Chapter 18 Save Your Ingenuity For Something.....


    Earlier, when Matiasid eyes on Nate in the office-multitasking with a finesse only he could pull off,


    conducting a video conference while neatly slicing fruit-the image struck him as both bizarrely whimsical and inexplicably captivating.


    What caught him off guard wasn''t just the meticulousness with which Nate arranged the fruit, but the


    unexpected instruction to personally deliver it to Corrine.


    Having served as Nate''s assistant for years, he''d never witnessed his boss go out of his way for anyone. The idea of Nate peeling fruit for someone was absurd enough but for a woman? That was uncharted territory.


    Yet, Corrine''s demeanor had rewritten the script Matias had grown ustomed to.


    As Nate''s subordinate, he had long mastered the art of handling the imperious tones of entitled heirs and heiresses, theirmands often flung with all the delicacy of a catapult..


    Even when people showed him courtesy, it was always in deference to Nate, never a reflection of genuine respect. Corrine, however, was different.


    There was an unaffected sincerity in the way she treated him, as though he were just another human being.


    and not a mere cog in the machinery of someone else''s ambition.


    Afterpleting his errand, Matias returned to the office, clutching a report he hadpiled. After some


    deliberation, he stepped forward, hesitantly offering it to Nate. "Sir, would you like to review this?"


    Nate''s gaze lifted, razor-sharp and unwavering, slicing through Matias like a de poised to unearth secrets.


    Matias felt his pulse quicken, the back of his shirt clinging to his skin as a cold sweat broke out. Steeling himself, he exined cautiously, "There are some unfavorable rumors about Miss Hond, so I took the liberty


    of investigating them."


    Without a flicker of hesitation, Nate took the report, shredded it with an air of utter indifference, and dismissed


    him curtly. "Save your ingenuity for something worthwhile."


    The casual iciness in his tone carried an authority that froze Matias in his tracks. "Yes, sir," he replied, his head bowed in acknowledgment.


    Matias knew he''d overstepped. Reading a superior''s intentions was one thing, but assuming the right to act on them without instruction? That was a huge mistake. However, given that Corrine''s reputation was less-than-ster, Matias had only acted out of concern, fearing the rumors might stir unnecessary trouble for Nate.


    But the look in Nate''s eyes was resolute-he wasn''t interested in hearing any whispers, true or false.


    Breaking the tense silence, Nate''s voice rang out, steady and decisive. "I trust her."


    The words stunned Matias


    In all his years working alongside Nate, he''d never seen his boss extend such unguarded faith to anyone, let


    alone a woman.


    It didn''t take much to deduce Nate''s intentions. His unwavering stance made it clear-he wasn''t just interested in Corrine, he was determined to win her over..


    "Make sure her meals are delivered punctually," Nate instructed. "And keep those baseless rumors far away


    from her."


    "Yes, sir," Matias responded, fully aware of how monumental this directive was.


    In the days that followed, Matias made it his mission to deliver meals to Corrine with unwavering precision.


    Karina, ever the self-appointedmentator of unfolding dramas, had her own thoughts on the matter. "That


    man''s a professional."


    “A professional at what?" Corrine asked, ncing up from her work as Karina lounged on the sofa, casually


    munching on an apple.


    “An expert in mind games,” Karina quipped with exaggerated gravity. "Even when he''s not physically here, he''s orchestrating everything. The man''s got you dancing to his tune, whether you realize it or not.


    Corrine''s brow furrowed at the observation, the words lingering ufortably in her mind.


    Nate''s unwavering determination loomed in her thoughts, an unshakable presence that left her feeling cornered


    She knew she needed to act quickly to fulfill her promise to Evelyn. Once that was done, she could settle the


    debt of gratitude for the meals and finally untangle herself from Nate''s relentless orbit.


    With a moment''s hesitation, Corrine picked up her phone, opening her chat with Nate Carefully, she typed, "Do you have time today? If it''s alright with your grandmother, I''d like to visit and chat with her."