?Chapter 535:


    In a half-sleep state, she felt the mattress dip, followed by theforting, solid weight of a chest pressing gently against her back. The warmth radiated from him, soothing the tension in her body.


    “Nate…” she murmured, a soft, almost inaudible sound.


    “I’m here,” he whispered in response, his voice a low, steady reassurance.


    “Where did you go?” She turned in his arms, seeking his warmth, wrapping her arms around his waist as she nestled against him like a cat searching forfort.


    “I thought… you weren’t going to talk to me anymore…”


    “How could I?” Nate kissed her forehead softly, the touch gentle yet firm with affection.


    “Go to sleep.”


    Her breath hitched in response, but she mumbled a quiet “Okay,” and to her surprise, drifted into a peaceful slumber.


    Nate looked down at her, her face serene in sleep, and a small, tender smile curled at his lips.


    The next morning, the shrill sound of her phone’s ring cut through her dreams like a knife. Groggy and disoriented, Corrine fumbled around the bedside table, finally snatching up the phone.


    “Corrine, where the hell are you? Why are you just now answering? Do you have any idea how long we’ve been waiting for you?”


    Karina’s voice tore through the phone with an impatient roar, snapping Corrine out of her haze.


    Explore captivating tales at gα?ησν????s???o??


    She nced at the time and immediately shot up, a jolt of realization striking her.


    “I’ll be there right away!”


    In the haze of everything, she hadpletely forgotten. They were supposed to leave for Pree City today!


    Corrine swiftly changed into her clothes and dashed out the door, moving with urgency.


    “Miss Hond, Mr. Hopkins is waiting for you in the dining room,” Tanya, the maid, greeted Corrine with a warm smile as she neared.


    Before Tanya could finish, Corrine breezed past her, saying, “I have an urgent matter to deal with and can’t stay.”


    As she descended the spiral staircase, Corrine spotted Nate seated in the dining room, patiently waiting.


    “Come, sit and have something to eat first,” Nate offered gently.


    “But I…” Corrine began to refuse, but the sight of the untouched food on the table made it evident that Nate had been waiting for her. Sensing her hesitation, Nate gently insisted, “Eat something first, and then I’ll take you where you need to go.”


    “Fine,” Corrine agreed, albeit reluctantly.


    As Corrine had imagined, when Nate sent her to the location where Karina and the others were, their faces were marked by curiosity and silent judgment.


    “Well, well, no wonder you were MIA this morning,” Karina teased, noting the faint marks on Corrine’s neck and shing a knowing smile. Corrine felt uneasy under Karina’s scrutinizing gaze and swiftly adjusted her hair.


    “It’s gettingte,” she said.


    “We should go.”


    “If anythinges up, call me,” Nate offered.


    Corrine nodded, opened the door of the waiting vehicle, and climbed in. Once the car started, she settled into afortable position, retrieved a kraft paper envelope she had prepared earlier, and handed it to Natasha.


    .


    .


    .