?Chapter 434:


    “And you’re going to give me some proof first, aren’t you?” He studied the man with a faint smirk.


    “Trying to pull one over on me? Not gonna happen.”


    He set his coffee cup down with a deliberate clink, the sharp sound slicing through the air. Across from him, the man flinched, a shudder rolling through his shoulders.


    After a brief hesitation, the man reached into his coat and pulled out a camcorder, his fingers curled tightly around it.


    “This has everything on Miss Hond. I’ve been following her day and night—no rest. I guarantee what’s on here will shock you.”


    Bruce’s eyes narrowed, his gaze dark and unyielding as he locked onto the man. He reached for the camcorder, but just as his fingers grazed the edge, the man jerked it back.


    “Mr. Ashton, if you want the goods, you pay up first.”


    Bruce clenched his jaw, his patience wearing thin.


    After a long pause, he reached into his suit pocket and retrieved a pre-prepared check.


    The man snatched the payment without hesitation and disappeared out the door, his hurried steps betraying a sense of flight.


    “Bruce, I’ve got a bad feeling about this…” Leah, who had remained unnoticed in the corner, suddenly moved to Bruce’s side. Her gaze flickered toward the camcorder in his hands, cold and calcting.


    “Shouldn’t we check what’s on it?”


    L??€$? ￠??t?€я? ?η ?@lи?νεl?.c?m


    Bruce’s frown deepened, but he powered it on.


    The footage started off simple—clips of Corrine’s daily routine. Then, without warning, the screen cut to ck. In the darkness, a silhouette emerged.


    A man sat with his legs crossed, a cigarette dangling between his fingers. The ember at the tip glowed an eerie red.


    “Bruce Ashton, stay away from Corrine. She’s out of your league.”


    The voice was calm—too calm, like ice-cold water pouring down his spine.


    Bruce’s stomach clenched. He had been yed.


    His expression hardened, a menacing aura wrapping around him. His hands curled into fists, veins tightening across his skin as fury simmered beneath the surface.


    Who the hell was protecting Corrine from the shadows?


    She came from nothing—no wealth, no influence. So why did she suddenly feel untouchable?


    Leah had not anticipated this turn of events. A sharp gleam appeared in her eyes. How on earth did Corrine luck into an encounter with such an influential person?


    Feeling Bruce’s distress, Leah paused briefly before speaking with caution.


    “Bruce, since we’re getting nowhere with Corrine, perhaps we should broaden our search?”


    “You’re suggesting…”


    “Remember, she mentioned she’s from a rural area? Let’s dig into her background,” Leah suggested.


    “People invariably leave traces of themselves. If we track her history, we’re bound to uncover something worthwhile.”


    Bruce’s features softened at her words. He grasped her hands gratefully.


    “Thanks for the nudge.”


    As they exited the café, Bruce’s phone rang.


    .


    .


    .