?Chapter 403:


    Still holding the bag, Ste left the restroom and made her way back to the private room—ready to ask William where Willow had run off to.


    But the second she opened the door, she froze. Willow was already seated beside William, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue, her voice soft and shaky. “William, I know Ms. Gilbert didn’t mean to be so harsh. I guess I’ve been around you a little too muchtely, and maybe that’s why she got upset.”


    Ste stood at the entrance, eyebrows raised.


    Willow sniffled again. “It’s not her fault. We barely know each other. It’s normal for her not to like me. I just thought… maybe we could be friends.”


    Ste let out a shortugh. Loud enough for everyone to hear.


    Willow flinched and turned toward the door. “Ms. Gilbert, you’re back!”


    Ste crossed her arms. “Well, I wasn’t gonna miss lunch—unless you were hoping I’d stay out buying you things.”


    Shaun, seated on the other side of the table, looked at her curiously. “Syl, Miss Lawson said you two had an argument in the restroom and then you stormed off. Where did you go?”


    Ste blinked. So that was the story Willow was selling?


    Instead of blowing up, she just smiled and asked calmly, “Really? And did she happen to exin why I supposedly argued with her?”


    Shaun leaned back slightly, amused. “She said you called her a ‘vixen who only knows how to seduce men.''”


    Ste’s face went nk. Wow. That was the best she coulde up with? How original.


    “She also said she was feeling faint and asked for your help, but you just walked away.”


    Willow kept her eyes down, ying the victim perfectly even as Shaun recounted her story.


    Ste turned toward her with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Miss Lawson, you said I insulted you. Got any proof?”


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    Willow shrank back like she was scared. “There are no cameras in the restroom. How could I have proof? But I am not holding anything against you. I know you didn’t mean to say those things.”


    Ste ignored the fake pity act and asked, “And you said I left you in the restroom without helping?”


    Willow nodded with her usual understanding tone. “It wasn’t your responsibility. I know that. I shouldn’t have asked you toe with me in the first ce.”


    Ste was done ying.


    “You say I ignored you, then what do you think this is?” Ste tossed the bag of pads she was holding onto the table. “You said you needed help because your period started. I went downstairs and bought these for you. But by the time I got back, you were gone—and now you’re flipping the whole story?”


    Willow froze. Then, with zero shame, she leaned toward William and whispered, “But it’s not even my time of the month. I don’t know who Ms. Gilbert bought those for.”


    Ste almostughed. So this was the game. Willow had nned the whole thing just to paint her in a bad light.


    Willow gave William a pitiful look. “William… maybe Ms. Gilbert has feelings for you? That would exin why she’s always so cold to me. But you’re engaged to me. If anyone’s interfering, it’s not me.”


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