?Chapter 1593:


    A sharp, nameless irritation rose in William’s chest. He stared at Ste’s back as she stood facing away from him, his gaze dark and unreadable. His lips pressed into a thin line, his brow furrowing deeply.


    In the end, he said nothing. He turned and walked back into the vi without looking back.


    Ste let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. She immediately signaled the bodyguards to drag Jazlyn away.


    By then, Jazlyn had gonepletely limp, as though she had narrowly escaped death. She couldn’t find a single word to say. The guards hauled her away like dead weight and dumped her by the roadside far from the vi. Before leaving, one of them delivered a cold warning: “If you daree near the vi again, don’t me us for being ruthless.”


    The words sent a shiver through Jazlyn’s spine. She had just witnessed how cold and terrifying William could truly be. If Ste hadn’t stepped in, she might have lost her voice forever.


    She sat slumped on the ground for a long time before finally dragging herself upright, wretched and hollow. She stared at the now-empty vi gate for a long while, then turned away with great reluctance. William was in the grip of his rage. She didn’t dare risk provoking him again.


    After Jazlyn’s removal, the courtyard settled back into its customary silence, disturbed only by the whisper of wind through the leaves.


    Once inside, William didn’t pause for Ste. He headed directly upstairs toward the study, his spine rigid, his entire presence radiating a coldness that warned everyone to keep their distance.


    T??e ??o???? ??????????a?? ????v??l?? о? ????????o??????s.????m


    Ste had barely crossed the threshold when she watched him ascend the stairs. She caught her bottom lip between her teeth — but quickened her pace anyway and followed him up.


    She recognized the timing was terrible. His emotions were clearly bnced on a knife’s edge. But she refused to continue this endless waiting game. This conversation had to happen eventually, and if that was inevitable, why not today?


    She pushed the study door open and found him already settled behind the desk. Her voice came out soft, almost hesitant. “William, can we talk?”


    William kept his gaze fixed downward, his voice cold. “About what?”


    Ste crossed the room toward him, studying his cold, distant profile as her heart constricted painfully. “About us. I’ve remembered everything now. I’m so sorry — I had no idea what Arlo put you through. William, please believe me. Now that my memories have returned, we can restore what we had before.”


    In her naive hope, she believed honest conversation could carry them back to happier times. But when William finally lifted his gaze to meet hers, she found none of the emotion or relief she had anticipated — only imprable indifference staring back at her. He spoke with casual detachment, as though discussing the weather rather than their rtionship. “I already know you’ve recovered your memories. You told me abroad.”


    Ste went still.


    She had convinced herself he didn’t know — that his ignorance exined his continued coldness. But if he had known all this time, why did he still refuse to engage with her?


    .


    .


    .