?Chapter 614:


    Corrine and Jayden exchanged nces before rising to their feet and making their way to the doorway. There, they found Carl engaged in conversation with a man dressed in a sharply tailored suit. He appeared to be in his fifties, his presencemanding, his keen eyes holding the sharp glint of calction.


    Jayden leaned toward Corrine and murmured, “That’s Henley Wheeler, the director of the Chamber of Commerce. He took office two years ago.” Given the Ford family’s considerable influence in Lyhaton, every newly appointed director made it a point to pay Carl a visit.


    Despite his age, Carl still retained the title of Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, making Henley’s presence here both a courtesy and an obligation.


    Henley was mid-conversation with Carl when his perceptive gazended on Corrine.


    “And who might this youngdy be?” he asked, his eyes lingering on her with an air of curiosity and quiet assessment.


    Carl gestured for Corrine to step forward.


    “This is my granddaughter, Corrine Hond. She recently returned after studying abroad.” He then turned to Corrine.


    “Corrine, this is Mr. Henley Wheeler, the director of the Chamber of Commerce.”


    Corrine met Henley’s gaze with poise, offering a polite nod.


    “A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Wheeler.”


    Henley had heard plenty about Carl’s treasured granddaughter. Though she bore a different surname, the men of the Ford family shielded her as though she were a rare gem, too precious to be paraded before the world. Now, seeing her in person, with her striking features andposed demeanor, Henley understood why.


    “The pleasure is mine, Miss Hond.” Henley extended his hand in a gesture of goodwill.


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    Corrine responded with a polite smile, epting his handshake with a light grip.


    The group returned to the hospital room, and the conversation soon shifted to the uing Chamber event. Carl mentioned that he would be attending in person and bringing Corrine along—a remark that seemed to please Henley.


    Just as he was about to take his leave, Henley turned to Corrine and asked, “Miss Hond, have we met before?” His words sent a ripple of unease through the room. Corrine froze. Even Carl and Jayden shot Henley puzzled looks.


    Realizing the awkwardness his question had caused, Henley let out a small, self-conscious chuckle.


    “Ah, I must have mistaken you for someone else.”


    With that, he exchanged a few more pleasantries before departing. Not long after, Corrine left as well.


    As she stepped into the elevator, someone bumped into her—hard.


    She barely spared it a thought, brushing the incident aside.


    But by the time she reached the parking lot and reached for her phone to call her driver, a cold realization struck her. Her phone was gone.


    As Corrine mulled over the stranger who had bumped into her, a cold glint flickered across her eyes, like a de catching the moonlight.


    “Miss Hond.” A voice, familiar yet unexpected, came from behind her.


    Corrine turned, her gazending on Jacob. A flicker of surprise crossed her face—too fleeting to be hidden.


    “Looking for this?” Jacob stepped forward, extending her phone to her.


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