?Chapter 364:


    By morning, a fine, steady drizzle had settled over Choria, the gray skies perfectly echoing the heaviness pressing on Ste’s chest. Yesterday’s sunshine felt like a distant memory.


    She slipped into a long dress, added a ck suit jacket for warmth, and gathered her things before heading out. Stepping downstairs, she was caught off guard by the sight of Shaun’s car idling at the institute’s entrance. She hesitated for a beat, then pulled open the door.


    “Mr. Smith?”


    Shaun greeted her with his usual calm, inviting energy. “It’s raining, so I figured it might be a hassle for you to get around by yourself. I thought I’d save you the trouble and drive you today.”


    He offered her a bottle of coffee, still radiating gentle heat. “Here. This should warm you up a bit. Did you have breakfast?”


    She felt the warmth seep into her hand as she took it. “I did, thank you. And you?”


    “I’m all set too. Ready to go straight to the exhibition?”


    Throughout the drive, Shaun’s gentle presence put her at ease—never overbearing, never awkward. When they arrived, he pulled smoothly to the curb, cut the engine, and slipped out, hurrying around to open her door before she could reach for the handle.


    His quiet thoughtfulness left Ste with a soft, grateful “Thank you.”


    Inside, the gallery buzzed with excitement, but thanks to Shaun’s VIP tickets, a staff member appeared immediately, ushering them past the crowds and into the heart of the show.


    Within the exhibition hall, Ste wandered among the vibrant canvases and striking architectural models, her gaze lingering appreciatively on each disy. Though paintingndscapes came naturally to her, architecture remained something of a mystery—she could only marvel at the bold ingenuity on show.


    Shaun took a step closer, his voice low. “Ms. Gilbert, regarding the coboration we discussed yesterday…”


    “Neb’s proposal won’t let you down, Mr. Smith,” Ste replied, meeting his eyes with quiet confidence. “Just let me know exactly what you need from us, and I’ll make sure the n fits your expectations.”


    Their conversation carried them deeper into the maze of artwork. As they rounded a corner, a familiar silhouette emerged from the crowd. William lingered several feet away, a ss of champagne glinting in his hand. He raised it in their direction, a faint smile ying at his lips. “What an unexpected pleasure.”


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    Shaun greeted him smoothly, not missing a beat. “Mr. Briggs. Quite the coincidence, isn’t it?”


    William’s gaze drifted between the two, lingering a touch longer on Ste before he strode over to join them. “Truly a surprise. Ms. Gilbert, I thought Neb…


    “I had a meeting scheduled for today. I didn’t expect to see you here at the exhibition.”


    Ste lifted her gaze, genuine confusion furrowing her brow. As Neb’s CEO, she hadn’t heard a word about any meeting today. William studied her puzzled expression and offered a gentle exnation. “Neb always holds a mid-month review to discussst month’s results. Didn’t your team keep you in the loop?”


    A cold realization swept through Ste. He was pulling the same trick—dropping a so-calledpany emergency just as she was with someone else. He’d done this before, back when Steven was around. Now it was happening again.


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