?Chapter 1029:


    Nate led the way, followed by Moses, Zack, and a woman she had never seen before.


    “What are you looking at?” Nate asked, noticing the painting and arching an eyebrow in mild curiosity. “This catch your eye?”


    Corrine slowly descended the stairs, her voice light as she spoke. “Just passing the time, nothing more.”


    Her eyes then drifted beyond Nate,nding on the unfamiliar woman. The woman’s face was strikingly simr to Zack’s, their features nearly identical, yet there was an undeniable allure in the woman’s gaze—those eyes seemed to hold something more, something hard to define.


    Sensing Corrine’s scrutiny, the woman boldly returned the look, her expression carrying a barely concealed edge of hostility.


    It was impossible not to notice Corrine’s beauty; even the heiress of the Quinn family—the most renowned beauty of the Independent Continent—would pale inparison to her striking features.


    At that moment, Nate wrapped his arm around Corrine’s waist, his voice a deep, smooth melody. “This is my fiancée, Corrine Hond.”


    The woman’s eyes widened in shock, her surprise evident as she took in the revtion.


    Before she could gather her words, Nate turned to Corrine, introducing the woman. “This is Rosalie Liam, Zack’s younger sister.”


    Corrine nodded and greeted Rosalie politely. “Hello.”


    Rosalie snapped out of her shock, managing a small smile. “Hello. I heard you’ve been living in Lyhaton. The humidity here can be overwhelming. Are you getting used to it?”


    Corrine sat beside Nate, her tone calm. “It’s alright.”


    Whereas Rosalie seemed open and expressive, Corrine was more reserved, especially with strangers. Yet, considering Rosalie was Zack’s sister and Nate’s guest, she felt it only right to engage in the conversation.


    g?lnσν????s holds stories for every mood


    At that moment, Rosalie pulled out a cigarette, preparing to light it, but Zack snatched it from her hand.


    “Why the fuss?” Rosalie asked, startled by his sudden action. “You’re overreacting.”


    “Mind your behavior,” Zack responded, his voice firm.


    Rosalie blinked, then let out a mockingly lightugh. “I used to smoke in front of you. Why the change? Oh, I forgot to ask if Miss Hond has an issue with it.”


    She paused, then turned to Corrine with a pointed smile. “I’m sure we’ll have plenty of chances to talk in the future. You won’t mind, right?”


    Her words, though posed as a question, felt more like a challenge, and her aggressive tone left Corrine feeling a little uneasy.


    Still, Corrine wasn’t one to overreact to something like cigarette smoke. She offered a faint smile, her voice gentle. “As you wish.”


    Rosalie lit the cigarette with dramatic ir, inhaling deeply before exhaling the smoke slowly. “Miss Hond, I’m curious—how did you two meet?”


    .


    .


    .