Chapter 57 Many Secrets


    As soon as the words left Matias'' lips, an unsettling silence descended over the car, heavy as a shroud.


    Matias silently cursed himself, wishing he could rewind time and bite his tongue. With a tentative nce at Nate''s expression, he scrambled to recover. "Miss Hond''s performance tonight was truly... remarkable," he ventured cautiously.


    Nate''s frown deepened, and Matias'' thoughts raced, searching for an escape hatch. Then, like a desperate gambler ying hisst card, he added, "Only a woman like her could possibly be worthy of you, sir."


    It worked. The tension in Nate''s jaw eased, and the storm cloud that had darkened his face lifted.


    Matias exhaled internally, his respect for Corrine skyrocketing. In his mind, she had ascended to near-divine status.


    He even made a mental note to pray before bed, giving thanks for her unintended rescue.


    "You did well tonight," Nate remarked, his deep voice carrying its usual chill but with an undertone that Matias couldn''t quite decipher.


    Matias froze. Was Nate praising him? For what? Could it be rted to


    Corrine?


    After a beat, he cautiously responded, "We had nothing to do with the video spreading online."


    Nate''s lips curled into a cryptic smile, his toneced with something almost indulgent. "She has her secrets," he murmured, more to himself


    than to Matias.


    By the time Corrine returned to Ford Mansion, the night was well past its prime.


    She carried the bouquet of roses to her room.


    After a quick shower, she was drying her damp hair when her phone, resting on the table, buzzed to life.


    Answering it, she was greeted by a familiar,nguid drawl. "Someone''s snooping into information about the CEO of Ford Group."


    "Are they better than you?" Corrine asked, her tone as casual as if she were discussing the weather.


    The voice on the other end scoffed, dripping with mock offense. "Better


    than me? Come on. I''m the best hacker alive-no contest."


    "Does their reputation make you tremble, then?" Corrine teased, her words.ced with yful challenge.


    The question hit a nerve. Jules Ford, the voice on the other end, bristled. "Corrine, insult me if you must, ignore my brilliance if you dare, but do not.


    humiliate me like this!"


    As a revered, albeit unofficial, member of the hacker alliance, Jules prided himself on being untouchable in his craft.


    Corrine''s lips curved into a faint smile. "Then what are you so worked up about?"


    Jules faltered, momentarily struck dumb. After a long pause, he grumbled, "I cleaned up your mess, you know. And this is the thanks I get?"


    Corrine picked up a ss of water, taking a slow sip to soothe her hoarse throat. "I didn''t ask for your help, Jules. I could''ve handled it myself. In fact, I haven''t even called you out for botching my ns."


    "Botching?" Jules spluttered. "Fine, fine. Next time, I''ll just let you fend for yourself!"


    "Who''s investigating me?" Corrine asked, cutting through his theatrics.


    There was a mischievous chuckle on the other end. "Bruce Ashton. The CEO of Ashton Group."


    Corrine''s expression didn''t flicker. It was exactly what she''d expected. Not matter what Bruce tried, she was confident he wouldn''t uncover anything meaningful.


    "I can''t believe you fell for that guy," Jules blurted, his tone incredulous. "Back then, the Ashton family was circling the drain, and even now, with all their sess, they''re not in your league. Honestly, I was beginning to think someone had cast a spell on you."


    It wasn''t just Jules; everyone in Corrine''s circle had been baffled by her


    choice of Bruce Ashton.


    She pressed her fingers to her temples, her voice as frosty as a snowden breeze. "Do you remember when we snuck out of school five years ago?"


    Jules'' tone shifted, sharp with disbelief. "You''re saying... that night... Bruce was the one who saved you?"