?Chapter 675:


    Perhaps fate had finally grown weary of watching her endure Corrine’s relentless humiliations. This was more than a stroke of luck.


    It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and she wasn’t about to let it slip through her fingers.


    Corrine might be flourishing in Lyhaton now, but only because of the wealthy patron propping her up.


    Whether it was that elusive billionaire benefactor or the powerful Ford family—Lyhaton’s richest—neither held a candle to the Hopkins family.


    Leah was ready to see just how Corrine nned to keep up.


    Silence stretched on the other end of the line.


    Bruce seemed to deliberate over her words, his thoughts hidden behind the weight of his pause. Then, as though reaching a decision he had been resisting, he finally spoke.


    “Leah, once I finish my current work, I’ll visit your parents and discuss our wedding date.”


    His deration didn’t startle her. If anything, it felt inevitable—just another piece of the puzzle falling into ce.


    “Alright,” she replied.


    After the call ended, she moved to the window, pressing her fingertips lightly against the cool ss. The night stretched out before her—endless, vast, full of silent possibilities.


    The next morning, after a brief breakfast gathering, the Lyhaton Elite Business Meeting came to an official close. One by one, its attendees began to scatter.


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    Amidst the shifting crowd, Corrine and Jules trailed quietly behind Carl, their attention focused on the members of the three other prominent families as they made their exits.


    Then, a sudden rhythm of firm,manding footsteps echoed from behind.


    Corrine’s brow furrowed slightly as she turned, her gaze locking onto a group striding purposefully toward her.


    Moses and Zack led the charge, but it was Nate whomanded attention.


    Dressed in a sleek ck suit with a wlessly knotted tie, he radiated an aura of cold restraint and unshakable authority. There was something maic—intimidating—about the way he carried himself. His sharp brows and piercing eyes added to his enigmatic allure, while the unfathomable depths in his gaze held the mystery of a bottomlesske—concealing, unreadable, yetced with a quiet, dangerous charm.


    Sensing Corrine’s lingering stare, he lifted his eyes to meet hers, and for a fleeting moment, a flicker of warmth softened his otherwise severe expression.


    “Ahem!” Carl’s deliberate cough shattered the spell, yanking Corrine back to the present.


    She quickly averted her gaze, only to find two figures now standing before them—Hodge and Quentin.


    “Hodge, it’s been years,” Carl greeted, his face lighting up with genuine warmth.


    “You’ve grown into quite an aplished young man.”


    Hodge, everposed, dipped his head slightly.


    “Thank you, Mr. Ford. I’ve just returned; I’ll visit you properly in a few days.”


    Carl’s smile deepened, approval shining in his eyes.


    “Good. I’ll prepare a feast with fine wine. You must join me for a drink.”


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