“Nate had Matias rush to get some ointment last night. I hardly slept,” Evelyn said, placing her cup down with a smile.
“If it was more severe, it’s the first time I’ve seen Nate so concerned about anyone in years.”
Indeed, it had been ages since Nate had displayed such heartfelt concern. Upon hearing Evelyn’s words, Corrine looked down, her fingers tightening slightly and her lashes fluttering, revealing a surge of emotions.
When Nate came back to the living room, Corrine said she was ready to go. Aware that Corrine was due at the hospital for her discharge, Evelyn didn’t press her to stay longer but instead urged Nate to ensure Corrine was well cared for.
While driving, Nate steered with one hand, casting glances at Corrine now and then.
“Do I have something on my face?” Corrine couldn’t ignore Nate’s continuous looks.
With a soft smile, Nate responded, “You look really good in that outfit.”
Corrine arched an eyebrow, pausing briefly.
“Was it you who picked out this outfit?”
That morning, after freshening up, she had discovered new clothes on her bed and had dressed without giving it much thought. She had assumed they were chosen by Evelyn, but it was Nate’s selection. The clothes fit her perfectly, suggesting that Nate either had a knack for this or he did it often.
Noticing the questioning look in Corrine’s eyes, Nate’s eyes twinkled with amusement.
“The tags made it easy to choose the right sizes.”
Corrine hesitantly accepted his explanation. Still, the realization that Nate had even selected her undergarments caused a warm blush to spread across her cheeks.
“In case you run into any trouble with your resignation from Ashton Group, just let me know,” Nate said
Corrine was surprised. She hadn’t thought he’d recall her discussion with Evelyn.
With a quick smile, she assured him, “I’ll manage on my own.”
As they arrived at the hospital, Corrine reached for the door handle, but Nate caught her hand.
Her initial reaction was to pull back, but finding his grip firm, she relented.
“Was there anything else?”
“Don’t forget to apply the ointment regularly,” Nate reminded, his grasp gentle yet firm.
Corrine nodded, again trying to pull her hand away to exit the vehicle, yet Nate’s hold remained secure.
A look of mixed embarrassment and annoyance crossed her face as she stared at Nate.
Nate continued, “I suspect that once you leave, seeing you again might not be so simple.”
His voice was deep and enchanting, imbued with a wistful tenderness that tugged at the heartstrings.
Reluctantly releasing her hand just as Corrine’s patience waned, Nate said, “Please take good care of yourself.”
“Sure,” Corrine replied, quickly exiting the car without looking back.
From inside the car, Nate observed as her figure slowly disappeared into the hospital, his lips curving into a faint smile.
“She really does keep her emotions guarded.”
With a sigh, he started the car, and as the window rolled up, he drove past a black vehicle.
The man inside caught a brief view of Nate’s face, his expression tightening as a complex, dark emotion flickered in his eyes. Nate had returned!
“What are you staring at?” Waldo tried to see what Jayden was looking at but found nothing.
Jayden’s brow creased slightly as he instructed, “Make sure to bring Corrine to Ashton Group after you pick her up.”
“Alright,” Waldo replied.
As Waldo and Jayden entered the hospital room, Corrine expressed surprise, asking, “What brings you both here?”
“We thought you might need some help,” Waldo explained, offering to take the items in her hands.
Corrine, facing the two tall figures, said, “I’m perfectly capable of handling this myself. There’s no need for you to interrupt your busy schedules for me.”
“Nothing is more important than you,” Waldo replied.
Corrine felt a rush of warmth at his words.
She then turned to Jayden, noting his unusual quietness, and wondered if something was amiss back home.
Her eyes shifted back to Waldo, who gave a slight shrug, signaling his own uncertainty.
Once out of the hospital, Corrine headed directly to the Ashton Group offices.
With her resignation letter in hand, she entered the building confidently
Curious glances met her as she walked through the halls.
As she passed, Corrine could hear the whispers, saying, “Didn’t Mr. Ashton abandon his bride on their wedding day? How does she still have the courage to come here?”
“Well, she’s from a small town; it takes real guts to make it big in this city!”
“Disappointing, she’s put in so much effort only to be ousted like she’s expendable!”
Unfazed by the murmurs, Corrine walked with purpose toward the conference room.
Inside, the company’s leaders were deep in discussions about upcoming financial difficulties.
Suddenly, Bruce’s assistant entered, approached him discreetly, and murmured, “Mr. Ashton, Miss Holland has arrived.”
“Show her in,” Bruce instructed, his hands pressed to his temples, his expression clouded with concern.
He was eager to hear Corrine’s explanation to the board, especially after the Brooks family’s sudden withdrawal had thrown the company into turmoil.
As Corrine swung the door open, the room’s focus shifted entirely to her.
“Well, Miss Holland has arrived,” a board member remarked, sparking a wave of greetings.
Initially, Corrine’s appointment as leader of the Planning and Project Departments at Ashton Group had been met with skepticism.
Many had viewed her as a pretty face with little substance, and suspected that Bruce’s endorsement was clouded by personal feelings.
However, Corrine had quickly silenced the doubters by revitalizing the struggling company and securing fresh investments within a year.
Her leadership in developing the Mountain Retreat brand and launching Wildheart, the nation’s first boutique guesthouse chain, had solidified Ashton Group’s place in the industry.
This success turned the board’s initial doubts into profound respect and admiration for her.
At the board meeting, Bruce drew everyone’s attention. Sitting with his legs crossed and a mix of anger and brooding intensity on his face, he kept his eyes locked on Corrine.
“Now that you’re here, I need you to clarify to everyone the reasons behind the Brooks family’s sudden retraction of their investment,” he said, his tone cold and sharp, casting a chill over the room.
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.