectly through the floor-to-ceiling windows.


    She hesitated, then opened one of them.


    “Stel, are you all right? What did he do to you?” Josie’s voice was sharp with concern, as though she might drag Ste out at any moment.


    Ste shook her head. “Nothing happened. But I can’t pass along any more information. Tell Marc he shouldn’t depend on me going forward.”


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