?Chapter 382:


    Jamir let out a quiet sigh, steadying Sandra as she leaned heavily into him. He made sure she didn’t slip off her seat.


    Seeing her condition, they all knew dinner was officially over.


    After paying the bill, the group was about to leave when they ran into Doreen near the entrance.


    Marc was dining with Doreen, and the moment his eyes met Ste’s, his fingers unconsciously loosened their hold on Doreen’s hand. Doreen stepped aside and called out sweetly, “Hey, Ste!”


    Ste stiffened. She had never liked how Doreen called her name so casually. Their history wasplicated, and they weren’t close—not enough for Doreen to speak to her that way.


    Ignoring her, Ste turned away and helped Elbert bnce Sandra as they headed out.


    But Doreen, utterlycking in discretion, pressed on. “Is this your new boyfriend, Ste? I thought you were with Mr. Briggs… Oh, and wasn’t there also someone named Smith?”


    After tossing out her remark, Doreen peeked at Jamir—his face was cold and unreadable as he stood protectively beside Ste. Then, pretending to be flustered, she covered her mouth and said, “Oh no, I’m sorry—did I say something I shouldn’t have?”


    Ste couldn’t help butugh a little at Doreen’s act. Her eyes sparkled with mockery—she could see right through those little games.


    As a woman herself, she knew exactly what Doreen was trying to do.


    When Ste didn’t take the bait, Doreen switched tactics. She gently tugged Marc’s sleeve like a helpless child, her voiceced with worry. “Mr. Walsh, did I say something wrong?”


    If Ste had shown the slightest hint of vulnerability—just a softened word or a pleading look—Marc might’ve instinctively defended her.


    But her cold, indifferent stare made his chest tighten with irritation. That look of contempt was like a p to his pride.


    “You didn’t do anything wrong,” Marc said, his voice sharp and cutting. “Some people just have no shame. Jumping from man to man—it’s no surprise people talk.”


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    Doreen’s lips twitched upward, a glimmer of smug satisfaction shing across her face before she quickly masked it again.


    “Oh, Mr. Walsh, maybe this is all just a big misunderstanding,” Doreen said with a sweet but pointed tone. “Ste, say something—tell Mr. Walsh it’s not what he thinks. You’re not the type to mess with people’s feelings, right?”


    Ste turned to her calmly, her eyes sharp. “Doreen, just cut to the chase. What exactly are you trying to say?”


    Doreen’s breath caught, and a sh of panic crossed her face. “I—I didn’t mean anything by it. I just… I don’t really know who you’re with these days…”


    Ste’s voice dropped an octave, calm but razor-sharp. “And even if you did know, so what? Who are you to me, Doreen? What makes you think I owe you any kind of exnation?”


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