?Chapter 612:


    Corrine froze, her gaze instinctively shifting to the board. It was as she feared—her pieces were scattered carelessly, the game lost long ago. She had been ying without any strategy, simply moving the pieces in a daze.


    Corrine lowered her gaze, her voice soft as she said, “Grandpa, you’re just so good at this.”


    Carl let out a gentle sigh, his voice tinged with quiet understanding.


    “It’s clear your thoughts are elsewhere.”


    For a fleeting moment, Corrine’s eyes shifted, but she kept her thoughts sealed behind a mask ofposure.


    Carl let out a light chuckle.


    “If you’re preupied with other matters, you don’t need to stay here and entertain me.”


    “Then I’ll take my leave,” Corrine replied, her tone polite yet distant. Carl waved her off nonchntly, picking up his cup, his fingers tracing its edge as his gaze followed her retreating form. The smile on his lips slowly faded, reced by quiet contemtion.


    “Sir, you really can’t be hard on her, can you?” Lnd asked, his voice careful, observing Carl with knowing eyes.


    Carl turned to Lnd, exhaling a weary sigh.


    “How could I?”


    After all, Corrine had grown up under his watchful eyes. She was a living echo of her mother, Kiley, both in temperament and spirit. The bond between Corrine and him ran deep, like an unspoken current that could not be severed.


    . brings magic to life


    Lnd smiled faintly.


    “There’s always a special connection between grandparents and their grandchildren. You’ve always been softer with Miss Hond.”


    Carl shrugged, the weight of years pressing on him.


    “What can I say? Maybe it’s destiny,” he murmured, rising from his seat. His steps carried him toward the nearby river, as the air whispered past him, scattering a few fallen leaves along the ground.


    Carl squinted slightly, his face clouded by some distant thought.


    “See? The wind’s picking up.”


    Lnd’s smile lingered, but there was a sharpness to his gaze now.


    “Yes, change ising.”


    Meanwhile, Corrine jogged back to the hospital room, her heart quickening with a mixture of anticipation and worry. She stepped into the elevator, her phone buzzing in her pocket. It was a message from Nate.


    “Had to leave for something. See you tonight.”


    Her fingers moved swiftly over the screen as she typed a quick reply.


    “What did you two talk about?”


    Nate’s response came almost instantly.


    “Life-changing decisions.”


    By the time she reached the hospital room, her mind was racing with thoughts of their conversation. She entered, unable to suppress her curiosity.


    “Uncle Jayden, what did you and Nate talk about?” she asked, her voice filled with eagerness.


    “Nothing much,” Jayden answered casually, though there was a flicker of something in his eyes. He paused, looking at her intently, and a hint of hesitation crossed his features.


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