?Chapter 1683:


    William paid no attention to anyone else. His eyes remained locked on Ste, emotions churning beneath the surface. “Come home with me.” It wasn’t phrased as a question. It was an order.


    Ste remained where she was, the cool autumn wind lifting strands of hair across her cheek. There was no thrill, no warmth, no happiness at being called his fiancée. She met his stare calmly and replied, “If you want to leave, you can go ahead. I’ll head backter, after I help Rufus sort out these remaining issues.”


    This was part of her work. She couldn’t simply walk away halfway through helping someone. Besides, when he had left earlier with Alisha, he had said nearly the same thing to her.


    She turned to Rufus. “Let’s go to the chemistry ssroom. There are still a few mistakes in your paper that need fixing.” She didn’t look at William again — just turned and walked off with Rufus.


    Rufus nced back more than once, uneasy, half-expecting William tosh out. Still, he stayed close to Ste as they moved farther from the field.


    Instant ess on


    Watching her figure fade into the distance, a sharp, unfamiliar panic tightened in William’s chest. He hadn’t anticipated her refusal.


    Was it because of that young man? Had she finally decided that he was no longer someone she could depend on — and chosen to leave him yet again?


    Alisha hesitated briefly, then took a small step forward and spoke with obvious restraint. “Mr. Briggs, Ms. Russell, she…”


    William stopped her with a sharp, indifferent look. His voice was icy. “If this has nothing to do with you, you should keep your thoughts to yourself.”


    Alisha stiffened, shock shing across her face, and remained frozen where she stood for several seconds.


    “Well…” she said awkwardly, “it’s almost time to eat. Maybe we could grab something together?”


    William didn’t spare her another nce or acknowledge her suggestion. He turned and headed straight toward the school gate.


    Alisha’s eyes burned instantly, the tears she had been holding back threatening to spill over.


    Her roommate, who had been observing everything from nearby, finally walked over and ced aforting hand on her shoulder. “Alisha, let it go. It’s obvious William cares about Ste. You really shouldn’t get involved.” She had said the same thing earlier, back at the auditorium.


    Alisha hastily wiped at her eyes, her teeth sinking into her lower lip. “Why should I let it go? Didn’t you see Ste walking around with another man? How could Mr. Briggs possibly be happy with someone like that?”


    Her roommate let out a weary sigh. “He helped you once at the hospital — that’s all. You don’t even know who he truly is. And even if he and Ste have been at oddstely, they’re still clearly a couple. No matter how you look at it, you’d be crossing a line.”


    The words struck Alisha straight through the chest, sharp and merciless. She shoved her roommate aside and ran off, sobbing uncontrobly.


    Gradually, the surrounding onlookers drifted away until the path stood empty, nketed only by fallen golden leaves.


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