Chapter 98

"What a coincidence, Mr. Briggs. What brings you driving out of the Vance family's garage?" Stella asked, her voice calm but laced with surprise.

She had worked so hard to help him secure that deal, only to find out he'd been at the banquet the whole time.

Was he meeting with Saul behind her back?

Did he not trust her to handle it?

A strange sense of being sidelined crept over her,like she'd been underestimated.

William glanced at her, his tone easygoing. "If |hadn't shown up today, do you really think you could've walked out of that party without trouble?"

He looked pointedly at her. "Haley and Beatrice may not have the power they used to, but they're still capable of stirring the pot. With their background, causing chaos for you wouldn't be hard."

Stella blinked, caught off guard. "So...you were

the one who sent the butler to help me? And... Mr.Vance agreeing to work with me-was that because of you too?"

That last part came out softer, more hesitant.

William's expression shifted, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. "Are you doubting yourself?"

Sure, Saul was an old friend, but that didn't mean he made business decisions based on friendship.

If it hadn't been for Stella's solid proposal and technical edge, Saul wouldn't have been impressed.

She wasn't some charity case. Just being associated with William wasn't enough to swing deals like that.

Stella rushed to correct herself. "No-I mean,of course not.I just thought..."

"Thought what?" William cut in, raising an eyebrow.

She paused, embarrassed. He had gone out of his way to support her, and here she was questioning his motives-again.

It kind of made her look like a jerk.

Her voice dropped to an embarrassed whisper.

"I just thought... well, I was that good, you know?

Knew I'd make it for sure.Haha..."

William gave her a long, unreadable look.

Then, casually-as if talking about the weather-he dropped the real news. "The earlier negotiation with Steven, and today's deal with Saul-both were tests. You passed. So now I'm handing Nebula over to you."

Stella stared at him like he'd just grown wings."You're giving Nebula...to me?"

She'd only been at Briggs Group for, what-less than a month?

Sure, Nebula was still a startup, but it had serious potential.

Every project under its name was rock-solid, and feedback from partners had been nothing but glowing.

And now he was handing it to her?

"Why?" she asked, still stunned.

First a black card, now a company? He was being too generous.

William slid into the seat beside her, studying her with quiet intensity. "You always question things.But when you do-what kind of answer are you hoping to hear? What would finally calm that restless little mind of yours?"

Stella froze. She stared at him, mouth slightly open,heart thudding against her ribs.

What was she hoping to hear? The air between them shifted.

The next second, William straightened,checked his phone, and said flatly, "But if you're not confident, forget it. Pretend I never mentioned it."

"Wait,wait-who said I wouldn't take it?" Stella blurted, snapping upright. "Why are you so quick to take it back, Mr. Briggs?"

"Some things are better settled fast," he replied,barely moving his lips, his tone unusually soft.

Stella muttered three simple words. "I want it."

He looked right at her, his gaze uncomfortably intense.

Stella's cheeks turned red instantly. The car suddenly felt way too warm.

Flustered, she reached for the window switch,

trying to breathe, when the car hit a small bump.She lost her balance and fell forward-right onto William's chest.

She blinked. The man was built like a damn rock.

He said nothing, just looked down at her sprawled on him with an unreadable expression.

"Old trick," he muttered dryly.

It seemed she had a knack for finding ways to fall onto him.

Embarrassed, Stella coughed awkwardly and tried to push herself up-but instead of finding solid ground,her hand landed squarely on his thigh.

Her palm slipped. She fell again. This time, the landing spot was... awkward. William's eyes narrowed slightly. He let out a small grunt of pain,his jaw tightening.

Stella turned crimson. She knew exactly what part of him she'd landed on.

Mortified, she scrambled off him and flattened herself against the car door like a guilty cat. "I-I'm so sorry, Mr. Briggs! I didn't mean to-really,I didn't!"

She sounded like she was reciting a formal

apology letter, and William still hadn't said a word.

His silence only made it worse. She didn't even dare to look at him until the car finally rolled to a stop outside her villa.

She practically jumped out of the car. "Thank you,Mr. Briggs. And sorry again. Have a good night!"

Three polite phrases. One breath.

She turned and started walking, but then-click-she heard another door shut behind her. She turned, confused. William had gotten out too.

"Um... Mr. Briggs, you really don't need to walk me in..." Stella unlocked the door with her fingerprint, but before she could finish her sentence, William slipped inside, right behind her.