Bruce turned to him, his gaze sharp and cutting, sending an involuntary shiver down the assistant’s spine.
“What’s the update from the people I sent to investigate Corrine?” he asked, his voice cold enough to freeze the air.
The assistant faltered before replying quickly, “No significant information has been uncovered yet. It seems someone’s gone to great lengths to conceal her whereabouts.”
Since Corrine’s departure from Ashton Group, she had become a complete mystery.
Even the surveillance footage documenting her movements had been meticulously erased, leaving no trace behind.
Bruce’s brow furrowed deeply, a nagging suspicion brewing in his mind. Could Corrine be harboring a secret that had managed to slip past his perception?
He turned his attention to his assistant, his voice cutting through the tension.
“What did Kaiden Hudson from Ford Group report?” The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken implications.
The assistant, sensing the weight of the moment, responded carefully, “Kaiden mentioned a reassignment to another branch, with no immediate plans to return…”
With each word, an invisible chill seemed to permeate the office, transforming the room into an arctic landscape of unspoken tensions.
After a momentary hesitation-carefully measuring the intimidating atmosphere Bruce radiated-the assistant added softly, “Mr. Ashton, it’s time for the meeting.”
Bruce’s response was immediate. He gripped his phone tightly, his movements precise and determined as he strode toward the meeting room.
In stark contrast to Bruce’s intense demeanor, Corrine felt remarkably serene. Her eyes opened, scanning the room before settling on Nate’s recumbent form on the sofa
A fleeting moment of surprise crossed her features; she had half-expected him to take advantage of their situation.
A chuckle escaped her lips.
Nate remained an enigma to her.
He could be domineering and forceful, leaving her seemingly without escape. Yet, at critical moments, he would maintain a careful, almost gentlemanly distance.
His complexity was magnetic, effortlessly capturing the most vulnerable part of her heart, rendering her resistance futile.
Composing herself, Corrine rose from the bed and retrieved the thermometer. She approached Nate quietly, crouching down to check his temperature. Relief washed over her.
Over her as she noted the reading: 97.7 degrees Fahrenheit.
“Finally, the fever’s gone,” she whispered, more to herself than anyone else.
“Feeling reassured now?” Nate’s voice, soft and velvety, broke the silence.
His eyes opened slowly, revealing a gaze both deep and captivating.
Corrine’s eyelashes fluttered as she stood.
“Sometimes the best medicine is the most difficult to swallow,” she replied pragmatically.
“Regardless of how much you might dislike it, taking medication on time is crucial for your health.”
“Did Tanya tell you that?” Nate asked, raising an eyebrow as he sat up.
She nodded.
“Tanya is genuinely concerned about you.”
His gaze intensified, a subtle smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
“What others tell you is rarely the complete story. If you want to truly understand me, why not ask directly?”
His just-awakened voice was mesmerizing-smooth as velvet, rich with unspoken promise.
Corrine studied him carefully.
His pristine pajamas now bore slight wrinkles, and tousled hair fell across his forehead, lending him a rugged, untamed appeal.
“In that case,” she responded playfully, “should I spend several nights compiling an exhaustive list of questions to interrogate you?”
Her curiosity about Nate ran deep.
Her intuition whispered that his identity-CEO of Brighton Group, owner of Celtis Estate-was merely the visible tip of a far more complex iceberg.
Nate’s response was a low, melodious chuckle. He reached out, tenderly tucking a stray lock of her hair behind her ear, his eyes radiating pure indulgence.
“I’ll share everything you wish to know,” he promised, “without reservation, anytime, anywhere.”
After lunch, Nate and Corrine strolled through the garden in peaceful silence. At the entrance, Nate slowed his pace, pausing just enough to turn slightly toward Corrine and extend his hand with quiet confidence
Corrine hesitated for a brief moment before pursing her lips and slipping her hand into his.
His fingers closed around hers instantly, his grasp firm yet warm, creating a connection that felt both protective and intimate.
As they walked side by side, her shorter frame didn’t diminish her presence. Instead, their strides harmonized in a way that made them seem perfectly matched.
The air was crisp and cool, washed clean by the previous night’s rain, carrying a subtle freshness that brought an unspoken sense of calm.
“Heading back to the office tomorrow?” Nate asked abruptly, his eyes studying her face with quiet intensity.
Corrine tilted her head slightly and replied, “No, I’ll need to leave soon.” A faint furrow appeared between Nate’s brows, his expression briefly darkening before she clarified, “There’s some business at the company that I need to handle.”
The truth was more complicated-her uncle Jayden was scheduled to visit the office later, and a gnawing worry told her he might have uncovered something. Corrine hadn’t yet figured out how to explain Nate to her family. Their relationship, though new and promising, had only just begun. She feared sharing it too soon might provoke another round of familial disapproval.
When Corrine briefly mentioned her uncle Jayden, a flicker of something unreadable crossed Nate’s eyes.
“I’ll drive you to the office this afternoon,” he said with quiet determination.
Corrine instinctively began to protest, concerned for his health, but Nate silenced her gently, placing his index finger lightly against her lips.
“Corrine, you’re someone who matters to me. You deserve my care and support, no matter what.”
The unexpected touch of his cool finger sent a blush creeping across her cheeks, and she cleared her throat softly before responding, “Then I’ll have to trouble you.”
“Anything for you is never trouble,” Nate replied, his tone steady and sure.
“Not everyone is worth my putting in the effort and time to please, nor do they have the…”
“Right to demand it,” he added, his words resonating with quiet conviction. Caught off guard by his words, Corrine felt the warmth on her cheeks deepen, spreading all the way to her ears.
Noticing the faint shadow that crossed her expression, Nate’s playful smile faded slightly.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
Corrine hesitated, searching his face for reassurance, before answering quietly, “I just feel like I’m not worth all this effort from you.”
From as far back as she could remember, people had kept their distance. No one had ever truly cared for her as she was.
Even when she tried to mold herself into the version others wanted, their approval always remained out of reach.
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.