?Chapter 1273:


    And yet, here they were, all standing in quiet, unwavering defense of Corrine. That, more than anything, intrigued him.


    Meanwhile, Nate led Corrine into a VIP suite.


    As she stepped inside, her gaze instinctively swept the room, taking in her surroundings.


    She never got the chance to linger. In the next moment, Nate tugged her back, his grip unrelenting, his free hand pressing firmly against the wall beside her head. He nced down at the woman in his arms, his voice low,ced with quiet disapproval. “Weren’t you supposed to pick up your uncle?”


    How had she ended up here, and with ude of all people? Perhaps it was his instinctive possessiveness, but seeing Corrine with ude sent an unbidden surge of anger coursing through his veins.


    Corrine lifted her gaze, amusement glinting in her eyes. “Edwin Flores arranged a wee-back dinner for my uncle tonight. Jules and I simply apanied him.”


    ude was undeniably attractive, but he was nothing like Nate.


    One looked as if he had walked straight out of aic book—sharp, stylized, almost surreal. The other carried himself with a quiet,manding presence, as if nobility ran through his very blood.


    Corrine found herself staring, drawn in by Nate’s maic allure.


    His gaze darkened, an icy weight settling in his chiseled features. His arm tightened around her slender waist. “Keep your distance from him.”


    She arched a brow, mischief dancing in her expression. Reaching out, shezily hooked a finger around his tie. “And why is that? Is he too dangerous, or too handsome? Perhaps you feel threatened?”


    She had spent enough time with Nate to know his warnings never came lightly. But she also knew, no matter how sharp his words or how fierce his jealousy, he would never truly hurt her.


    His grip on her waist firmed, the muscles in his jaw clenching. His eyes, dark as a brewing storm, locked onto hers with a dangerous glint. “What did you just say?”


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    Corrine’sshes fluttered slightly, but she met his gaze head-on. With a slow, deliberate motion, she looped her arms around his neck, her voice smooth as silk. “No onepares to you.”


    Her words were deliberate, a careful balm against his simmering ire.


    A flicker of warmth broke through the ice in his expression.


    His grip loosened, the hand braced beside her head sliding upward, fingers threading through her hair. He leaned down, brushing his lips against hers in a fleeting, possessive kiss. “Stay away from him, and do not let curiosity lead you where it should not.”


    A warning wrapped in quiet authority.


    Corrine gave a small nod. “Understood.”


    She had never intended to get close to ude.


    It was not the man himself who intrigued her—it was his motives.


    “Why is there no trace of information on him?” she asked, ncing at Nate. If ude harbored ill intentions, she needed to understand her enemy better.


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