?Chapter 1361:


    “No need,” Nate responded coolly. His eyes flickered with a steely glint as he stared out the window. Suddenly, he took out his phone and dialed a number.


    Maddox Barnes was training, fiercely punching a sandbag, when he received Nate’s call.


    “Mr. Barnes, your phone,” a subordinate announced, handing Maddox the device.


    Maddox used his teeth to remove his boxing gloves before taking the call. Meanwhile, he signaled his subordinate to open the sandbag. The next moment, a bloodied, bruised man tumbled out.


    “Take him away,” Maddox ordered. His subordinateplied, gesturing for others to assist in removing the man.


    Maddox then walked over to the rest area and poured himself a drink. Hearing Nate’s voice, Maddox’s lips twisted into a sly grin. “I’ve heard from Franco you’ve got a girlfriend,” he teased. “You’ve only known her for a few months and already proposed. Now, hearing about her exploits, I’m even more intrigued. She not only slipped past your surveince to return to Lyhaton but also had Universe Financial Group covering her tracks. She’s clearly no ordinary woman.”


    Whatever Nate replied made Maddox click his tongue amusedly and chuckle. “You really are the boss, aren’t you?” he remarked.


    After ending the call, Maddox changed and headed to the airport.


    At precisely one in the morning, the helicopter of Universe Financial Group descended smoothly, whispering onto the rooftop helipad.


    Below, Maddox stood waiting at the base of the building, nked by his team.


    He leaned casually against the sleek ck car, dressed immactely in a pinstriped suit that caught the faint glint of the overhead lights. At the sound of approaching footsteps, he lifted his head. From the entrance of the office tower emerged a woman—dressed simply in a grey tracksuit, her long, slightly curled hair tied back into a low ponytail with an ordinary rubber band.


    No makeup adorned her face, yet her features—delicate, sculpted, undeniably striking—seemed to glow beneath the dim lights.


    She wore no embellishments, no designerbels, and yet she carried herself with an aura that set her apart from everyone and everything around her.


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    Even a passing nce couldn’t help but linger.


    Maddox let out a soft click of his tongue, genuinely impressed. A face like that didn’t show up often.


    No wonder Nate—who had always been immune to feminine allure—had fallen so hard.


    With azy flick of his hand, he tossed a nail clipper to his subordinate, pocketed one hand, and strolled toward her. “Miss Hond?”


    Corrine’s brows drew together slightly at the unfamiliar voice. Her gaze—clear, cool, edged with warinessnded squarely on him.


    Maddox noted the alert sharpness in her eyes and let out a low chuckle.


    “No need to look like I’m here to abduct you. Nate sent me.”


    At the mention of Nate, the frost in her eyes melted just a fraction.


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