Chapter 802

Chapter 802:
A flicker of unease ran through him, the thought striking that the reel’s contents might confirm his darkest suspicions. If that happened, handing it over to Stella could drive her away for good.
He pressed his fingertips to his temples, his tone dropping into something quieter. “How are things on Curtis’ end?”
The hesitation vanished as quickly as it came, his composure snapping back into place.
“He’s enrolled at a private tutoring center under a false name,” Luca reported. “The payment convinced him to comply, though he’s uneasy that Amon might retaliate.”
William dismissed the matter with a wave of his hand. “Noted. Keep an eye on him, but deal with the reel first.”
Curtis hadn’t flinched when he demanded money, but now that he was back in school, the thought of Amon’s revenge made him uneasy. The irony drew a quiet chuckle from William.
Luca slipped out soon after, leaving the office heavy with silence.
William turned back to the window, staring into the night sky that mirrored his tangled mood.
Afternoon sunlight spilled into the laboratory, where Stella carefully adjusted the readings on her experiment. A spotless white coat framed her figure, and her long hair was pulled neatly back, baring her smooth forehead. Only the clicking of instruments and the scratch of her pen filled the otherwise hushed room.
A sharp knock at the door cut through the stillness.
Stella’s lashes flickered, though she didn’t lift her head. “You may come in.”
The door creaked open, and a low voice carried across the room. “Sylvia, allow me to introduce Mr. Amon Briggs from Radiance Group. He’s here to visit the institute and has taken great interest in your project.”
Paul stood in the doorway, with Amon a step behind him. A familiar smile tugged at Amon’s lips, calm yet edged with something sharper.
Stella’s fingers clenched around her pen, pressing it so firmly that it carved into the page. Only then did she raise her head, her gaze colliding with theirs. Amon’s smile…
Amon’s smile lingered, touched with quiet arrogance, as his eyes swept over Stella before locking onto her stern expression.
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“Ms. Gilbert, what a pleasure to cross paths again.” Amon spoke with practiced ease, layering his words with the kind of false warmth reserved for old acquaintances. “You’re even more striking when you’re absorbed in your work. It’s no wonder William can’t take his eyes off you.”
Amon completely ignored Stella’s frosty glare and barely spared Paul a glance. Without waiting to be invited, he sauntered into the lab as if he owned the place.
Stella’s frown deepened the second he entered. His presence was clearly unwelcome.
Unbothered, Amon gave Paul a lazy wave, his focus locked on Stella. “Mr. Hoffman, thanks for bringing me in. I need a private word with Ms. Gilbert about the project. You can go back to your work.”
Paul hesitated but nodded, slipping out and shutting the door carefully behind him. His expression was conflicted as he left. After all, Amon was William’s cousin. When he’d shown up unannounced, Paul hadn’t been in a position to turn him away. Still, the whole thing left a bad taste in his mouth. Maybe he ought to give William a heads-up.
Once the door closed, the room’s atmosphere tightened.
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