?Chapter 1630:

“Mr. Cooper, I will give you time to think it over.” Corrine rose gracefully, brushing nonexistent dust from her skirt as she prepared to leave.

But just as she turned, his voice cut through the air. “I will have someone draft a contract for youter.”

Corrine paused, then looked back at him sideways, eyes cool andposed. “Not even going to sleep on it?”

There was no surprise in her gaze. It was clear—she had counted on this oue. Even his swift agreement was part of her calction.

Zeke met her eyes, the corner of his mouth lifting. “Why hesitate when the odds favor me? But let me be blunt. Riverveille is not a sanctuary. It is a city built on smoke and broken promises. A single misstep, and you will find yourself ruined. You are making bold guarantees… I wonder if you can truly keep them.”

Corrine did not flinch. “Now that you are my ally, I have every reason to ensure you suffer no losses.”

With that, she pivoted cleanly and walked away. She never once looked back. Zeke’s gaze followed her silhouette until it disappeared from view. His eyes narrowed slightly, calcting.

He reached into his coat pocket and drew out a cigarette. With a flick of his lighter, he lit it, letting the smoke curl upward. The cigarette dangled between his fingers as he inhaled deeply.

One thought settled in his mind like a stone in water—how was he going to win Corrine over? She was far too perceptive, far too quick to see through his defenses. And that intrigued him more than he cared to admit. It would be a shame if he could not make her his.

Still mulling it over, he ced the cigarette at the corner of his mouth and pulled out his phone. Without hesitation, he called Jules.

g?lnσν????s is where magic happens

At that moment, Jules sat in a sleek ss conference room, one leg crossed over the other, chin resting on his hand. He spun a penzily with his fingers, his expression unreadable.

Months earlier, Blue Core Technology had pulled off a strategic acquisition—securing a crucial tech license from a firm in Mochye. Their sights were now set on a joint electric vehicleunch with the Charles family, scheduled forter this year.

The initial meeting had been dyed due to unavoidableplications, but as luck would have it, the Charles delegation had decided to detour through Lyhaton, making time to meet him face-to-face.

The phone buzzed. ncing at the screen, Jules frowned slightly. He raised his hand to pause the presenter. He then stood and stepped outside to take the call. “What is it?” His voice was curt.

“Feel like grabbing a drink tonight?” Zeke’s tone held a hint of mischief.

Jules nced at his watch. “Fine. You pick the ce.”fn1511 ???? ????s? ???????s ?? find?novel/fn1511

“Your city, and I am the one choosing?”

“Then I will choose—and you are paying.”

A beat of silence. Zeke was speechless.

For someone born into the powerful Ford family, Jules had no problem sacrificing pride when it came to old friends.

That night, Jules caught the underlying tension in Zeke’s questions. Corrine’s name kept circling back into the conversation, subtle but persistent. Jules leaned back, his gaze darkening as he studied his friend. “What is this? nning to test your bnce on thin ice?”

.

.

.