?Chapter 1634:


    The suggestion wasn’t born from any genuine desire for reconciliation. Haley had been monitoring Ste’s career from abroad for years, watching her research sweep through award ceremonies while she was still with Marc. Partnering with Ste would practically guarantee her project’s sess. She certainly wasn’t going to let some old grudge over Marc stand in the way of that kind of opportunity.


    Ste nearlyughed out loud. Work together? Did Haley actually believe that just because Ste had left Marc behind, her resentment could simply evaporate? Had every other qualified partner on earth suddenly vanished? Ste’s voice turned to ice. “There’s nothing for us to work on together. You’d better look elsewhere.”


    Haley’s smile didn’t falter — she had clearly anticipated the rejection. “Fair enough. Forced alliances never work out.” She drew out the pause, watching Ste’s face carefully. “Oh, and I believe I just noticed something. In the restaurant next door, William seemed to be walking in with a woman. They were quite close, looking rather cozy together. Ste, are you two about to break up?”


    Ste’s fingers curled slightly tighter around her ss. A small jolt of surprise rippled through her chest. Why would William be out at this hour? She forced herself to breathe evenly, meeting Haley’s mocking gaze head-on. “You’re still the same — always meddling in things that don’t concern you. It’s perfectly normal for him to discuss business with partners. People with dirty minds always see the worst in everything.”


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    Haley watched her face carefully, searching for any flicker of jealousy or pain. When she found nothing — no wounded pride, no hidden heartache — disappointment settled over her features. She paused, then added with calcted casualness, “Actually, it wasn’t just a woman. There was also a man with them, quite young…”


    As Haley described him in detail, an image materialized in Ste’s mind — sharp and immediate. Merrick.


    The shift in Ste’s expression was instant. Her casual demeanor vanished, reced by focused intensity. She leaned forward, her voice urgent. “Which restaurant are they at?”


    Triumph flickered in Haley’s eyes like a candle catching me. “Finally anxious? I thought you truly didn’t care who William was with.” Her tone dripped with satisfaction. “They’re at the restaurant next door. You’d better hurry, Ste, or they’ll probably move somewhere else soon.”


    Ste didn’t waste breath on a response. She pushed back from the table and stood abruptly. “Sharon, Josie, let’s go.”


    Sharon and Josie exchanged uncertain nces, silent questions passing between them. Neither knew whether to trust Haley’s words, but they rose without hesitation and followed Ste’s lead.


    Without touching a single dish, the three of them settled the bill and walked out without looking back.


    Haley remained where she was, watching Ste’s hurried departure. A slow sneer tugged at the corner of her lips. She swirled the wine ss in her hand, the red liquid moving in slow circles, her expression growing unreadable as she lost herself in thought. Running into Ste today had beenpletely unexpected — a chance encounter she hadn’t nned for. But it seemed a great many interesting things had unfolded in Choria during her absence. Perhaps it was time to extend her stay. Just a while longer. It would surely prove far more entertaining than her months abroad had been.


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