?Chapter 1636:


    The servers hesitated, staring at the cash, but eventually nodded and unclipped the devices from their belts. Uncertain what the woman wanted with their equipment, they couldn’t turn down the money.


    Sharon grabbed the walkie-talkies, quickly switched to an empty channel, and handed one back to a server. “Put this inside the room, as close to the table as you can get it.”


    The server wavered, afraid of getting caught and losing her job. As she hesitated, Josie stepped forward with another stack of bills. “This is all yours. Just ce the walkie-talkie inside — whatever happens after isn’t your problem. We won’t tell anyone you helped us.”


    The two servers looked at each other and finally agreed. One wheeled the food cart into the room. Ste had no idea what method she used, but when she emerged again, she confirmed the device was in ce.


    Ste pressed the other walkie-talkie to her ear, her pulse hammering. These restaurant devices were highly sensitive, designed to pick up sounds within a wide range. At first, only muffled noise came through. Then the conversation from the private room gradually sharpened into rity.


    Luca’s voice cut through, professional and cold. “Mr. Ward, you’re damaging thepany’s interests. If we report this, you’ll face legal charges.”


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    A brief silence followed before Merrick’s deliberately calm voice responded. “Luca, I don’t understand what you mean. Since joining Briggs Group, I’ve worked hard and never done anything to hurt thepany. What you’re using me of is impossible.”


    Seeing Merrick still denying everything, William let out a quietugh and tossed a stack of documents onto the table. “Merrick, do you think I need to lie to you? Who exactly do you think you are?”


    Merrick’s breath hitched. His face darkened instantly.


    The air went still. No one broke the silence.


    Outside, Ste gripped the walkie-talkie so hard her knuckles whitened. Her heart pounded against her ribs. William had known all along — he had simply never told her. The realization left her aching with a sadness she hadn’t expected. She had genuinely believed that after these days together since her memory returned, he might have begun trusting her more.


    Now it seemed she had been fooling herself the entire time.


    Merrick’s voice began to fracture, but he wrestled it under control. “Mr. Briggs, if something about my work bothers you, just say it. No reason to throw around baseless usations.”


    William’s gaze cut toward him, ice-cold and sharp, his words dripping with mockery. “Baseless? Merrick, when you fail the assignment Arlo handed you, what do you think happens? Does he give you a pat on the back and another shot? Or does he toss you aside like trash?”


    The familiar venom in those words painted a clear picture in Ste’s mind. She could practically see Merrick’s face twisting as the realization hit.


    A chair screeched violently across the floor — someone had lurched to their feet.


    When Merrick spoke again, the polite mask had shattered. His voice turned razor-edged. “You — you knew the whole time that I worked for Arlo?”


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