Chapter 587

Chapter 587:
The man didn’t take offense. Instead, he offered his hand with a polite smile. “I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m here to talk business—about a potential collaboration.”
Marc immediately grew suspicious. The guy sounded far too casual for something serious.
“I’m not interested,” he said flatly, turning to walk away.
But the man added, “Don’t you want to bring your company back from the dead? Or are you really okay watching Walsh Group collapse on your watch? And you’re just going to stand by and let the woman you love end up with William?”
That stopped Marc in his tracks. Of course he wasn’t okay with it. How could he be?
But the more pressing question was—who the hell was this guy? He turned to face him, his voice low. “Who exactly are you? How do you know my name… and how do you know so much?”
The man extended his hand, smiling. “Sorry—I forgot to introduce myself. My name’s Alonzo Briggs.”
Marc felt a flicker of recognition. That name… it rang a bell. He had definitely heard it somewhere before. He thought about it for a moment—then it hit him.
He looked up at Alonzo, clearly surprised. “Wait… you’re William’s uncle?”
Alonzo lifted a finger to his lips and gave a subtle shhh, signaling for silence. Marc quickly composed himself, pushing the shock down beneath a neutral expression.
“So,” he asked, narrowing his eyes, “why do you want to collaborate with me?” He didn’t get it. Alonzo was a Briggs. Why would someone like him want to help him, of all people? And how did he even know Marc would be here today? Had he been following him… or William?
Alonzo simply smiled. “No special reason. I just hate seeing young talent go to waste. Besides, I’d like to help you end up with the one you love. But you know how it goes—you can’t win a woman’s heart unless you win her respect first.”
The words hit Marc right where it hurt. Tempting. Almost too tempting. He knew Stella admired ambition. If he couldn’t outdo William, she wouldn’t come back to him.
Now, out of nowhere, someone was handing him a chance. Suspicious? Absolutely. But how could he walk away?
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He hesitated, then asked, “And what exactly does this collaboration look like?”
Alonzo’s smile widened. “It’s not something we should discuss on the street. Why don’t we head to the office, Mr. Walsh?”
Marc glanced at the luxury car parked by the curb… and after a beat, he followed Alonzo inside.
Earlier that day, William had mentioned needing Stella’s help through the Nebula Group. It wasn’t until they were home, grilling barbecue, that she finally asked what it was all about.
“So,” she said between bites, “what’s the favor you wanted to ask me last time?”
This time, William didn’t dodge. “I need you to meet with a potential partner on my behalf—under your title as the acting CEO of Nebula Group.”
Stella raised a brow. “That’s it? Is the partner hard to deal with or something?”
William took a bite of his skewer, then said calmly, “Not exactly hard. Just… different from the usual.”
“How different?”
“It’s my uncle. Alonzo Briggs.”
His words made her pause mid-bite. “Your uncle?” she repeated, blinking. Stella didn’t know much about the Briggs family, but she had heard that name before.
Wasn’t Alonzo based overseas? When did he get back?
“If he’s your uncle, wouldn’t it be easier for you to meet with him directly? Are you two not on good terms?” she asked, genuinely puzzled.
William wasn’t sure if he should commend her intuition, but now wasn’t the time to unpack his complicated family dynamics.
“All I need is for you to handle the meeting—use your best judgment. Ms. Russell, with your capabilities, I’m sure you’ll do just fine.”
Stella shot him a look—clearly, he was teasing her—but she still tilted her chin with confidence. “Of course I’ll handle it. Piece of cake.” She had never failed him before.
“So when am I meeting your uncle?”
William thought for a second, then said gently, “Finish your current research project first.”
The experiments she was working on were important. Alonzo could wait—but her research couldn’t.
Stella nodded, satisfied with the arrangement, then turned her attention back to the grill. Barbecue first. Work later.
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