?Chapter 1708:


    William shot to his feet, fury erupting as he swept everything off his desk. ss shattered loudly in the empty office, and the coffee Luca had just prepared sshed across the plush carpet, blooming into an ugly stain.


    The crash brought Luca running in, his expression shifting instantly at the sight before him. “Mr. Briggs!”


    William shot him an icy re. “Get out! Who gave you permission to enter?”


    Luca didn’t dare protest. Though deeply worried, he retreated immediately. Once outside, he quietly sent a message to Jewell. He knew all too well that when William spiraled like this, another bipr episode had begun — and he strongly suspected Ms. Russell had triggered it. Otherwise, Mr. Briggs would never lose control without cause.


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    Back inside, William stood amid the wreckage, eyes fixed on the photos glowing on his phone, a panic unlike anything he had known tightening his chest. How could she smile so brightly for another man and allow him to look at her that way? Was this what she meant when she imed her heart belonged only to him?


    At that moment, a soft alert sounded from hisputer — a new email had arrived. William shut his eyes and drew a long breath to steady himself before walking over.


    The message was an invitation to a formal corporate banquet in Choria scheduled for that night. Under normal circumstances, William had no patience for such social affairs, and had it arrived minutes earlier, he would have deleted it outright. But after seeing Steughing with someone else, jealousy surged uncontrobly. If she could drink at a bar with another man, why should he sit here alone, drowning in regret over her leaving?


    He replied to the email, confirming his attendance.


    Luca stood waiting for Jewell to arrive when William emerged from his office ahead of schedule. His eyes found Luca immediately. “Take me to the Golden Hotel.”


    Luca blinked in surprise. “Mr. Briggs, you’re nning to attend the banquet?” Given William’s vtile condition, throwing himself into a crowded social event seemed ill-advised. It would be safer to wait for Jewell to examine him first.


    William’s gaze turned cold. “Is that going to be a problem?”


    Luca wouldn’t dream of pushing back. He immediately radioed the driver to bring the car around.


    The Golden Hotel’s grand ballroom buzzed with elegantly dressed guests circting through the space, champagne flowing freely. William’s entrance created an immediate ripple of attention throughout the room. Word had spread through Choria’s businessmunity that William had been unpredictabletely — vtile and prone to explosive outbursts. No one had expected him to show his face tonight.


    William strode directly into the ballroom without acknowledging anyone,pletely indifferent to the curious stares tracking his movement. He wore a ck suit with no tie, the top button of his shirt left undone, and his entire bearing radiated a cold detachment that warned people to keep their distance.


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