?Chapter 396:


    Ste figured he’d reply in the morning. But he responded almost instantly. “Yes.” She hesitated before typing out the next message. “I need to visit the port tomorrow. I’ve found some new clues about Nixon. Could youe with me?” She kept her wording as neutral as possible.


    It was three in the morning—texting a man at this hour could easily be taken the wrong way.


    But Shaun didn’t seem fazed. “Of course. It’s the weekend anyway—the office is closed.”


    Seeing his quick and easy reply, Ste sat up in bed, relieved—and maybe even a little giddy. “See you tomorrow, Mr. Smith!” She typed back.


    That night, she actually slept well.


    The next morning, before she even made it downstairs, her phone buzzed with a message from Shaun. “Good morning. I’m already here.” Ste blinked, surprised. She peeked outside but didn’t see his car. She quickly replied to his text. “I don’t see your car… did you take a taxi?” Her phone rang.


    “Hey, Syl—sorry,” Shaun said, sounding sheepish. “I forgot you just moved. I went straight to the institute out of habit. Work’s been a lottely.”


    Ste checked the time. “No big deal. I’m close by anyway. I’ll head over and meet you.”


    “No need,” Shaun said,ughing lightly.


    But Ste insisted, “I’lle over. We’ll be driving past the institute anyway. No point in you backtracking.”


    A few minutester, Ste hopped in a taxi and headed to the institute entrance.


    As she got out and paid the fare, Shaun was already waiting by his car, holding out a warm breakfast bag. “I got this for you—still warm. I kept it in my clothes to ensure it.”


    Ste blinked, touched. She hadn’t expected that.


    Shaun saw her stunned expression and grinned. “Rx, I was kidding. I just got here myself—it’s still fresh.”


    She let out a small breath and smiled. “Thanks.”


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    “Shall we?” he asked, gesturing toward the car.


    Just as she nodded and moved to get in, her eyes caught movement across the courtyard. William was stepping out of the dorms—with Willow right beside him.


    They saw Ste and Shaun, too. Willow nced at William, then smiled at the pair across from them.


    “Good morning, Mr. Smith. Picking up your… date?” she teased.


    Shaun had always had a bit of a reputation, so seeing him here, early in the morning… Was he after a new catch?


    She took a longer look at Ste. Wasn’t she the woman who lived opposite William’s cest time? Sylvia Gilbert, right? Was Shaun pursuing her?


    Shaun was just about to rify, but Ste cut in quickly, “Shaun, we’re in a hurry. Let’s go.”


    Shaun just smiled and waved at William and Willow. “We’ll head out then. See you around, Mr. Briggs.”


    William didn’t say a word—just stood there, face tightening as he watched Ste slip into Shaun’s car.


    Willow noticed the shift in his mood and nced again in Ste’s direction.


    “Mr. Smith, where are you headed? Maybe we’re going the same way. We could keep each otherpany!” she chirped, clinging to William’s arm with a syrupy smile.


    Shaun paused mid-step, giving her a polite smile. “We’re headed to the port. Why? You and Mr. Briggs nning a romantic stroll by the water too, Miss Lawson?”


    Willow blinked, surprised. “You’re going to the port too?”


    And just like that, they all ended up heading in the same direction. But of course, William and Willow shared one car, while Ste and Shaun took the other.


    As Ste sat in the passenger seat, her gaze drifted to the sleek Bentley cruising alongside them. Her eyes found William in the driver’s seat, and—just for a moment—his eyes found hers.


    Their gazes locked. And for one breathless second, Ste felt her heart skip.


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