?Chapter 884:


    Just then, Tanya came into view. She gave Evelyn a small nod before speaking to Corrine. “Miss Hond, I walked past your room earlier, and your phone was ringing off the hook.”


    “Got it,” Corrine said. She turned toward Evelyn. “Evelyn, I’ll go see who it is, and then I’lle right back to chat with you.”


    Evelyn’s smile remained gentle. “Go on, dear.”


    As Corrine disappeared down the hall, Evelyn’s smile faded just a touch. She shifted her gaze to Nate, her expression sharpening. “Don’t you think you’re pushing things a little too fast?”


    Nate handed her a cup of coffee, one brow lifting slightly. “I’d love to know what I did this time to end up in the hot seat.”


    “Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about,” Evelyn replied sharply. She took the cup from him but set it aside without taking a sip. The warmth she usually showed had gone, reced by a hard, serious look. “Although Corrine will be your wife sooner orter, you aren’t even officially engaged yet. You’ve beenpletely reckless!”


    Her voice carried clear disappointment, but Nate didn’t push back.


    “You’re right. I didn’t handle things well. But I swear, Corrine will have everything any other woman could want.”


    Some of the tension left Evelyn’s face, but she narrowed her eyes at him. “Save your promises. I’m not the one you owe anything to—Corrine’s the one you’ve let down.”


    Nate exhaled, a hint of frustration slipping through. “I’m starting to think you’ve given up on me entirely. All you seem to care about now is Corrine.”


    “Of course I care about her. She’s a kind, considerate girl,” Evelyn said, her affection for Corrine shining through every word. “If I hadn’t been thinking ahead, you probably never would’ve found someone half as perfect to marry.”


    Nate’s expression darkened as his gaze settled on her. “Now that we’re on the subject—mind telling me how this marriage agreement came to be?”


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    Evelyn reached for the coffee she had set aside earlier. She took a slow sip, her face betraying nothing. “Why bring this up now?”


    Nate leaned back slightly, a faint but deliberate smile on his lips. “It’s my life we’re talking about. Don’t I deserve to know the whole story? I’m not some clueless kid you can lead around anymore.”


    Back when he first handed Carl the token for the marriage agreement, Carl’s reaction had been crystal clear. The man hadn’t even tried to hide his displeasure. More than once, he’d urged Corrine to end the arrangement herself. There was no mistaking it—Carl wanted no part of tying Corrine to the Hopkins family.


    “I’ve also heard Carl’s been iming he’s too sick to see anyone. He’s even skipping social gatherings. I can’t help but wonder if that has something to do with the invitation you sent him.”


    There was no question about it. Carl wanted nothing to do with the Hopkins family from the Independent Continent.


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