?Chapter 506:

    “Bingo.” Shaun looked her dead in the eyes. “I’m a businessman. I’ve helped you out plenty—figured it’s time I got a little something back.”

    Ste’s re could’ve cut steel. Her teeth clenched as rage surged through her. “You asshole. I trusted you.”

    Shaun just shrugged like it was no big deal. “You trusted too easily. And you ignored William’s warning to stay away from me. Honestly, I’m kinda impressed with my own performance.”

    He turned to the two goons gripping Ste. “Take her to that ce I mentioned. No one lets her out without my say-so.”

    “You got it, Mr. Smith.”

    The men dragged Ste toward the elevator as she kicked and thrashed, but it was no use—they were too strong.

    Out in the parking lot, they threw her toward a car, getting ready to toss her into the trunk.

    Just when Ste thought she waspletely screwed, a ck Mercedes came flying into the lot and crashed straight into their car.

    The impact sent a jolt through the air. The goons stumbled back, stunned. Before they could recover, the Mercedes screeched to a stop—William jumped out, fist flying, and decked both men with clean, brutal punches.

    As the chaos unfolded, William grabbed Ste’s hand. She didn’t hesitate. They ran full speed for his car.

    The two thugs snapped out of it and took off after them.

    William’s door was still wide open. Ste flung herself into the passenger seat without looking back.

    He dove in right behind her, mmed the doors shut, hit the lock, and floored it.

    The goons pounded on the windows, shouting, but William didn’t so much as nce at them. He spun the wheel hard and peeled out of the parking lot.

    Ste copsed in the back seat, heart racing, still shaken from how close that was. William didn’t say a word—his jaw was clenched, his eyes dark.

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    A few blockster, as they hit open road, Ste sat up, slowly pulling herself together.

    She looked over at him. “How’d you know to show up right then?”

    William nced at Ste through the rearview mirror. When he didn’t see any visible injuries, a wave of relief swept over him.

    “The staff at the gallery said you left with Shaun,” he said. “And you didn’t take your car. I figured I should check, then I pulled in and heard you screaming across the lot.”

    Ste’s scream had echoed across the entire parking lot, and William had heard it before he even pulled in.

    Ste froze, cheeks flushing as she mped her lips shut.

    “I warned you Shaun was bad news,” William said tly.

    Ste stiffened, ready to defend herself. “I know. But this time—I did it on purpose.”

    William mmed on the brakes and pulled the car to the side of the road. Shaun wouldn’t daree after them now—not unless he wanted to go straight to jail.

    William figured he had time to deal with the madnessing out of Ste’s mouth.

    “Do you even hear yourself right now?”

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