“Looks like that meeting will have to wait.”
Before she could muster a response, he leaned in once more, his lips crashing against hers with renewed hunger.
This kiss was bolder, more relentless, as though he intended to claim every inch of her being.
His arms encircled her waist tightly, pulling her closer as if he wanted to fuse their bodies into one.
In the confined space of the car, the air grew heavy with the electrifying tension, each moment thickening the intimacy between them.
Suddenly, the shrill ring of a phone shattered the charged silence, yanking them back to reality. The haze in Corrine’s eyes quickly cleared, her usual composure returning.
She pressed her hands against his chest, her voice firm yet unsteady.
“I really have to go.”
Nate rested his forehead against hers, his fingers brushing her flushed earlobe with a tenderness that sent a shiver down her spine.
“See you tonight,” he murmured.
The simple gesture unraveled her composure further, and she scrambled to open the car door, slipping out with hurried movements.
He watched her retreat, his eyes lingering on her figure as a faint smile tugged at his lips. His fingertips traced over his mouth, savoring the remnants of her warmth.
Suddenly, an idea sparked in his mind. He reached for his phone and dialed a number, his tone decisive
“Add one more person to the negotiations with Ford Group.”
When Corrine returned to the office, Natasha’s sharp eyes immediately noticed her swollen lips. Her suspicion was instantaneous-this could only be the work of the man who had stormed into the office last time.
After a brief hesitation, Natasha approached and handed Corrine a stack of neatly prepared documents.
“These are the materials on Brighton Group and the draft contract.”
Corrine gave a slight nod of acknowledgment but noticed Natasha hovering, clearly reluctant to leave. She glanced up, her tone neutral.
“Is there anything else?”
Natasha pressed her lips together, an unspoken conflict flickering in her expression.
“I’d like to take a day off tomorrow.”
“Is there a problem?” Corrine asked, her fingers lightly brushing over the edge of the file as she slowly closed it.
Natasha shook her head, her smile faint and tinged with melancholy.
“It’s my mother’s birthday. I’d like to spend the day with her.”
At that, a look of understanding softened Corrine’s features.
“I’ll have someone take you there tomorrow.”
“There’s no need,” Natasha replied with a quick shake of her head, an apologetic smile appearing.
“Jolene already said she’d be there with me. I don’t want to trouble you any more than I already have.”
Corrine blinked, her expression momentarily startled before her voice softened.
“Be careful on your way. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Alright,” Natasha responded quietly.
Once outside the office, Natasha pulled out her phone and dialed quickly.
“Jolene, Corrine approved the day off. How about we leave tonight?”
On the other end, Jolene’s voice was a lazy drawl.
“Whatever you say.” That single, nonchalant sentence sent Natasha’s heart into an unsteady rhythm she couldn’t quite control.
Half an hour later, the representatives from Brighton Group arrived at the conference room. Hearing the sound of footsteps approaching, Corrine’s gaze lifted, casually sweeping over the entering figures-until it settled on the last man to step inside. Her composed smile faltered slightly.
Wasn’t it mentioned that Nate wouldn’t be attending this negotiation on behalf of Brighton Group?
Nate caught her look immediately, his brows lifting in subtle amusement. A faint, knowing smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
“Hello, Miss Holland.” The man leading the group offered a polished smile.
“Jeffrey Courtenay, representing Brighton Group.”
“Hello,” Corrine replied, her tone calm and measured as she gave a brief nod, gesturing for them to have a seat.
Jeffrey took his place directly across from her, his professional demeanor unwavering.
Nate, however, chose a seat at the far end of the table. He lounged with elegance, one leg crossed over the other, his elbow propped against the chair’s armrest. His long fingers rested lightly against his temple, and though he said nothing, his magnetic presence dominated the room
Even from across the distance, Corrine was acutely aware of Nate’s piercing gaze locked on her.
Clearing her throat softly, she shifted in her chair, willing herself to ignore the distraction and focus entirely on the matter at hand.
The cooperation terms had been roughly outlined during her earlier discussion with Nate, but there had been a significant shift in the agreed-upon share distribution.
Originally, Ford Group was to hold 55%, leaving Brighton Group with 45%. However, the Brighton representatives now demanded a 60% share.
The project manager sitting beside Corrine noticed the alteration and leaned toward her, his expression uneasy.
“Miss Holland, this change…”
Corrine glanced at him, a subtle but firm warning in her gaze. He swallowed his words, reluctantly pulling back, though his displeasure was evident as he threw a sharp look at the Brighton team.
“We hope Ford Group can accommodate this adjustment,” Jeffrey said smoothly, his voice measured.
“Brighton Group will oversee the design and construction. Once the commercial district is completed, we’ll also provide a comprehensive, no-cost marketing campaign.”
Brighton Group’s influence in the media was unparalleled. Even as they expanded into other industries, their advertising capabilities remained a dominant force-a valuable asset that could significantly benefit Ford Group.
Corrine closed the contract in front of her with deliberate calm, her fingers tracing the edge of the paper.
“We insist on maintaining an active role in both the design…”
“And construction,” she replied, her tone steady.
“As a gesture of goodwill, we’re willing to split the share evenly-fifty-fifty.”
Jeffrey turned to confer with his colleagues, but his attention drifted toward Nate, who remained seated at the table’s end.
What he saw startled him. The man known for his unflappable detachment and aloofness was watching Corrine with an intensity that bordered on enthralled, his expression far softer than Jeffrey had ever seen-like a man utterly captivated.
The representatives of Brighton Group delved into a heated discussion, their tones clipped and decisive. Meanwhile, Jeffrey glanced at Nate, hoping for input, only to find him utterly captivated by Corrine’s striking elegance. Jeffrey sighed. It seemed impossible to get any guidance from Nate.
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.