?Chapter 782:


    That day belonged to Nate. His birthday mattered more.


    “Are you free tomorrow evening?” Nate’s voice pulled her back to the present.


    Corrine met his eyes. “Why?”


    “There’s an auction tomorrow night. Thought you might want to check it out.”


    “Sounds good.”


    As their conversation settled, Corrine’s phone buzzed again.


    An unfamiliar number. The area code—Lyhaton.


    She answered with a swipe, but before she could utter a word, a familiar voice drifted through the line. “Miss Hond, this is Carson.”


    “Oh.” Corrine idly twirled a strand of hair between her fingers, her tone unreadable.


    Just that single syble made Carson’s heart race uncontrobly. “Miss Hond, may I invite you to dinner?”


    “No need,” she replied tly.


    “Miss Hond, I mean no offense. I only wish to express my gratitude for what you did back then. I’ve spent so long searching for you, truly hoping to see you again.”


    His feelings for her ran deeper than mere gratitude.


    But Carson knew better than to say so. Some truths were better left unspoken.


    Corrine arched an eyebrow. “Your thoughtfulness is appreciated.”


    Back then, she and Jules had been forced into a brutal firefight in Forestvale.


    By dawn, the air had been thick with the acrid stench of gunpowder, the ground littered with the fallen.


    Carson had been among them.


    She had saved his life. But in truth… he had been fated to survive.


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    Nate’s grip tightened slightly—whether intentional or not—drawing a sharp inhale from Corrine.


    She lifted her gaze to meet his, her clear eyes exuding an innocent charmced with something far more ambiguous.


    Yet, beneath that carefully crafted naivety, Nate caught the flicker of mischief in her expression.


    She was doing this on purpose, ying the role to perfection, coaxing out his sympathy, his tenderness.


    On the other end of the line, Carson caught the sound and immediately asked, “Miss Hond, what is wrong? Are you alright?”


    “I am fine,” Corrine answered lightly before cutting the call without hesitation.


    She tossed the phone aside, her bare footzily brushing against Nate’s leg, her toes grazing upward to hook onto the hem of his shirt.


    Her every movement carried the teasing grace of a seductress, yet her expression remained as guileless as ever. “Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked, her voice carrying just the right amount of feigned innocence.


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