?Chapter 633:


    Before Corrine could respond, a soft yet insistent voice cut through the moment.


    “That might not be appropriate, Mr. Hopkins.” All eyes turned toward Judie.


    Her posture was stiff, but despite the weight of the stares on her, she pressed on.


    “To be fair,” she added, forcing a polite smile, “Miss Hond is new here. She may not be familiar with the surroundings. However… there is a natural hot spring in the hills nearby, known for its therapeutic properties. If you don’t mind, Mr. Hopkins, I could take you there instead.”


    Her voice was light, sweet—like a flower on the verge of blooming.


    Hearing Judie’s words, the otherdies in the room couldn’t mask their scorn.


    Tour the hot spring? Judie sure was eager, wasn’t she?


    Just as a few others were about to step forward, Nate’s expression turned to ice. His gaze locked onto Judie, his presence suffocating. His tone was like a de slicing through the air.


    “Did I ask for your opinion?”


    His words carried an unmistakable finality, heavy as iron, and the atmosphere tensed as if the temperature had dropped.


    Judie’s face paled before flushing a deep crimson. The casual ease with which Nate dismissed her left her reeling. She had thrown herself forward only to be shoved aside without a second thought.


    Lowering her head, she bit her lip, forcing herself to endure the burning humiliation. Around her, hushed murmurs and amused nces pricked at her pride like a thousand tiny needles.


    Quentin, though displeased by Judie’s impulsiveness, knew he had to salvage the situation—for the sake of his family, if nothing else. With a forced chuckle, he stepped forward.


    “Mr. Hopkins,” he began carefully, “there’s some truth in what Judie said. Miss Hond is new here—she might not be familiar with the ce. To avoid disrupting your mood, perhaps… perhaps Moses could take care of the tour instead?”


    Moses, who had beennguishing in boredom, suddenly perked up, rubbing his hands together like a gambler sensing a winning streak. His eyes flicked toward Nate in anticipation.


    But Nate barely spared him a nce—just a look of pure, unfiltered disdain.


    Moses sulked silently. So now, just because a woman was involved, Nate was outright dismissing him?


    Ignoring the stunned faces around him, Nate turned to Corrine. His voice, though softer, held no less authority.


    “Miss Hond, would you care to apany me?”


    Corrine threw a nce at Judie before averting her gaze, her expressionposed.


    “If you don’t mind, I’d be happy to.”


    Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the two walked off together, leaving an air of quiet spection in their wake.


    As they walked toward the gates, Nate’s gaze drifted downward, settling on Corrine’s heels. His brow lifted slightly.


    “Are they ufortable?”


    The truth was, the new shoes were rubbing painfully against her skin, but Corrine hadn’t expected Nate to notice such a detail.


    “A little,” she admitted, keeping her voice even.


    Nate gave the smallest nod before ncing over at Matias, who had been trailing behind them in silence.


    .


    .


    .