Chapter 569

Chapter 569:
A raised eyebrow from Sharon met the question. “You catch on quick, don’t you?”
Josie let out a sigh of annoyance. “You’re not even being subtle. Anyone would notice what you’re up to.”
Josie took her role as both a friend and business partner seriously. For that reason, she refused to let Sharon pull any reckless stunt that could put Stella at risk.
A soft click of her tongue was Sharon’s only response. “I’ve known Stel forever. What could I possibly have planned that would hurt her? William’s the one who wants to get a few answers out of her, and let’s face it, she won’t speak up unless she’s had a drink or two.”
That explanation was nothing Josie had ever thought up. So many scenarios had played out in her head, but never this one.
With wide eyes, Josie blurted out, “You’re working with William?”
Confirmation came with a short nod. “That’s right. Is there something wrong with that?”
“You’ve lost it. You call yourself Stella’s friend, but you’re taking William’s side?”
Recalling how Stella always described William as just a boss, Josie struggled to grasp what would make him pry for answers only Stella’s inebriation could reveal.
Sharon smirked and shot Josie a look that bordered on pity. “Honestly, Josie, is your single status clouding your judgment? Anyone with eyes can see William likes her. What other reason would he have for wanting a heart-to-heart?”
The statement left Josie more rattled than before. Sure, she’d picked up on William’s behavior during the cruise, but she always figured nothing real would ever come of it.
Shy as she was, Stella needed someone who could coax her out of her shell, not someone who would make her shrink away even more. William, quiet as a shadow, was hardly the type to fill the silence.
She pictured them together, both lost for words, the whole thing turning painfully awkward.
That didn’t sound like romance to her.
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“Sharon, stop matchmaking for no reason. Suppose Stel has zero interest? Then what?”
Not even blinking, Sharon shrugged off the question. “If she feels nothing for him, a few drinks might make her say so, and then William can move on. It’s not about forcing them together. I want both sides to know where they stand.”
Even though Sharon’s plan didn’t sit right with Josie at first, the logic slowly began to make sense. If Stella truly wasn’t interested, clearing things up would spare everyone a lot of trouble. Maybe Sharon’s idea wasn’t so terrible after all.
Her lips pressed in a reluctant line, Josie muttered, “Alright, I’ll let you try, but don’t push it.”
“Relax. I’ve got it handled. You can quit fussing now.” Sharon grinned, her confidence unshaken. With that, she grabbed two cases of beer and marched straight back to the private room.
Back inside, the crowd wasted no time jumping into drinking games. The rounds quickly got competitive, and William found himself on the losing end more than once.
Yet William only seemed to have eyes for Stella that night.
A moment passed before he quietly slid his glass her way. “Ms. Russell, I’m afraid I can’t handle another shot. Would you mind taking this one for me?”
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