?Chapter 1475:

    Corrine stepped forward, her heels clicking lightly against the floor, her gaze cutting sharply toward him. “Mr. Seymour, someone of your standing clearly believes I am unfit to be Nate’s wife,” she said coolly. “But Elva Quinn—she is good enough for him, is she not?”

    Moses blinked, stunned into silence. He had crossed a line he could not uncross.

    Nate reached out, tugging Corrine gently onto hisp. His voice was casual, but his eyes searched her face. “What kept you?”

    “Kept me?” Corrine arched a brow. Her lips curved into a faint smile that held no warmth. “I thought I arrived just in time. Any sooner, and I would have missed such apelling tale. It seems I’m standing in your path to a brighter future.”

    Nate brought her hand to his lips, brushing a kiss against her knuckles. “Are you jealous?”

    “No.” She pulled her hand away, her tone t.

    But something in her chest twisted—she was not jealous exactly, just unsettled.

    She had met Elva before. Heard whispers, murmurs, and half-spoken truths about her.

    The alliance between the Quinn family and the Hopkins family had been the subject of social gossip on the Independent Continent. The rumors had sounded like fact.

    In the eyes of those circles, Elva had already secured the role of Nate’s wife.

    Why else would Moses speak with such certainty? Why else would he assume that Nate and Elva were destined?

    Across the room, Zack shared a look with Moses. Without a word, the two men slipped out, leaving the space behind them quiet.

    Corrine rose and wandered toward the window. Her gaze swept over the scene beyond—the thick cluster of trees behind the hotel, alive with spring’s green. A narrow path wound through the grove, half-hidden beneath the mist.

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    “Would you like to take a walk?” Nate appeared beside her, his arm wrapping easily around her waist.

    She tilted her head up to him, eyes calm. “Let’s go.”

    The moment they stepped outside, a light rain began to fall.

    Nate opened a sleek ck umbre, holding it above them. He extended his hand to her, palm open and waiting.

    For a breathless second, Corrine stood still. The memory swept in like a tide—the first time they met, the first time he had reached for her like this. Her heart faltered. Slowly, she ced her hand in his. It felt the same. Warm. Steady. The kind of warmth that stayed even after touch ended.

    Nate watched her, catching the trace of a smile that danced through her eyes. “What are you thinking about?” he asked, voice low.

    She turned toward him, her expression thoughtful. “I was thinking, if I had not met you after walking away from that altar… what kind of story would it have been?”

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