Chapter 1673:


    Ste watched this disy and felt nothing but a weary sort of disbelief. Initially she had given Alisha the benefit of the doubt — a sheltered college student who hadn’t yet learned how the real world operated. But that assessment was clearly too generous.


    She lifted her gaze and met Alisha’s eyes with cool detachment. “If your goal was to get William’s attention, this was a poor strategy. And if you’re truly incapable of handling a simple fender bender, I have to wonder how you managed to pass your driver’s exam in the first ce.”


    “I…” Alisha’s mouth opened, but no coherent defense emerged. The call to William had been deliberate, yes — but the ident itself hadn’t been staged.


    Ste didn’t wait for a response. “If you actually knew William at all, you’d understand that he despises maniption above everything else. These little games will only drive him away.”


    The wordsnded like a blow. All color drained from Alisha’s face, humiliation shing in her eyes at being so thoroughly exposed. “I didn’t. I’m not…”


    Ste’s gaze tracked the police cruiser pulling up to the scene, and she cut her off. “The police are here. Once they’ve finished the paperwork, I’ll give you a ride home.” Alisha’s car clearly wasn’t safe to drive until it had been properly repaired.


    Alisha’s fingernails bit into her palms as she clenched her fists, her jaw tight. “That won’t be necessary. Thank you, Ms. Russell, but I can take care of myself.” If William wasn’ting, there was no point in epting anything more from Ste.


    Ste studied her for a moment, then gave a small nod. “Alright. Be safe, then.”


    Ste approached the responding officers and exined the situation withposed efficiency. Within ten minutes, she hadpleted her statement.


    The fault clearlyy with Alisha — she had rear-ended the other vehicle, making her liable for the damages. Assuming that a college student probably didn’t have the funds readily avable, Ste covered thepensation herself.


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    Alisha remained off to the side throughout the entire process, watching Ste navigate everything with practiced ease. With each passing moment, the frustration burning in her chest intensified. She couldn’tpete with Ste in any capacity. Standing next to her made Alisha feel like an ipetent child who knew nothing about how the world worked.


    Once everything had been resolved, Ste headed back to her car. Before climbing in, she paused and turned to face Alisha. “Miss Cooper, if you want to see him again, just ask him directly. There’s no need to manufacture situations like this. When you get caught in the lie, you’re the only one who ends up looking foolish.”


    She slid into the driver’s seat, turned the key, and pulled away from the curb.


    Alisha remained rooted to the spot, watching Ste’s taillights shrink and disappear, her hands balled into tight fists at her sides. She had never anticipated Ste appearing in William’s ce, and certainly hadn’t expected her to see through everything so easily.


    Why did she feel so utterly inadequate whenever she stood next to Ste?


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    Message from Noa: Hope you have a great day. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. (?O?=)? ?


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