?Chapter 319:


    His question was simple yetden with a deeper, personal invitation.


    Nate’s dark eyes caught the light, twinkling like stars scattered across the night sky. Just a brief encounter with his gaze was enough to hold any woman spellbound, rendering it difficult to break away.


    Caught up in her reverie, Corrine barely noticed as Nate’s lips brushed hers. In the silence of the private room, a heavy, unspoken tension lingered, reaching every corner.


    Abruptly, the ring of Corrine’s phone pierced the air. The caller ID showed it was Carl. With a slight furrow of her brows, Corrine swiftly picked up, respectfully addressing the caller, saying, “Hello, Grandpa.”


    A voice crackled through the phone, steady and familiar.


    “It’s me, Lnd.” A flicker of surprise crossed Corrine’s face when she heard the butler’s voice.


    “Lnd?”


    “Miss Hond, your grandfather has seen the news online. Your uncles are currently facing consequences in the study. Would you care toe and observe?”


    Upon hearing this, Corrine stood up abruptly.


    “I’m on my way!”


    Nate’s expression clouded over as he watched her prepare to leave in haste.


    “What’s happened?”


    “Drive me to the Ford mansion, please!”


    As they drove, Corrine filled Nate in on the details. Nate’s mouth twisted into a wry smile.


    “I feared it was something terrible.”


    “If Grandpa enforces the traditional family discipline, my uncles will suffer a great deal,” she replied. With that, she swung the car door open and strode away without a backward nce.


    From the car, Nate observed her retreating figure, his smile deepening. He had not fully appreciated Carl’s deep fondness for Corrine. Such affection would pose a significant obstacle in Nate’s endeavor to marry her.


    Upon her arrival at the Ford mansion, Corrine headed straight for the study. Approaching the door, she could already hear Carl’s stern voice scolding, “I entrusted Corrine to your care, expecting her safety and well-being to be your…


    ?????? ???????? ? g??lnov?l??.???m


    Priority.


    “What have you managed to do instead? You’ve watched her entangled in this chaos! Is this the manner in which uncles should behave?”


    As soon as those words fell, the sharp crack of wood meeting flesh echoed through the air.


    Outside the door, Corrine felt a shiver race through her. She inhaled deeply before knocking lightly on the door.


    “Who’s there?” Carl asked angrily.


    With a nervous gulp, Corrine responded, “Grandpa, it’s me.”


    An instantter, Carl’s voice thundered, asking, “Did you two inform her of this?” Jayden remained silent. Waldo did the same.


    Gathering her bravery, Corrine opened the door and stepped inside just as Carl was about to deliver another blow to her uncles. The sight made her tremble.


    .


    .


    .