Chapter 177 Let Me Warm It Up For You
“Who upset you?” Nate asked softly, stepping closer and gently taking Corrine’s cold. hand in his. “Why is your hand so cold?”
He felt her unease and, without hesitation, tucked her hand into his pocket, his deep voice filled with quiet warmth. “Let me warm it up for you, sweetheart.”
Corrine glanced at his profile, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips, but the sadness in her voice was unmistakable. “Could you take me back to the Platinum Apartments
later?”
Nate raised a hand, brushing her cheek gently as he nodded. “Of course.”
They walked out of Gourmet Spot, the evening air cool against their skin.
At
the entrance, after Kason waved goodbye to Leah, his car began to roll slowly down
the street.
Kason spotted Corrine from a distance, and for a brief moment, an odd feeling of déjà
vu washed over him.
He squinted, trying to place her face, but the memory slipped through his mind like water, and he quickly shrugged it off.
However, Leah’s eyes darkened when she saw Corrine, a flash of hatred and jealousy flickering beneath her cool exterior.
At that moment, the manager of Gourmet Spot approached Corrine, bowing slightly as
he addressed her.
Leah froze, her eyes widening in disbelief.
Gourmet Spot had been a cornerstone of Lyhaton for years, always packed with patrons
-a clear sign of the owner’s influence.
The manager’s usual arrogance had been replaced with a respectful deference toward
Corrine.
Leah’s lips pressed into a thin line, her gaze following the manager and Nate as they left. Unable to contain herself, she took a step forward. “Corrine.”
At the sound of her name, Corrine turned, her eyes narrowing with a flash of icy
resolve.
Leah’s voice was sharp, dripping with venom. “You really are like a persistent shadow.”
A faint, almost imperceptible smile curled at the corners of Corrine’s lips, her gaze sharpening with an edge of mocking amusement. “I didn’t realize you could still shine so brightly after all the trouble your family’s been through.”
Each word dripped with sarcasm, a sharp, stinging reminder that cut straight into Leah’s pride.
Leah’s expression darkened in an instant, her eyes narrowing with fury as a cold storm began to brew between her brows, the venom in her gaze aimed directly at Corrine.
Ever since Corrine had walked away from the Ashton family, Leah had lost her ability. to control her, to manipulate her as she once had.
The sight of Corrine, the same woman Leah had once trampled and belittled, now standing tall and mocking her, ignited a blaze of pure, uncontrollable jealousy in her
chest.
The jealousy swelled, spreading through her like wildfire, destructive and relentless.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Leah raised her hand, her intent clear–she would slap
Corrine into silence.
But Corrine was quicker. She gripped Leah’s wrist with surprising strength, pulling her in closer, her eyes flashing with a cold, dangerous warning. “Leah, are you trying to dig a grave for yourself?”
With the high heels Leah was wearing, they were almost the same height, the difference between them barely noticeable.
But as their gazes met, Leah’s confidence crumbled instantly. It was as if the very ground beneath her feet had been yanked away.
“You really think you can hit me?” Leah hissed, twisting to free her wrist.
Corrine tightened her hold, arching an eyebrow as her voice dripped with disdain. “Hit you? I’m a lady of refinement.”
Leah scoffed, her lips curling into a cruel sneer. “Hilarious. You dare call yourself that? Let go of me!”
With a swift, powerful motion, Leah yanked, trying to break free. But in an instant, Corrine released her grip.
Leah stumbled, her heels failing to keep her steady, and she was sent reeling backward, crashing into a nearby, finely crafted wooden screen.
The crash echoed through the entrance hall, a sharp sound that snapped every pair of eyes toward Leah.
