?Chapter 877:


    Nate’s icy re bored into Moses like a de, his voice dripping with menace. “Do you have a death wish?”


    Moses rubbed his nose awkwardly, sheepish but undeterred. “We really dide to celebrate your birthday,” he said, holding out a box with a grin that seemed more mischievous than sincere. “Here, Nate. Something special.”


    Nate’s brow furrowed in confusion, but he epted the box and opened it with slow, deliberate care. His expression darkened with something dangerous, almost predatory, as he nced at its contents.


    “What are you guys whispering about out there?” Corrine’s voice drifted from behind him.


    With a quick, decisive motion, Nate mmed the box shut, his jaw set in a line of finality. “Eat, and then leave.”


    Moses gave a cheerful grin, unaffected by Nate’s cold reception. “Got it!” he said, stepping into the living room with the others in tow, bringing in a towering eightyer cake. He shed Corrine a yful smile. “Long time no see, Corrine.”


    Corrine stared at the massive cake in disbelief. Then, she gave a small, polite smile. “It has been a while,” she said, her eyes narrowing slightly as she noticed the difference in Moses’plexion. “You look… different.”


    Moses looked much more tanned than before.


    “Oh, I had some free time, so I thought I’d take a little detour to Ashcliff.”


    He grinned and shifted the topic. “But enough about me—let’s focus on celebrating Nate’s birthday. Hope you don’t mind, Corrine?”


    “Not at all,” she replied, her voice t but cordial.


    Just then, Nate strolled over and ced the box on the edge of the table, pressing his hand firmly on it as if guarding it from the world. “Enough talking. You’re here to eat, not to chat,” Nate said, his voice sharp as a whip, his gaze flicking toward Moses.


    “I’ll go get dinner ready for them,” Corrine murmured as she moved toward the kitchen.


    gα?ησν????s, where the best stories live


    To surprise Nate with something special for his birthday, she had given Tanya the day off to make sure there would be no interruptions. But Moses and Zack’s uninvited arrival had thrown a wrench in her ns.


    As she disappeared into the kitchen, Nate followed closely behind her. “I’ll help,” he offered, his voice softening.


    Moses exchanged a knowing nce with Zack, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Tell me, Zack—have you ever once seen Nate personally cook in all these years?” Zack shook his head.


    Moses chuckled. “Exactly. If not for me, we’d miss out on this rare opportunity.”


    “Or more like yourst meal,” Zack teased, the words heavy with dark humor.


    Moses fell quiet, knowing Zack’s words weren’t entirely far from the truth.


    In the kitchen, Nate tried to assist Corrine, but she gently waved him off. “I’ve got this. You wait outside.” Reluctantly, Nate withdrew.


    In the living room, Moses sank into the couch, handing Nate a ss of red wine, his voice low and conspiratorial. “The thing you’ve been waiting for? It’ll be here tomorrow.”


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