Chapter 223


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    “Ste?” The name escaped my lips in disbelief as I registered the familiar face standing before me,


    her expression seemingly pleasant.


    Her smile widened, disying perfect teeth. “Surprised, Evie?”


    My mind raced, attempting to process the sudden appearance of my coworker outside the office


    premises. Ste was friendly, but she seldom ventured outside the professional realm during work


    hours. Her sudden


    appearance in the middle of the street felt odd, almost surreal.


    “Ste, what are you doing here?” I stammered, trying topose myself.


    “I just happened to be in the neighborhood,” she replied casually, though her eyes flickered with an


    intensity that unnerved me.


    I nced around, noticing the passersby, but the street seemed oddly deserted. Unease settled in


    the pit of my stomach. “I need to get back to work,” I said, taking a step backward.


    “Evie,” Ste’s voice was gen


    which somehow increased my unease. “It’s a littlete to be working. I guess that promotion really


    set you up for some busy hours, huh?”


    I blinked rapidly. I didn’t think she’d be paying that much attention to any news surrounding my


    name. I’d already taken a piece of property from her as well as her ex–fiancé. I figured just seeing


    my face would disgust


    her, but she looked serene in the moment.


    “You heard about that,” I murmured, adjusting my purse over my shoulder.


    She smirked. “Who hasn’t? I suppose you’ve had enough practice by now. Good for you.”


    “Thank you?” I managed, my voice caught between astonishment and caution. I didn’t mean for it to


    sound like a question. “I hope things are going well for you, Ste.”


    There was a brief pause, and I caught the twitch in her eyebrow as she looked away. “Well enough.


    Of course, there’s no wedding to prepare for now, and the thousands of dors that I’ve spent have


    gone down the drain.”


    I winced, and she caught my reaction before I could shake it off. Instead of disying an offense,


    she waved it off. “Money means nothing to me, so that’s hardly anything to be concerned about. I


    won’t harass you about it


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    either.”


    There was a surprise. Oddly, her demure appearance and manner of speaking were causing me


    more unrest. Seeing her so calm and mature about the whole thing was more terrifying than


    satisfying, as if I’d missed a vital part of something.


    “Anyway,” she continued, stuffing her hands into her coat pocket and looking around. “I… I wanted


    to apologize also. For everything I’ve done.”


    I bit my lip, taking in her earnest expression. “O–Oh. Well, apology epted,” I murmured, ncing


    back. The office building was just a couple of feet away. “Thank you for that, but I should really get


    going.”


    Ste’s gaze was intense as she moved closer. “Wait, Evie. Please. I know things have been awful


    between us, but I’d like to move past all that.”


    I edged further away: “I promise you it’s fine, Ste. Trust me when I say you weren’t the most


    difficult person in my life.”


    Something darkened in her expression at those words. By then, I’d already decided that it was time


    to take my leave. As I turned away, however, I felt her hand grip my wrist.


    “Why are you in such a hurry?” she asked suddenly,ing up beside me. “I have a lot more to say


    to you.”


    I hesitated, uncertainty gnawing at me. Timothy–my heart skipped a beat at the thought of him.


    Ste and Timothy had a history, aplicated one. How could I exin his involvement in my life


    without irritating her already fragile state?


    “Oh, you know,” I stammered, choosing my words carefully, “I’m just getting picked up soon and


    don’t want to. keep them waiting.”


    Ste’s brows furrowed, a flicker of suspicion crossing her features. “It’s dangerous out there alone,


    especially while you’re waiting. Why don’t youe sit in my limo until then?”


    The offer took me by surprise. Ste Fitzgerald, once the epitome of ruthless power, was now


    extending an olive branch. I warred with myself, torn between distrust and curiosity..


    “I… I don’t think that’s necessary,” I replied, my voice faltering slightly. “I’ll be fine.”


    Ste’s eyes narrowed, a glint of determination sparking within them. “Evie, please. You don’t have


    to like me


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    Emergency calls only


    but trust me on this. It’s not safe.”


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    I swallowed hard, my mind racing. Ste’s concern felt genuine, yet I couldn’t shake off the


    apprehension. Being trapped in a vehicle with her felt too personal. “I appreciate your concern, but I


    really must go.”


    Ste noticed my unease, her eyes scanning the street outside. She gestured to the limo pulling up


    to the curb. The windows were too tinted for me to see the driver. “At least until he gets here. When


    he’s here, you can just hop right out after.”


    There was sincerity in her eyes, and right then I knew she’d figured out who I was waiting for. There


    wasn’t any malice in her words, however.


    he door open


    With a sigh, I followed her towards the sleek, ck limousine parked nearby. Ste held the


    gesturing for me to enter.


    Reluctantly, I slipped inside, the plush leather seats offering a strangefort. The door clicked


    shut behind me, enclosing us in a cocoon of silence.


    Ste settled across from me, her posture rigid yet poised. “I must say, Evie, you look like you could


    use a drink,”


    Ste offered, her voice smooth andposed.


    I hesitated for a moment before epting the crystal ss she extended towards me. As I took a


    cautious sip, the familiar burn of whiskey trailed down my throat, offering a fleeting sense of


    comfort.


    Ste observed me closely, her eyes searching. “I’ll be honest, I’m actually d you took Timothy


    away.”


    Her unexpected admission caught me off guard. “What do you mean? Why would you be d?”


    A wistful smile graced her lips. “Because Timothy was never meant to be a part of my life, or yours


    for that matter. He was aplication, a distraction. And you, Evie, you took him away, freeing me


    from that entanglement.”


    N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.


    Confusion swirled within me. Ste’s words seemed incongruous with the woman I once knew–a


    calcted and ruthless figure who yed the game of power with precision. Her sincerity was


    disarming, but I couldn’t shake off the underlying sense of foreboding.


    Before I could dwell on her words, a sudden rumble shook the limousine, the engine roaring to life.


    Panic surged through me as I realized we were moving, the world outside blurring past the tinted


    windows.


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    “What’s happening?” I demanded, my voice edged with urgency. I lunged towards the doors,


    frantically attempting to ope


    them, but they remained firmly lock”


    Ste watched me impassively, her expression unreadable. “I suggest you stay calm, Evie. There’s


    no use trying to escape.”


    My heart hammered against my ribs as fear threatened to overwhelm me. “Let me out! Why are you


    doing this?”


    A wave of dizziness washed over me, the room spinning as I struggled to keep my bearings. I


    clutched at the armrest, my vision blurring at the edges.


    “Enjoy the ride, Evie,” Ste’s voice echoed faintly in the haze that enveloped me. “You’ll feel better


    soon.”


    My protests dissolved into a distant murmur as darkness crept in, swallowing me whole.


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