?Chapter 365:


    Still, she couldn’t help feeling a flicker of surprise. She’d assumed William would be buried in work after returning from Wredo, yet here he was, strolling through an art exhibition with all the time in the world. He was Neb’s true boss, after all. If he wasn’t panicking over that meeting, then it clearly wasn’t the crisis he made it out to be.


    “Understood. I’ll have my assistant forward the meeting minutes to meter,” Ste replied, calm andposed.


    William had expected her to rush off at the mention of work, but her nonchnce threw him off guard. Was she indifferent because Shaun stood right beside her? Had she really been enjoying herself that much? The thought unsettled him. Watching Shaun linger close to Ste, their easy intimacy grated on him.


    “Ms. Gilbert,” he called, keeping his tone professional despite the tightness in his chest, “if you have a moment, could you step over here? There are a few work matters I’d like to go over with you.”


    William turned on his heel and walked away, calm andposed, without sparing Ste another nce. His message couldn’t have been clearer—he expected her to follow. Although Ste had no idea what he nned to say, she decided it was better to find out.


    She nced apologetically at Shaun. “I’m sorry, Mr. Smith, but I need to step away for a moment. I’ll be right back.”


    “Go ahead. Take your time,” Shaun said with an easy smile. He let out a soft chuckle as Ste caught up with William’s retreating figure. She couldn’t see it—but he could. William’s intentions were written all over him. Still, it wasn’t Shaun’s ce to interfere. Ste was an adult; she could see whoever she wanted. And William? Well, he couldn’t stop her even if he tried.


    At the far end of the arched gallery entrance, Ste stopped just short of William. Her tone was t and formal. “What work-rted matter did you need to discuss, Mr. Briggs?”


    William frowned, clearly annoyed by her distance. He exhaled sharply and got straight to the point. “Stay away from Shaun.”


    Ste raised a brow, surprised. Then she let out a smallugh. “And what’s that supposed to mean, Mr. Briggs? Who I associate with is none of your business.” He hadn’t stepped in when it mattered—so why interfere now?


    William’s eyes darkened, fixed on her. “Shaun might be tied to Haley and the influence she holds within the Achury. If you don’t want to get caught in the middle of that mess, keep your distance. That’s all I’m saying.”


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    Ste paused, taken aback. She hadn’t even considered that angle. The shared link to Shaun and Haley hadn’t seemed important at first. But maybe William had a point. Yet from all her interactions with Shaun so far, he had been nothing but polite and respectful—hardly someone with shady intentions.


    She met William’s eyes again, calm and unbothered. “Thanks for the heads-up, Mr. Briggs. Anything else?”


    William hesitated. “You’re still nning to see him?” He sounded surprised that she wasn’t taking his warning seriously.


    She tilted her head. “Why wouldn’t I? You might have a point, but from what I’ve seen, Mr. Smith has been nothing but kind. I don’t think he’s a bad person.”


    William clenched his jaw. “You really think he’s just being kind? He’s approaching you with a motive, Ste. You’d be a fool to keep entertaining him.”


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