?Chapter 1669:


    Still, she kept her voice carefully neutral. “I understand why you came here today. I’m not standing in your way, and I’ve already told you where to find him.”


    “Are you holding onto him just because you can’t ept that it’s over?” Alisha’s tone shifted into something more aggressive. “Ms. Russell, when a man doesn’t love you anymore, that’s just the reality. No amount of desperate clinging will change his mind. You’d be better off letting go with whatever dignity you have left.”


    Ste stared at this self-righteous young woman and felt a sudden, bone-deep exhaustion. She had no desire to exin herself or engage in an argument. She had said everything that needed to be said, and if Alisha insisted on pushing further, there was no reason to keep entertaining her.


    She rose to her feet, her expression turning cial. “Are you finished? Because if so, you can see yourself out.”


    ???????аnt ??c????s?? on ??aln??????????.??????


    Alisha jumped to her feet as well, defiance burning in her eyes. “Ms. Russell, if you don’t believe me, let’s make a wager. I’m betting that Mr. Briggs will choose me when ites down to it. Do you dare?”


    Ste had already turned toward the staircase. Her voice came out icy and devoid of emotion. “I see no point in gambling with you. But if you’re as confident as you im, then have William tell me to my face that he’s chosen you. If he does that, I’ll walk out of this house and never cross your path again.”


    Alisha’s teeth caught her lower lip. She snatched up her bag and stormed toward the exit. “I’ll prove you wrong!”


    Tasha shut the door behind her and muttered under her breath, “That woman has absolutely no shame —ing here and saying those horrible things right to your face, Ms. Russell!”


    Ste managed a weak smile. “It’s alright, Tasha. Don’t worry about it.”


    She returned to her bedroom and drew in a shaky breath. The calm andposure she had maintained shattered instantly, leaving her dizzy. Alisha’s words had cut like knives, slicing her open and leaving her heart raw. The pain felt unbearable.


    She sank onto the edge of the bed as silent tears tracked down her cheeks and disappeared into the fabric of the nket, witnessed by no one but herself.


    Alisha’s provocations didn’t frighten her — nor did the fact that other women might want William. What terrified her was William’s attitude. She could understand his illness, but she couldn’t understand why he seemed determined to make her suffer, even letting Alishae to the mansion.


    At that moment, Ste’s phone buzzed in her hand. A message from Sharon lit up the screen: “Stel, are you alright? You drank a lotst night. Are you dealing with a headache today? Do you want me toe over and stay with you for a bit?”


    When Ste had left earlier, both Sharon and Josie were still fast asleep, so their concern now was only natural. She brushed the tears from her cheeks and typed back: “I’m fine. I’m already home. Alisha stopped by earlier.”


    .


    .


    .