?Chapter 528:


    Matias didn’t hesitate.


    “It’s the Ashton family.”


    Nate’s eyes darkened, a cold glint shing beneath hisshes.


    “You’re certain?”


    “Absolutely,” Matias confirmed.


    “They’re after the recording Hond has. My guess? They staged the ident to destroy her. But things didn’t go as nned.”


    The situation had spiraled out of control—more than the Ashtons had likely intended.


    After a brief pause, Matias spoke carefully.


    “Mr. Hopkins, should we send them a warning?”


    “They went after my woman,” Nate said, his tone sharp as steel.


    “They don’t get to walk away from this.”


    His fingers clenched into a fist, his expression unreadable.


    “Since they like idents, let’s see how they handle one of their own.”


    “Understood, Mr. Hopkins.”


    Ending the call, Nate turned and reentered the ward.


    Corriney curled up on the bed, her fingers casually scrolling through WhatsApp messages.


    In the group chat, Karina had posted, “We’ll depart at nine sharp the day after tomorrow. Don’t bete.” Jolene replied, “Got it!” Natasha added, “Understood.”


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    At the bottom, Corrine’s own message appeared.


    “Got it.”


    Just then, a shadow fell over her screen.


    Corrine looked up, meeting Nate’s deep, unreadable gaze.


    “You’re heading to Pree City?” Nate asked, his voice calm butced with curiosity.


    Corrine nodded and shifted, settling morefortably against his chest.


    “Just picking someone up—I’ll be back before you know it.”


    Natey beside her, his arm securing her against him as he pressed a kiss to her forehead.


    “Want me to send someone with you?”


    “No need.” Corrine pursed her lips, tapping his chin lightly with her fingertip.


    “And don’t meddle with the Ashton family.”


    Nate caught her hand, his grip firm but gentle.


    “Give me a reason.” His gaze was deep, almost abyssal, as if daring her to lie.


    Corrine dropped her eyes, avoiding his stare.


    “I just don’t want you caught up in something this messy,” she muttered, her voice deliberately indifferent.


    The situation wasn’t hard to piece together. A conveniently timed car ident. A conveniently destroyed phone. Anyone with sense could tell the Ashton family was behind it.


    Nate studied her in silence, his expression unreadable, but when he finally spoke, his voice was quieter, tinged with resignation.


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