Chapter 84 Swollen Lips And Suggestive Smile


    When Tanya spotted Corrine, her sharp gaze immediatelynded on Corrine''s slightly swollen lips. A fleeting, knowing smile lit Tanya''s face as she offered a respectful greeting. "Miss Hond."


    Corrine caught the faint amusement in Tanya''s expression and forced an awkward, polite smile in return. Without lingering, she quickly turned and walked away.


    As she stepped into the back garden, the sheer grandeur of the vi took her by surprise. Its scale rivaled that of the famous Ford Mansion.


    The garden was an oasis of rare, exotic flowers and lush greenery, every detail meticulously curated. Surrounding amenities hinted at luxury beyond imagination.


    This could only be the legendary Celtis Estate!


    The Celtis Estate was as renowned as the Ford Mansion itself. Everyone had heard whispers of its opulence, yet its elusive owner remained a mystery.


    Corrine never imagined Nate was that owner.


    "Miss Hond." Tanya''s soft voice broke Corrine''s thoughts. She had appeared silently behind her, her expression calm, with a gentle smile on her lips. "Mr. Hopkins had to leave for an urgent matter, but he specifically asked me to show you around."


    Corrine gave a slight nod, her tone reserved. "Thank you."


    Tanya blinked at the response, caught off guard for a moment, before her smile brightened, reaching her eyes.


    Sincest night, when Nate had brought Corrine back, Tanya couldn''t help but notice how differently he treated her. Faced with Corrine''s striking beauty, Tanya had felt a twinge of bias. After all, women vying for Nate''s attention weren''t new to her.


    But Corrine''s quietposure set her apart from those who schemed to get close to him.


    It made Tanya start to understand why Nate seemed so drawn to her.


    Leading Corrine through the estate, Tanya pointed out various facilities and introduced the names and origins of the exotic nts with a practiced ease.


    Noticing Tanya''s familiarity with the estate, Corrine spoke casually. "Tanya, have you been working here for a long time?"


    Tanya responded with a modest smile, "It''s been five years now."


    Her eyes lingered on Corrine''s face for a beat, and then she smoothly steered the conversation. This estate is Mr. Hopkins'' private residence. Other than a select few friends, no one else has ever been invited here."


    Tanya''s tone was casual, but Corrine caught the subtle undertone. As sharp as she was, she couldn''t ignore the implication behind those words.


    Corrine offered a faint smile, clearly intending to steer the conversation away. But Tanya, now that she had started, seemed unwilling to stop. "To be honest, Miss Hond, you are the only woman Mr. Hopkins has ever brought to the Celtis Estate. And it''s the first time I''ve seen him stay up all night for someone.''


    That single word "only" carried a weight that was impossible to ignore.


    The way it lingered in the air made Corrine''s heart stumble over itself for a brief


    moment.


    Still, her thoughts were elsewhere. Looking at Tanya in disbelief, she asked, "Did you just say... he stayed up all night?"


    Tanya''s lips curved into a knowing smile as she nodded. "Yes. Last night, when Mr. Hopkins'' private doctor came to check on you, it turned out you had acute gastroenteritis that caused a fever. You were put on an IV drip, and Mr. Hopkins stayed by your side. He didn''t leave your side even if it was finished. If that doesn''t show how much he cares for you, Miss Hond, then I don''t know what would. Why else would he personally make soup for you?"


    Her smile widened as if recalling something amusing. "Picture it-Mr. Hopkins, so out of his depth, trying to make soup with me. It was... quite the sight."


    Corrine''s expression faltered, her emotions betraying her calm facade. When she had seen Nate after waking up, she had sensed something.


    But hearing Tanya confirm it all left her shaken, unable to keep her


    She couldn''t even remember thest time someone had cared for her like this; the


    memory was lost in the wreckage of Bruce''s betrayal.


    And yet, through Nate''s small but genuine actions, it felt as though he was carefully nting seeds in the barren field of her heart.


    Seeds that now seemed to be sprouting with delicate, vulnerable shoots.


    Sometimes, love wasn''t grand or loud. It was found in these unexinable moments of tenderness.