?Chapter 1649:


    Noticing his hesitation, Alisha leaned forward and gently nudged the box farther inside the car. “Please, take it. Think of it as a thank-you — it’s nothing fancy, just a small gesture. Oh! By the way, I don’t even know your name yet.”


    Standing before someone as striking as William, it was hard for anyone to remain unaffected. Alisha was no different. From the instant she had first seen him, his physique and good looks had caught her attention, her interest taking root almost immediately.


    She blinked slowly, her long eyshes lowering and lifting again, casting a faint shadow beneath her eyes. It was a mannerism Ste often used.


    The realization made William’s irritation spike. He reached for the cake, dropped it carelessly onto the seat beside him, and turned to the driver. “Go.”


    The word left his mouth, and the window rolled up — Alisha’s unanswered question dismissed without a second thought.


    ??h??u????n???? ???? rea??????s ???? ??????????v??l?.с????


    Alisha remained where she was, momentarily stunned, watching the car pull away as confusion flickered across her face. That man… there was something elusive about him.


    Inside the moving car, William stared at the cake box for a brief moment. Then, at the next intersection, he lowered the window and tossed it straight into a nearby trash bin. The box sailed through the air in a clean, smooth arc before dropping neatly inside, carrying Alisha’s goodwill along with it.


    William felt nothing. Her emotions had been irrelevant to him from the start. He had simply acted to stop her from copsing onto him at the hospital.


    The car rolled to a stop at a red light, idling at the intersection. One road curved left, leading back to the vi. The other stretched right, toward thepany. William fell silent for a moment, then spoke firmly. “Head to the office.”


    That night, he never returned to the vi.


    Every time Ste’s face surfaced in his thoughts, he instinctively pushed it away. He didn’t want to go back and face her — especially not her injured hand, still not fully healed. Just thinking about it was enough to set his nerves on edge. Staying at thepany felt like the safer choice, for both of them.


    By three in the morning, Ste was still sitting in the quiet vi. She released a soft, weary sigh.


    She already knew William wouldn’t being home. What she couldn’t be sure of was whether he was still with that other woman.


    In the past, she would never have suspected him of being involved with anyone else. Buttely, his actions felt unfamiliar, unsettling. The unease in her chest refused to fade, spiraling into restless thoughts that pressed down on her heart.


    When Tasha noticed Ste still seated in the living room, she walked over, concerned. “Ms. Russell, you should try to get some rest. Mr. Briggs probably isn’ting back tonight.”


    Ste blinked slowly, then rose to her feet. A strained, bitter smile curved her lips. “I know, Tasha. Good night.”


    Her steps up the staircase were unhurried and heavy, every movement revealing how drained and emotionally worn she truly was. Tasha watched her go, then sighed quietly, shaking her head before heading back to her own room.


    .


    .


    .