?Chapter 511:

    Shaun’s fingers curled into a tight fist on the desk. Sylvia was clearly out to bury him.

    Once one’s name was trashed online, partners start pulling back. Investors get cold feet.

    “Mr. Smith, our PR team’s on it. The posts will be taken down in ten minutes, tops,” the employee added quickly.

    The incident had happened so suddenly that even Shaun’s assistant couldn’t handle it promptly.

    But Shaun just rubbed his temples and muttered, “Forget it.”

    The employee blinked. “Sir?”

    “Don’t bother. Everyone who needed to see it already has. Taking it down now’ll just draw more attention.”

    He narrowed his eyes. Sylvia wasn’t just mad—she’d been nning this. He sat in silence for a while before finally picking up his phone and dialing Sylvia.

    Ste nced at the caller ID, lips twitching. She picked up.

    “Looks like you checked the files I ‘sent’ over?”

    Shaun gave a hollow chuckle. “Syl… when did you start being so suspicious of me?”

    “Don’t call me that,” she snapped. “It makes my skin crawl. You lost the right to call me Syl the moment you started scheming behind my back. Surprised?”

    Shaun fell silent.

    After a moment, his voice came back lower. “Ste, I admit it—I wanted your tech. I don’t deny that. But I never meant to hurt you.”

    He paused, then added, “I really do admire you. You’re not like other women. Calling you Syl wasn’t part of the con. I meant it. I was always sincere.”

    Hearing that now made Ste want tough. “Sincere?” she echoed. “Do you actually think I’d fall for that crap now? Look, I know I can’t destroy you overnight—but that’s fine. We’ve got time.”

    She hung up without another word and blocked his number on the spot.

    Your imagination takes flight on g?lnσν???s

    Turning to William beside her, Ste let out a breath. “See? I can tell who’s fake and who’s not. Aside from the kidnapping, I saw most of thising.”

    Hearing that eased something heavy in William’s chest. All day, he’d worried she’d been tricked again—too soft, too trusting. But clearly, she was sharper than he gave her credit for.

    Then Ste checked the time and said gently, “It’s gettingte. You should head home and get some rest.”

    Just like that, William’s mood crashed again.

    He’d risked everything for her today. Taken punches. Thrown some. He thought maybe—just maybe—she’d be a little warmer toward him.

    But nope. Nothing had changed.

    It wasn’t even dark out yet, and she was already showing him the door. He stared at her, silent, his face darkening.

    Ste caught the shift and blinked. Did she say something wrong?

    They locked eyes for a long beat before William finally sighed and stood.

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