?Chapter 1251:


    At the mention of seeing her uncle, surprise shed across Corrine’s face. Her surprised expression eased some of Nate’s sternness. “Now you understand the perks of having me as your fiancé?”


    “I do,” she replied, a smile spreading across her face like a flower blooming.


    She leaned in and ced a gentle kiss on his cheek. “Thank you, my fiancé.”


    Half an hourter, the vehicle came to a halt outside a crumbling officeplex.


    Jules scanned the area, his face clouded with unease.


    With Jayden’s status, his detention wouldn’t follow standard procedures. A case like this required special personnel and a discreet location—only the investigation team had ess to such information.


    During the drive, Jules had pictured many possible detention sites, but he hadn’t imagined anything like this.


    The surroundings were bleak and lifeless. Even a stray animal would think twice before lingering here.


    The car doors swung open, and the group stepped out onto cracked pavement. Matias moved ahead first, rapping his knuckles against the towering iron gate.


    A shlight beam cut through the darkness,nding directly on their faces. Corrine winced, instinctively raising a hand to block the harsh re. Through her fingers, she made out the silhouette of a uniformed man.


    The moment he recognized Nate, he utched the gate and stepped forward, offering a respectful nod. “Mr. Hopkins.”


    Nate responded with a curt nod, his expression unreadable. “Let’s go.”


    “Yes, sir.”


    As the staff member turned, his eyes flicked briefly to Corrine.


    Every story starts at galn   ovels ;


    She caught the nce, offered a small smile, and lowered her gaze, keeping her thoughts to herself.


    His clear deference to Nate piqued her curiosity.


    She had always assumed people respected Nate purely because he led the Hopkins family on the Independent Continent. But now, she saw there was more to it.


    In certain government sectors, old hierarchies still carried weight. By that logic, someone like Nate—a businessman—should nevermand this level of respect.


    The thought lingered as she stole a nce at the man beside her.


    The dim light deepened the angles of his face, entuating his striking features.


    His dark eyes held a depth she could never quite decipher, like still water concealing unseen currents.


    She often wondered how different things might have been if she had never met him that day outside the wedding venue.


    As if sensing her thoughts, Nate turned toward her.


    Their eyes locked. For a brief moment, Corrine hesitated, then smiled softly. She inhaled deeply, her fingers tightening around his hand.


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