?Chapter 1270:


    Jules understood instantly. Barry died—right after meeting Jayden. Suspicion was inevitable.


    Ending the call, Jules remained still, eyes fixed on nothing in particr. The cigarette burned low between his fingers, its embers glowing faintly. If this spiraled out of control, Jayden would bear the brunt of the fallout. The priority now was uncovering the real cause of Barry’s death and identifying whoever was pulling the strings.


    A sharp sting bit into his fingertips. The cigarette had burned down, grazing his skin. A flicker of irritation passed through him as he crushed the smoldering stub into the ashtray. Rising, he made his way back toward the private dining room.


    Meanwhile, Corrine had just received the news of Barry’s death. Her pausested no more than a heartbeat, but in that fleeting moment, something flickered behind her gaze.


    A soft, unhurried voice pulled her from her thoughts. “It seems tonight’s meal did not suit your taste.”


    Corrine looked up. Her lips curved slightly, though the smile did not quite reach her eyes. “How thoughtful of you, Mr. Lowell, to be so concerned about someone as insignificant as me in such a setting.”


    ude pulled out the chair beside her and sat down with effortless ease.


    The crisp white of his shirt contrasted against his lightly tanned skin, the sleeves casually rolled up to reveal forearms that bore the kind of refined strength that came from discipline rather than brute force. Every movement, every shift of his posture, exuded the quiet confidence of a man ustomed tomand.


    Corrine did not avert her gaze. If anything, she met his stare with unshaken calm, her poise effortless yet striking. The quiet confidence she carried, the way she held herself,


    Corrine made it clear—she was no woman to be underestimated. ude’s lips curved into something bordering on amusement, his dark eyes glinting with interest. “Miss Hond, you are stunningly beautiful. It is only natural for you to draw attention. Since we are dining together, there is no need for formalities. If you do not mind, why not call me by my name?”


    Corrine tilted her head slightly, the corner of her lips lifting in a smile that was neither warm nor cold. “Just average.”


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    “Too modest,” ude murmured, his gaze lingering on her.


    Corrine, however, had no interest in entertaining empty pleasantries. Her tone turned crisp, slicing through the feigned cordiality. “You certainly staged a grand production tonight, Mr. Lowell. Quite the performance.”


    ude feigned innocence, his expression smooth. “I am afraid I do not know what you mean, Miss Hond.”


    She did not miss a beat. He was ying dumb. Corrine saw right through him.


    Barry’s death was no coincidence. And ude yed a role in it.


    From the moment he showed up at the entrance of the police station to now, seated at the same table as Corrine, every move had been orchestrated with precision.


    Even if suspicionter turned toward ude, he had secured an airtight alibi. No one could pin anything on him.


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