Chapter 24

This whole situation had spiraled out of control, and trying to explain it now would only make things worse.

That was the only thought pounding in Stella's head.

William turned just enough to glance at her,his face blank. His eyes lingered for a moment-sliding downward, deliberately slow-taking in her bold curves before he turned away and continued walking,not bothering to stop.

Marc stepped out from the bend in the Light Story hallway just as a voice he knew reached his ears.

He turned instinctively, drawn by the familiarity,and spotted a figure that seemed known yet somehow different.

Narrowing his eyes,he took a step forward, intending to get a better look.

But before he could get far, Haley came rushing out of the corridor and flung herself at him, clutching his

arm tightly. "Marc, what are you staring at?"

Marc's jaw tightened slightly, irritation flickering in his eyes. "Nothing."

Stella trailed behind William, but he made no effort to acknowledge her presence.

Frustrated and desperate, she moved ahead of him,cutting off his path by spreading her arms wide. "Mr.Briggs, I meant every word I said. Please, just give it some thought."

William tilted his head and studied her, his gaze drifting lazily across her frame. "You do make quite the impression. But throwing yourself at me in front of everyone? If I add you to the team now, won't people assume I'm playing favorites?"

Stella's cheeks burned with embarrassment-he had gotten it all wrong. A wave of frustration hit her, and the irritation showed clearly on her face. "It wasn't what you think! That happened by mistake!"

From where he stood, William could not help but see her curves.

His throat moved as he swallowed hard and quickly looked away. "Ms. Russell, you're very skilled at

leaving a mark on a man. But I'm not fond of women who come on too forward."

William didn't care to understand who Stella truly was.Yet, in just two encounters, she had left an impression on him he couldn't quite shake. One thing was certain -Stella Russell was a clever woman who knew how to attract a man.

At those words, Stella's hands curled into fists at her sides,her body rigid.

When she finally spoke again, her voice had lost all warmth. "Mr. Briggs, I take pride in what I do. I've worked hard to get here-I'm not the kind of woman you're trying to make me out to be."

Stella had given it her all, done everything expected of her, but no matter how much she tried,William's assumptions about her refused to budge.

She exhaled slowly, steadying her breath as she fought to preserve her dignity. That,too,had value.

"I won't bother you again." She turned and walked away without looking back.

William's eyes followed her retreating figure,narrowing faintly, before he turned and stepped back into the private lounge.

The moment he re-entered,Lainey turned toward him."Where's Stella? Didn't she leave with you?"

They had exited almost at the same time-yet now Stella was nowhere to be seen.

William shrugged off the question. "Not sure. Looks like she decided to go."

Lainey blinked, slightly puzzled, then leaned closer to speak in a low voice. "Mr. Briggs, Stella's not just talented; she was once at the top of her field. If she hadn't stepped back for family reasons, she'd be on par with you today. One of the company's most reliable core patents is still hers."

William shot her a dry look. "Really? I thought her specialties were tight dresses and hanging on to powerful men."

There was clear mockery in his tone, and Lainey quickly caught on to the misunderstanding.

Lainey's face turned solemn as she spoke hurriedly."Mr. Briggs, Stella only wore those clothes because insisted. She came dressed in a white shirt and jeans."

To prove it,she rummaged through her bag and pulled out the clothes, offering them for him to see.

William's thoughts drifted to the first time he saw Stella-dressed modestly,confident but understated.Compared to that version of her, the sultry dress had seemed completely out of place.

And now he realized that the outfit hadn't been Stella's.

Still, he couldn't deny that she had looked stunning.