?Chapter 866:


    She turned her head, and sure enough, there he was—Nate, standing behind her, his towering figure casting a dark shadow. The air around him felt heavy, almost suffocating.


    Nate’s eyes were dark and sharp, their coldness almost enough to freeze the air around him.


    Oh no.


    Corrine quickly pulled her arm away from Zeke and scrambled to her feet, panic rising in her chest. “What are you doing here?” Her words only made Nate’s face harder, more menacing.


    Corrine bit her lip in frustration. “That’s not what I meant. I mean…” She realized then that no matter how she tried to exin, it would only make things worse.


    “You showed up just in time. I haven’t eaten yet. Why don’t you join me?” She forced a smile, her tone sweet as she lightly tugged at his sleeve.


    Seeing her nervous, almost pleading attitude, the coldness in Nate’s eyes softened just a little. “Why are you eating sote?”


    He reached over, took her hand in his, and they both sat down across from Zeke.


    “Try this,” Nate said, moving the roasted beef with ck truffle aside and cing a te of escargot in red wine sauce in front of Corrine.


    Zeke, watching the exchange, clicked his tongue in annoyance.


    “Since when did you start showing up at meals uninvited, Mr. Hopkins?” Zeke asked with a slight, mocking grin.


    Nate nced at him with little interest. “I happen to own shares in this restaurant. Consider this meal my treat.”


    Zeke was left speechless. Damn it. He had just given Nate the perfect chance to unt his power. Matias and Saul exchanged a look, a small smirk appearing on their faces.


    “Who cares about eating the meal you invited me to!” Zeke retorted. He then shot Corrine a sharp look and said coldly, “Corrine, don’t forget the promise you made to me.”


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    With that, he grabbed his jacket and stormed out, not bothering to look back.


    Once he was gone, Nate set his ss of water down on the table with a soft, purposeful clink. The sound wasn’t loud, but it made Corrine’s heart tighten.


    “Let me see the injury,” he said.


    “This isn’t the right ce,” Corrine replied, her cheeks turning a faint pink.


    Nate seemed to understand and quickly added, “We’ll check it out in the carter.”


    The words seemed innocent enough, but the more Corrine thought about them, the more they carried an unsettling implication, as if he was suggesting something more private.


    In the car, Nate unbuttoned Corrine’s shirt to reveal the bruise on her shoulder. His face darkened, his eyes filling with cold fury. “This might hurt. Hang in there.”


    Corrine watched as he pulled out the ointment, a brief flicker of surprise crossing her face.


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