Chapter 171 Stay Away
From That Man
“Moses had to leave for a last–minute business trip,” Nate said smoothly, his gaze flicking toward Matias. “He asked me to bring you a wedding gift.”
Matias stepped forward, presenting a black velvet box.
Fatima accepted it with effortless grace, but a mischievous glint danced in her eyes as she turned back to Nate. “Just a gift from Moses? Mr. Hopkins, surely you prepared something as well?”
“I’ll send you the exclusive access pass later,” Nate replied evenly.
Many around them remained oblivious to the weight of his words, but Fatima knew
better.
It was an exclusive access pass to Independent Continent–a privilege reserved for only
a select few worldwide.
By tradition, once she was married, her ties to the Seymour family would change. She wouldn’t have the freedom to enter the territory of the Seymour family’s main branch
as she pleased.
For Nate to offer her this pass was nothing short of astonishing.
Still, she masked her surprise with a bright, playful smile. “Deal!”
As she turned to leave, her gaze caught on Corrine, seated beside Nate. She hesitated, something sharp and knowing flickering in her expression.
Most people barely knew the real Nate, but Fatima had spent years by Moses‘ side–she understood Nate far better than most.
He had always kept his distance from women. Yet here he was, sitting beside Corrine.
“Miss Holland,” Fatima greeted smoothly, lifting her glass in a toast from across the table. “Thank you for coming to my wedding.”
Corrine met her gaze with an elegant nod. “Congratulations! It was my pleasure.”
After the banquet, Corrine left with Carl.
In the car, after a moment of deep thought, she asked, “Grandpa, is there some bad blood between you and Nate?”
A flicker of shadow passed through Carl’s eyes, his expression tightening. “It’s not bad. blood, just some old connections.”
“Then why haven’t you ever mentioned it before?” Corrine pressed, her instincts prickling as she sensed Carl was keeping something from her.
Carl’s gaze softened, but there was a weariness in his eyes. He pursed his lips, sighing quietly before saying, “I’m feeling a little tired. I think I’ll rest for a while.”
Seeing his exhaustion, Corrine nodded with quiet understanding. “Alright.”
Once Carl closed his eyes, Corrine quickly grabbed her phone, fingers flying over the
screen in search of answers from Jules.
But all she received in return was a single warning.
“Stay away from that man!”
Corrine stared at the message, her brow furrowing as a deep, unsettling curiosity began.
to churn within her.
Even after she returned to the Ford mansion, the questions continued to swirl in her
mind, unanswered and persistent.
Lying in bed, the tension coiling in her chest, she hesitated before finally pressing the
dial button on Nate’s number.
“You heartless woman, finally decided to call me.” Nate’s deep voice, rich with its usual magnetism, added an unexpected warmth to the cold line.
Corrine felt a flutter in her chest at the sound, but quickly cleared her throat, redirecting the conversation. “Can I ask you something?”
“Go ahead.” Nate’s voice was steady, without hesitation.
Corrine twirled a loose strand of hair around her finger, the action almost absent- minded as she spoke. “What’s the connection between you and the Ford family? Why haven’t you ever mentioned it?”
There was a long pause on the other end of the line, the silence thick before Nate responded, “Hasn’t anyone from the Ford family told you?”
“No,” Corrine replied, her voice steady, yet carrying a quiet edge of impatience. “And it seems my grandfather isn’t planning to tell me either.”
Otherwise, Carl wouldn’t have used fatigue as an excuse to avoid her today.
“If Mr. Ford doesn’t want to tell you, he must have his reasons.”
Nate’s voice was, smooth and measured, though there was an edge of something
unreadable beneath it. He didn’t know Carl’s true intentions, but he wasn’t about to
disturb the delicate balance that had been established.
