?Chapter 1624:


    William turned around, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his eyes. “Arrange for someone to protect her in secret. Make absolutely certain she never discovers it.”


    He was determined to untangle his fractured memories and find a way to manage his bipr disorder. Until then, Ste had to remain unharmed.


    Carson nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”


    William paused with his hand on the doorknob. “Carson, whether you admit it or not, I owe you one.” When Ste had entered earlier, Carson had yed along without a moment’s hesitation, careful not to let her sense anything amiss. William truly owed him a word of thanks.


    Carson let out a hearty chuckle. “I just wanted to see how deep her feelings for you really were. I have to admit, she impressed me.”


    William answered with a quiet hum, then pulled the hospital room door open and stepped outside.


    The corridor beyond was deserted, his footsteps unnaturally loud as they echoed down the long hallway. Ste’s words lingered in his mind. He hadn’t anticipated her saying so naturally, in front of aplete stranger, that he was the man she loved. Yet the feeling it stirred in him was unexpectedly gripping.


    His phone vibrated. A message from Merrick appeared on the screen: “Mr. Briggs, I’ve thought of a way to handle Carson ending the partnership. When would you be avable?”


    A sharp glint shed across William’s eyes as his fingers moved with purpose. “Wait for me in the office.” He slipped the phone back into his pocket, smoothed down his jacket, and buried every flicker of emotion beneath a carefullyposed mask before stepping into the elevator.


    When Ste returned to the vi, the setting sun bathed the living room in warm golden light, finally chasing away some of the cold atmosphere that usually pervaded the space. As she bent down to change her shoes, Jewell’s voice floated over from inside. “Ms. Russell, you’re back?”


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    She nced up and found him standing beside the sofa, his medical kit sitting neatly on the table where he’d set it down.


    Exhaustion threaded through her voice. “What brings you here?”


    Jewell approached, concern etching a faint line between his brows. “I came to change the dressing on your arm. You met with Carson — did he agree to give Briggs Group another chance?”


    She followed him into the living room, feeling the tension in her shoulders finally begin to ease for the first time all day. “Yes. Carson agreed to give Briggs Group three days to uncover the truth before he makes his final decision about the coboration.”


    Jewell stopped in his tracks, eyes widening in disbelief. “Really? Ms. Russell, you never cease to amaze me. It’s like there’s nothing you can’t aplish.”


    Before returning to the country, Jewell hadn’t known Ste at all. Yet in just over a month, she had be the most resilient and sharp-minded woman he had ever encountered. No wonder William had once been so deeply attached to her.


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