?Chapter 1660:


    Surprise and delight shed across Alisha’s face. She clearly hadn’t expected him to say yes. Still, before she moved toward the car, her eyes darted uncertainly to Ste. “What about Ms. Russell?”


    William turned his head as though he had only just remembered Ste existed. His voice came out cold and dismissive. “Find your own way home.”


    The light in Ste’s eyes dimmed. Her lips parted as though to protest, but what emerged instead was a quiet, brokenugh. “Alright. I understand.”


    She spun on her heel and walked in the opposite direction, her back straight, refusing to let either of them see her crumble.


    Something about the scene made Alisha’s stomach twist with unease. “Mr. Briggs, perhaps we should offer Ms. Russell a ride too. She looks—” Upset — though Alisha couldn’t quite bring herself to finish the sentence.


    William tore his eyes away from Ste’s retreating form and slid into the car without another word.


    The ck Maybach pulled into traffic and swept past Ste where she stood at the roadside, never once slowing down.


    Ste stood frozen as the red taillights grew smaller and smaller, until they vanished entirely into the dark. Only then did tears finally well up and spill over.


    Inside the vehicle, silence reigned.


    Alisha perched carefully in the backseat, sneaking asional nces at William’s stern profile. After several minutes of unbearable quiet, she attempted to lighten the mood. “Mr. Briggs, I really can’t thank you enough for today. How did you find the food? If you enjoyed it, maybe we could go back sometime!” She had selected that particr restaurant specifically because she knew someone of his stature would expect somewhere upscale — the kind of ce she had never been able to justify spending that kind of money on for herself.


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    William’s eyes fell shut, his face an imprable mask. “You talk too much. Be quiet.”


    Ste’s wounded expression yed on endless repeat behind his eyelids, each repetition driving a spike of pain deeper into his skull. He couldn’t understand what was wrong with him — couldn’t fathom why he kept finding new ways to hurt her.


    Alisha’s mouth snapped shut. She turned her attention to the scenery rushing past the window, anxiety fluttering in her chest.


    She couldn’t deny that she had developed feelings for William. How could she not? He was devastatingly handsome, obviously wealthy, and carried himself with an air of mystery that pulled at her curiosity. But she could also recognize that his behavior toward her felt consistently off — as though some invisible irritation simmered just beneath the surface. Perhaps there was a reason after all. Did it have something to do with Ste?


    Twenty minutester, the car rolled to a stop in front of an old residentialplex.


    Alisha’s hand found the door handle. Before she climbed out, she summoned every ounce of courage she possessed, turned back, and looked directly at William. “Mr. Briggs, could I see you again sometime?”


    William kept his gaze fixed straight ahead. “I need to go.”


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