?Chapter 1550:


    Over the past few days, Ste had not seen William at all. She finally took the initiative to ask Tasha whether he was always this busy.


    Tasha, who had only been hired after Ste moved in, did not know much about his schedule. “I suppose managing such argepany on his own must keep him extremely busy,” she said after a moment of thought.


    Ste fell into quiet contemtion. If his days were always this packed, did he even remember to eat properly?


    Wanting to thank him for Felix, she decided to make lunch for him again — this time, more than just soup. Even if it was only her own hopeful gesture, she felt she could not let it pass unsaid.


    On a bright morning, Ste walked into the kitchen, gently declined Tasha’s help, and tied an apron around her waist. She prepared several light home-cooked dishes and a small pot of soup to ease his stomach, handling every dish with care and asking Tasha to taste each one first in case anything needed adjusting. The entire morning passed with her moving steadily through the kitchen.


    At eleven sharp, Ste packed the food into a thermal container, changed into a simple beige dress, and drew a steady breath. “Tasha, I want to take lunch to William myself.”


    Tasha had known the food was meant for him — but seeing Ste ready to leave, she hesitated. “Why not ask the guards at the door to take you, Ms. Russell? I think Mr. Briggs would be d to see you,” she suggested gently.


    Ste was not so certain. Would he really be d? Or would he meet her effort with the same cold words that had cut her down before?


    Felix wagged his tail at her feet, as though sensing her hesitation, offering clumsy but sincere encouragement.


    Holding the lunch box firmly, Ste opened the front door and addressed the guards at the entrance. “I want to see William. Please take me to hispany.”


    The request caught them off guard, and they exchanged an uncertain look. William had told them not to let her leave on her own, but he had never said she could not go to see him at the office. After a pause, one of them spoke. “Ms. Russell, we will need to check with Mr. Briggs first.” Without his approval, neither of them dared let her go.


    Just as one reached for his phone, Ste stopped him. “Wait. Please just take me there. Are you worried I will run off once I arrive at the Briggs Group building? It is the middle of the workday — I might even interrupt a meeting. If that concerns you, you can wait for me at the entrance.”


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    The guards fell quiet. Their eyes drifted to the lunch box in her hands, and understanding settled across their faces. In the end, they agreed and drove her to the Briggs Group.


    This was only her second time at the headquarters. The first time, he had brought her here against her will, and fear and unease had followed her every step. Now, standing beneath the towering ss building with her palms damp and her heart already racing, her feelings were entirely different.


    The receptionist noticed the guards escorting her and said nothing, only watching as she stepped into the private elevator bound for the top floor. As the numbers climbed past, her grip on the lunch box tightened without her realizing it.


    The doors slid open onto the silent executive floor. Luca was nowhere in sight. She drew a slow breath, walked to the frosted ss door, and knocked softly.


    “Come in.” William’s voice came from inside — deep, steady, and unreadable.


    She pushed the door open and lifted her eyes to take in the room. The spacious office looked exactly as she remembered: clean and modern, flooded with sunlight pouring through the tall windows behind the desk. He sat reading a document, the light casting sharp lines across his slightly furrowed brow.


    At the sound of her footsteps, he looked up.


    When he realized it was Ste, surprise shed briefly across his eyes. His gaze dropped to the lunch box in her hands, and the fingers wrapped around his pen faltered for just a moment. Sensing his stare, she felt a wave of nerves surge through her, warmth creeping slowly into her cheeks.


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