?Chapter 1618:

“Corrine, are you not at the office today?” Jolene’s voice rang casually through the receiver.

Corrine’s gaze flicked instinctively to Waldo. “No. Is something the matter?”

On the other end, Jolene sounded breezy. “I have a bit of free timetely. Thought I might invite you out for a drink.”

Before Corrine could even shape a reply, Waldo reached over and plucked the phone from her hand. “Weren’t you abroad? When did youe back? Why are you suddenly—” Click. The call ended.

Corrine raised an eyebrow and tilted her head. “Did you two have a fight?”

Waldo scoffed, but the soundcked conviction. “Do I even know her that well? What would we be fighting about?”

The lie sat poorly on his tongue. In truth, the moment he heard Jolene’s voice, a rush of frustration surged through him. He wanted to grab her, shake her, force her to look him in the eye and exin everything. But standing beside Corrine, he had to swallow that impulse and fake detachment. The act itself stung more than her silence.

Corrine, sensing the tension beneath his bravado, studied his face with an amused smirk. “So… do you care for her? Honestly?”

Waldo straightened as though insulted. “Care for her?” His voice shot up in disbelief, sharp and defensive. “You must be joking.”

Corrine said nothing, but her eyes narrowed, a knowing glint dancing within them. She had already read him like a headline. Her silence spoke volumes. Waldo shifted ufortably, searching for aeback, but came up short.

He thought the moment had passed—until Corrine struck again.

“I saw the two of you hugging at thew firmst week,” she said casually. Then, leaning in with her nose theatrically close to his cor, she added, “And unless you took a detour through a perfume store, I caught a strong trace of Jolene’s signature scent on you.”

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Waldo’s breath caught. His eyes widened behind his sses, and in an instant, he took a step back, sniffing at his own shirt in panic.

Corrine chuckled, clearly enjoying herself. “Look at you—flustered. I struck a nerve.”

With a teasing grin, she held the envelope above her head to shield herself from the afternoon sun. “Just a word of advice, Waldo. Jolene has admirers lined up like they’re buying concert tickets. If you keep dragging your feet, you’ll be pping at her wedding instead of standing beside her.” She turned and strolled away, herughter still lingering in the air.

Waldo stood rooted to the spot, his eyes fixed on her retreating silhouette. His jaw clenched slightly. Attend Jolene’s wedding? Over his dead body.

No one else could marry Jolene. That was not an option.

But it wasn’t as though he hadn’t tried. She had mmed every possible door in his face. Her phone was unreachable, she blocked him on social media, and even moved out of her previous home. She had shut him out from every angle, leaving him no opportunity.

After parting ways with Waldo, Corrine made her way toward Celtis Estate, the golden glow of the setting sun trailing her like a silentpanion.

The moment Nate saw her, the frosty edge in his gaze melted. A soft smile reced it as he stepped forward. “Shall we have dinner together tonight?”

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