?Chapter 1644:


    He released her reflexively, almost jerking back. Fortunately, she had already regained her bnce. She offered him an apologetic nod. “I’m so sorry — I didn’t mean to fall on you like that. I have hypoglycemia, and I came in for tests this morning without eating breakfast…” Even as she spoke, she attempted to create more distance between them, but her legs betrayed her and she stumbled again.


    William’s frown deepened. Before she could copse entirely, he caught her wrist and guided her onto the empty seat beside him. His movements were stiff and restrained, and he made a point of shifting farther away to maintain distance between them. “Should I get a doctor for you?”


    The girl quickly shook her head, rummaged through her small bag, produced a piece of candy, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth. “No, please don’t bother. This happens all the time. A little sugar and I’ll be perfectly fine. I’m terribly sorry for causing you trouble.”


    William offered no response and simply stood to leave.


    But the girl called out anxiously. “Wait, please! My name is Alisha Cooper. I really want to thank you for what you did. Here’s my number — if you ever have time, I’d love to buy you a meal as a way of saying thanks.”


    William’s eyes dropped to the small piece of paper she extended toward him, the handwriting neat and tidy. He refused it coldly without taking the note. “That won’t be necessary.”


    Alisha’s hand hung suspended in the air for a beat, but she recovered quickly. The smile never left her face. “That’s perfectly fine. I’ll just leave it here for you, then. Thank you again.” She ced the note on the empty seat, let her gaze linger on William for several long seconds, then stood and made her way upstairs. Her steps remained shaky and uncertain, but she kept her spine straight and her head held high, her long hair swaying softly with each movement.


    William stood where he was, staring at the note. Several seconds passed before he finally bent down and retrieved it.


    Ste emerged from the restroom just in time to catch sight of the girl standing beside William, speaking to him. She couldn’t make out their words, but she witnessed him lean down and collect something the girl had left behind. By the time she walked over, there was nothing in his hand — as though what she’d witnessed moments ago had been some kind of illusion.


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    “Who was that you were speaking with? Do you know her?”


    Ste’s gaze drifted toward the now-deserted staircase, and an ufortable feeling began to take root in her chest.


    William sounded impatient, though he still offered an exnation. “Nobody important. Just some random person. I don’t know her.”


    Ste picked up on the shift in his mood immediately. She opened her mouth to press him further, but he cut her off. “Is the report out yet?”


    She swallowed the questions burning on her tongue and answered softly. “Dr. Vance went to collect them. Are you feeling all right? You look exhausted.”


    William’s voice turned colder. He deliberately turned his face away. “That’s none of your business.”


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