Zack gave a slow nod.
“With her skills? She wouldn’t last a day in the Hopkins family, let alone gain anyone’s approval. You know better than anyone that a woman standing by your side has to be able to survive on her own.”
A woman who couldn’t stand on her own wasn’t fit for Nate.
Despite their sharp assessments, Nate’s expression remained unreadable, leaving the two men uncertain whether he was entertained or annoyed. Then, in the stillness, he placed his glass onto the bar with a quiet but deliberate thud. The subtle sound sent a flicker of unease through them. Leaning back, he draped an arm over the barstool, his deep voice steady, yet carrying an undeniable weight.
“If she’s willing, I can raise her to the top.” A simple statement-yet one laced with a level of arrogance and dominance that neither Zack nor Moses could ignore.
Nate’s name alone signified absolute power, a position that others could only dream of reaching. Some people were born into a world of wealth and privilege, their lives untouched by the need for love. Nate had always been one of them.
Yet now, he was willing to change that for a woman.
Moses and Zack reached the same startling realization-this man had completely lost his grip on reality, all for the sake of a woman.
“Crazy. You are absolutely crazy!” Moses muttered, hastily reaching for his wine glass to steady his nerves.
Zack maintained his characteristic composure, his eyes reflecting thoughtful consideration.
“A direct approach to bringing her to the Hopkins family home would not only fail to gain their acceptance but might also create unnecessary complications for her. I strongly suggest you reconsider your strategy.”
“Taking her back home directly was never my intention.” Nate lifted his gaze, his dark eyes resembling bottomless pools of winter water. His voice carried an air of casual certainty.
“I intend to present her with everything she deserves-a grand wedding ceremony worthy of remembrance. She will enter my home with full honor and rightful recognition.”
The statement rendered even the typically unflappable Zack speechless.
Nate, known for his unwavering self-control, had apparently surrendered his heart completely. Such news would undoubtedly create waves throughout their circles.
Yet Nate had always charted his own course. Once his mind settled on a path, it became immovable as bedrock.
“We shall see if she proves worthy of such grand gestures,” Zack remarked, his smile carrying deeper meaning. While the Ford family’s protection shielded Corrine in Lyhaton, questions lingered about her safety elsewhere.
Even with their best intentions, the Ford family’s influence might not extend far enough to safeguard her.
Nate’s fingers traced lazy circles around his glass rim, his movements deliberately unhurried.
“The name Nate Hopkins will be all the confidence she needs.”
His words resonated with unmistakable authority and pride.
The sudden vibration of his phone drew their attention.
Both Zack’s and Moses’ eyes flickered to the screen, where the contact name “Honey” displayed prominently.
An involuntary shiver ran through them-such an endearing nickname seemed jarringly out of place on Nate’s device.
Their eyes met, sharing a moment of silent amusement. Clearly, Nate’s intentions ran deeper than they’d imagined.
As they lifted their glasses, anticipating Nate’s response to the call, his flat voice cut through the air.
“Time for you to leave.”
Moses tightened his grip on his glass, suppressing an urge to upend the entire table. Zack rose smoothly, collecting his coat and squeezing Moses’ shoulder.
“Come along. I’ll accompany you to the dock.”
Moses pressed his tongue against his cheek in frustration, set his glass down with barely contained force, and stormed out.
As they departed, Nate’s gentle tone floated after them.
“Why aren’t you asleep yet?”
Moses silently cursed, convinced that love had addled Nate’s judgment beyond repair.
After Corrine’s conversation with Nate stretched beyond ten minutes, a knock interrupted their exchange.
“We’ll continue this later. Goodnight.”
She bounded from her bed and pulled open the door to find Jayden gazing down at her.
“Still awake?”
“Ready to go to bed.” Corrine absently toyed with a strand of hair as she stepped aside.
“What brings you here, Uncle Jayden?”
Jayden’s expression carried an intensity that seemed to search for answers in her face. Despite Carl’s repeated cautions about prying into her relationship with Nate, the questions burned behind his eyes.
Following a weighted pause, Jayden drew a steadying breath.
“Carl asked me to ensure you remember tomorrow’s Seymour family wedding. Your presence is expected.”
“I haven’t forgotten,” she replied.
When Jayden lingered, Corrine arched an inquiring eyebrow.
“Was there something else?”
Though his lips parted as if to speak, Jayden ultimately shook his head and departed without voicing his thoughts.
The Seymour family held an esteemed position as one of Lyhaton’s four major families, and their patriarch Quentin’s unshakeable bond with Carl had weathered countless storms. This connection made Corrine’s attendance at the wedding banquet not merely expected, but mandatory.
While Fatima’s wedding announcement had captured the city’s attention, befitting the Seymour family’s prominence, Corrine awoke to entirely different headlines.
The morning news blazed with reports of the Burgess family facing a governmental investigation into tax evasion, the authorities having launched their inquiry with decisive force.
At the dining table, Corrine observed the televised footage of Leah’s father being escorted away by officials, her expression betraying nothing but cool detachment.
The turn of events hardly surprised her; she had never intended to let Leah escape consequences, though she hadn’t needed to orchestrate them herself. The Ford family’s intervention meant she could now watch events unfold from a comfortable distance.
While Corrine maintained her composure, Karina practically bubbled with vindictive pleasure, her words tumbling out in an excited stream.
“Now this is what I call divine justice!” she declared, gesturing animatedly.
“Did Leah honestly believe her status as the Burgess heir made her untouchable? Everything they had was built on borrowed prestige, yet she still managed to engineer her own downfall. The sheer audacity!”
Corrine’s lips curved into a subtle smile.
“She must have truly provoked you to inspire such passion.”
“Without question,” Karina confirmed without missing a beat.
Corrine noticed Karina clutching her wine glass while her eyes swept the room with focused intent.
“What has caught your attention?” she inquired, curiosity getting the better of her.
“Word has it there’s a distinguished guest from the Seymour family attending. Why else would Lyhaton’s wealthy ladies dress as though competing for attention?” Karina’s gaze settled on Corrine, her smile taking on a knowing edge.
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.