To her surprise, it wasn’t Tracy who entered, but a tall, unfamiliar man dressed in a sleek black suit. His presence seemed almost deliberate.
Corrine’s irritation flared, but she masked it with a veneer of politeness.
“And you are?” she asked, arching an eyebrow, her voice cool.
“Hello, Miss Holland. I’m Matias Jimenez, Mr. Hopkins’ special assistant,” he said, offering a courteous nod.
“He specially prepared these fruits for you.”
Corrine’s sharp gaze narrowed slightly as she processed the name. Mr. Hopkins… the connection was clear in an instant. Her expression remained composed, but her voice carried an edge.
“I appreciate Mr. Hopkins’ kindness, but I don’t accept gifts without a proper reason. Please, take them back.”
She was never fond of receiving favors from strangers, especially knowing Nate’s intentions toward her. Accepting his offerings would only serve to silently acknowledge his advances.
Matias kept his smile fixed, his demeanor unwavering. His eyes revealed nothing, but his words carried an almost imperceptible weight.
“It seems what I prepared doesn’t meet your expectations, Miss Holland. Please, allow me a moment to arrange something else that will satisfy you.”
His implication was clear-if she rejected the fruit, he’d simply return with another offering until she accepted.
Corrine paused, her fingers tapping against the armrest thoughtfully. With a resigned sigh, she relented, though not without a trace of reluctance.
“Just leave it here, then.”
“Of course. Please enjoy, Miss Holland.” Matias carefully placed the fruit on the table, his movements deliberate, before glancing at Corrine with a watchful eye.
Corrine’s gaze shifted to the fruit-freshly cut and arranged with a level of precision and elegance that couldn’t be found in any ordinary market. It was almost too perfect.
“Please convey my thanks to Mr. Hopkins,” Corrine said, her voice softer but still distant
Just as Matias turned to leave, a thought crossed her mind, and she called out to him, “It’s going to rain outside. Take this umbrella with you.”
Matias froze for a brief moment, and then turned back with a smile that held an unexpected warmth.
“Thank you, Miss Holland.” As he met her eyes, the scrutiny from earlier shifted into something else-a quiet understanding, perhaps even appreciation.
Earlier, when Matias laid eyes on Nate in the office-multitasking with a finesse only he could pull off, conducting a video conference while neatly slicing fruit-the image struck him as both bizarrely whimsical and inexplicably captivating. What caught him off guard wasn’t just the meticulousness with which Nate arranged the fruit, but the unexpected instruction to personally deliver it to Corrine.
Having served as Nate’s assistant for years, he’d never witnessed his boss go out of his way for anyone. The idea of Nate peeling fruit for someone was absurd enough, but for a woman? That was uncharted territory.
Yet, Corrine’s demeanor had rewritten the script Matias had grown accustomed to.
As Nate’s subordinate, he had long mastered the art of handling the imperious tones of entitled heirs and heiresses, their commands often flung with all the delicacy of a catapult. Even when people showed him courtesy, it was always in deference to Nate, never a reflection of genuine respect. Corrine, however, was different. There was an unaffected sincerity in the way she treated him, as though he were just another human being, and not a mere cog in the machinery of someone else’s ambition.
After completing his errand, Matias returned to the office, clutching a report he had compiled. After some deliberation, he stepped forward, hesitantly offering it to Nate.
“Sir, would you like to review this?”
Nate’s gaze lifted, razor-sharp and unwavering, slicing through Matias like a blade poised to unearth secrets.
Matias felt his pulse quicken, the back of his shirt clinging to his skin as a cold sweat broke out. Steeling himself, he explained cautiously, “There are some unfavorable rumors about Miss Holland, so I took the liberty of investigating them.”
Without a flicker of hesitation, Nate took the report, shredded it with an air of utter indifference, and dismissed him curtly.
“Save your ingenuity for something worthwhile.”
The casual iciness in his tone carried an authority that froze Matias in his tracks.
“Yes, sir,” he replied, his head bowed in acknowledgment.
Matias knew he’d overstepped. Reading a superior’s intentions was one thing, but assuming the right to act on them without instruction? That was a huge mistake.
However, given that Corrine’s reputation was less-than-stellar, Matias had only acted out of concern, fearing the rumors might stir unnecessary trouble for Nate. But the look in Nate’s eyes was resolute-he wasn’t interested in hearing any whispers, true or false.
Breaking the tense silence, Nate’s voice rang out, steady and decisive.
“I trust her.”
The words stunned Matias. In all his years working alongside Nate, he’d never seen his boss extend such unguarded faith to anyone, let alone a woman.
It didn’t take much to deduce Nate’s intentions. His unwavering stance made it clear-he wasn’t just interested in Corrine; he was determined to win her over.
“Make sure her meals are delivered punctually,” Nate instructed.
“And keep those baseless rumors far away from her.”
“Yes, sir,” Matias responded, fully aware of how monumental this directive was. In the days that followed, Matias made it his mission to deliver meals to Corrine with unwavering precision.
Karina, ever the self-appointed commentator of unfolding dramas, had her own thoughts on the matter.
“That man’s a professional.”
“A professional at what?” Corrine asked, glancing up from her work as Karina lounged on the sofa, casually munching on an apple.
“An expert in mind games,” Karina quipped with exaggerated gravity.
“Even when he’s not physically here, he’s orchestrating everything. The man’s got you dancing to his tune, whether you realize it or not.”
Corrine’s brow furrowed at the observation, the words lingering uncomfortably in her mind. Nate’s unwavering determination loomed in her thoughts, an unshakable presence that left her feeling cornered.
She knew she needed to act quickly to fulfill her promise to Evelyn. Once that was done, she could settle the debt of gratitude for the meals and finally untangle herself from Nate’s relentless orbit.
With a moment’s hesitation, Corrine picked up her phone, opening her chat with Nate. Carefully, she typed, “Do you have time today? If it’s alright with your grandmother, I’d like to visit and chat with her.”
The message had barely been sent when Nate’s reply landed almost instantly.
“See you in twenty minutes.”
Corrine stared at the screen, momentarily caught off guard. Had he been waiting for her message all along? The thought lingered, unsettling and yet oddly difficult to dismiss.
Karina, ever perceptive, noticed the flicker of distraction on Corrine’s face and decided to probe.
“What’s your plan for dealing with the Ashton family?” she asked casually.
“I’m quitting,” Corrine replied, her voice firm, her resolve unshakable.
The Ashton family no longer held anything worth her loyalty or attachment. If she was going to sever ties, she’d do it cleanly-no hesitation, no lingering traces. That was her way.
Karina exhaled quietly, relief softening her expression. She had been silently bracing herself for the possibility that Corrine might waver at the last moment.
Over the years, as an outsider, Karina had seen it all-the relentless dedication Corrine had poured into supporting Bruce, often at the expense of her own well-being. The Ashton family’s current success, a gleaming empire, stood as a testament to Corrine’s tireless efforts behind the scenes.
But now, with Corrine’s departure, Karina couldn’t help but wonder how long the once-thriving Ashton family could sustain itself before the cracks began to show
As if on cue, Karina’s phone buzzed, the caller ID flashing a name that made her lips curl in faint disdain. A spark of sarcasm flickered in her eyes. Bruce Ashton.
It seemed that she had underestimated his persistence. Without a moment’s hesitation, she declined the call, the action swift and decisive.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.