“If not now, then eventually.”
As they approached, Tanya spotted Corrine and paused, momentarily stunned, before offering a respectful nod.
“Hello, Miss Holland.”
“Hello.” Corrine gave a subtle nod in return, her gaze meeting Tanya’s for a brief moment. She could feel the heat of Nate’s hand still wrapped around hers. Trying to shake off the warmth that flooded her, she gently tugged her hand free and hurried ahead, eager to be the first inside the house.
Once in the guest room, she hung up her coat, stretched her shoulders and neck, and began to prepare for a bath.
As she opened the wardrobe, she was taken aback to find it neatly stocked with clothes-each item still bearing its tags and reflecting the latest styles. They were all perfectly suited to her taste.
A wave of warmth surged through her chest, filling her with an unexpected sense of comfort.
Clutching a new set of clothes, she made her way toward the bathroom. In the study, Nate lounged on a leather sofa, his features sharp under the dim lighting, an air of cold authority emanating from him.
“Find out who dares to act so recklessly,” he ordered, his voice laced with menace, causing a shiver to run through Matias on the other end of the phone. Though aware Nate couldn’t see him, Matias kept his posture straight and respectful.
“Yes, sir.”
Corrine stepped out of the bathroom to find her phone buzzing persistently on the table.
When she answered, Jules’ worried voice filled her ear.
“I’ve been worried sick! You finally picked up!” Relief colored his words, though Corrine remained puzzled by his concern.
“What happened?” she asked, continuing to dry her hair.
“I went to Waldo’s apartment and couldn’t find you. When you didn’t answer my calls, I feared something had happened.” Jules paused briefly.
“By the way, I left some groceries in your fridge.”
Corrine shifted the conversation.
“Could you look into a black car for me? Last digits 256.”
The line went quiet save for the rapid tapping of keys. Finally, Jules responded, “It’s running on fake plates. According to records, that vehicle should have been scrapped.”
He hesitated.
“Why are you investigating this?”
A cold expression settled on Corrine’s features.
“Keep watching Donnelly for now.”
“Are you concerned those people knew what happened between you and the Ashton family?” Jules probed.
Surprise flickered across Corrine’s face.
“You know about that?”
“I avoid the Ashtons’ drama,” Jules replied, his voice tinged with contempt.
“But I heard about Leah’s foolishness. She tried returning a fake antique, threatening to destroy the shop without a refund. Did she really expect them to let that slide?”
Corrine understood why Jules called Leah a fool.
The antique trade operated on strict unwritten rules-once purchased, items couldn’t be returned. Buyers either profited from their choices or accepted their mistakes.
Leah had brazenly violated these principles.
Before she could respond, a knock interrupted their conversation.
She opened the door to find Tanya standing there.
“Miss Holland, Mr. Hopkins asked me to bring you this milk specifically,” Tanya said, as Corrine glanced at the tray in her hands.
Jules, overhearing Tanya’s voice, demanded, “Corrine, where are you at this hour?”
“At a friend’s house,” she replied flatly.
“Which friend? Do I know them?”
“You’re being too loud,” Corrine stated, ending the call abruptly.
Jules stared at his silent phone, realizing Corrine’s evasion meant she was hiding something significant.
Corrine noticed the coffee on Tanya’s tray.
“Is that for Nate?”
“Yes,” Tanya confirmed.
“Late-night coffee isn’t healthy. As staff, we can’t advise him, but surely work isn’t more important than his well-being, right, Miss Holland?”
Corrine absently nodded.
“Please prepare a glass of milk for him instead. I’ll take it to him.”
“That would be wonderful,” Tanya exclaimed, quickly preparing another glass of milk and returning to Corrine’s room. She handed the tray to Corrine and said, “Thank you, Miss Holland.”
Feeling somewhat cornered, Corrine merely nodded.
“You’re welcome.”
She approached the door of Nate’s study, knocked, and gently pushed it open. Nate looked up, his gaze as cold and penetrating as a frozen lake-reminiscent of that feverish night when she’d entered his room.
The intensity of his stare made her throat constrict.
Her grip tightened on the tray as she drew a steadying breath and stepped inside.
Upon recognizing her, the ice in his eyes melted into a gentle smile.
She watched as he closed and set aside his file.
“Am I disturbing you?” she ventured.
“Yes,” he answered directly.
Feeling awkward, Corrine said with a sheepish smile, “I’ll just leave this here and go.”
She placed the milk on his desk and turned to leave.
Her hand touched the doorknob, and as the door swung open, a hand brushed past her hair, pressing against the wooden surface.
Nate’s fresh, earthy scent enveloped Corrine as his warm, solid chest pressed against her back, sending a wave of warmth through her.
“Now that you’ve already interrupted, you might as well stay and keep me company.”
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.