?Chapter 1666:


    William stared at her, and every emotion he had fought to suppress throughout the endless night came rushing back with overwhelming force — like floodwaters breaking through a dam. Relief and joy surged through him with such intensity that he couldn’t contain it. He had to admit it. He was d she was back.


    “Where were you?”


    Ste poured herself a ss of water and took several long swallows before the painful dryness in her throat finally subsided. “Sharon’s ce. I drank too muchst night and didn’te back.”


    Her tone remained perfectly neutral, as though there had been no argument between them the day before, as though Alisha had never entered the picture at all. Herposure threw Williampletely off bnce.


    Shouldn’t she be furious with him? Shouldn’t she demand answers? Why was she acting like nothing had happened?


    He fell back on his usual cool tone. “Who gave you permission to leave without telling me where you were going?”


    Ste turned to face him fully. Her eyes held steady, a hint of bitter amusement flickering in their depths. “What’s the problem? Didn’t you want me gone anyway? Or are you back to treating me like a prisoner? William, what exactly are we to each other right now? Do I need to report my whereabouts to you?”


    Her words struck a nerve. She was throwing his own words from yesterday back in his face — that he didn’t need to report where he went to her. And now those words hade home to roost.


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    William’s lips tightened, a vein throbbing steadily at his temple.


    Before he could formte any response, Ste turned and headed up the stairs, effectively ending the conversation. They both understood that if they kept going, it would devolve into another argument.


    William remained rooted in ce, a tempest of conflicting emotions tearing through him.


    Ten minutester, Ste had changed into her loungewear and headed back downstairs.


    She stepped into the kitchen and casually asked Tasha whether any breakfast was left. Tasha dried her hands, nced at Ste, and replied warmly, “Ms. Russell, I’ll prepare a fresh one for you right away. It won’t take long — just give me a moment.”


    Ste gave a small nod. As she turned to leave the kitchen, she noticed William was still there, standing motionless in the living room, clearly lost in thought. She didn’t know whatpelled her to speak, but the question slipped out anyway. “Did things go well with Alishast night?”


    William hesitated before raising his head. His eyesnded on Ste, who sat at the dining table, expressionless, as though she had asked without any particr interest. He looked away almost immediately, scowling. “That’s none of your concern.”


    Tasha brought over a piece of toast. Ste picked it up, took a bite, and let a faint, ironic smile tug at the corner of her lips. “You’re right,” she said lightly. “It really isn’t.” She had alreadye to that realization the night before. Getting involved in whatever was happening between William and Alisha would only bring unnecessary trouble.


    Still, her indifference unsettled him — almost as if she found the entire situationughable.


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