His eyes twinkling, Matthewughed.


    “Not even close.


    ”


    Ste, half-amused and half-serious, cautioned him, “Don’t overstep.


    ”


    “It’s merely a ki*s.


    How can it be too much?” Matthew quipped, his eyebrows arching yfully.


    They had grown close, making it hard for him to pull away despite Ste’s insistent nudges.


    Finally, he left the room reluctantly.


    No sooner had Matthew left than Elizabeth entered the office, her demeanor stormy after having inquired around to locate this new workce.


    Her anger palpable, she made no effort to hide her feelings.


    Upon seeing that Matthew wasn’t there, Elizabeth dropped all pretense of civility, strode past Ste without acknowledgment, and took a seat in the office chair with an air of authority.


    Ste watched her, face void of emotion, as tension filled the room.


    Elizabeth made no effort to hide her condescension, stating bluntly, “You should be aware that I’ll be taking over my mother’s responsibilities in your project from today.


    ”


    Ste chose not to respond, which only spurred Elizabeth to press further.


    “From this point forward, treat my words as if they were my mother’s orders.


    You’ll need to consult me before making any decisions, understood?”


    “Yes, I understand,” Ste replied dismissively, eager to avoid any confrontation.


    With a note of firmness, Ste then said, “If there’s nothing else of importance, I need to get back to work.


    Would you mind leaving my office, Miss Wace?”


    Elizabeth’s attempt to provoke Ste fell t, eliciting none of the expected irritation or defensiveness.


    Theck of reaction left Elizabeth feeling impotent and increasingly infuriated.


    Unable to contain her growing rage, Elizabeth stood abruptly, her voice dripping with scorn.


    “Don’t be mistaken in thinking you can just take over my mother’s studio by ingratiating yourself with her.


    I’m her daughter.


    You may have curried favor with her temporarily, but you remain an outsider.N?velDrama.Org content.


    Keep your maniptive tactics to yourself and stay away from my mother,” she snapped, her bitterness unmistakable.


    After Elizabeth departed, Ste remained seated, staring nkly, herposure shaken.


    Despite her efforts to appear unfazed, Elizabeth’s words had deeply hurt her.


    Ste longed for the kind of maternal support that Elizabeth received from Be, a safety that would shield her even if she erred.


    Growing up without maternal protection, Ste doubted she’d ever experience that kind of rtionship.


    Despite her initial despondency, she soon rallied her spirits, reminding herself of the immediate tasks at hand, particrly finalizing this project and verifying Be’s potential link to her as her biological mother.


    If Be wasn’t her mother, she would abandon that trail and search elsewhere for answers.


    Elizabeth didn’t return, leaving Ste relieved to be left to her own devices.


    As the workday neared its end, Ste stepped out to visit the restroom.


    Exiting the restroom, she encountered Emery.


    Ste tried to pass without interaction, but Emery stopped her.


    Turning to face her, Ste waited for Emery to speak.


    After a pause, Emery mentioned, “The woman you spoke with earlier on the first floor seems quite familiar with the staff in the clothing department.


    They seemed to enjoy their interaction.


    ”