?Chapter 1675:


    He rose to his feet and looked down at her, his voice measured and low. “The president is an old family friend.” The response told her nothing — neither confirmation nor denial.


    Ste pressed on. “So does that mean you’re going? The president invited me as well. If you n to attend, we could go together.”


    Surprise flickered across William’s features. He clearly hadn’t expected her to have received an invitation too. His lips pressed together briefly before he answered, “Got it.”


    Got it. Did that mean he nned to attend?


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    Three dayster, Crossroads University held its anniversary celebration.


    The ginkgo trees had transformed into brilliant shades of gold, their leaves rustling and tumbling through the autumn breeze to nket the ground below. Celebratory banners marking the university’s centennial stretched between the academic buildings, snapping gently in the wind. Students with bright, eager faces crowded every pathway andwn, filling the campus with electric energy.


    Ste stood on the steps near the auditorium’s side entrance, taking in the scene. A tangle ofplicated emotions wound through her chest.


    During her university years, Marc had been the one standing beside her. Looking back with the rity of hindsight, she could acknowledge that Marc had genuinely loved her in those early days — but love had proven itself temporary. After they married, it had grown fragile and unreliable. During their campus years, though, she and Marc had been the kind of couple that drew admiration and envy from everyone around them.


    “Ms. Russell?”


    A bright voice cut through her reverie. She turned to find a young woman sporting an official staff badge studying her respectfully. “I’m with the anniversary nningmittee. I’ve been assigned to escort you. Your lounge is all prepared — please, follow me.”


    Ste offered her thanks and fell into step behind her.


    She and William had originally nned to arrive together, but a call from Luca had forced William to make a detour to Briggs Group headquarters first. So she hade on her own.


    As they walked, the young woman kept sneaking nces at Ste, barely containing her enthusiasm. “Ms. Russell, I’ve read every one of your published papers and studied all your research data. Your work is absolutely incredible!”


    Ste returned the admiration with a warm smile. “That’s very kind of you. Thank you.”


    The lounge upied a prime spot on the auditorium’s second floor, its windows offering a sweeping view of the square below. Ste crossed to the window and gazed down at the crowds moving through it.


    A familiar silhouette snagged her attention.


    William emerged onto the athletic field dressed in a deep blue suit, a tie forgone today, the open cor of his shirt lending him an unusually rxed appearance. Autumn sunlight caught the sharp lines of his tall frame, making him stand out even against the lively backdrop. His presence drew immediate attention from the students nearby — several young women had already pulled out their phones to snap discreet photos.


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