?Chapter 1716:


    “Because you don’t understand anything about them. The depth of William and Ste’s bond is beyond theprehension of someone whose only talent is scheming. And even if they did break up, it would not be because of interference from an opportunist like you.”


    Steven strode toward the door, pausing only to throw one final warning over his shoulder. “Remember what I told you. What happenedst night stays buried. Forever.”


    The door clicked shut, plunging the room into oppressive silence.


    Alisha remained frozen on the sofa, sadness and resentment burning in her eyes.


    Why?


    T???? ???????? ????????ew? ???? ???????о????l??.????m


    Why did everyone rush to protect Ste? Why would William choose someone who barely seemed to care about him over someone who genuinely wanted him? Even his closest friends were solidly in Ste’s corner.


    She refused to ept this.


    Her phone buzzed on the table. A message from Hurst appeared on the screen: “How did things gost night? What’s William’s attitude?”


    Alisha stared at the message through her tears, feeling as though she were suffocating. Then, with sudden and vicious rity, an idea crystallized in her mind.


    William and his friend had warned her not to tell Ste. So she would do exactly the opposite — she would make sure Ste knew everything.


    Alisha had observed Ste carefully enough to know that if Ste discovered William had slept with another woman, she would walk away without a backward nce. That oue was precisely what William feared most, which exined why he had threatened her into silence.


    Her fingers moved across the screen as she typed back: “Everything went perfectly. I’ll be discussing the partnership details with Mr. Briggs.”


    She closed the messaging app, pulled up William’s contact, and pressed call.


    William had returned to the vi that morning to find itpletely empty. Only then had it truly hit him — Ste didn’t live there anymore.


    He had taken a scalding shower and locked himself in his study. Now, watching Alisha’s name sh across his phone screen, his expression shifted into something dark and unreadable.


    Steven had already delivered the emergency contraception, and Luca had transferred ten million dors to her ount. What more could she possibly want?


    When William tried to recall the previous night’s events, his memory remained frustratingly nk regarding what had actually happened with Alisha. Yet the evidence staining those sheets had been unmistakable.


    The phone continued its insistent buzzing. William drew in a steadying breath and epted the call.


    “Mr. Briggs…”


    Alisha’s voice came through the speaker soft and tentative. “Could we meet in person? There are some things I need to say face-to-face. It won’t take long, I promise. I’ll leave immediately afterward, and Ms. Russell will never know.”


    The deliberate mention of Ste’s name made something dark and dangerous sh through William’s eyes.


    Several seconds of silence passed before he answered, his voice clipped. “I’m at the office.”


    “I’lle to you right now!” A note of satisfaction crept into Alisha’s voice. “Just the café on the ground floor of your building. Ten minutes — that’s all I need.” She added it quickly, as though she had anticipated his reluctance to receive her upstairs.


    William nced at his watch, made a nomittal sound of acknowledgment, and ended the call.


    .


    .


    .