?Chapter 381:


    William turned toward the voice. The first thing he saw was Ste—flushed cheeks, ss in hand. Was she tipsy?


    Sandra kept going, slurring a little now, “Wanna join us? We’re celebrating beating Finnegan. Sylvia tried calling you earlier, you know. You didn’t answer! We were totally gonna invite you!”


    Ste’s face was warm from the beer, but her head was still clear. Seeing William instantly sobered her up.


    She reached over and gently pushed Sandra back into her seat. “Sorry,” she said with a polite smile. “She’s had a bit too much. You two go enjoy your dinner—we won’t disturb you.”


    At Ste’s words, a subtle shadow passed through William’s eyes.


    Standing close beside him, Willow leaned in slightly and asked in a gentle tone, “Are these your colleagues, William?”


    He pulled his gaze away from Ste and responded with a detached, “Mm.” Willow beamed as she turned to the group, her tone light and friendly. “Hi everyone, I’m Willow Lawson—William’s fiancée.”


    Her words came effortlessly, without putting too much weight on that final reveal. Smiling, she extended her hand with practiced ease.


    Elbert was quick to respond, standing up politely to shake her hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Lawson. I’m Elbert Green—these are my teammates.” He stepped back to give her space.


    Willow gave a gracious nod, then looked at William before turning back to Elbert. “We’ve reserved a private room upstairs, Elbert. Why don’t you alle join us? It’s a bit loud here.”


    Elbert responded with a courteous smile. “Thanks, but we’re just wrapping up. You two enjoy your meal—don’t mind us.”


    Willow didn’t press the invitation. After all, it was just a formality.


    Looping her hand around William’s arm, she smiled. “We’ll go on in then. Hope to see you all again soon.”


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    William gave Ste onest, fleeting nce before turning away and heading upstairs without another word.


    Sandra, still seated, finally snapped out of her daze. She turned to Ste with wide, disbelieving eyes. “Sylvia… that was really William’s fiancée? Then what about you and him?”


    Confusion clouded Sandra’s expression. She had always assumed Sylvia and William were quietly together. Why else would William show up at theb so often and go out of his way to help their team?


    Sandra had always thought there was something between William and Sylvia—some quiet, mutual feelings that just hadn’t been said out loud at the institute.


    So hearing that William suddenly had a fiancée caught herpletely off guard. She opened her mouth to say more, but Jamir gently tugged her to the side. “Let’s go.”


    “Save the theories for another time, okay? You’ve had a bit to drink.”


    Sandra blinked slowly, then giggled. “Yeah, I do talk too much when I’m tipsy, don’t I?”


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