All Chapters of Mr. William's Rules: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

The morning after weeks of speculation, William Thomas called for a press briefing in the atrium of Thomas Global. Cameras flashed like lightning, reporters packed shoulder to shoulder as William stepped up to the podium. His tailored suit didn’t hide the weight in his shoulders, nor the faint shadow under his eyes. Lily watched from the side, her hands clasped tight, knowing what he was about to do.“Ladies and gentlemen,” William began, voice steady but edged with emotion, “I have called you here to clarify certain rumors. It is true—I have ended my engagement with Miss Natasha Mikhail. That decision was mine, not hers. I will not stand for falsehoods being spread in the media or in my own company. Furthermore…” He paused, glancing toward Lily, and in that moment the world seemed to slow. “I am proud to announce that I will be marrying Miss Lily Stephens.”The crowd erupted into murmurs, flashes exploding in the air. Questions were shouted, but William lifted a hand. “This is not op

The next morning began under a heavy sky, clouds rolling in from the sea. Lily sat in the backseat of William’s car as Adrian drove through the city’s early bustle. William sat beside her, reviewing emails on his phone, but his free hand rested over hers—a silent anchor.She watched the passing streets, the weight of Natasha’s threat still lingering. Just like Nany. Those words had been a blade sliding under her skin. She hadn’t slept well, dreams fractured by images of Nany’s warm smile vanishing into darkness.When they reached Thomas Global, Adrian parked near the private entrance. William’s tone was brisk as they stepped out. “You don’t leave this building alone. Adrian or I will handle any errands.”Lily nodded, though part of her bristled at the control. “I’m not helpless, you know.”“You’re not,” William agreed, pausing to meet her eyes. “But I’ve already lost too much.”Her heart clenched. She wanted to tell him she would fight beside him, not just hide behind him, but the wor

The estate lights cut through the drizzle as the SUV rolled up the gravel drive. William stepped out first, scanning the tree line out of habit. Adrian followed, scanning in the opposite direction, his hand still near his holster. Sofia shut the engine off but stayed seated for a moment, her breath fogging the window. The hum of adrenaline hadn’t left her body yet.William rounded the hood, opening her door himself. “You’re not going back out tonight.”She blinked at him through the rain. “Sir, I have an apartment—”“You’ll stay here,” he said, final. “Adrian will see that you’re settled. We don’t know if they followed us.”Adrian gave a short nod. “I’ll take care of it.” He gestured toward the side entrance and Sofia followed, glancing only once at William before disappearing inside.William stayed out in the rain for another beat, letting the cool drops run over his face. His mind replayed the pier—the sudden attack, the decoy’s terrified eyes, Sofia’s unexpected arrival. He hated u

The night after the failed raid bled into a restless dawn. The estate’s windows glimmered faintly in the pale light, dew clinging to the iron gates. William had not left his study; the empty coffee cups and half‑unrolled maps bore witness to the hours he’d spent pacing and planning.Lily padded softly into the room, still in her silk robe, hair falling loose over her shoulders. She found him by the wide desk, staring at a photograph—grainy, taken from a dock camera.“You’ve been up all night,” she said gently.He set the photo down. “I couldn’t sleep. Adrian sent in a preliminary report. That warehouse wasn’t just a dead end—it was a diversion.”“A diversion from what?” she asked, stepping closer.William reached out, drawing her against him, resting his forehead briefly against hers. “That’s what I intend to find out.”Lily traced his jawline with her thumb. “You’re burning yourself out.”He gave a humorless smile. “It’s better than burning everything else down.”She wanted to say mo

The storm had barely eased by the time the sun crept over the horizon, streaking the estate in pale gold. The world outside seemed calm, but inside William’s study, a different kind of storm brewed. Papers littered his desk—port reports, ledgers, handwritten notes in his sharp script. He hadn’t slept. Lily stirred on the couch nearby, wrapped in a blanket Adrian had left for her hours ago. She’d insisted on staying close to him, even as exhaustion pulled her under.William set down a file and rubbed his eyes. He heard the soft click of the door opening before Adrian stepped in, looking as composed as always despite the early hour.“Sir,” Adrian said quietly, setting a fresh stack of documents on the desk. “I’ve gone through the port records twice. Nany’s trail ends in East Dock Three. She was transferred to a van registered under a shell company. No cameras caught the plate numbers.”William’s jaw tensed. “Someone scrubbed it.”“Most likely,” Adrian agreed. He hesitated. “But… I did f