“Stay away from Nate Hopkins!”
Corrine powered down her phone, her arms crossing defensively. Her eyes inadvertently drifted to the rose bouquet adorning the table. Nate’s promise echoed in her memory
“Do it your way. No matter what happens, I’ll always have your back.”
It seemed Jules’ warning came too late…
The next morning, over breakfast, Corrine’s phone buzzed with a call from Karina.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, how can you still sit there eating like nothing’s happened?” Karina’s voice burst out, her frustration sharp enough to cut steel.
“I’m so mad I could throw something! Leah’s twisting the story on social media, making it look like you went after her for no reason. The whole internet is losing its mind! It’s trending, Corrine-trending! Her fans are ready to storm the gates. Is this your idea of ‘handling it yourself?’”
Leah, with her angelic image and a fan base that worshipped the ground she walked on, had them eating out of her hands-especially after news of her injury surfaced. They were practically sharpening their pitchforks.
Corrine wiped her mouth with a napkin, stood, and threw a quick goodbye over her shoulder to her grandfather before grabbing her bag.
“Let her have her moment.”
Karina’s tone shifted, suddenly curious.
“Wait-you’ve got a plan, don’t you?” The excitement bubbled up in her voice like a shaken soda can.
“I’ve been itching to see her put in her place. If you’re going to handle her, do it right. Make sure she stays down for good.”
Corrine’s lips curved into a faint smile as she ducked into her car.
“Don’t worry.”
By noon, Karina had burst into Corrine’s office, her energy as electric as ever.
“What are you doing here?” Corrine asked, raising an amused eyebrow as she shut the file in front of her.
“Why else? To chat. Maybe grab lunch.” Karina tossed her bag onto a sofa with an air of nonchalance and sashayed over in her heels, her eyes gleaming mischievously.
“You still haven’t told me how you’re planning to take down that conniving snake. Ever since you said you’d act, I’ve been dying to know!”
Corrine stayed silent, her expression unreadable.
Unfazed, Karina grabbed her arm, practically dragging her toward the door.
“Fine. Keep your secrets. But you can spill them over lunch-my treat!”
Before long, Karina was steering her brand-new car toward an upscale restaurant, the engine humming smoothly as they chatted on the way. The conversation flowed freely as they settled into their seats, enjoying the rich aroma of their meals.
But mid-bite, Corrine’s phone buzzed insistently. Seeing Nate’s name flash on the screen, she hesitated for a beat before answering.
“Have you seen what’s trending online?” Nate’s low, magnetic voice spilled through the line, smooth and deliberate, sinking into her ears like a stone into still water.
Corrine’s tone was calm as she replied, “It’s already taken care of.”
“If you ever find yourself in trouble, don’t hesitate to let me know. I’m not looking for anything in return.” Nate’s deep voice resonated through the line, its warmth carrying a subtle pull that made her ears tingle, leaving her unsettled.
In truth, the situation wasn’t nearly as catastrophic as Karina’s dramatic retelling had suggested.
Leah had slipped into the role of the perfect victim, exploiting the fact that most hadn’t seen her shove Corrine onto the road. The bystanders had only witnessed Corrine retaliating, which made it all too easy to paint Leah as the wounded innocent.
These so-called defenders of justice had no idea they were mere pawns on Leah’s carefully laid-out chessboard.
After a brief exchange, Corrine ended the call and set her phone down.
When she looked up, Karina’s mischievous grin greeted her, full of playful intent.
“Are you going to explain, or should I just fill in the blanks myself?” Karina teased, her curiosity practically written in bold letters across her face.
“It’s not what you’re thinking,” Corrine replied, a touch defensive, dropping her gaze to focus on her half-finished meal.
Karina leaned in, resting her chin on her hands as she studied Corrine with laser-sharp intensity.
“Oh really? Then what is it?”
Corrine cast her a fleeting glance and sighed, knowing full well Karina wouldn’t let it go without an answer.
“It’s nothing like what you’re imagining,” she said firmly, though her tone carried a tinge of unease.
Karina’s grin widened.
“From what I’ve seen over the years, it’s only a matter of time before you start falling for him,” she said with a knowing smirk.
She leaned forward, tapping a manicured finger lightly against Corrine’s chest.
“Can you honestly say you don’t feel even a flicker of something right here?”
Corrine’s gaze flickered as her thoughts wavered.
Nothing?
That wasn’t entirely true.
When Nate had said, “I’ll always have your back,” her heart had betrayed her, thumping with an intensity she hadn’t expected.
Noticing the distant look in Corrine’s eyes, Karina pursed her lips before muttering a warning.
“That man feels dangerous. Be careful, Corrine, or you might end up getting caught in a trap you can’t escape.”
Corrine’s lips curled into a faint smile.
“Do you really think I’d let that happen?”
Karina raised a brow, her wine glass balanced delicately between her fingers, a sly smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
“Who knows what tomorrow might bring?”
After finishing their meal, the two made their way to the underground parking lot
“You’ve been drinking, so I’ll drive.” Corrine took the keys from Karina without waiting for a response, heading directly to the car.
Karina, dazed from the wine, simply shrugged and followed along with lazy steps.
But just as they reached the car, a sudden clamor of footsteps and furious voices broke out nearby.
“There she is! That heartless woman!”
They turned to see a group of people charging toward them, armed with sticks and rage blazing in their eyes.
Corrine’s expression darkened, a cold sharpness settling over her features. Grabbing Karina’s wrist, she hissed, “Get in the car!”
They scrambled inside, hoping the car’s locked doors would deter the mob. But the attackers had no intention of backing down. The first strike landed with a loud thud, followed by another and another, as sticks battered the car’s once flawless exterior.
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.