?Chapter 501:


    “Indeed,” Nate murmured, his voice deep.


    “If this jealousy lingers, you’ll have an exhausting night tonight.”


    His whisper tingled Corrine’s spine. She instinctively tried to pull back, but her efforts were feeble against his hold.


    She lifted her eyes to meet his intense gaze, which disyed a mix of unguarded adoration and desire.


    Her breath caught briefly. Then, she calmly stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.


    As Nate savored the sweetness of her kiss, he loosened his embrace. Corrine swiftly stepped back.


    “With my background and looks, it’s no surprise I draw attention from men,” she stated.


    “That reminds me of something,” Nate said, seizing her wrist and leading her toward the gates without further exnation.


    Corrine, following behind, was left bewildered.


    “Nate, what are you doing?” Corrine asked, trying to catch up.


    “We’re getting married!” Nate announced.


    Corrine’s heart skipped a beat, her eyebrows arching in disbelief.


    She was blindsided by Nate’s sudden shift in the conversation. Just moments ago, they had been engaged in casual chat, and now he was springing marriage talk on her.


    As they walked past a stone pir in the pavilion, Corrine gracefully leaned on it, hanging off it like a child on a yground.


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    Nate paused, turning to look at her with a puzzled expression.


    “What are you saying? When did I agree to marry you?” Corrine asked, her tone a blend of amusement and mild annoyance.


    “Wasn’t that what you were hinting at earlier?” Nate raised an eyebrow.


    “About wanting a legitimate im to fend off other suitors?”


    “Are you hearing yourself?” Corrine responded, rolling her eyes in frustration.


    “I was just suggesting that, as my boyfriend, you might want to be more open-minded. But seriously, shouldn’t there be some kind of a process before we rush into marriage registration?”


    “A process?” Nate repeated, his brow furrowing.


    “Yes, a process.” Corrine’sughter rang out as she yfully poked his chest.


    “Don’t you think we should have an engagement first? And also a spectacr event to wee me home, right? What else were you expecting?”


    “It appears I may have jumped the gun,” Nate admitted, his tone deting.


    Corrine’s smile widened upon seeing the change in his expression. She leaned in and poked his chest again.


    “Mr. Hopkins, I’m not just some trophy to be imed on a whim,” she said, feigning sternness.


    “If you’re serious about marrying me, you’ll need to put in a lot more effort.”


    Before Nate could reply, Corrine spun around and skipped away, her hands sped behind her back.


    Nate watched her go, his gaze tender and filled with adoration.


    After a moment, he pulled out his phone and dialed Moses’ number.


    “Nate,” Moses said as soon as the call connected.


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