Chapter 196

Chapter 196:
Just as she reached the sidewalk, the sound of footsteps behind her caught her attention. She turned, puzzled.
“What are you doing here?”
Shouldn’t he still be at the table with Steven? She had deliberately given them space to talk.
“What do you plan to eat for lunch?” William asked, completely sidestepping her question.
Stella let out a quiet breath. “There’s a restaurant next door. We could go there.”
She had originally planned to eat at the institute cafeteria, but with him now tagging along, she’d have to settle for something pricier.
Inside the restaurant, they sat across from each other at a small table. While waiting for their meal, William looked at her.
“What’s your impression of Steven?”
The question threw her for a second, and she rushed to clear up any misunderstanding. “He seems decent. But there’s nothing between us. We’re just colleagues working on the same project.”
Getting involved with someone linked to her boss was something she’d never even consider.
William didn’t respond. He simply raised a brow, watching her quietly. Soon the waiter brought over their dishes.
After the server left, William added, “If you’re interested in the concert, I have tickets. You can go after the seminar wraps up.”
Stella looked up, a little taken aback. He had tickets too?
If that was the case, why hadn’t he planned to attend with Steven? And why did Steven ask her instead of William? Had something gone wrong between them?
The questions piled up in her mind, but she kept them to herself. She gave a small nod and turned her attention to the food in front of her.
There was one dish on the table that Stella especially enjoyed.
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Noticing how quickly she was eating, William slid his own plate toward her. “If you like it that much, take mine too. If it’s not enough, we can order more.”
His unexpectedly gentle tone unsettled her. It wasn’t how he usually spoke to her.
Was this his way of getting back at her, being overly kind just to throw her off?
As he nudged the plate closer, she stopped it with her hand before it reached her.
“That’s alright, Mr. Briggs,” she said, her voice calm but firm. “About earlier at the café, I wasn’t trying to get too comfortable with Mr. Harrison. If that bothered you, I’ll be more mindful going forward.”
He’d made his feelings so clear—yet she still thought he liked men? William’s brows drew together, his gaze locked on her, dark and unreadable. “Stella, do you even hear yourself?”
His voice was low, laced with warning. That look in his eyes… it sent a chill through her.
Stella quickly waved her hands, trying to ease the tension. “I mean, I get it. I’m not judging you or anything—your orientation’s your business. And don’t worry, I’d never tell anyone. I swear, I’ll keep it to myself…”
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