“Grandpa, I-“
“The maid discovered wilted roses in your room this morning,” Carl’s deep voice cut through her response.
“While I don’t oppose dating, a young woman must exercise caution. The world harbors many dangers, and people can be deceptive. At your age, you might not recognize these duplicitous characters.”
The alleged duplicitous character beneath the desk was stunned by Carl’s forthright assessment. Nate wondered idly how Carl might react if he showed the proof that he was meant to be Corrine’s fiance.
Noticing Nate’s darkening mood and fearing impulsive action, Corrine reached down to smooth his hair, as though calming a restless beast.
“Grandpa, given my qualities, it’s only natural that I attract suitors.” Corrine approached Carl, linking their arms and leaning against him with childlike affection.
“Or is it that you want no one to cherish or love me?”
Carl snorted protectively at her self-deprecating tone.
“Those fools must be blind not to see your worth!”
After a thoughtful pause, he continued, “Consider your uncles-I don’t fret when they’re gone for days, but you’re different. A young woman is safer at home.”
Understanding dawned-he feared she might be swept away by romance. She cleared her throat uncomfortably.
“Grandpa, the move is purely professional. While I am seeing someone, I’m being careful.”
“Who is he? His age? His background?” The questions tumbled out rapidly. Observing Carl’s concern, Corrine decided the timing wasn’t right for revelations
She glanced briefly at the desk before responding, “I’ll make proper introductions when the moment is right.”
Carl’s expression darkened at this, his gaze growing increasingly complex and unreadable as he studied his granddaughter.
Carl quickly collected himself, his tone steady as he said, “This weekend, Quentin Seymour’s granddaughter is getting married, and I need you to attend her wedding ceremony with me.”
“Alright,” Corrine responded, her voice calm and composed.
But before her agreement could fully settle, Carl continued, “Quentin mentioned that the Seymour family will have a special guest this time. He’s about your age, and I think you two might share some common interests. I’d like you to show him around Lyhaton while he’s here.”
Corrine’s brows drew together in a sharp frown.
Carl asking her to attend the wedding ceremony for Quentin’s granddaughter was clearly just a convenient cover. It was obvious the real plan was to orchestrate a meeting between her and this so-called special guest.
“Grandpa, I already have a boyfriend,” Corrine said, her eyes briefly shifting to her desk as she silently hoped Nate wouldn’t choose this moment to make himself known.
Underneath the desk, Nate’s expression darkened, his irritation barely concealed.
Though Carl hadn’t explicitly mentioned the guest’s name, Nate immediately knew who it was. His thoughts churned as he quietly plotted how to deal with Moses and send him packing.
Meanwhile, Corrine calmly suggested, “I’ve just taken over the company, and my workload is overwhelming. Why not have Natasha entertain Quentin’s guest instead?”
“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” Carl advised, his tone almost fatherly.
“Besides, only the two of us are aware of this arrangement. As long as you don’t mention anything, your boyfriend won’t suspect a thing.”
Corrine forced a strained smile, her discomfort barely masked.
Though Carl thought they were alone, there were, in fact, three people present in the office. And without her needing to utter a word, Nate had already heard every detail of their conversation.
“I have a chess game to attend, so I’ll take my leave,” Carl declared, his voice carrying the weight of his years, as he leaned on his cane and headed toward the door.
At the door, he turned back to give Corrine a meaningful look.
“Corrine, your mother always wanted nothing more than for you to be safe and happy. Don’t forget that, okay?”
Hearing this, the light in Corrine’s eyes dimmed. She forced a small, strained smile.
“I know.”
After Carl left, he walked briskly to his car, his steps heavy with unspoken worry. The butler, seated in the passenger seat, glanced at Carl’s furrowed brows.
“Sir, did she tell you anything?”
Carl shook his head and let out a weary sigh.
“No. She didn’t say a word.”
Suddenly, he let out a soft chuckle that didn’t reach his eyes
“She’s still so young-thinking she can fool everyone. But her actions give her away every time.”
“Should we ask Waldo to dig deeper into this?” the butler asked cautiously.
Carl waved his hand dismissively, his tone heavy with concern.
“Waldo won’t hold back if he uncovers something. And if that happens, there’s no telling how far he’ll go. It’s better to wait for now.”
He turned his gaze toward the towering Ford Group building ahead, his expression hard to read. Then he leaned back in his seat, exhaustion pulling at his features. He exhaled deeply, shutting his eyes.
He couldn’t deny it-his late daughter had left behind an intricate, painful puzzle for him to solve. All he wanted was for Corrine to stay out of the chaos. But lately, it seemed as if fate had other plans entirely.
Meanwhile, Corrine stood silently by the floor-to-ceiling window, her eyes fixed on the lively streets below, her mind tangled in thought. Her grandfather’s earlier behavior had been strange; she replayed the moment he had discovered her relationship with Bruce, how his anger had been immediate and absolute, ordering her to end things right away.
Back then, she had thought it was just about family expectations. When she broke up with Bruce, her grandfather’s visible relief seemed to confirm her theory. She had accepted it, even if it hurt.
But now? Even though she was single and free to move forward, any mention of a new relationship left her grandfather unsettled.
Was it because he thought she was moving on too fast-or was there something else he wasn’t telling her?
If it wasn’t for the first reason, then what could it possibly be?
Corrine’s gaze narrowed, suspicion flickering in the depths of her eyes. She couldn’t shake the feeling that her grandfather was keeping something significant from her. Could there be some hidden truth about her, buried deep beneath the surface? Her thoughts churned, a tangled mix of confusion and frustration. She raised a hand, pinching the bridge of her nose as if trying to push away the storm of questions swirling in her mind.
“Corrine, don’t you think I deserve a proper explanation?” Nate’s deep voice resonated behind her, carrying an ominous chill. His words snapped her back to the present moment.
She turned to find him unbuttoning his suit jacket and tugging at his tie with growing irritation. The more he pulled, the tighter it became, his impatience manifesting in the deepening furrow of his brow.
“Would you like some help?” she offered, her tone gentle and placating.
Nate paused at her words, decisively shrugging off his jacket and tossing it onto the nearby sofa. He stood silently, awaiting her approach.
Drawing a measured breath, Corrine stepped forward and reached for his tie. The deep blue silk felt luxuriously smooth beneath her fingers. The knot, likely tightened by his earlier frustration, required careful manipulation to loosen.
Unconsciously, she drew closer, her slender fingers working at the stubborn fabric.
Nate observed her within the circle of his arms, intoxicated by her subtle fragrance. Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings. Her features captivated him-the delicate nose, the rounded chin that lent her face such youthful charm. Her quiet concentration enchanted him.
His arm encircled her slim waist, drawing her closer.
Corrine retreated instinctively, like a wary cat
Nate’s eyebrow arched upward, dark eyes glinting dangerously as he gazed at her, his dominant aura closing in. She continued backing away until her heel caught the sofa’s edge, sending her tumbling backward.
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.