?Chapter 649:


    Once, they had been too cautious to voice such thoughts aloud. But today was different. With Andromache’s sudden appearance, the game had only just begun. Like embers caught in a gust of wind, the mes of ambition flickered dangerously in their eyes.


    “Do not burn bridges. You never know when you might need to cross them again. Miss Hond, sometimes knowing when to stop is the wisest choice.


    “You’ve done enough, Miss Hond. Why make things harder for Judie?”


    “We’re all women. Why tear each other down?”


    One by one, voices piled on, painting Corrine as heartless and vindictive, while portraying Judie as the hapless victim.


    But had they all conveniently forgotten who the real victim was?


    If it hadn’t been for the Ford family’s influence and Nate arriving at just the right moment, Judie would have seeded in humiliating Corrine, turning her into nothing more than a spectacle for others to mock.


    Now that she was simply using Judie’s own tricks against her, she was suddenly the viin?


    It was always easy to preach morality when they were not the victims. Her once-calm gaze darkened, sharp as a de ready to strike.


    Nate studied her for a moment before the chill in his eyes softened, reced by a rare trace of warmth.


    “You are going to be my wife. No one will treat you like this. No matter what happens, I will always stand by you. Understood?”


    Corrine gave a quiet nod.


    Read more on g???????ν???????co??


    His deration sent shockwaves through the crowd. Judie and the others stood frozen, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and horror. A strict rule on the Independent Continent forbade locals from marrying outsiders.


    Corrine, the heiress of the prestigious Ford family, held high standing in Lyhaton, but her family name carried little weight on the Independent Continent.


    And given Nate’s status, how could the powerful Hopkins family ever allow him to marry her?


    Everyone had assumed that Nate’s interest in Corrine was fleeting, that she was nothing more than a passing fancy—a temporary indulgence he would discard once he grew tired of her. But his words had shattered that illusion in an instant.


    Judie’s eyes widened, her throat tightening as she stammered, “Mr. Hopkins, did you just say… you’re going to marry her? How could you marry her?”


    Nate’s expression turned cold, his gaze sharp enough to cut through steel. The air around him grew heavy, suffocating.


    “Since when do my decisions concern you?”


    Judie flinched. The confidence she had clung to moments ago crumbled in an instant.


    “I… I was just…”


    She faltered, struggling for words, only to realize she had no right—none at all—to question Nate’s choices.


    Just then, Natasha approached, carrying a gown in her arms.


    “Miss Hond, here is the dress you requested.”


    Corrine acknowledged her with a slight nod before turning back to Judie.


    “To make sure your ns remain undisturbed, I’m giving you this dress.”


    Giving it to her? Judie eyed the gown suspiciously, her mind racing.


    .


    .


    .