?Chapter 1525:


    Ste found herself increasingly concerned about William’s anxiety disorder. She wanted to find out whether he had experienced another episode during his absence.


    She climbed out of bed and padded toward the study, her slippers whispering softly against the floor. The moment her fingers made contact with the door, it drifted slowly inward.


    He had left it unlocked.


    Hope sparked to life within Ste’s chest. The unlocked door — could it mean he had been waiting for her toe? The thought barely formed before she silently ridiculed herself. Such thoughts were nothing but pathetic delusions — trulyughable.


    She stepped into the study. “William, I need to speak with you…”


    Before she could finish, William emerged from the bathroom with only a towel secured around his waist. His entire torso was exposed, revealing sculpted muscle without a trace of excess, the contours gleaming under the overhead light.


    Ste’s breath hitched. She moved to look away — then her eyes locked onto a wound across his back, still seeping blood. She went rigid.


    “Oh my God. You’re injured?”


    Her body responded faster than conscious thought, carrying her instinctively to his side as her hand rose to inspect the wound. William appeared momentarily startled, clearly not anticipating her intrusion.


    “This wound can’t get wet. Wait here — I’ll retrieve the first aid kit from downstairs. This needs immediate disinfection!” Anxiety saturated her voice as she turned toward the door.


    She had barely taken a single step when his hand mped around her wrist. She nced back to meet eyes frozen into chips of ice.


    “Who granted you permission to enter?”


    Ste pressed her lips into a thin line. “I noticed the door was unlocked. I wanted to discuss something with you.”


    “Leave!”


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    He threw her hand away, no longer willing to tolerate her presence. But as the abrupt motion drew fresh blood from his wound, Ste’s frown deepened. “I understand your anger toward me persists, but you cannot treat your health with such recklessness.”


    William’s absence over the previous days had stemmed directly from managing Arlo’s demands at thepany. Arlo’s ambitions continued expanding — he had requested substantial funding recently, then demanded additional capital the day before. Every profit generated by the Briggs Group’s projects throughout this period had flowed directly into Arlo’s ounts.


    Even Luca had challenged William repeatedly, questioning whether theseplete transfers were truly necessary. William recognized that Luca’s concern was genuine. However, he was operating under considerations he could not share, and could only instruct Luca to refrain from interfering in the matter.


    He had believed that providing substantial funding would satisfy Arlo. He had forgotten, however, that Arlo had always possessed insatiable ambition. How could someone like him find contentment with merely this sum?


    Prior to returning to the vi, William had traveled to the docks as Arlomanded. Several individuals who had entered the country illegally were waiting for him there — Arlo had arranged this meeting. Since it involved nothing more than a meeting, William attended alone.


    “Are you William?”


    The leader’s gaze traveled up and down William’s frame with undisguised contempt. William positioned himself before the man and gave a slight nod. “What message has Arlo sent you to deliver?” He cut directly to the point, requesting only what was essential.


    The group exchanged meaningful looks before responding. “Arlo is ramping up arms procurement for his mercenary operations. This particr shipment requires transportation through Chorü, and he expects you to provide temporary storage.”


    Though phrased diplomatically, William grasped the true meaning immediately. Arlo expected him to conceal a weapons shipment. Such activities vited domesticw and would likely not receive approval even in Arlo’s own territory — which was precisely why Arlo was demanding that William provide temporary concealment.


    “Arlo knows you have containers at the dock. He wants them cleared out for his use.”


    These men, emboldened by their status as Arlo’s emissaries, treated William with considerable disrespect.


    William’s expression shifted into something dark and forbidding. “I refuse,” he said quietly.


    “Your agreement holds no relevance here. Don’t forget — Arlo saved your life. Is this how you repay your savior?”


    “Exactly. You’re just a corporate suit. The fact that Arlo needs you at all is an honor in itself. Don’t be ungrateful. This shipment will be stored here, whether you like it or not.”


    William recognized the futility of further discussion and turned to leave. He would address this with Arlo directly.


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