?Chapter 1145:


    “Hey! Knock it off! You’re gonna injure us!”


    Tina shot a nce at the bodyguard beside her.


    He rushed to shut the valve, the stream dying with a sharp hiss.


    Tina dropped the hose and darted toward the now-cleared alley.


    As the fog lifted, the scene unfolded—ine and his bodyguards, soaked to the bone, sprawled awkwardly on the pavement.


    Wiping water from his brow, ine grimaced, droplets tracing his jawline. “Of course. Knew today would be a disaster. Who the hell nned this?” he muttered bitterly.


    Tina exhaled when she saw him looking miserable but unharmed. Her chest finally loosened.


    Then it hit her—maybe that water st had been a bit much.


    She cleared her throat, stood straighter, and slipped into her usual icy, executive demeanor. “Mr. Castro, are you alright?”


    The already slick pavement now gleamed under the added flood, slick and treacherous.


    In her heels, she navigated the slippery ground cautiously.


    Just as she neared him, her foot gave way. “Ah!” ine had started rising when he saw her lurch forward.


    On instinct, he lunged and caught her mid-fall.


    Shended squarely against him, far closer than either expected.


    The guards averted their eyes with awkwardness—some gave low chuckles, others studied the clouds.


    ine stiffened. Thefort of Tina’s embrace, the faint trace of her fragrance—it threw himpletely off bnce. His pulse faltered, and to his astonishment, heat bloomed across his face.


    He arched an eyebrow, a crooked grin forming. “Well, look at you…unching yourself at me? I mean, I get it, I’m irresistible—but that was gutsy.” Before he could push further, Tina snapped to her senses.


    Embarrassed and irritated, she red at him and struck his cheek.


    Reeling from the hit, he blinked as she hurried away, her face glowing like a ripe tomato.


    gα?ησν????s, home to unforgettable stories


    ine touched his skin, dumbfounded. Where had that evene from? No signal, no warning—just impact.


    Tina hastily adjusted her outfit, her tone stiff and businesslike as she regained control.


    “Mr. Castro, stand up. We have to move. Ms. Hudson and Mr. Higgins already went to save Mr. Noel.”


    The moment she spoke those names, ine’s bruised ego evaporated. He sprang to his feet.


    “Wait—what?” His eyes widened. “Sadie’s here? I thought she was still recovering!”


    Watching him snap back into action, Tina let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.


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