?Chapter 1468:

    Much like the surprise announcement of their rtionship back at the party—unexpected, bold, impossible to ignore.

    It had sent a clear message: he was iming her. It left no room for other men to hope, and it boxed her grandfather into a corner where refusal was no longer an option.

    Nate’s gaze softened, his thumb tracing along her jawline. His deep voice was smooth and gentle. “I made the decision before we left for the Independent Continent. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to feel pressured.”

    Corrine nodded, though a slight furrow appeared between her brows. “I agreed to marry you, yes, but don’t you think things are moving too fast? It feels almost too easy for you to marry me.”

    “Too fast?” Nate raised an eyebrow, amused. “Once we’re married, you can torment me as much as you like. I’ll take it all.”

    Corrineughed softly, but her thoughts were already elsewhere. She didn’t want to keep her grandfather waiting. She offered a few final words before turning toward the car.

    As she opened the door and leaned forward to get in, her eyes met her grandfather’s.

    Corrine felt a strange urge that he wanted to say something. She leaned in slightly, her voice calm but curious. “Grandpa, is there something you want to tell me?”

    Carl’s lips pressed into a tight line before he cleared his throat, his voice low and deliberate. “Have you truly thought it through?”

    He studied her carefully, weighing her response. If she showed even a hint of regret, he wouldn’t hesitate—he would risk everything to protect her from the consequences.

    Corrine gave a firm nod. “I have thought it through, Grandpa.”

    g???????ν??????.?????? – ?????????? ????????

    At her words, the spark in Carl’s eyes dimmed, reced by a weariness that seemed to settle deep within him. He said nothing more, fingers slowly tracing the polished handle of his cane.

    Corrine tilted her head, her tone softer now. “Grandpa, what worries you so much?”

    He held her gaze, his own filled with memories too heavy to voice. After a long silence, he sighed deeply, tired. “Like mother, like daughter. Stubborn to the core. You’d walk through fire just to prove the world wrong.”

    A faint smile touched Corrine’s lips. She leaned against his shoulder, her cool tone warming slightly with affection. “Then that just means I’m truly my mother’s daughter. Grandpa, can you tell me what Mom was like when she was little?”

    Since Kiley passed, Carl had never spoken her name aloud. In the Ford household, her presence lingered like smoke—felt but unspoken, untouchable.

    .

    .

    .