“Sure.” As Natasha turned to leave, she paused and turned back tentatively.
“Earlier today, Ashton Group’s CEO requested a meeting. I told him you were away on business.”
Corrine’s face turned cold as she focused on the documents before her.
“From now on, deny any meetings with Ashton Group without notifying me.”
“Understood.” Natasha nodded before exiting.
Later that day, Corrine made her way to Lonsong Restaurant as planned. She followed a waiter into the same private room she had visited the day before. Nate was already there, speaking into his phone, turned away from her. His attire consisted of a black shirt, the sleeves casually rolled up to expose his strong forearms. Under the vibrant neon lights, his sharply defined features were illuminated, lending an almost magical allure to even his side profile. With dark, intense eyebrows, a prominent nose, and thin lips pressed together, he radiated a sense of distant coolness.
As he detected footsteps approaching, he partially turned, his cold expression softening into a gentler look upon spotting Corrine, a flicker of warmth crossing his eyes. Ending his phone call, he approached Corrine and, with a welcoming smile, pulled out a chair for her.
“Sorry for keeping you waiting because of my call. I wish I could have greeted you at the door.”
“I’m not that fussy,” Corrine replied, taking the seat Nate had pulled out for her. As Nate sat down opposite her, his expression grew serious.
“Greeting you personally at the door is important to me-it shows my respect and how much I value our time together.”
Corrine raised an eyebrow.
“Aren’t you exaggerating just a bit?”
“Sometimes, it’s the little things that make moments memorable,” Nate responded.
Their eyes locked, and Corrine noticed the gentle sincerity in Nate’s gaze, which tugged at her emotions.
“Maybe you have a point,” she admitted.
Nate responded with a deeper look and a quiet laugh, so faint it almost seemed like it hadn’t happened at all.
Looking up, Corrine saw Nate slicing his meal, his movements tinged with irritation, as though something had genuinely bothered him. She was puzzled by his sudden change in mood. Pausing briefly, she then lifted her glass in a toast.
“Thanks for your help today.”
“Is a simple thank you enough? Perhaps you could show your gratitude in another way.” Nate sipped his wine, his eyes never leaving Corrine’s moist red lips.
Corrine nervously chewed on her lip, a flush of shyness creeping over her face as she hesitated, unsure how to respond. At that moment, her phone rang unexpectedly. She quickly stood up and fished it out of her bag. The sight of the caller ID made her eyes narrow, an icy chill settling over her features. Without a second thought, she declined the call, but it rang again, relentless. The phone rang insistently, its tone echoing in the silence until, under her watchful gaze, Corrine finally answered
“Corrine, you’ve gone too far this time!” Bruce’s voice blazed through the phone, unfiltered and accusing.
Corrine let out a soft chuckle, her voice laced with a touch of mockery.
“Mr. Ashton, I’m curious-what gives you the right to reprimand me, and from what position do you speak?”
“I know you hate me, but you shouldn’t be taking it out on Leah. She’s innocent!” Bruce shot back, his tone as cold as ice as he listed her supposed wrongs.
“Even if Leah made a mistake, you shouldn’t ruin her career. How is that any different from destroying her?”
At the weight of Bruce’s accusations, Corrine couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.
“She has no one but herself to blame.”
Bruce sighed, a deep, disappointed sound that came through the phone like a quiet blow.
“You’re becoming more of a stranger to me.”
“Do you think I care?” Corrine sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. Just as she was about to hang up, Bruce’s voice stopped her.
“This weekend is my grandfather’s 80th birthday celebration. He hopes you can come.”
When Corrine had first been introduced to the Ashton family, Farris Ashton, Bruce’s grandfather, had been the only one to welcome her with warmth, fiercely supporting her relationship with Bruce. When they were on the verge of marriage, he’d even given her a family heirloom-a jade bracelet. That bracelet was still in Corrine’s possession, and since her ties with Bruce had been severed, it felt only right to return it to its rightful owner.
“Corrine,” Bruce’s voice softened, urgency creeping in.
“Whatever issues we have are between us. Don’t involve my grandfather in this.”
He paused, his words now more pleading.
“You know how much he’s cared for you these past three years. If you have any conscience left-“
Corrine couldn’t stand Bruce’s condescending tone any longer. With a swift motion, she hung up before he could finish. She shoved her phone back into her bag, took a steadying breath, and turned to Nate, who had been standing silently behind her.
“Sorry for interrupting your meal,” she said.
“Why apologize?” Nate’s brow furrowed slightly, his voice tinged with concern.
“You haven’t done anything wrong, have you?”
The thought of returning to the Ashton family’s home, of facing Farris again, stirred an uncomfortable weight inside Corrine, a mixture of irritation and something deeper. Her expression grew distant as she wrestled with the emotions.
“Would you like to go for a walk?” Nate suggested gently, his hand extending toward her in an unspoken offer.
“The night is quite beautiful.”
Corrine paused for a heartbeat, staring at his outstretched hand, then placed hers in his with a slow, deliberate motion
“Let’s go.”
As Nate had said, the night was indeed stunning. The crescent moon hung low in the sky, a delicate silver scythe against the velvety expanse, casting an eerie glow that seemed to touch everything but remain unreachable. Its coldness was stark against the warm vibrancy of Lyhaton’s city lights below.
Hand in hand, they crossed the bridge, their footsteps a soft echo against the stone. But amidst the lively hum of the streets, Corrine couldn’t shake the unease gnawing at her, and she gently withdrew her hand from Nate’s. A breeze brushed past them, carrying a crisp coolness that made Corrine shiver involuntarily.
Without a word, Nate draped his suit jacket over her shoulders, the warmth of it a silent comfort against the chill.
Surprised for a moment, Corrine raised her eyes to meet Nate’s. A gentle smile slowly formed on her lips. Nate had a knack for anticipating her needs, a quality that seemed almost mystical. On that fateful day, drenched from the rain after her breakup with Bruce, Nate had appeared with a coat, draping it over her shoulders as he said, “You need it more than I do.”
Now, another of his coats served as a warm barrier against the cold. The coat had a distinct, earthy scent that was unmistakably Nate’s, making Corrine’s heart race wildly. She pulled the coat tighter around her, inhaling deeply, her senses tingling with his scent.
“What cologne are you wearing, Nate?” she asked suddenly, instantly feeling the weight of her impulsive question. She bit her tongue in regret, wondering what had possessed her to ask something so random.
Amusement tinged Nate’s response, breaking through her internal scolding.
“It’s custom-made. If you want, I’ll have Matias send some over tomorrow.”
Corrine averted her eyes and murmured, “No, it’s not right for me.”
“Why not try it before deciding it’s not for you?” Nate replied, his smile deepening mysteriously.
“To live truly is to pursue what your heart really wants. You eat when you’re hungry, right? Similarly, there’s no need to hide your feelings when you’re in love.”
Doubt flickered in Corrine’s eyes.
“But how can we know these feelings aren’t just a way to fill a void?”
Opting for silence, Nate pondered her question before replying, “Honestly, I’ve always seen your appearance in my life as an unexpected twist.”
“An unexpected twist?” Corrine’s voice carried a chill as she frowned. Was she merely a disruption in his life? Was he playing games with her feelings? Or was he driven by a deeper yearning to conquer?
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.