?Chapter 1603:

Eyes narrowing dangerously, Maddox hissed through clenched teeth, “Don’t forget that I saved your lives before.”

Instantly alert, Corrine’s gaze darted from Maddox to Nate, her eyes pools of unreadable contemtion.

As they chatted casually, waiters entered the private room, efficiently delivering an array of exquisite dishes.

After merely two bites, Maddox abandoned his fork and leaned forward, elbows resting casually on the table with his hands hanging in studied nonchnce. “Since the Astley family is marrying off their daughter, shouldn’t there be a grand celebration? After all, a wedding should be a joyous asion known to all.”

Primarily, Franco had journeyed to Lyhaton to finalize Rachel’s marriage arrangements.

Barely touching his food, he held a cigarette between elegant fingers, smoking in contemtive silence. Veils of grayish-white smoke obscured his features, rendering his expression impossible to decipher.

At Maddox’s words, Franco’s gaze flickered briefly toward Rachel, his face a perfect mask of inscrutability.

From between thin lips, grayish-white smoke curled upward as Franco spoke in his distinctive husky voice. “The family wishes to keep everything simple, merely going through the necessary motions.”

Instinctively, Corrine’s attention shifted toward Rachel.fn7c6e Latest content published on find·novel/fn7c6e

There, she found the young woman staring downward, absently prodding at the fish on her te while struggling to maintain herposure, her knuckles nching with suppressed tension.

Despite the Ford family’s considerable standing in Lyhaton, they paled inparison to the Astley family’s far-reaching political influence.

By any measure, the Ford family’s wealth and status seemed trivial when ced alongside the Astleys’ power.

Given this disparity, the Astley family’s displeasure regarding the match seemed entirely predictable.

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Sensing Corrine’s scrutiny, Franco tapped his cigarette ash with practiced precision and addressed her calmly. “Do not worry, Corrine. The Astley family’s unique position makes grand disys inappropriate. Our elders have always valued modesty and frugality. Though we keep things simple, I assure you that as an Astley daughter’s wedding, every detail will match what any other family would provide.”

Corrine’s lips curved into a polite yet distant smile, the gesture carefully calcted.

To have Franco—nicknamed “the Grim”—exin himself to her was no small matter, yet she wasn’t naive enough to mistake it for personal regard.

Lost in thought, she felt a warm, broad hand envelop hers.

She lifted her gaze to meet Nate’s tender eyes.

Corrine hadn’t dwelled on it, but witnessing Rachel’s current plight instantly transported her to her own past, when she’d insisted on marrying Bruce against all counsel.

Her grandfather had already discerned the Ashton family’s true colors, yet as someone entangled in the situation, she remained blind to their deception. Watching Rachel now, Corrine’s heart sank at the arduous road that surely awaited her.

The bitter truth hung in Corrine’s mind—a marriagecking family blessings was destined for unhappiness.

After the meal, Corrine and Rachel settled on the terrace, nibbling on snacks and chatting idly, while across the room, the men huddled in the lounge area, drinks in hand, voices low in conversation.

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