?Chapter 1602:

Upon reaching the private room, Corrine slipped away to the restroom to collect herself instead of going inside directly.

As she emerged, fate arranged an encounter with Rachel at the doorway.

Rachel embodied sophistication in her impable designer ensemble,plemented by a cream leather bag that hung from her slender wrist. Every precise movement spoke of refined elegance, while her sleek hair, styled in a…

Rachel’s structured bun, with one rebellious curl framing her face, added a hint of calcted whimsy.

Noticing Corrine, Rachel floated toward her with warmth. “Corrine, I feared you wouldn’t join us.”

She linked her arm through Corrine’s and guided her down the hallway toward the waiting private room.

Their simr ages created an effortless rhythm to their conversations. During Rachel’s ufortable moments at the Ford residence, Corrine’s friendly chatter had been a wee respite, fostering a sense of connection that Rachel cherished.

When Rachel had decided to marry into the Ford family, she was pursuing a love she had nursed quietly for years. She expected little acknowledgment from Jules, yet even the briefest word from him could illuminate her mood for days. Most days, Jules remained frustratingly imprable, his responses as forting as granite.

During Rachel’sst visit to the Ford Mansion to see Corrine, Jules had unexpectedly cut short his meetings and returned home. Rachel knew instinctively this rare urrence stemmed from something Corrine had mentioned.

From her initial introduction to the Ford household, she had observed how Corrine’s opinions carried extraordinary influence throughout the estate, and how Jules particrly treasured his cousin with unmistakable devotion.fn077d Read full story at f?ndnovel/fn077d

Their conversation flowed uninterrupted as they glided into the private room. Inside, several men lounged together, wisps of smoke curling above their heads as they exchanged casual remarks.

Rachel caught Nate’s prating gaze fixed on her linked arm with Corrine. She hastily released her grip and greeted the men with practiced deference.

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This moment marked Corrine’s first face-to-face encounter with Franco, a man she had previously known only through the lens of investigation.

He wore a white shirt with a casually unbuttoned cor, one leg crossed over the other.

The manmanded attention with his sharp features and piercing eyes, noticeable even at first nce.

Studying her intently, Franco matched Corrine’s observant gaze with his own. Their eyes met across the room, yet Corrine disyed perfectposure, responding with a confident smile and slight nod.

At that moment, Nate appeared beside her, casually iming her hand. “This is…”

“Franco Astley, one of Rachel’s uncles.”

“Hello, Mr. Astley, I am Corrine Hond,” she replied with natural grace. Briefly, Franco’s stern expression softened as his gaze lingered on Corrine’s face. “We are all close here, do not be so formal. You can call me Franco.”

“Perhaps you should reconsider how you address me too,” Maddox spoke from the sofa, a cigar bnced between his fingers and a yful smile dancing on his lips.

Instantly, both Franco and Nate turned sharp nces in his direction.

With exaggerated care, Maddox sat up, extinguished his cigar, and adjusted his cor. “Why the stern looks? If we’re abandoning formalities, shouldn’t we be consistent?” he challenged.

Franco cast an expressionless nce at him while taking a deliberate sip of coffee. “It has nothing to do with you.”

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